- A lack of reliable mobile connectivity in the office is affecting seven in ten (70%) hybrid workers surveyed
- Many of today’s office buildings consist of thick concrete walls, steel structures and metallised glass, leaving over half (55%) of those surveyed to report that their mobile connection is better at home than the office
- The top three problem areas at work with weaker mobile signal include office stairwells, meeting rooms and communal spaces such as kitchens or break rooms.
A new survey commissioned by Cellnex UK has uncovered that a lack of reliable mobile connectivity in the office is affecting seven in ten (70%) hybrid workers surveyed. This issue has forced the majority of employees to leave their office building simply to make a phone call (60%), with reports of decreased productivity (74%) and increased stress levels (72%) as a result.
With many of today’s office buildings consisting of thick concrete walls, brick and steel structures and an increased use of metallised-glass, over half (55%) of those surveyed report that their mobile connection is better at home than the office. According to the findings, the top three problem areas at work with weaker mobile signal include office stairwells, meeting rooms and communal spaces such as kitchens or break rooms.
Most of the UK has access to strong mobile signal in their home and local community, yet these latest findings indicate that buildings are proving a barrier to workers receiving this service in the office. Many hybrid workers are looking to their organisations to address this, with nearly two thirds of those surveyed (61%) calling on their employers to increase investment in office mobile connectivity.
The recent survey of 2,000 UK hybrid workers reveals that slow internet speeds (40%), weak mobile network signal (39%) and dealing with areas in the office which have poor or no mobile coverage (36%) are the top connectivity issues faced. In fact, over a quarter (27%) of those experiencing connectivity issues experience this on average two to three days per week.
Edmund Wilkinson, Head of Sales for In-Building solutions from Cellnex UK said: “As the demand for fully connected buildings intensifies, employers and building tenants face new challenges. However, these challenges also open up exciting opportunities for the construction sector. Seamless cellular connectivity not only facilitates basic and expected levels of mobile connectivity, but also have the potential to empower the workforce and significantly boost productivity. Whether addressing this during the design phase or retrofitting existing workplaces, construction professionals can enhance occupancy rates, maximize property value, and futureproof properties for years ahead.”
The majority of those surveyed (86%) also stated that they believe reliable mobile connectivity plays an important role in job performance. Poor mobile connectivity would also deter 68% of hybrid workers surveyed from coming into the office, and 40% stated they have even considered changing jobs due to persistent mobile connectivity issues.
About the research: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Censuswide. Total sample size was 2,000 hybrid workers in the UK. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25/04 – 02/05 2024.
For more information or interview requests, please contact the team on [email protected]
About Cellnex UK
Cellnex is Europe, and the UK’s largest and fastest-growing independent owner and operator of wireless telecoms infrastructure and is integral to the successful roll-out of 5G. With the wireless infrastructure foundation that we deliver across rural and urban areas, Cellnex UK connects everyone, everywhere. Our networks and solutions are built to be fit for now and the future so that the UK can prosper. We are a business built on commercial and technical innovation, ambition and sustainable growth. We offer customers the commitment to neutrality and the economic benefits of shared infrastructure.
For more information: www.cellnex.co.uk
