Plusnet Reveals Half Of Customers Want Businesses To Provide Wi-Fi

A Plusnet Business survey* has revealed that the average Brit spends ten hours a day being connected to the Internet. The study demonstrates how the demand for Internet access has increased, with almost a quarter (24%) of people saying that they need it to be able to update people should anything happen.

Small businesses need to take note that almost half (49%) of respondents said Internet access, provided by businesses, is needed in public areas. Over 40% of respondents in the North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland, London and Wales say that having access to Wi-Fi is a deal-breaker when deciding on a hotel, showing how much this can affect a business’ bottom line.

This study by Plusnet Business has uncovered how much of an impact a decent wireless internet connection for customer use can bring to many sectors, with almost a fifth saying they will purposely choose a restaurant (17%), bar (17%), pub (17%), and shopping centre (18%), over one without it.

For nearly a third of respondents (29%), regular access isn’t good enough, they have to be constantly connected and can’t even queue or take a short journey without entertaining themselves online. Well over a third (46%) of respondents in London admitted that they needed to be connected to the Internet all the time, to stop the boredom of having to queue.

Talking about the survey, Nick Silverwood, Head of Business, Plusnet said: “Through the Plusnet Business survey we can see that installing something as simple as free Wi-Fi for customers can help generate repeat custom and definition within a market. With increased competition in the hospitality and retail markets, it’s important for small businesses to understand how investing in customer broadband has the potential to really boost sales. With over one in ten (12%)** respondents estimating that 21-30% of their profit is down to a fast and reliable Internet connection, there is a clear benefit to getting online.”

Plusnet has been successfully delivering high-quality, well-supported business broadband and connectivity products for over 10 years. For more information call 0114 296 5182 or go to www.plus.net/business.

Via EPR Network
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Swoon.co.uk Reveals Brits Have Lost Their Romantic Spark

Swoon.co.uk has revealed that, when it comes to marriage proposals, Britain has lost its romantic spark. Nearly half (45%) of males spend less than a few days planning their proposal with only in five (21%) getting down on one knee.

Latest research from Swoon shows that Brits are happy to have a simple, spontaneous proposal in the comfort of their own home but when given the option to turn back time, less than one in three thought that their proposal was perfect.

Gone are the days of Hollywood-inspired romantic proposals in sunny climes – instead of whisking their partner abroad for a romantic getaway, 68% of males proposed in their home. It’s just as well that women have low expectations with only 15% of women wanting their partner to propose to them whilst on holiday.

Commentating on the results, Harley Street relationship therapist and life coach, Trevor Silvester, said: “I think several things might be going on here: the first is that the recession is probably having an effect on people’s aspirations. In times where money is tight we’ll tend to lower our dreams a little and look to find the romance through some other, cheaper, means. I suspect the money that would have been spent on setting the perfect scene for the proposal is instead going towards the cost of the wedding, the honeymoon, or the means to move in together.”

Results have further shown that the excitement of the actual proposal has disappeared with three out of five males (63%) not planning to propose on one knee. Surprisingly the latest statistics show that men and women have similar ideas with only one out of three women (30%) actually wanting their partner to get down on one knee.

Trevor Silvester said: “I am pleased to see that getting down on one knee is losing popularity, because it means fewer people are opting for the obvious and actually doing it in a way that feels right for them. My advice to anyone would be that the location is less important than the timing. Pop the question when the mood is perfect and it’ll become a romantic and unforgettable memory.”

Many women are now taking it upon themselves to pop the question. Statistics show that when British women propose it is impulsive with four out of five women (83%) proposing with less than a month’s planning and over half (53%) of those proposing spontaneously. Whilst they have broken tradition by proposing, three out of four women (75%) hoped that their partner had beaten them to do it.

Silvester says: “It’s great that more women are proposing – and I think the spontaneity of their decision shows that in many cases the emotion of the moment needs be strong enough to overcome the social conditioning that says it’s the man’s job. In my opinion, if we’re looking for partnerships to be equal, why shouldn’t the onus on who asks who be spread equally too? I think many men would love for that to happen. Certainly I would have done.”

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Plusnet Log On As Four Nations Sponsors

The RFL has agreed a deal with Plusnet, the telecommunications company, that will see the internet provider become the official broadband partner of the 2011 Gillette Four Nations.

The partnership will see leading England players feature in the UK broadband provider’s creative marketing campaign both before and during the tournament, which also involves Wales, Australia and world champions, New Zealand.

To mark its first international sporting partnership, the Sheffield-based company has offered new customers a pair of tickets to a Four Nations game of their choice, up to a value of £90, and a month’s free broadband when they sign-up to 12 months broadband and home phone. Further details can be found at www.plus.net/fournations.

“I am delighted to confirm that Plusnet has agreed to become a partner of the 2011 Gillette Four Nations and am looking forward to working closely with them Plusnet over the coming months,” said the RFL’s Commercial Director Paul Kimberley.

“Our partnership will see Plusnet’s branding feature prominently at all the Four Nations fixtures, including the eagerly-anticipated double-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday November 5, and become heavily involved with some proactive promotion involving our England stars.

“Plusnet has quickly established itself as a company with clear customer-led focus making it a perfect fit with Rugby League’s own philosophies.”

Plusnet has recently been named a recommended provided by Which? magazine and won the uSwitch 2011 Best Customer Service Award. It is currently running a successful high profile television advertising campaign.

Nick Rawlings, Plusnet’s Commercial and Marketing Director, said: “This is a great opportunity for Plusnet to make its international debut in sporting sponsorship.

“We will be utilising the deal in a number of ways to reward both new and existing customers.”

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Plusnet is Recommended by Which?

Plusnet, the broadband provider from Yorkshire, has been recommended by Which?, the UK’s largest independent consumer body.

Plusnet Value home broadband has been given a five star recommendation for “value for money” and a four star recommendation for connection speed, connection reliability, customer service and technical support.

Broadband providers must score well for customer service, ease of set up, connection speed, reliability and technical support and receive an overall score of 70% in their consumer survey. Over 750 Plusnet customers were questioned in the survey and gave on overall score of 72%.

Which? magazine this month states that today’s broadband services are – to many people – as vital as their electricity or water supplies. Plusnet will now have the opportunity to use the Which? Recommended logo across all marketing for the next six months.

Jamie Ford, Plusnet CEO said: “This is a landmark achievement for Plusnet. What is great about this award is that it is an independent survey with the findings fully dependent on the feedback of actual customers.”

To switch to Plusnet’s cheap broadband users simply visit www.plus.net/switch to choose a broadband package that suits them. They then enter their MAC (migration authorisation code) key when they sign up (available the customer’s current provider) and Plusnet will do the rest of the hard work.

As well as becoming “Which? Recommended Providers”, Plusnet has won seven awards and been highly commended 13 times across the industry for its product and services in 2011*. With 24/7 call centre support based entirely in Sheffield and free to call from a UK landline, all advisors are technically trained, do not work from scripts and look to resolve any problems first time.

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