Mobile technology critical for small businesses

Mobile and wireless technology is now increasingly critical for small businesses according to a new report out this week. 

More than a fifth of those questioned for AT&T's "Small Business Technology Poll" said they would and could not be in business without wireless technologies, while a further 43% claimed it would be a "major challenge". 

The questionnaire also found mobile and wireless usage has soared in the past 2 years. A quarter of respondents reported the same usage as 2007, while 74% of small businesses said they relied on mobile and wireless technologies much more. 

And that usage is only going to go up and up in the coming years. Nearly 75% said they were planning to increase their usage, including 37% who will use the services "much more". 

Key tasks for using wireless on the go include checking e-mails (more than 80%) and browsing the internet (57%). Smartphones were used for similar tasks but were primarily used as mobile phones. 

“Wireless technology is a critical business tool that allows mobile workers to stay in touch with colleagues and customers, and to access company data on the move,” said Timothy Doherty from IDC.

“Reliance on wireless technology will only increase, as growing adoption of mobile business applications among small businesses drives the need for fast, reliable connectivity."