Wi-Fi problems force six in 10 remote workers to apologise weekly

Wi-Fi problems force six in 10 remote workers to apologise weekly Six in 10 workers apologise at least once a week for Wi-Fi-related mishaps - with many leading to key business actions being missed. A poll of 2,000 adults found six in 10 workers apologise at least once a week for Wi-Fi problems, with many missing key business actions due to broadband connection issues. As a consequence, 42% of those who ever work remotely confessed the phrase "sorry, my Wi-Fi is playing up" has become a standard part of their daily routine. This is most often due to a dropped connection (51%), frozen screen (47%), or being unable to hear what someone else said (40%). Four in 10 (41%) have also had team meetings disrupted by broadband problems. This has led to something shared on screen (34%), important instructions (27%), or decisions (20%) being missed. Because of their issues 52% have been forced to ask colleagues to repeat information or send follow-up notes because of an unreliable connection. Meanwhile, 46% end up at least sometimes 'ghosting' at work, as they have to switch off their camera during meetings to stay connected. The research was commissioned by Sky Broadband, which is launching a 1.6Gbps broadband package making ultrafast speeds available to millions more homes across the UK. It also revealed it's not just work calls being affected – as more people rely on video calls to stay in touch with friends and family, sluggish broadband is increasingly disrupting everyday life too. More than a third (34%) have been forced to apologise for their internet during a personal video call in the past month alone, with 63% experiencing freezing screens or dropped connections while catching up with loved ones. With the typical household now operating more than six connected devices, this is evidently a widespread problem. When it comes to those with the least tolerance for lagging connections, Gen Z proved the quickest to give up, with 90% abandoning watching, playing, or uploading content entirely when buffering, freezing, or dropped connections interfered. Ben Case, managing director of connectivity at Sky, said: "Our research shows how unreliable broadband can disrupt everything from work meetings to calls with loved ones which is why Sky Broadband is helping customers stay connected to what matters most".