New Cisco study finds Canadian workers are demanding universal access to high-performance broadband to thrive in hybrid work

Summary of the news

• 71% of Canadian workers believe broadband services need to be drastically improved to allow them to work from anywhere
• Three out of four respondents believe that access to fast and reliable internet is crucial for future economic growth and a well-educated population
• Almost half (45%) said they were unable to access essential services such as online doctor appointments or online education during the lockdown due to unreliable internet
• half (51%) from canada Employees now rely on their home internet to work from home or run their own business

TORONTO, March 29, 2022 /CNW/ – Cisco’s Broadband Index shows that people value access to the Internet more than ever. The global report surveyed nearly 60,000 workers in 30 countries, including Canada, about broadband access, quality and use at home. According to the survey, Canadians believe economic and social growth will not happen without universal access to fast and reliable internet.

Hybrid The work depends on the quality of the Internet
The success of hybrid work depends on the quality and availability of the Internet, with 71% of Canadian workers saying broadband services need to be dramatically improved to support this new way of working. Three-quarters of workers surveyed (75%) say the reliability and quality of broadband connections is important to them. dependency on top performance Internet Accessibility is underscored by the fact that 87% of Canadians actively use their home broadband connection for four hours or more per day, with 62% using their home broadband connection to work from home or run a business. Three or more people now use the Internet at the same time in 48% of households.

“The shift to hybrid work depends on workforce access to a secure, high-quality and reliable internet. It is crucial that we get this right to make hybrid work successful,” he said Shannon Leininger, President, Cisco Canada. “As digital acceleration happens at an unprecedented pace, we must harness this momentum to connect more people, places and communities to support the future of work and fuel canada Restoration.”

Many remote workers require more than basic connectivity to make a living. While the majority (65%) of internet users in Canada say they have a strong internet connection, the study shows a clear disparity in internet connection by population area. Only half (51%) of respondents in rural areas reported having a strong internet connection, versus 65% in suburban and 70% in urban areas.

Security is vital
To be able to work from anywhere, employees need to connect to their company’s networks and applications from outside the office and access private data in multiple locations, on multiple devices, and across public and private networks. Workers are becoming increasingly aware that safety, as well as speed and reliability, are critical to the success of hybrid working. Almost half (45%) of people working full-time or hybrid would pay more to ensure they have secure broadband connection.

Bridging the digital divide
Beyond the business world, improving the quality of access to the Internet has broader economic and social implications. Three out of four respondents believe that access to fast and reliable internet is crucial for future economic growth and a well-educated population. A similar proportion (71%) say everyone should be able to securely connect to fast and reliable internet, regardless of location.

“Remote, rural and underserved communities in parts of Canada remain unconnected. The effects of this have the potential to further widen the digital divide,” said Leininger. “As business leaders and technologists, we recognize the urgency of being connected in this digital age – we don’t want people to be left behind. Together with our global service providers, we are innovating to transform the economics of the internet and make it more accessible.”

Data from the Cisco Broadband Index survey underscores concerns about the digital divide: 64% of respondents say access to affordable and reliable broadband will become a major concern for people, as connectivity to access employment and education opportunities becomes even more important. Almost half (45%) said they were unable to access essential services such as online doctor appointments, online education, social care and utility services during lockdown due to unreliable broadband connection. This sentiment was even higher (62%) among those living in council, government or assisted living housing.

Partnerships for digital inclusion
The urgent need for universal broadband presents a great opportunity for governments and industries to work together and act. 70% of respondents would like governments to accelerate their plans to ensure high speed and reliability Internet is available to everyone. Governments can set broadband policies and programs that encourage competition Internet invest and expand its reach. Employers can support their workforce by using the right technology for their hybrid work model. Service providers can work with governments to develop programs that address the needs of the unserved or undersupplied and embark on new ways of connecting to power the “Internet for the future” that meets demand.

About the Cisco Broadband Index
The Cisco Broadband Index is based on a survey of 59,796 workers in 30 countries: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New ZealandSouth Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, China, United States of America, Spain, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, SwedenUnited Arab Emirates and Netherlands. It was completed in December 2021. The sample included respondents from all regions of each country who either work remotely full-time; full-time in an office; hybrid, between home and office; or at the front. The survey was conducted by independent research consultancy Censuswide, which adheres to the Market Research Society rules and employs members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

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SOURCE Cisco Canada

For more information: Briar Wells, Director of Communications, Cisco Canada, [email protected]Tel: +1 647 968 ​​9295