Businesses with internet report more revenues in US - study

Businesses with broadband have a clear advantage in revenue and thus potential job creation over businesses without it, according to a study by the Connected Nation. The research shows that businesses using high-speed internet connections report median annual revenues USD 200,000 more than businesses without broadband. However, the research estimates that approximately 2.1 million US businesses still do not use broadband technology. Nearly 28 percent of all businesses in the US and 32 percent of small businesses with fewer than five employees do not use broadband for their daily business needs. Only 63 percent of businesses in the healthcare sector use broadband, representing a significant loss to the economy in terms of increased healthcare service delivery costs. About 23 percent of businesses let employees telework. Three out of five businesses that do not subscribe to broadband say that either they do not need broadband or they do not know why they do not subscribe. This is by far the most often-cited barrier to broadband adoption, followed by the lack of a computer, perceived security risks, and expense.