How 5G connectivity creates next-level business growth

In modern workplaces, connectivity is critical for everything from communication to security. And for those with hybrid workforces or multiple office locations, 5G mobile connectivity is fast becoming the cornerstone of operations. 

In new Three Business Medium Outlook Research (2024) with decision-makers in medium-sized organisations (50-250 employees), an impressive 97% said mobile connectivity is important to their business and will continue to be over the next two years.

But it’s not just about day-to-day requirements like video calling colleagues and customers. 5G connectivity can power innovation, from the likes of end-to-end project automation to smart invoicing through machine learning. This is particularly important, given 86% expect their investment in technology and digitisation to increase in the next two years.

So how exactly can medium-sized businesses use 5G to take their business to the next level? 

Having the right infrastructure to support communication and collaboration ensures employees can succeed in their roles, no matter where they’re working from. In today’s world, that’s critical – although stories of ‘return to office’ mandates are common in the news, 44% of employees are still working hybrid or entirely remote. It’s no surprise, therefore, that nearly half of our respondents (45%) said they were interested in technology that can facilitate greater mobility.

5G broadband meets that demand, offering employees super-fast speeds anywhere, without the need for installation. File-sharing capabilities are vastly improved with 5G. With cloud computing enabled by strong 5G connectivity, teams can store and share files and data securely and quickly from any location.

Meanwhile, the high bandwidth and low latency of a 5G network can power some exciting new ways of communicating. In our research, 45% of Finance and Professional Services businesses believe connectivity could support the adoption of AR and VR, which could transform business communication to exciting new (virtual) places.

Global Commissioning, an international data centre commissioning consultancy, exemplifies this. They are leading provider of commissioning agent and managing services, electrical safety, and project management to data centre owners and operators, including hyper-scale customers. Utilising Three Business’s 5G services, Global Commissioning enhances team collaboration and project efficiency.

“Three Business’s 5G connectivity has revolutionised how we collaborate across our global teams. Whether in remote locations or on-site during construction, where Wi-Fi networks are often not yet established, the Three Business network allows our teams to continue working efficiently.

With seamless voice calls, crystal-clear video conferencing, and instant messaging, we have significantly boosted our productivity and efficiency, enabling us to deliver exceptional results for our clients.”

– Louis Charlton, CEO, Global Commissioning

With the fundamentals of communication and collaboration in place, medium-sized businesses can focus on more innovative technologies. In our survey, 44% of finance businesses said connectivity would drive AI adoption. Additionally, 40% of respondents said connectivity drives innovation through smart phones and tablet devices.

Practically, this could mean using anything from chatbots to automated quoting tools – and according to the UK Government, a third (34%) of medium-sized businesses have already adopted some form of AI technology. Similarly, a third (32%) of media and technology businesses cited digital technologies as drivers of efficiency and productivity.

Healthcare is a prime example of this innovation. In healthcare, 5G is increasing the availability of telemedicine services, such as remote patient monitoring and video consultations. Three Business customer Diagnostic Healthcare provides medical imaging services to NHS and private patients across the UK.

Three Business’s 5G connectivity and unlimited plans have empowered the organisation to uphold quality services and avoid downtime, while offering wireless flexibility and outdoor coverage to support teams on the move. All of this positively impacts patients, as Diagnostic Healthcare’s COO, David O’Brien says;

“Clinicians can access more advanced tests outside of traditional hospital settings, results are available even faster, and patients get their diagnoses or treatments faster too.”

In the future, 5G could help healthcare innovate even further, such as enabling remote-controlled robots to perform surgeries, drastically increasing the availability of lifesaving operations.

Connectivity infrastructure presents a significant opportunity for medium-sized businesses to elevate their performance. It is the backbone of modern workplaces, and 5G is an essential part of this mix. It enables seamless communication and collaboration, supports hybrid work models and remote teams with unparalleled speed and accessibility. Its high bandwidth and low latency open doors to groundbreaking technologies like AI, AR, and VR, driving efficiency and productivity across various sectors.

For longstanding training provider Realise, recent changes have taken many courses online. With staffing numbers nearly doubling in the last two years, connectivity from Three Business allows trainers to cater to different learning styles, prioritise the development of digital skills, and maintain open channels of communication with learners.

“With a fast and reliable network, we encounter downtime less frequently. Three Business gives us the flexibility to be adaptable and proactive with the type of learning we can offer students.”

– Gregg Scott, CEO, Realise

5G connectivity from Three Business helps teams across the country unlock next-level services. Our Adapt plans are tailored to your growing business, giving you access to The UK’s Fastest 5G Network, and a dedicated Customer Success Manager offering personalised support throughout your contract.

Plus, with Unlimited data, calls, and texts, teams don’t need to worry about running out of data or overspending. Instead, they can focus on maximising their flexibility and driving productivity.

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• Dedicated Customer Success Manager available for 150+ connections as standard.
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