42% of small businesses can't live without mobile

This just in from US mobile network AT&T. According to a recent survey, 42% of American small business owners reckon they couldn’t survive without mobile technology.

Four in 10 of small business owners surveyed said they could not survive — or it would be a major challenge to survive — without wireless technology. This trend will likely increase because more than half (51 percent) of the respondents said they rely on wireless technology more today than two years ago, and more (55 percent) said they expect to depend on it even more two years from now.
“Wireless technology is a critical tool that allows small business owners to stay in touch with customers, suppliers and staff while on the go,” said Carrie MacGillivray, senior analyst, Mobile Enterprise Network Services, IDC. “It is not surprising that small businesses indicate that wireless communications capabilities play a critical role in business success.”
The increased demands of a personal life and owning a small business mirrors the concurrent growth in small business owners’ reliance on wireless technology. Of the 41 percent of respondents who said they were very likely to conduct business while away from the office, more than half (53 percent) said the success of their business depends on wireless technologies, such as mobile phones, PDAs and PC data cards. Additionally, half (49 percent) said they are optimistic about wireless technology giving their business a competitive advantage while only 16 percent of those polled disagreed with that statement.
“Small businesses are more nimble and flexible than ever before, and they need telecommunications solutions built for them by people who understand their needs,” said John Regan, vice president of Small Business, AT&T. “Today’s small business owners have more choices than ever for wireless handsets, Wi-Fi access points, smartphones and other technologies that help keep them connected even when they’re away from the office — whether that’s traveling to meet with customers or staying connected with their business while away from the office.”