With internet connectivity, everyone is feeling the need for speed

I think I spend about 30% of my day on Teams, Zoom or Meets, and when I’m not talking to clients or colleagues, or downloading reports and writing/sending them, I’m consuming content. What’s fuelling this is connectivity and, as with an electricity connection, the speed is very much dictated by the size of the connection.

As the largest WiFi and internet services provider to the UK flex sector, we have seen a significant shift in demand from landlords and operators. In 2015, the average connection was 100Mb/s. By 2022, it had shot up to 1.8Gb/s – reflecting a growth rate of 1,800% in seven years.

But it’s not just our clients who are demanding ever faster internet; the same is true of employers – indeed, some 60% of flexible workspace users would like to have faster internet.

To keep up with demand, we are seeing a rise in customers ordering a 10Gb/s line, which currently accounts for about 10% of total orders. We expect this to rise, not only to reflect the strong demand from users, but also the demands of technology. Those thinking to the future are also investing in faster connectivity to future-proof sites.

The future of the workplace is technology; it’s the metaverse facilitated by virtual reality or augmented reality. I’m seeing spaces dedicated to e-sport teams, as well as more and more buildings being powered by smart technology. We are also seeing the data-heavy life sciences sector increasingly offer flex. Connectivity supercharges this transition, but it is only as reliable as the speed it offers.

There is a misconception that the internet is purely digital and not physical – and I get it – because we can’t see it as most of us are wireless, so we don’t appreciate the physical infrastructure that enables it.

Connectivity costs and increasing speed often requires upgraded cabling. We are working with landlords and operators to future-proof schemes by installing faster lines as well as back-up lines, which 75% of customers are now asking for, further demonstrating the importance of connectivity.

When developing and redesigning commercial spaces, connectivity provision must be taken as seriously as water and electricity, and designed in the same way. Otherwise, it will be patchy, or worse, there will be total blackspots. The cost of doing this wrong is expensive.

In addition to speed, there is also a need for security. Of those flexible workspace users we asked, 80% said they were concerned about cybersecurity.

As more business move into flex, there is a greater requirement for dedicated lease lines. At present, just 10% have a dedicated lease line offer. Cybersecurity is one of the reasons to offer dedicated lease lines. The other is to use it as a tool to monetise the provision.

The need for speed in connectivity has become increasingly crucial in today’s digital landscape and for work. As the demand for faster internet grows, both from clients and employers, there has been a significant shift in the average connection speed, a trend we continue to see grow. To keep up with this demand and future-proof sites, more businesses are installing faster lines. As more parts of the commercial real estate industry embrace the flexible space trend, it is inevitable that connectivity will increasingly be treated a fundamental utility, alongside water and electricity.