CHART OF THE WEEK

SMBs believe smarter technology will play a greater role in efficiency over the next three years, underpinned by improved connectivity services (e.g. 5G) and strong cybersecurity 

Survey report – Technology and connectivity critical for Australian SMBs

Technology is very important for the majority of SMB businesses

This report is based on a survey across 602 SMB owners, conducted by Optus Small Business and Venture Insights. SMBs contribute around 57% of Australian GDP and 7 million jobs, which are crucial to economic recovery after COVID-19. The aim of the survey was to understand the importance of connectivity in order to sustain operations, connect with customers, and monitor assets and inventory remotely due to COVID-19. Network performance and speed rated highest as SMB purchase factors for both mobile and broadband services. In addition, cyber security and keeping up with technology changes were cited as key issues facing small businesses. SMBs need to take three key steps to re-evaluate how they connect with customers and operate efficiently. SMBs need to assess their current technology, implement new technology strategies, and evaluate these strategies against the new conditions of the post-COVID-19 economy. For more details, click to read our report.

UK TV broadcasters – Silver linings from COVID-19

Over the past few months we have outlined the evolving challenges that the pandemic has presented broadcasters—from plummeting ad revenues and production stoppages, to increasing SVOD viewing share. Now, however, is the time to shift thinking towards what can be taken forward from this time. There are strategies that were launched through necessity that will provide continued value beyond this period. The opportunity to reduce cost bases, leverage the greater reach of online services, forge better relationships with advertisers and better understand operational needs and limits presents the potential for more nimble, streetwise businesses. For more details, click to read a report from our UK research partner, Enders Analysis.

UK Betting & gaming advertising

 Gambling (excl. lotteries) advertising & marketing spend in Great Britain, 2014-2017 (£m)

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) which represents 90% of the UK’s betting and gaming industry (but not the National Lottery/other lotteries) announced its withdrawal of all TV and radio advertising for casino, slots and bingo during lockdown. This follows its ‘whistle-to-whistle’ TV ban on sports advertising last year. However, as betting and gaming move increasingly online, so has industry marketing—but no budget has been pulled from social media or online. While the initiatives create positive press, they provide further harm to broadcasters and hasten migration of budgets online, where there is a relative lack of stringent advertising regulation. For more details, click to read a report from our UK research partner, Enders Analysis.

TasNetworks, 42-24, and NNNCo to deliver Tasmanian IoT network

Tasmania’s energy distribution utility, TasNetworks, its subsidiary business 42-24 and NNNCo have reached an agreement to roll out an enterprise-grade IoT network across Tasmania. The three-way deal will see TasNetworks, 42-24 and NNNCo build the network with LoRaWAN gateways deployed on the utility’s assets across the state. Once the network is completed, it is expected the connectivity of IoT devices will increase in different use cases, such as grid safety, street lighting and digital metering. NNNCo is responsible for the actual network build, which will begin in the second half of 2020. 42-24 will be tasked with selling connectivity to third parties for their own IoT applications including local councils, enterprise, agriculture and other utilities to allow them to also use the network.