Slow or patchy internet might seem like a minor inconvenience, but the costs for your business, both financial, operational, and reputational, can be significant. The reality is clear: unreliable internet is not just frustrating; it is expensive. Here is why.
1. Connectivity Disruptions Are Costing Businesses Millions
Recent global research revealed that 1 in 8 businesses lose over US $10 million per month due to internet outages or poor performance. Over 50% report monthly losses of more than US $1 million, driven by downtime, missed customer opportunities, and lost productivity.1
Even when a connection is technically “up,” it may be so slow or unstable that it is essentially unusable. In fact, 42% of businesses say poor performance is as damaging as being completely offline.1
For Australian businesses using cloud tools, video conferencing, and AI-based platforms, patchy internet directly translates to lost revenue and a competitive disadvantage.
2. The Hidden Productivity Drain
It is not just about outages. It is the slow creep of reduced productivity that drains your business.
Every dropped video call, every document that fails to upload, every hour wasted waiting for systems to respond all adds up to:
Project delays,
Missed deadlines,
Cancelled meetings,
Staff frustration and disengagement.
In a climate where Australian labour productivity has declined 1.2% year-on-year2, businesses must eliminate these avoidable bottlenecks to stay competitive.
3. The Average Downtime Minute Now Costs Thousands
In 2025, the average cost of IT downtime sits at nearly US $9,000 per minute.3 That includes direct financial losses, stalled operations, and the effort required to recover. Even a short period of degraded service can create ripple effects across sales, service, and support.
And it is not just big enterprises, mid-market organisations still experience US $775 average losses per incident, especially those relying on cloud-based phone systems, CRMs, or video collaboration tools.4
4. Customer Expectations Are Higher Than Ever
Customers now demand immediate access and seamless service. If your team cannot respond quickly because of lagging tools or poor call quality, they will go elsewhere.
From contact centre performance to order fulfilment, slow internet affects every touchpoint with your customers.
5. Tech Failures Compound Cost Pressures
Australian SMEs are already under pressure in 2025, with 3 in 4 (76%) expecting rising operating costs in the next 12 months.5 Every wasted hour or missed sale from slow connectivity cuts further into margins.
Investing in faster, more reliable internet is not a luxury; it is a strategy for growth and resilience. In fact, many businesses are now considering their internet connection as mission-critical infrastructure, just like power or security.
What’s the Solution?
The good news is there is a better way. Business-grade fibre internet offers:
Arrow Voice & Data offers gigabit fibre plans designed for Australian businesses, with flexible options, professional installation, and 24/7 support. We can also help you migrate your phone system to the cloud for even greater efficiency.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Internet Hold You Back
In 2025, slow or unstable internet is not just inconvenient, it is a serious business risk.
Whether you are supporting remote staff, running customer service via cloud contact centres, or enabling AI tools across your workflow, your internet connection is the backbone of performance.
If you are ready to take control of your connectivity and eliminate hidden costs, talk to Arrow Voice & Data about upgrading to business-grade fibre today.
Sources
- 1Catchpoint Internet Resilience Report 2025 via BusinessWire
- 2Productivity Commission – March 2025 Bulletin
- 3Forbes Tech Council – Downtime Costs in 2025
- 4CloudSecureTech – Cost of IT Downtime
- 5NAB SME Small Business Insights – What is Australian Business expecting in 2025?
- Photo by Yan Krukau from Pexels
