Results from a study conducted by Analysys Mason show that savings to businesses can be as high as £2,145 when they sign up to a business mobile broadband contract for their employees.

This is some 67 per cent less than a firm's workers using WiFi hotspots. According to the research group, the outlay per employee who roams overseas and gets online in this way can reach as high as £700 annually.

Steve Hilton, Principal Analyst for Analysys Mason, said: "Seemingly small technology expenses incurred by many employees add up quickly. In a tough economy, SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) need to find ways to reduce costs, increase productivity and remain competitive.

"Taking advantage of simple technology solutions, such as mobile broadband, with payback periods of six months is a sound business practice."

The findings make for interesting reading. Although we’re not entirely surprised. Business mobile broadband has been on offer from a very wallet-friendly £8.51 per month on T-Mobile and Vodafone for some time now. These days the question for SMEs isn’t so much whether they can afford it. It’s whether they can afford to be without it.