Fast internet

What fast internet means to small business

For small businesses in 2025, fast internet is a non-negotiable. Across all industries, an online presence and customer connectivity are critical, and fast internet is necessary for the running of a business.

Hear from few small-business owners about what fast internet means to them.

Efficiency

Internet speed is a key driver of efficiency. 

One of the primary advantages of high-speed internet, such as fibre or Enterprise Ethernet, is increased efficiency. With fast internet, file uploads and downloads, software updates, and cloud-based applications run smoothly, which improves overall workflow. 

Dr. Matthew Alch, a chiropractor at Sydney Spinal Care, gives the example of taking payments.

“Fast internet is also vital for the day-to-day running of our business. We use HICAPS (Health Industry Claims and Payment Service) at our office which runs off the net to the bank. The faster the net the quicker we can process payments.” 

Learn more about Enterprise Ethernet here >

Customer service

Fast internet also supports better customer service.

With reliable internet, businesses can quickly respond to queries, manage orders online and provide efficient support through chat and email. 

Alch adds: “Slow speed internet would cause disruption to our front desk. We would have clients waiting too long out the front and this in turn would cause a backlog of our clients.” 

Simon Wegman, clinical psychologist and founder of online psychology practice Deep Well Psychology, finds his internet speed an important element of therapy sessions. 

“Dropped calls or lag can be really disruptive, especially when someone’s opening up about something difficult. Fast internet also lets me manage a busy schedule and make sure that back-to-back appointments stay on track. This reliability helps build trust with clients because they know I’m fully present, without interruptions.”

Slow or unreliable internet can have a negative impact on customer service.

“There was a particular case when slow internet speeds affected our ability to file documents electronically,” says Oliver Morrisey, director of Empower Wills and Estate Lawyers. “We were in a time-sensitive situation, and the lagging internet meant we couldn’t submit necessary paperwork on time, leading to delays in our client’s case. This affected our firm’s reputation and caused stress for the client, who was counting on us for prompt service.

Content management

Internet speed affects content and data storage and transmission.

Many small businesses now rely on cloud services for data storage, project management and remote work capabilities. Fast internet ensures that cloud access is immediate, supporting collaboration, particularly if employees work remotely. It also allows small businesses to maintain secure backup systems, reducing the risk of data loss.

“Reliable internet speeds are essential for ensuring that documents and case files are uploaded and downloaded without delay,” adds Morrisey. “Which is vital in our line of work where every minute counts.”

​​For e-commerce platforms, the speed of internet connection can directly affect page load times – and therefore sales. Slow pages can drive potential clients away, especially as consumer expectations for quick online service increase.

“Fast internet is a must,” says Peter Harback at online retailer CoolThings Australia. “Imagine a customer excited to grab that last limited-edition gadget, only for the site to lag at checkout. We’re here to give people cool stuff fast, so if our internet isn’t keeping up, it’s like a slow-motion train wreck. Fast internet (and fast websites) means smooth transactions, quicker replies, and a happy team (plus fewer instances of us yelling at screens).”

Marketing

Contemporary marketing is almost all done online, which is best enabled by fast internet.

Another one of the advantages of high-speed internet is that it further enables small businesses to compete with larger companies by providing equal access to digital marketing and online advertising. A quick connection helps businesses stay active on social media, analyse data trends and run targeted marketing campaigns effectively.

“We use the internet to reach new clients by having our website come up on specific keyword searches,” says Alch. “Google and the internet is the way people find service these days and the easier you are to find, the more business you get.”

Wegman echoes that need: “On the outreach side, I use social media and my website to help new clients find me. Without decent internet, I’d struggle to offer the same level of accessibility.”

Fast internet FAQs

What are the advantages of high speed internet?

High-speed internet allows for better productivity and collaboration, quicker cloud access, multiple users, enhanced security, better customer service and greater reliability.

What is high speed internet?

For residential purposes, 100 Mbps and above are considered high-speed internet. However, for businesses, you’ll need faster internet. Depending on the size of your business, you’ll probably want a minimum of 250 Mbps and, high-speed internet for businesses is more like 1000 Mbps.

Can high-speed internet improve your business?

High-speed internet is an important asset for any business, enabling smoother operations, better communication and increased growth potential. It allows businesses to operate at maximum efficiency and meet the demands of a fast-paced digital environment.

So, why choose swoop?

• Awesome value internet, 30 day money back and no lock-in contract!
• The best internet performance with one of Australia’s fastest growing, Fixed Wireless networks
• Reliability and peace of mind with high capacity, exclusive Swoop networks and locally-hosted content 
• Seamless nbn® performance with no data caps and no overcrowding