Irish firms not fully utilising Internet, says study

An e-business survey on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of Ireland shows small and medium businesses are not taking full advantage of the Internet.

An inadequate telecom infrastructure is holding back widespread use of the Internet by smaller firms, the survey claims.

The survey showed 63% would use more Internet if they could avail of a flat-rate always-on, service.

40% are still using regular telephone lines to irregularly dial up onto the Internet.

With banking, taking orders and revenue on-line all-increasing, the Chambers of Commerce wants the regulator to up the stakes on competition and be given stronger powers if necessary.

Otherwise, small and medium Irish firms believe they will continue to have to use crude technology, compared to their European and US counterparts.