Mobile, Bband Reduce Impact , Improve Productivity

Media release
8 December 2008

Mobiles And Broadband Reduce Environmental Impact & Improve Productivity

ShapeNZ poll reveals quality of life improved by telecommunications

Kiwis believe they are more productive at work and have less of an impact on the environment as a result of mobile phones and broadband at home.

The nationwide ShapeNZ survey conducted for Vodafone New Zealand and the New Zealand Business Council of Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) shows that 39% of Kiwis believe that calling and TXTing from their mobile has reduced their need to travel.

The survey of more than 3,786 people also showed 45% believe their need to travel has reduced because of their home broadband connection.

Emissions from transport account for around 42% of the country’s total carbon emissions profile, and these findings suggest that telecommunications has a significant role to play in helping people reduce their total emissions.

Businesses also benefit, with 47% of decision makers saying their employees’ productivity has improved because of technologies like mobiles and broadband. Half of all business decision makers surveyed believe that their employees have greater flexibility in how and where they work and 62% of this group said that customer service levels have also improved as a result of telecommunications services.

Business decision makers also believe that the work/life balance of their employees has improved because of services such as mobiles and broadband. More than half of all respondents said that they spend between one and 15 hours per week working from home on their broadband connection.

The report is a precursor to a further in-depth independent study commissioned by Vodafone, which will be led by economic research consultants Covec. The study will examine the impact telecommunications technologies can have on New Zealand businesses to increase productivity, reduce their impact on the environment and maintain happier employees.

Vodafone New Zealand Head of Corporate Responsibility Tom Newitt is encouraged by the results.

“At Vodafone, we believe our services help people reduce their impact on the environment and gain a better work/life balance, and now there is New Zealand research supporting this. Flexibility of working arrangements is an increasing focus for many businesses and we are pleased to see that businesses think mobile phones and broadband at home have had a positive impact on flexibility, and also on productivity.”

“It is also exciting to see the potential of telecommunications services to deliver positive environmental outcomes. If our services can empower people to reduce their personal or work travel footprint, then that is a positive thing,” says Tom Newitt.

The nationwide ShapeNZ online survey had 3786 respondents. Results are weighted to represent the New Zealand population. The maximum margin of error is + or – 1.7%.

Copies of the report can be found at: www.vodafone.co.nz/media

ENDS

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