There’s nothing quite like turning up to a coffee shop, ready to work and having a tight deadline that really requires the internet.

You see the sign “Free Wi-fi here” and you’re given the password, and then…massive fail later, there is no internet.

Increasingly, the provision of free wi-fi is not just the only criteria in selecting a coffee shop, pub or restaurant, but the quality, speed and reliability of the service makes a huge impact too.

Many coffee shop owners turn against those with laptops, i.e. business users with the ability to continue to spend when other consumers won’t have the funds, but I think this is a very short-term way of thinking.

When we’re on the road, we all know that we rock up to any McDonalds, Starbucks or JD Wetherspoon’s and the internet will be there, working and at a very acceptable speed.

Their investment to do this per site is minimal, and the same service is completely accessibly to smaller businesses and brands.

I’m writing this from a coffee shop where I had several important emails to write, but because I can’t due to their broadband issues, I thought I better draft some blog posts to post when I do have the internet.

My experience today echos that of so many people who have the ability to provide extra custom to a venue on a regular basis if the basic needs of today’s modern mobile worker are thought of.

We are getting there in the UK, but only by forcing us into the national brands. It’s time for our local independents to really get on board with good connectivity, the same way that a lot of Europe has embraced it.

Recently, a visit to Paris showed how bad a lot of the national chains are in providing free wi-fi, but how responsive the independents are to this change. Luckily, there’s a good network of Government provided free wi-fi spots to counter this, which makes finding a connection in the city a lot easier.

Investment in good quality products and then you can honour your promises and continue to drive your revenue upwards.

Yours, Disconnected