Small businesses made up the highest proportion of phone and internet complaints in the most recent quarter, new data from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) indicates.
The TIO's Q2 2020-21 Complaints Report shows while the number of complaints from small businesses decreased compared to the previous quarter, the proportion increased to 17% of total complaints.
This is the highest proportion of phone and internet complaints from small businesses in the last five quarters.
TIO Ombudsman Judi Jones said that while there isn't cause for small business concern just yet, it's important that they have access to reliable services.
"Small business owners and telcos have done it tough through the pandemic.
"Whilst the slight proportional increase in small business complaints isn’t yet cause for concern, it is important that small business owners have access to reliable phone and internet services, as many depend on these services to operate.
"The impact of phone and internet problems can be significant for small business owners who don’t have a back-up plan," she said.
The report reveals that complaints about the disconnection of services appeared in the top 10 issues for small businesses, replacing complaints about number problems.
This quarter also showed increases in the volume of complaints about business loss and having no working service.
Overall, between October and December 2020 residential consumers and small businesses made 30,564 complaints about phone and internet services - a decline of 11.2% compared to the previous quarter.
The report shows that internet complaints declined 20.7%, while mobile issues topped the list in Q2, generating 10,118 complaints.