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Thursday 9 September 2010

The Importance of Connectivity

In today's increasingly online world the quality (or existence) of your connectivity options are an amenity as important to you as... a.) nearby bus stops/tube stations? b.) local shops? With a high speed internet connection and excellent 3G mobile phone reception would you mind walking further to get a paper in the morning (no wait, don't you get your news online?!). So your Internet connectivity hunger might lead you into cafe's with wi-fi or to choose a home with fibre optic broadband available. The question is, where does this stop? It's been reported today that the London Cycle Hire Docking Stations are increasing the acceptable rent payments in the surrounding areas as they are being considered by estate agents as a local amenity like tube stations or bus stops.

Would someone base their choice of home on mobile reception? Are areas of strong reception going to cost more to buy or rent?  I'm sure that connectivity will continue to have an increasing effect on our decisions. It wouldn't be possible for a shop to open up without a phone line for card payments or an office to not have an email system. The era of digital connectivity being a commodity, like electricity and water, is upon us.

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