44% of UK small businesses ready to pay for hosted applications

Around 44% of small businesses are ready to pay for hosted services, which could produce a 167 mln British pounds market if they all sign up over the next 3 years, according to the survey of 5,000 small businesses in the UK done by Microsoft, BT andCobWeb Solutions. 52% of the companies wanted broadband-delivered communications services that mimic those used by larger companies. Of those willing to pay, 82% said they were ready to pay 5 pounds per month per user for a shared calendar, contacts and collaboration service.