Evolution of Internet Access in Small and Medium‑Sized Enterprises in V4 Countries as a Driver of Digital Transformation (2017–2022)

The aim of this article is to analyse the use of the Internet and selected digital technologies in small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Visegrad Group (V4) countries over the period 2017–2022. The study covers indicators related to employees’ access to the Internet, the use of DSL and other fixed broadband connections, as well as the provision of mobile devices enabling Internet access for business purposes. The analyses were based on Eurostat data and include comparisons with average values for the EU‑27.The results show that most small and medium‑sized enterprises in the V4 countries provide their employees with access to the Internet, although a consistent increase in this share was observed only in Poland, while the lowest levels were recorded in Hungary. In all analysed countries, the share of employees with Internet access for business purposes also increased, yet it remained below the EU‑27 average. With regard to the use of broadband connections, the largest decline was noted in Czechia, while slight increases were observed in Poland and Slovakia. Over the analysed period, the proportion of enterprises equipping employees with mobile devices enabling Internet access for business purposes rose systematically, with Czechia consistently achieving values well above the EU‑27 average.Overall, the findings confirm a growing level of Internet access and the uptake of mobile technologies among small and medium‑sized enterprises in the Visegrad Group, although these levels generally remained below the EU‑27 average. The added value of the study lies in offering a new comparative perspective on SMEs in the Visegrad countries across five key indicators for the period 2017–2022, as well as in identifying divergent digitalisation trajectories within the group.