Business broadband

Business broadband explained

Most businesses consider the internet a vital tool and would be lost without a good business broadband package. Business Broadband allows entrepreneurs to reach a global market without ever having to leave the comfort of their own home. The possibilities of business on the internet are endless.

If you’re thinking of setting up a business, or already run one, then this guide will explore a few of the issues worth considering when choosing a business broadband package.

Business broadband and static IPs

Static IPs are important if you want to:

• Run a server
• Build your own website
• Create an email address that sends directly to an email account of your own devising

For example, if you are selling second-hand books over the internet you could have a website called www.goodbooks.co.uk, and your email could be tim@goodbooks.co.uk.

Compare all static IP business broadband deals here Static IP Broadband

Which providers offer business broadband?

A host of UK providers now offer keenly priced, super fast business broadband packages tailored to needs of companies. BT Total business broadband deals, for instance, feature a headline connection speed of up to 20Mb, while Virgin Media packages’ top speed is an impressive 20Mb.

Other players in the business broadband sector include TalkTalk subsidiary Opal and Plusnet, which is renowned for its superlative customer support.

BT business total broadband

BT business broadband packages offer super fast connections of up to 20Mb and a reliable service that won’t let you down. Broadband products range from those suitable for small to medium enterprises with light usage needs to larger firms who may want to opt for those that feature unlimited downloads.

Customers can also choose to add mobile broadband, with free WiFi minutes available on selected deals. A 1Mb monthly upload limit is in place. Finally, BT also provides 10 email addresses(@btconnect.com) with spam protection with Outlook Web Access.

Virgin Media business broadband

Thanks to its highly advanced fibre optic broadband network, Virgin Media Business is able to offer fast and reliable broadband speeds that are not affected by the distance your business is located from the telephone exchange.

Currently, Virgin Media’s premium business broadband product features a 20Mb speed, with a cheaper option offering 10Mb. However, a forthcoming business-focused offering is to provide subscribers with the same lightning quick 50Mb speed that is available to Virgin Media consumer customers.

Customer support is another strong selling point, with help on hand from a dedicated, UK-based team 24/7 via a freephone number. Other key features of Virgin Media Business broadband include up to five company email addresses and a company domain name based on your business name, along with storage of up to 60Mb.

Plusnet business broadband

BT subsidiary Plusnet has long been renowned among discerning web users for its incredible customer focussed approach. The same ethos informs its business broadband services, with clients benefiting from a well informed support team that is on call from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday.

Aiming to respond to telephone and email queries within 30 seconds and four hours respectively, Plusnet’s success in taking care of customers is born out by the face its business support team fixes around 75 per cent of problems first time.

Plusnet business broadband customers can expect a connection speed of up to 8Mb, a free four port wireless router, a choice of usage allowance options ranging from 10Gb per month to unlimited and free VOIP call minutes with selected packages.

Opal business broadband

Opal, a division of the UK’s largest consumer broadband provider TalkTalk, offers businesses a broadband service of up to 24Mb and prioritised business traffic – making it one of the fastest available to UK firms. Companies also benefit from 15 years of industry experience, keen prices and the flexibility to tailor a phone and broadband deal to meet their needs and add extra services for a small additional charge.

Customer support is excellent, with 950 dedicated, UK-based specialists on call from 8am to 6pm. Opal’s superlative aftercare record was highlighted when it scooped a Cisco Customer Service Award for its standards of customer support. Call Opal’s customer service department on: 0800 083 3003.

Important factors when choosing business broadband

• Web hosting & email addresses - look out for anti-virus and anti-spam filtering
• Site creations suites such as EasySiteWizard help you quickly and easily create a website for your business.
• Business Voice (VoIP) - receive an inclusive VoIP business line for incoming and outgoing calls
• Extranet - provides employees with one place to store and share information, which is backed up daily and password-protected.
• PC Security - protection suites safeguard your PC from hackers and viruses when you are online, and protect you from infected CD-ROMs when your offline.

Note: - Static/fixed IP addresses can give your business a real look of professionalism. This is great if you’re planning on doing a lot of business over the internet - The main problem with static/fixed IP addresses is that they can be vulnerable to hackers, so good internet security is an essential.

Do I need business mobile broadband too?

If you spend a lot of time out of your place of work, for instance, attending meetings it’s a great idea to sign up for mobile broadband. This will enable you to check and respond to your emails from your laptop, surf the web at speeds of up to 7.2Mb and keep on top of your work how ever far you stray from your office.

However, of the business broadband providers detailed above only BT offers a mobile broadband service as an optional add-on to its standard business broadband products. This means that you will need to sign up with providers such as Vodafone and T-Mobile.

These providers offer a host of attractive business mobile broadband options, including standalone dongle deals, which are ideal if you already own a laptop or netbook, as well as bundles that team a brand new laptop with mobile broadband.

Compare business mobile broadband packages: Business mobile broadband

Looking for mobile broadband with a free laptop? Compare mobile broadband & free laptop deals: Broadband & free laptop