Broadband Guide

Business broadband and phone

Whether you work from home or run a small business, bundling your broadband with a phone package can cut the cost of your bills.

Why get business broadband?

Signing up to a business broadband package will give you access to a host of benefits and add-ons that standard home broadband deals just don’t offer.

While your package might not be advertised as being any faster than your home broadband connection, prioritised network access means that your traffic could get right of way.

Other benefits of business broadband packages include:

• Priority customer support - get the help you need, when you need it to keep your business online
• Faster uploads - many companies need fast, reliable uploads as well as good download speeds - something that business broadband packages can offer
• Static IP addresses - connect to your work PC from home, set up an FTP site to transfer files to clients or run your own server with a static IP address
• Webspace and email addresses - take your business to the next level with webspace to develop you website and professional .co.uk email addresses.

Advertisement

Business phone

It’s not just broadband that can offer a little extra when you upgrade to a business package - business phone deals also offer a range of benefits that will help your company.

Depending on the provider and call package that you choose, you could take advantage of cheaper calls, discounted rates on mobiles and free 0845 and 0870 calls, as well as a range of different calling features.

Some of the other advantages of a business phone include:

• Business phone numbers - many providers let you create your own phone number. Choosing a memorable local or free 0800 number could help you attract new customers
• Second lines - a business package can offer more than one landline or a range of different numbers for your customers to call you on
• Line installation - additional lines can help you manage your calls. Many business phone providers will give you a discount when you have a new line installed, though this will depend on how much work needs to be done
• Personalised packages - many providers will allow you to create a calling package that suits your company’s specific needs
• Priority customer support - again, business providers know how important it is that your customers can get in touch and so will respond more quickly to any fault on your line.

Business broadband and phone bundles

Business phone and broadband packages don’t have to be expensive - even companies on a tight budget can benefit from the extra services offered by business packages.

Many of the big business telecoms providers also offer money saving bundles if you take both your broadband and calls from them, allowing you to save even more.

BT business broadband offers speeds of up to 38Mb broadband to its fibre customers and speeds of up to 16Mb across the rest of its network. Customers can choose from a selection of call plans for a package that best suits their business. You can call BT business broadband free on 0800 169 0629 (8am-6pm Monday to Friday).

TalkTalk business broadband and landline packages offer prioritised broadband. TalkTalk has designed a range of call and broadband packages that cater for differing business needs. For example, if your company makes a lot of international calls, then choosing the International Builder allows you 500 minutes of half price calls to landlines in listed countries. The Inbound Builder (0800) gives you your own 0800 number with 200 inclusive inbound call minutes a month. The Online Market Builder gives you all the tools you need to give your business an online shop window including 20 email accounts, a website and blog, EasyLiveChat and up to 750 email newsletters - you simply select the "Builders" that work best for you business. Call TalkTalk business on 0800 542 6900.

Plusnet business also has a range of broadband and calls packages for businesses offering a range of calling features and usage allowances for customers to choose from. As Plusnet owns and manages its network it is able to prioritise time-critical services for business customers. For Plusnet business broadband call 0114 296 5182.

O2 business broadband offers packages designed for either a home office setup for up to two PCs, or Office 10 for up to ten PCs. For more than ten PCs, O2 can provide a tailored package specifically for your business' needs. Contact the O2 business team on 0800 089 3302.

Compare broadband and telephone providers

To find the perfect package for your needs, make sure that you compare business broadband and phone providers with our fast, accurate price comparison calculator. This will allow you to get the best deal in your postcode as well as making sure that all aspects of the package suit both your broadband and phone requirements.