What Is Business Broadband?
Nowadays, most organisations simply cannot survive without a high-speed internet connection. However, it’s also pointless (and financially crippling) to invest in a feature-rich service you don’t really need.
That’s the tricky thing about broadband – with hundreds of packages available, how do you know which is best and which will needlessly suck up valuable resources?
Luckily, we’re here to clear up the confusion. The following blog explains why business broadband is the only solution for long-term growth, the difference between business and personal broadband, and some of the incredible benefits on offer.
What is business broadband?
So, first things first – what is business broadband? Basically, it’s a dedicated connection that meets an increased demand for internet services. It offers enhanced features to support day-to-day operations, such as faster download and upload speeds, strong service level agreements (SLAs) and static IP addresses.
Some of the main types of business broadband include:
Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) broadband
Currently, FTTC is a popular option for residential properties and small-to-medium-sized businesses that don’t require lightning-fast data transmission.
It relies on copper wires and fibre optic cables, with the cables running to the street cabinet and the wires to the premises. This means you’ll need a landline connection to access the service.
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA) broadband
SOGEA future-proofs your business against the Big Switch Off (the transition from PSTN to VoIP). It combines landline and broadband connectivity as one service using fibre optic cables, so you don’t need a separate landline.
SOGEA will replace Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) broadband by 2030.
Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) broadband
FTTP is the fastest and most reliable broadband option, delivering connectivity straight to your business via fibre optic cables from your local internet exchange. However, it’s not always accessible or budget-friendly. Providers must physically install these lines into the premises if the infrastructure doesn’t already exist.
Ethernet over Fibre to the cabinet (EoFTTC) broadband
EoFTTC is a mixed bag. It uses the old copper network to deliver internet services to the cabinet and ethernet fibre to transmit data to the exchange. Consequently, you get the best of both worlds – the high speeds of fully fibre optic broadband combined with the value of PSTN packages. What’s not to love?
What is the difference between business and personal broadband?
Below, we’ll explore some of the key benefits of business broadband, which also happen to be the main differences between a business and residential service.
However, in a nutshell, business broadband is faster and more reliable to support data-heavy activities. These might include uploading videos, hosting Zoom meetings and managing websites.
Service providers also prioritise business traffic over residential traffic, meaning you don’t have to worry about next door’s live stream. Want to go one better? You might prefer a dedicated leased line that you don’t have to share with anyone else.
What are the benefits of business broadband?
Connectivity
As mentioned, internet providers prioritise business broadband traffic, so you’ll be less affected by other users. Of course, this is fantastic news for productivity – you’ll be able to work any time, day or night, without having to consider your neighbours.
The more employees you have, the more speed you need. Each connectivity package offers something slightly different. Our cheapest option is around £32.99 per month, with a download speed of up to 76mbps and an upload speed of up to 19mbps.
Reliability
With faster speeds comes superior reliability, depending on the type of business broadband you choose. Fully and partly fibre-optic broadband, such as SOGEA and FTTP, are often more reliable because they’re not as susceptible to temperature, humidity and electrical faults.
Plus, back to the prioritised traffic, you can always rest assured your connection won’t drop because someone down the road is binging Netflix on their laptop.
Security
In the worst-case scenario, security breaches can destroy a brand’s reputation and incur hefty fines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). So, you must do everything in your power to protect yourself online – it’s simply not worth the risk.
Thankfully, business broadband often comes with advanced security features to prevent cyber-attacks. These include:
- Robust firewalls
- Virus protection
- Encryption technology
- Intrusion detection systems
- Multiple static IP addresses
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Scalability
Scalability isn’t really an issue for residential broadband users, but it should be the number one question for business owners. Ask yourself:
Is the service adaptable to changing needs? For example, you might start working with international clients and need more bandwidth for cloud-based sharing applications and Zoom meetings.
Can the service support rapid growth? This might include hiring more employees or receiving a sudden influx of online orders.
We recommend searching for packages with flexible bandwidth options. Here, you can upgrade your requirements if necessary, with minimal disruption.
Customer support
Business broadband is a premium service with a price tag to match. Alongside all the other amazing benefits we’ve outlined here, your money goes towards exceptional customer support. Having experts on hand day and night will free up the valuable headspace you need to focus on growing your business.
Is business broadband right for my business?
So, is business broadband right for your business? If you’re a sole trader who only uses the internet for expense tracking and the occasional social media post, you’ll probably be fine with residential broadband.
However, if you have plans for growth, work predominantly in the digital sphere (e.g. as a Twitch streamer or YouTuber) or have several employees, you’ll benefit from higher-quality business broadband.
Make the smart switch to business broadband today
Looking for a service provider you can trust? You’re in the right place. We offer several competitive broadband packages to suit every business and budget requirement.
On top of this, you’ll also find other connectivity solutions, including SwiftVOIP – advanced communication technology that allows businesses to connect with customers and employees around the world in real time.
If you have questions about any of our products, please get in touch today. Call 03330 347500 or email sales@nullswiftinter.net, and we’ll respond shortly.