Business Broadband Packages
Business Broadband Explained
Many Internet Service Providers offer special business broadband packages that are designed to meet the specific needs of business customers, and which offer a higher level of functionality than home broadband packages.
These business broadband deals are available in a range of different packages that are aimed at the different types of business broadband users - from home workers who don’t have to share their connection with anyone else to much more substantial packages that are suitable for busy offices.
Business Broadband Packages - Usage and Speed
What separates these different business broadband packages from each other is the monthly download allowance and top download speed. These are the two main criteria you should consider when comparing business broadband packages.
With regards to monthly download allowance you need to make sure that you’ll be able to download and upload as much data as you’ll need to each month without being penalised for excessive usage. For home workers a monthly usage allowance of around 10GB should be fine, unless your business involves transferring a lot of video, music or high quality image files. For two or three people sharing a connection then a monthly download allowance of 50GB to 100GB is a must. Businesses with 3 or more people sharing a connection and transferring a lot of files an unlimited connection will be absolutely essential.
The next thing to consider is the top download speed you’ll be able to get from each package. If you’ll be receiving your broadband connection over a BT phoneline you’ll have to take into account your distance from the local exchange and how many other people in your vicinity will be online as both can severely impact upon your download and upload speeds.
The best advice is to go for the fastest package that is available and that falls within your budget. If you live in a fibre optic broadband area and especially if you work with very large files that you need to download or upload to clients then you really should give serious thought to subscribing to a fibre optic business broadband package.
Business Broadband Static IPs and Webspace
Many business broadband deals will come with the added option of a static IP address. With static IP broadband you’ll be able to run a server from your place of work and access your files when you're elsewhere, as well as host your own business website – providing it’s not likely to get so much traffic that it will contravene your usage allowance.
Business Broadband Extras
Often you’ll find that business broadband packages come with some fantastic extras that will save you time and money. Some include free Wi-Fi minutes that you and your employees can use to access the web via public Wi-Fi hotspots. There are literally millions of these hotspots right across the UK in places such as hotels, airports, railway stations and restaurants.
Good business broadband packages will also have POP3 mail support, and enable you to give yourself and your staff professional looking email addresses which contain the name of your business in the domain extension.
Perhaps the best extra you’ll get is better customer service and technical support from professional business broadband customer service staff. With most packages you’ll be able to enjoy a level of reliability and support that home broadband customers would envy. And, if something goes wrong you can be sure that your problems will be given priority to get you and your business back online as quickly as possible.