Your business internet connection

Gone are the days when an internet connection was optional for businesses. You need a fast, reliable business internet connection to do everything from sending email to managing your website.

What’s more, increased use of cloud computing – services accessed online – means your business may be more dependent than ever on its fast connection.

Choosing a broadband internet connection

There are lots of internet service providers (ISPs) offering a range of internet connection options. The most common is broadband internet access through a standard telephone line. This is also called ADSL.

ADSL is adequate for many companies with fewer than 20 employees and, from £15 a month, offers reasonable value. What’s on offer from each business ISP can differ - answering these questions will help you identify the best:

• What speed do you need? You’ll need a fast internet connection if lots of people will be sharing it. Speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). 8Mbps is standard, but some connections offer up to 24Mbps.

• Do you need to upload large files? Most internet connections allow you to download (receive) information faster than you can upload (send) it. If you frequently upload large files, you’ll need a fast upload speed too.

• Will you be running services from your connection? If you plan to host your company website on a server within your business or manage your own email server, check your business ISP supports this.

Read your business ISP’s small print carefully, as many quote best case speeds or limit how much data you can transfer each month.

Many business ISPs offer optional extras, like email addresses or inclusive telephone calls. While this can save money, be wary of relying on one provider. For instance, if one business ISP supplies your telephone and internet connection, a problem could cut you off completely!

Fibre: a new type of affordable business internet connection

The UK’s internet infrastructure is changing rapidly. Major telecoms firms like BT and Virgin Media are rolling out fibre optic connections, which are much faster than ADSL broadband and can sustain promised connection speeds more reliably.

Fibre is only available in certain areas – Sam Knows will tell you the status in your area if you type in your postcode. Fibre is more expensive than ADSL, but even the smallest businesses may benefit from the extra speed and reliability it promises.

If you have over 20 employees or use the internet heavily, a fibre connection – which will cost £30 – £50 a month - is almost certainly worth paying the extra for. And as fibre becomes more widespread and prices drop, it’s likely to become standard for businesses lucky enough to be in an area with coverage.

Other business internet connection options

If you’re a larger company, or have critical requirements – like access to a connection guaranteed not to fail - you may need to consider a leased line. This is a dedicated internet connection which can provide very high speeds and which your business can depend on in all circumstances.

However, leased lines are expensive. They start at £2,000+ per year, and require specialist knowledge to install and configure.

Many leased line suppliers will be willing to customise the service you receive. They may also offer web hosting and other telecoms services.

In any case, seek advice from an IT expert – like your IT supplier  – if you’re not confident deciding what sort of internet connection to plump for.

Business internet hardware and security

You will probably need additional hardware to connect to the internet. Many business ISPs will supply a router for free. This connects to your phone line, allowing you to share the internet connection. Take security precautions to protect your business internet connection from online threats too.

Finally, remember that the internet can create management issues. Make sure your staff understand what they are and aren’t allowed to use the internet connection for, and document this in an IT policy.

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