3 minute read
13/12/2018
Since the launch of broadband in 2000, consumers and businesses alike have come to use it as standard. So much so that we often forget its true value… until it stops working.
Imagine what would happen if your internet connection dropped out, slowed down or fell victim to a cyber-attack. The impact on your business would be huge. Processes would come to a standstill, employees would be frustrated, and customers would seek products and services elsewhere. With these possibilities, it’s fair to say that broadband isn’t just an add-on. It’s part of your business’s DNA.
But did you know that there’s a broadband service designed specifically for businesses? And no, it’s not a case of sticking the word ‘business’ in front of standard broadband. As well as providing access to the internet, Business Broadband has a unique set of capabilities and benefits, created with the needs of a modern business in mind.
One way in which Business Broadband bundles differ from those offered to a home customer is that they come with their own Service Level Agreement (SLA). This is a guarantee from providers that they’ll deliver a specific service standard, like a minimum speed, more line stability, or a repair response time as quick as eight hours. For example, if your broadband isn’t running at the promised speed, your agreement may state that you’ll receive money off until it’s fixed. It may mean a blip in productivity, but at least your finances won’t suffer.
Over 40% of UK businesses suffered a cyber breach or attack in the last 12 months
GOV.UK, 25 April 2018
An SLA means your business has a broadband connection you can rely on. But what if external factors jeopardise this reliability, such as viruses, phishing scams or hackers? Between April 2017 and April 2018, over 40% of UK businesses suffered a cyber-breach or attack – proving the scale of the problem, and the importance of a security strategy. Thankfully, the best Business Broadband bundles come with built-in security features. These tend to be more comprehensive than home packages, and you can tailor them to your needs. So you can protect your business and maintain a level of control.
What’s more, although broadband speeds vary depending on location, business owners have a range of options to choose from to achieve a faster connection. For example, there are leased lines, which connect your business directly to the telephone exchange, so you don’t have to share the line with other users. And fixed wireless broadband, which doesn’t rely on a line at all, but radio signals. These options come with the benefit of increasing your broadband speed and the speed at which you run your business. Better yet, when you buy Vodafone’s Business Broadband and Phone, if you’re not in the office you can divert calls from your landline to your mobile, so you never miss a call – or an opportunity.
Business Broadband is so much more than an internet connection. It brings your business and your community together so you can run things as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
With a Business Broadband solution, you’ll also receive a static IP address, which is a unique number that corresponds to your location. It’s essential if you want to run your own in-house services and perform simple tasks, like sending an email or transferring a computer file. Plus, if your business has more than one office or you encourage remote working, you could also opt for a Virtual Private Network (VPN) i.e. a private connection between multiple locations. A VPN allows your employees to access the same network from anywhere so they can work flexibly, without compromising their productivity.
Our Business Broadband is so much more than an internet connection. It brings your business and your community together so you can run things as smoothly and efficiently as possible. At Vodafone, we’re dedicated to solving your problems with our tech solutions. Discover how we can support your business today with Business Broadband