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Finding the right broadband service provider for your home is not easy – there are so many service providers with varying prices, plans, benefits, additions, and contracts. Now imagine finding a broadband service provider for a business with 100, 200, 500, or even more potential users. Well, to say the least, the task is liable to be confusing and frustrating. Nevertheless, comparing the benefits, options, prices, and features of potential business broadband service providers will make your task a lot easier. BT Business Total Broadband , a division of the ever popular BT, offers 3 packages for business owners to choose from. All three packages offer free business tools, a free VoIP line, and internet security. Option 1 has 10GB of allotted monthly bandwidth, and Option 2 and 3 has unlimited monthly bandwidth. Option 2 and 3 also include wireless hub and 250 minutes of wireless access ‘out in the field’, and option 3 has an IT support manager and internet security X 5. What does all this mean? Free business tools – 10 email address, 20Mb web space, anti-spam filter and virus scanner for incoming email, and webmail. Free VoIp line – Free virtual phone number with its own line. Internet security basic – Protection for your PC while connected to the internet from viruses and hackers. Internet security X 5 – Allows Internet security basic to be used by up to 5 computers. IT support manager – An IT expert will have “remote control” of the PC to aid in fixing problems. BT Business Total Broadband option 1 costs £19.99 per month (ex VAT) for the first 3 months and £21.99 per month (ex VAT) thereafter with an additional charge of either £49 or £79 for the router. Option 2 costs £26.99 per month (ex VAT) with a 24 month contract or £29.99 per month (ex VAT). Option 3 costs £40.50 per month (ex VAT) with a 24 month contract or £45 per month (ex VAT). Eclipse is another popular provider of business broadband. There three packages are designed to best meet the needs of the business. Option 1 is for small business needs for a small office network or a single PC; option 2 is for the wireless office or for medium-sized networks; and finally, option 3 is for large wireless offices offering the most benefits suited for large office networks. All three packages offer unlimited bandwidth usage, and up to 8Mb download speed with varying upload speeds. The set-up is free and all packages come with a free router. Additionally all the Eclipse business packages come with static IP addresses, free phone calls, 100 or more email addresses, and with up to 250MB of web space, any business can have an affordable web presence. Option 1 offers an upload speed of up to 448Kbps with a free 4 port router; option 2 offers an upload speed of up to 448Kbps with a free wireless router; and option 3 offers an upload speed of up to 832Kbps with a free wireless router. Eclipse offers broadband to suit any business need. The introductory price of Eclipse business packages is all with a 12 month contract. With a contract, option 1 is £19.00 per month, or without a contract the fee is £24.99 per month. With a contract, option 2 is £34.99 per month, or without a contract the fee is £39.99. With a contract, option 3 is £44.99 per month, or without a contract the fee is £49.99 per month. As is obvious, agreeing to a 12 month contract saves the business £5 per month or £60 annually. Choosing a broadband service provider for business purposes is not an easy task. Nonetheless, there are broadband service providers offering a wide array of packages to suit every users needs. BT Business Total Broadband and Eclipse are only two examples of what is offered, but also show the stark differences and benefits of the differing providers. What should you look for when choosing a broadband service provider for your business? Consider the bandwidth limits, the price of the service including the introductory price and the thereafter, the download and upload speed, the web presence supported, and finally, the features you expect and need from the broadband service provider.
Staff editor, Broadband Section, March 2007 |
