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Broadband is a general term for a permanent, high-speed connection to the internet. It describes any telecommunications technology that allows for a transfer of large amounts of data using either:

• fixed telephone lines, eg DSL (digital subscriber line), cable and fibre optic technologies
• wireless access, eg Wi-Fi networks, Wi-Max, mobile and satellite technologies

Is broadband Wi-Fi?

No. Broadband is a term for a fast connection to the internet. Broadband can use wired or wireless technology.

Wi-Fi is simply a means of getting broadband without having to connect through wires. It uses radio wave technology as an alternative to network cables to provide connectivity.

How does broadband work?

A broadband connection, like a telephone line, is 'always on'. This means that, once you have switched on your computer or mobile device, you are connected and you can access the internet at any time.

Unlike the traditional 'dial-up' method, which has become largely redundant, broadband doesn't affect the phone line. This means that you are free to receive and make calls while online.

Most commonly, broadband is provided over your phone line, via cable or via satellite. You can also have broadband access via mobile networks. Read about the different types of broadband connections.

How much does broadband cost?

Broadband packages vary greatly, depending on the provider, the location of your premises and the services you need.

Normally, you pay a standard monthly fee to your provider for unlimited internet access, although certain broadband products may offer pay-as-you-go access.

There are several types of broadband connections available. The location of your business may determine the type of connection you can access.

ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line)

ADSL is a common broadband technology available in the UK but, where available, it is being replaced with faster Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and Fibre to the premises (FTTP) internet connections. ADSL uses existing analogue telephone lines and can deliver download speeds from 0.5 Mbps up to 24 Mbps. Maximum upload speeds generally range from 0.25Mbps up to 1Mbps.

The exact speed of ADSL connection will depend on:

• length and quality of the phone line between your premises and the telephone exchange
• if the exchange has been upgraded to offer newer, faster services

If you are a small office or sole trader, a basic business ADSL line may be enough to meet your needs. Growing businesses or those relying on, for example, online sales or cloud storage, may want to consider faster connections such as fibre broadband for business.

Cable broadband

Broadband services are often available via cable TV operators using high-speed fibre optic networks. Most cable companies offer bundled packages that include telephone, broadband connection and TV channels.

Wireless access

In areas where broadband is not possible via telephone or cable, it may be available using wireless technology. Local Wi-Fi hotspots are common in airports, hotels, cafes, pubs and motorway service stations. Some operators also offer mobile phone style 'roaming' facilities.

Worldwide interoperability for microwave access (Wi-max) is a fast-emerging alternative to Wi-Fi and makes it possible to provide broadband to areas where other technology is unsuitable.

Satellite broadband

Businesses in remote areas where ADSL, cable or wireless are not possible can access the internet by satellite. Download and upload speeds may vary, but faster speeds and more competitive deals are increasingly becoming available. There are also new satellite internet services using clusters of low earth orbiting satellites offering fast speeds and low latency.

Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband enables you to wirelessly connect a portable computer to the internet using the 3G, 4G or 5G mobile phone network. Mobile broadband can be useful for those working on the move. However, download speeds can be slow and coverage is not universal, especially in rural areas.

Leased lines

Larger businesses or those with specialist data needs may want to think about a dedicated 'point-to-point' leased line connection. This can provide higher bandwidths for both uploading and downloading, and better security and privacy over a line used exclusively by the purchasing business.

Each type of connection has its advantages and disadvantages. You should consider your options carefully and think about:

• your location, as not all broadband deals will be available in your area
• your current and future usage needs, including bandwidth and speed
• your budget, including setup fees, monthly line rental and contract terms and fees

Read about the advantages of business broadband.

If you are running a small business or working from home, you may be using your home broadband connection to get on the internet. Business packages are often more reliable and may offer more security if internet access is critical to your business.

Business broadband vs home broadband

Business broadband often offers:

• better data transfer capabilities - eg more generous or unlimited upload and download allowances, and higher upload speeds than home broadband
• faster connection speeds - some packages offer priority to business users over the network at peak times
• lower contention ratio - ie the number of other internet users sharing a server with you is generally lower allowing for greater connection speeds
• greater efficiency - eg streamlining and automating online tasks, such as linking your online shop with the stock control system, transaction processing, order tracking and stock reordering
• static IP addresses - needed for businesses looking to host their own servers, eg for emails, CCTV systems, website hosting or remote connections via the internet
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• additional services - tailored to specific needs of your business, eg email services, data management, upgrades, backup plans, recovery, cloud services, etc

Other benefits of business broadband

Business broadband usually costs more than home packages. However, it is worth weighing the cost against the advantages. A reliable, robust connection can:

• get you closer to your customers and suppliers, with round-the-clock access to account information, order status and project details
• enable you to respond to customers' email queries or website orders within minutes
• ensure that communications channels, such as email and video conferencing systems, remain open between you and your staff

A broadband connection that suits the particular needs of your business can help you become more flexible and more able to adapt to your staff, customer and supplier needs.

If you're not sure which internet access technology would be best suited to your business, read about the different types of broadband connections.

If you think you may not require a specialised business broadband connection, an alternative may be using home broadband for business.

Fibre broadband uses the latest fibre optic technology to provide faster speeds and more reliable internet service.

Types of fibre broadband connections

There are generally two types of fibre broadband connections:

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) speed

FTTC uses fibre optic cable to connect the telephone exchange or distribution point to your phone line in the street cabinet that serves your premises. From the cabinet, your signal travels to your premises via traditional copper lines.

FTTC can typically achieve maximum 80Mbps download speeds, and 20Mbps upload speeds, although the actual maximum speed of your connection will depend on the length of your phone line to the street cabinet.

Fibre to the premises (FTTP) speed

FTTP connections provide end-to-end fibre optic connection from the exchange or the service provider's fibre network to your premises. They can deliver the fastest speeds, reaching download speeds of 1000Mbps and upload speeds of 300Mbps or more. They are usually limited to premises near the telephone exchange or fibre network. The main telecom operators in NI have plans to significantly increase availability of FTTP across NI so it is always worth checking availability.

G.Fast

At present, only a small number of providers offer packages using the hybrid as it is only available to a limited number of FTTC subscribers around the UK.

G.Fast uses fibre optic cables from the exchange to the street cabinets, where a device is fitted that increases the maximum broadband speed users can get via their existing copper cables to be greater speeds than standard FTTC technology.

G.Fast can deliver speeds of up to 330Mbps download and 50Mbps upload, depending on the length and quality of the phone line between the premises at the street cabinet. It operates best over a short run of copper cable, ideally less than 350 meters from the cabinet. 

Benefits of fibre broadband to business

With faster speeds and increased reliability, fibre broadband connections can make your business run more efficiently and be more profitable. It can help you:

• Get more done. Faster speeds mean you and your staff can do more bandwidth-heavy tasks simultaneously (eg send and receive large files, images and video) without experiencing slowdowns.
• Reach new markets. Fast, reliable speeds make online marketing easier and enable you to instantly communicate with customers in your area and across the world using social media, email marketing or via an online shop hosted on your website.
• Stay in touch with people who matter. Connect with customers and suppliers quicker and in new ways, eg through VoIP (voice over internet protocol) telephony and video conferencing. 
• Make use of cloud computing. Take advantage of hosted applications, such as instant data backups, to reduce equipment, software and licensing costs. Pay only for what you use.
• Work remotely. Work from home or on the go, with the same efficiency as if you were working from the office.
• Cut costs. Online data storage can save you space and money on physical storage systems

Find .

Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme

The government is providing voucher funding to help eligible businesses experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas. The vouchers are worth up to 拢4,500 to help cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband. Read more about the .

Not every business requires a specialised business broadband connection. Some may be able to use their home broadband service, especially if their requirements are limited.

Broadband products are generally similar for domestic and corporate users. They rely on the same technology and infrastructure, but commercial businesses typically have different needs to the average domestic user.

It is important to consider your specific needs and the type and nature of your business when you're choosing a broadband package for your company.

Do I need business broadband?

If you're working from home temporarily or occasionally, in most cases your normal home broadband should be sufficient.

However, keep in mind that a home broadband package is designed for personal use. It often comes with a number of restrictions that businesses may find disadvantageous.

If you are a small business, a start-up or a sole trader, and you are working from home more permanently, a home broadband package would only be a suitable option if:

• you don't use the internet frequently and at very specific times
• internet access is not vital to your business operations
• any 'downtime' or 'slowdown' would not significantly affect the survival or profitability of your business
• you don't need large data transfers (eg uploading or downloading of large files) to conduct their business operations

If you are a larger business, or a small business relying on a dependable, secure internet connection, then business broadband might be a better option for you.

Key reasons for getting business broadband

Business packages generally offer faster connection speeds, greater data transfer allowances, static IP addresses and usually more service reliability with better service level targets.

These features may come at a greater price, but they may help you run your business more efficiently. Read more on the advantages of business broadband.

Claiming business expenses if you're using home broadband

If you use home broadband for your business, you may be able to reclaim some cost if:

• you use it for business purposes
• the broadband contract is undertaken in the name of your company
• the service is provided at home but paid for directly by the company

However, you are unlikely to be able to seek reimbursement if:

• you already have a broadband account in your personal name
• you are already paying for the connection
• you cannot split the business and personal use each month

Find out more about .

Broadband provides an 'always-on' connection. This increases the security risks that your business network or equipment could become exposed to, such as viruses or hackers.

These risks could potentially be disastrous for your business. They could compromise your critical data, and lead to loss or theft of valuable information.

Is business broadband more secure than home broadband?

Business broadband packages most often come with better security options and more proactive measures than home broadband, to ensure that your data and network remain secure. Your internet service provider (ISP) can include, as an integral part of their offering, a range of security systems such as:

• network-wide email screening service
• anti-virus / anti-malware software and hardware firewall to intercept malicious attacks
• off-site data backup solution

Find out more about common network security issues.

How to secure your broadband connection

You can take some basic steps to reduce the risks to your broadband. For example, you can:

• install additional security software or an enhanced hardware firewall to your system
• keep your operating system, firewall, virus protection and other software up to date
• draw up and enforce policies for employee email/internet use

You should check which security options are available to you as part of your package, or at additional cost, from your ISP. Alternatively, you can consult an independent security expert.

You can also read more about securing your wireless network and find out how to protect your business online.