small business alternatives to BT-landline and broadband
Discussion
any good ideas for alternatives for a single landline and broadband for a small business?
we don't need to use more than a domestic household, and have recently had a BT executive round discussing options. we currently pay appx 60pcm for our landline and broadband from BT, but they are pressuring us to switch to digital as our lines will be getting shut off in the future.
first recommendation was a dedicated landline at £450 pcm! I almost fell off my chair.
then we discussed cheaper options-some digital line at appx £120 pcm with a five year contract-so double what we pay now for the same service we a 5 y noose around our neck-not keen on that either.
executive was surprised that I would like a written breakdown/proposal of the options-they don't provide that, and was also surprised I was not keen on signing for one of the above options there and then-advising the price would likely increase over the next couple of weeks.
felt like sharp practice and would like to jettison BT-any good ideas!, cheers
we don't need to use more than a domestic household, and have recently had a BT executive round discussing options. we currently pay appx 60pcm for our landline and broadband from BT, but they are pressuring us to switch to digital as our lines will be getting shut off in the future.
first recommendation was a dedicated landline at £450 pcm! I almost fell off my chair.
then we discussed cheaper options-some digital line at appx £120 pcm with a five year contract-so double what we pay now for the same service we a 5 y noose around our neck-not keen on that either.
executive was surprised that I would like a written breakdown/proposal of the options-they don't provide that, and was also surprised I was not keen on signing for one of the above options there and then-advising the price would likely increase over the next couple of weeks.
felt like sharp practice and would like to jettison BT-any good ideas!, cheers
We are with one of the very many providers who provide services via data/VoIP etc etc
£270/qtr. Five handsets. Four lines. And probably more. It's not my job to negotiate that.
The firm we're with for this business is Mint Telecom
My other business is with Chess. That's one line, two handsets and very very cheap.
£270/qtr. Five handsets. Four lines. And probably more. It's not my job to negotiate that.
The firm we're with for this business is Mint Telecom
My other business is with Chess. That's one line, two handsets and very very cheap.
I have an unlimited data business sim with EE and a pocket landline ported from BT (it can only ring one number). Think it's ~£35 a month for those, although I then added extra mobile numbers plus a an extra data sim in the office. It's mostly just me though in the office so no real demands. The office MiFi thing does struggle with device numbers sometimes (cameras, alarms etc bump it up).
I also have some 'landline' numbers with Twilio which have incredible flexibility (can ring multiple numbers, answerphones, website integration etc) - but I don't think you can port a UK number to them (you can buy UK numbers). Genuinely it costs pennies, I only pay for forwarded calls and it can't cost more than $20 a year - although I think you now rent/subscribe numbers so has a small monthly cost. I've never known Twilio to have any down time of note.
I also have some 'landline' numbers with Twilio which have incredible flexibility (can ring multiple numbers, answerphones, website integration etc) - but I don't think you can port a UK number to them (you can buy UK numbers). Genuinely it costs pennies, I only pay for forwarded calls and it can't cost more than $20 a year - although I think you now rent/subscribe numbers so has a small monthly cost. I've never known Twilio to have any down time of note.
thank you.
yes Bt seem to be the new 'double glazing ' sales tactics
yes was thinking of getting a separate mobile phone to call divert to, or tether to a laptop if the main provider fails, but I am not the best when it comes to phone tech and will need to explore the options/ do some research.
many thanks for the advice and tips
yes Bt seem to be the new 'double glazing ' sales tactics
yes was thinking of getting a separate mobile phone to call divert to, or tether to a laptop if the main provider fails, but I am not the best when it comes to phone tech and will need to explore the options/ do some research.
many thanks for the advice and tips
I would use a separate provider for broadband/internet, and for VOIP.
VOIP - there are plenty of providers, see recent threads. I happen to use https://www.aa.net.uk/ , there are lots of others. Cheap as chips.
Internet is a bit trickier - you may be tied to BT for broadband, unless looking at fibre, Starlink ($), or 5G options.
VOIP - there are plenty of providers, see recent threads. I happen to use https://www.aa.net.uk/ , there are lots of others. Cheap as chips.
Internet is a bit trickier - you may be tied to BT for broadband, unless looking at fibre, Starlink ($), or 5G options.
I doubt it was BT that visited the OP, more likely BT Local Business which is a franchise type arrangement whereby a private company resells BT services under their branding. It’s very misleading and we have had many customers who have been duped. They get paid commission on selling new/additional services, so invariably they want you to upgrade whatever you have.
I would steer well clear. Without exception they push services that are overpriced and unnecessary.
I would steer well clear. Without exception they push services that are overpriced and unnecessary.
fadfad said:
yes was thinking of getting a separate mobile phone to call divert to, or tether to a laptop if the main provider fails, but I am not the best when it comes to phone tech and will need to explore the options/ do some research.
OP, exactly what servcies do you have at the moment? Is it a single VDSL Line (FTTC) & an analogue phone line? If so, is the phone number attached to your landline important to you - it probably is. Be very careful switching your broadband line away as this will terminate your analogue phone line as well & you risk losing the number. You can set up a new VOIP service & retain your number but you need to plan it. Andrews & Arnold are a good business oriented provider who can sort out the move.For resilience you could get a router that can take a SIM card which will allow the internet connection to be maintained if the VDSL line fails, but it won't help if there is a power cut.
https://www.aa.net.uk/broadband/
LuckyThirteen said:
We are with one of the very many providers who provide services via data/VoIP etc etc
£270/qtr. Five handsets. Four lines. And probably more. It's not my job to negotiate that.
The firm we're with for this business is Mint Telecom
My other business is with Chess. That's one line, two handsets and very very cheap.
We use Mint for several leased lines, VOIP and standard broadband across several sites and have always found them to be excellent.£270/qtr. Five handsets. Four lines. And probably more. It's not my job to negotiate that.
The firm we're with for this business is Mint Telecom
My other business is with Chess. That's one line, two handsets and very very cheap.
Your 'salesperson' was obviously looking at the highest levels of commission and probably a reseller rather than BT. Your usage / requirements sounds very much like ours. We used PlusNet for business, really good inclusive deal that nobody could beat, but they're closing down their business operations to focus on domestic. We moved back to BT Business, they installed FFTP, supplied a VOIP phone and switched the router for £30. Monthly bill is just under £36 for a single line including all calls and fast fibre broadband.
If you're not tech savvy then its a simple quick switch over with only one provider to deal with. Not the cheapest but not that expensive either.
Being a digital line, we can also use our personal mobiles to make and answer business calls when away from the office, the caller ID shows up as the business, not your mobile. Just as well as VOIP phones don't work if there's a power cut, but the network does, so calls go direct to a mobile. Plus we get to keep our phone number when we move to our new premises. All lines will become digital eventually.
If you're not tech savvy then its a simple quick switch over with only one provider to deal with. Not the cheapest but not that expensive either.
Being a digital line, we can also use our personal mobiles to make and answer business calls when away from the office, the caller ID shows up as the business, not your mobile. Just as well as VOIP phones don't work if there's a power cut, but the network does, so calls go direct to a mobile. Plus we get to keep our phone number when we move to our new premises. All lines will become digital eventually.
mike_e said:
Your 'salesperson' was obviously looking at the highest levels of commission and probably a reseller rather than BT. Your usage / requirements sounds very much like ours. We used PlusNet for business, really good inclusive deal that nobody could beat, but they're closing down their business operations to focus on domestic. We moved back to BT Business, they installed FFTP, supplied a VOIP phone and switched the router for £30. Monthly bill is just under £36 for a single line including all calls and fast fibre broadband.
If you're not tech savvy then its a simple quick switch over with only one provider to deal with. Not the cheapest but not that expensive either.
Being a digital line, we can also use our personal mobiles to make and answer business calls when away from the office, the caller ID shows up as the business, not your mobile. Just as well as VOIP phones don't work if there's a power cut, but the network does, so calls go direct to a mobile. Plus we get to keep our phone number when we move to our new premises. All lines will become digital eventually.
We were also with PlusNet until they closed. BT Business switched us over on a better deal - we pay £30+VAT per month and get inclusive calls to landlines and mobiles. Single line and fibre BB (to the box - copper to the premises).If you're not tech savvy then its a simple quick switch over with only one provider to deal with. Not the cheapest but not that expensive either.
Being a digital line, we can also use our personal mobiles to make and answer business calls when away from the office, the caller ID shows up as the business, not your mobile. Just as well as VOIP phones don't work if there's a power cut, but the network does, so calls go direct to a mobile. Plus we get to keep our phone number when we move to our new premises. All lines will become digital eventually.
thanks for the replies-really useful.
those bt deals at 30-40 a month look like all we need-but my manager is researching the other companies in the thread.
the 'bt executive' we had in had a id lanyard around his neck saying 'BT mobile'- I did ask him if he worked for bt direct and got a waffling answer about bt having lots of different 'segments', smelt like bs.
those bt deals at 30-40 a month look like all we need-but my manager is researching the other companies in the thread.
the 'bt executive' we had in had a id lanyard around his neck saying 'BT mobile'- I did ask him if he worked for bt direct and got a waffling answer about bt having lots of different 'segments', smelt like bs.
Virgin do Business broadband and voip phone lines for like £35 a month.
https://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/connectivity...
https://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/connectivity...
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff