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.

Choose a broadband connection

There are lots of internet service providers (ISPs) offering a range of internet connection options. The most common is broadband internet access.

This sort of high speed business internet connection is adequate for most companies with fewer than 30 employees and, from £20 a month, is good value. Most business ISPs use a standard telephone line to get the internet into your premises.

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 a single business ISP supplies your telephone and internet connection, a problem could cut you off completely!

Other types of business internet connection

If you have over 30 employees, use the internet very heavily or need an internet connection guaranteed not to fail, you should consider other types of internet connection, like a leased line.

These are more expensive than standard broadband (£100 a month is typical), but can deliver lots of extra benefits:

• Much faster connection speeds. Because other types of business internet connection are not delivered through a telephone line, they can offer faster speeds. This enables more people to share the connection.
• Generous download limits. Although there’s likely to be a limit on the amount of information you can send and receive each month, typically you can purchase extra at a reasonable cost.
• Guaranteed service. If you can’t afford any internet downtime, look for a service level agreement (SLA). This guarantees you a level of connectivity and should entitle you to compensation if the service fails to deliver.

When opting for a more expensive type of business internet connection, suppliers will often be willing to customise the service. They may also offer web hosting and other services, so don’t be afraid to negotiate.

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.