Thanks to the national Openreach rollout by the UK government, broadband access for homes and businesses has improved over the last ten years, with over 96 per cent of the country now able to get a fibre connection.

With Openreach now aiming to improve gigabit broadband (1000Mbps or more) and looking to build Full Fibre to 25 million homes and businesses nationwide by December 2026, broadband is set to only get better.

Despite these improvements, it’s still important to pick the right business broadband package for you. This has been highlighted as one of the ways to help business growth, and fast, reliable connections are a prerequisite in today’s global business marketplace.

If you’re in the process of setting up a small business or are looking to upgrade your existing broadband then are a few issues to consider before signing up.

Don’t settle for slower

Some businesses are still working on an ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) connection, which when compared to FFTP (fibre-to-the-premises) is outdated and slow. Thankfully, fibre is now widely accessible, with FFTP connections and speeds vastly superior to those available previously.

You can now easily find out what sort of connection is available to you thanks to Openreach’s postcode search service.

There are many different connectivity types available for businesses and your provider should be able to assess your company and make the right choice to suit your needs.

See also: Business broadband options for small companies – how to choose the right broadband package as a small business.

Assess your business broadband requirements

An assessment of your broadband needs whether you’re a start-up or an existing company should be made to ensure you purchase the right package. There are a few variables to consider including the number of users connecting from your premises as well as whether you download or upload more information.

These variables will make a difference when it comes to connectivity and the bigger the business, the faster the connectivity solutions should be. Tailored packages through a provider to suit your needs are the best option once an assessment has been made, but remember that as your business grows your requirements will no doubt also change so always consider future growth.

Don’t forget to ensure that some form of technical support is included free of charge in the package you choose.

The static IP factor

A static IP address is the best option for businesses as this means your identifying number will always remain the same; dynamic IP addresses change with each connection. The benefits of a static IP including the ability to access advanced internet facilities and allows you to build websites, run a server and create an email account to send emails to your own website domain.

Broadband is the one thing that business cannot afford to cut corners on and this tool is vital for long-term growth and sustainability. Don’t be afraid to obtain as much information as possible from your potential provider and it’s reassuring to know that there are good deals available through competitive providers if you’re looking for reliable but cheap broadband.

Looking for Broadband deals? Guide to the best UK business phone and broadband deals.

See also:

Why choosing the right broadband is essential for small businesses – Here, we look at the importance of choosing the right internet connection for business owners and how you can get started if you’re looking to buy or upgrade your business broadband.