Despite the many significant advantages of upgrading to a new, cloud-hosted telephone system, the decision of businesses to rely on entry-level broadband services introduces a significant risk.
It can sometimes be surprising to find a business invests a significant sum of money to implement a new, advanced telephone system and then choose to operate this on a low-cost, entry-level broadband connection without any business support in place.
Typically, these broadband services are designed for consumer use, with no service level agreements (SLAs). They tend to only offer an ‘aim to repair’ or a ‘best endeavour’ commitment rather than a guaranteed fix time.
For businesses, any period of downtime can translate into significant operational disruptions and financial losses. The lack of robust SLAs with domestic broadband services means businesses are operating without a safety net, risking reliability for cost savings.
Exploring More Robust Solutions
Alternative solutions exist in the form of business-grade broadband and leased lines that are designed to meet the demands of modern businesses. These services often come with SLAs that guarantee specific fix times, ensuring that issues are promptly addressed to minimise downtime. The adoption of such services provides a solid foundation for advanced cloud-hosted telephony systems, ensuring that the infrastructure is as reliable as the technology it supports. The advice we give is that usually, the more you can afford to spend, the more resilient and robust the connection will be.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis
The reluctance to invest in business-grade broadband often stems from the higher cost associated with these services. However, businesses must conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the true impact of downtime against the investment in more reliable connectivity options. In the long term, the benefits of reduced downtime, enhanced reliability, and improved operational efficiency can outweigh the initial higher costs of business-grade broadband services.
Availability
If the internet connection of a business is on ADSL Broadband or FTTC Broadband, this has to be upgraded before the ‘BT Switch Off‘ happens in 2025.
If a business is using SoGEA Broadband or FTTP Broadband, they can remain using these connections past 2025 however, if they wish to implement a more robust level of support and service cover should that connection fail, they may wish to consider an alternate connection with an SLA.
A suitable provider can advise what connection options are available at a specified address along with lead times to implement these options. This should be a no-cost estimate and can usually be carried out on the same day.
Make sure you are aware of what support level you have in place for your business internet connection.
Conclusion
For businesses to fully capitalise on the advantages of their cloud-hosted telephone system, the choice of broadband service they select cannot be overlooked.
Investing in high-specification telecom technology while relying on inadequate broadband services is counterproductive. Businesses must recognise the importance of ensuring that their connectivity infrastructure matches the sophistication of their telecommunication systems. In doing so, they can secure the seamless, efficient communication framework essential for thriving in today’s competitive business environment.
If you have any questions about internet connectivity, internet availability or cloud hosted telecoms, click here to get in touch
March 2024
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