How to tell if your business broadband is up to scratch

According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2024 report, 63 per cent of SMEs in the UK were within reach of a full-fibre network in July 2024. This is a big improvement, up from 51 per cent in September 2023.

As the government aims for 99 per cent of premises to have gigabit-capable coverage by 2032, the availability of fast and reliable business broadband is only getting better.

For some businesses, the need to switch is getting urgent. When the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switches off in January 2027, broadband that still relies on traditional copper wires will cease to work. To prepare for this, find out if your current business broadband will be affected, and upgrade it as a priority if not.

Top connection types to consider

Here are some of the main types of broadband and leased-line options to help you find the best one for your business:

1. Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

Offering download speeds of up to 1.6Gbps, FTTP typically offers the fastest broadband.

It is also usually very reliable as it uses fibre optic cables that reach all the way to a user’s home or workplace.

For businesses that need high-bandwidth internet, such as those in manufacturing and logistics, FTTP is worth considering.

Overall, it is a great alternative to Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), which both rely on traditional copper wires. These will cease to work after the PSTN switch off, so moving to FTTP or similar will help to future proof your business broadband.

2. Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA)

SoGEA offers broadband without using a traditional phone line, making it another good alternative to FTTC and ADSL.

Although it uses fibre optic cables to reach your street’s cabinet, it then utilises the copper infrastructure to reach your premises. As such, it is unlikely an engineer will need to visit to install SoGEA broadband, making it a relatively easy set-up process.

With download speeds of up to 80Mbps, SoGEA is much slower than FTTP. However, it is generally cheaper and more widely available in the UK, so for some businesses, such as SMEs, it will be a great choice.

3. Ethernet leased line

With a leased line, businesses can access a dedicated connection that is unique to their location and not shared with anyone else.

It works in a similar way to broadband, only with a connection that is leased to a business from the internet service provider (ISP).

Leased lines can be very fast, and a major benefit is that they make it possible to temporarily increase the bandwidth, helping businesses cope with peaks in demand throughout the year.

Better yet, upload and download speeds are symmetrical with leased lines, making them ideal for businesses that need to regularly share large files. Some FTTP and SoGEA connections are symmetrical, but not all, so it is important to keep this in mind when choosing between options.

Which connection is right for your business?

Ultimately, to find the right type of connection, you will need to think about the specific internet requirements of your business.

Some workplaces will require the ultra-fast speed of FTTP, while others will need the security and reliability of leased lines. Others, meanwhile, will find the slower but more affordable option of SoGEA is enough for their office.

Just make sure you are not relying on the PSTN for broadband. Even though the network is not fully retiring until 2027, it is becoming fragile and prone to connectivity issues, so the sooner you switch, the better.

For support with finding the right broadband for your business, get in touch with Crystaline’s expert team.