There have been similar threads before, but most seem very old, so hopefully I'm ok to start another one.

Anyone got any recommendations for business broadband? I when I say 'business' I mean one or two users at a business premises, using the connection to check email and browse the internet / place orders - nothing data intensive - ideally a cheap home connection would be fine, but as it's obviously a business premises I dunno if I can get away with that.

Currently with BT but the contract has expired, and they seem quite pricey and recently the connection speed has been a bit unpredictable.

So - cheap, reliable internet access for business: recommendations please.

Ta.

If you are a member, consider FSB- we've just changed our first showroom over to it; and for what we use it for (pretty much as you have described), it seems very reliable.

I'm with Plusnet, £20 a month unlimited. Had one day with a few hours down time about 2 months back, but that's all in 2.5yrs. I am also looking around since my contract expired in February. Virgin is looking the most likely if I do move. The thing to be wary of is not thing that you will get 20Meg even though that's what Virgin offers! If you can get cable then great but if not, you will get about the same speeds regardless.

O2 residential broadband here, it works well. If it's just a small office with a couple of you, they seem to be fine about it.

Indizine, if you're on virgin media's cable network, you will actually get the advertised speeds, unlike with adsl, as long as your connection is working & your area isn't oversubscribed. However, I've heard that their adsl service is very poor, they have to use BT's network (like plusnet do), they don't have LLU equipment in the exchanges. You should get similar speeds off any non LLU adsl provider, because they're basically just reselling a BT connection.

O2, Orange & TalkTalk have their equipment in BT exchanges, allowing them to offer better speeds & lower prices. O2 seem to be the best, there are constant complaints on this forum about the other two.

We don't have cable yet unfortunately :( - we only just stoped using pit donkey's last year, come on!

They haven't laid any new cable since the 90s & they wont lay any more cable either, it cost them too much. O2 (or be) seem to be the best adsl, if they have their equipment in your local exchange (check samknows).

Companies like Ask4 are building the next generation of broadband.

If you contact me I can help you with a broadband supplier voted top by which magazine. The company does not advertise its services through media rather than by personal invitation.

I had best put a web address for any questions about the service www.telecomplus.org.uk/mb

Up to 24 Meg depending on your location relative to your exchange with the ability for a second internet telehone at £2 per month (£60 connection includes programmed network to telephone adaptor) which can be taken world wide on a local number.

They have some other stuff going on but cant mention it until tomorrw as they are still rolling the services out to local suppliers and dont want to steal the thunder.

I am with PlusNet too. Found there support and connection to be very, very good. The support is excellent (as they are based in Sheffield) they are also rolling something out called 21CN.

Over the past year we have been trialling this new broadband network and our trials have now completed. The main advantage of this network is that it will help to offer better performance for all of our customers.
Plusnet

Interesting re Plusnet, if you ever get the chance to hear Lee Strafford tell the story of PlusNet you would learn that his strategic advantage came from offering superior customer service.

Although I'm a Leeds fan, I think football is worse off without Lee at Sheffield Wednesday, he realised that fans are customers and should not be treated as cash fodder (which is why I will not go to Elland Road whilst Ken Bates is in charge).

This might be slightly 'off topic' so happy to be moderated but thought it was worth posting anyway :)

Digital Region Broadband are now offering 40Meg Business broadband in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Google Digital Region Broadband for the website.

Interesting, I didn't realise it was available yet. It is :)

http://www.digitalregionbroadband.co.uk/

40mbit download / 10mbit upload, forget adsl.

Postcode checker here: http://www.digitalregion.co.uk/