UK Online launches a new business broadband service

UK Online, a small business broadband provider (owned by BskyB), unveiled a new broadband service for SMEs with 1-10 employees. In the UK, there are estimated to be more than four million small businesses, one million of which are companies with less than ten employees, while the remaining three million are sole traders and home based businesses. According to Ofcom’s research, more than two-thirds of SMEs have broadband connections provided by various UK broadband providers. BT is the dominant player with more than 40 percent of market shares of broadband connections in the small businesses. With other providers having less than 10 percent of market share each, many small broadband providers like UK Online provide reliable, high-speed, cost-effective broadband services to the SME sector.

Chris Stening, Managing Director, UK Online said:

“Small businesses are currently choosing from either low priced consumer services or high priced business packages designed for the larger SME. They are desperate for a well supported but reasonably priced professional broadband packages from someone that understands their unique needs.”

The new business broadband service of UK Online will also offer 24/7 freephone technical support and free McAfee Internet Security.

According to the announcement made by UK online:

• Existing UK Online consumer customers will continue to benefit from the same range of consumer products and services as before.
• Businesses that are not covered by the UK Online LLU footprint, will be able to purchase the service for £29.99. As part of the BSkyB group, the LLU network covers more than 61% of the UK’s homes and small businesses.
• There will be 448k upload speed via BT’s network
• An activation fee of £25 will apply in all cases