FAQs
Broadband
What is business fibre broadband?
It’s the next generation broadband technology that uses fibre optic cables. It enables much faster and more reliable connectivity for businesses. The main types of business fibre broadband are full fibre and part fibre.
What is full fibre business broadband?
Full fibre broadband uses only fibre optic cables to deliver your broadband service to your premises. It offers faster broadband speeds up to 900Mbps and a highly reliable connection. It is also sometimes known as fibre to the premises (FTTP).
What is the difference between part fibre and full fibre?
Part fibre uses a combination of fibre optic and copper cables between your business premises and your local exchange. Fibre optic cables deliver your broadband to your local green exchange box. Copper wires deliver the remainder of your broadband connection from there to your business premises. Part fibre offers faster and more reliable broadband than copper broadband.
Full fibre broadband uses fibre optic cabling all the way to your business premises. Because only fibre optic cables are used, full fibre offers much faster and more reliable broadband than part fibre. It is significantly faster and more reliable than a copper broadband connection.
What kind of fibre can I get?
The type of connection you can get depends on your address. Enter your postcode on our deals page and we’ll show the packages and speeds available to you.
How fast can my fibre go?
The speeds you can get depends on the type of broadband available in your area. If full fibre is available at your address, you could have speeds up to 900Mbps.
Can I get a dedicated secure fibre connection above the standard option?
Our leased line service provides a dedicated internet access for your business. This might be suitable for you if you don’t want to share your network with anyone else and need an even faster connection.
How does fibre broadband work?
Fibre broadband uses thin glass wires to transmit data as light signals, enabling high-speed internet. Data is encoded onto light waves, ensuring fast and reliable connections. This technology allows for faster downloads and smooth streaming. It also supports multiple users without slowing down. Fibre optics provide superior performance compared to traditional copper-based systems.
Phone lines
What is a digital phone line?
A digital phone line allows you to make and receive calls like you’ve always done, but the technology to do so works via the internet.
Why do I need a digital phone line?
The UK's telecoms industry is changing and we’re moving on to Full Fibre. This means that the old way to make calls over a traditional phone line must change and soon all calls will be made over the internet. The digital switchover will happen by 2027, but we’re now only offering digital phone lines to make sure you’re digital ready.
Can I get a digital line?
You can get a digital phone line as long as you have a compatible mobile phone to download the Cloud Voice Express app.
The Cloud Voice Express mobile app is available on manufacturer-maintained versions of the following operating systems:
- iOS
- Android
Why is a digital phone line better?
With a digital phone line, you can manage your calls remotely for a more flexible and productive business day. You will also get calling features included in the package which used to cost extra with traditional phone lines.
Is a digital phone line easy to set up and use?
Digital phone lines are extremely easy to set up and use. You can simply download the Cloud Voice Express app on your phone and sign in to get started.
If you upgrade to Unlimited UK calls, we’ll also send you a digital phone handset. You simply plug it into the back of your Smart Hub to get started.
We also have dedicated help guides and teams on standby to help if you’re stuck.
What will happen with my new digital phone line if I move?
Because your new number will be internet based, you can take your number wherever you go. You’d simply need to inform us when and where you move to. It may take different forms, but you’ll no longer be tied to a specific exchange area.
Can I use my old phones?
No, traditional phones won’t be compatible. However, you can use your digital phone on your smartphone with the Cloud Voice Express app. You can also purchase digital phone handsets with your order. If you upgrade to Unlimited UK calls, you’ll receive a digital phone handset.
Can I use an EPOS system with a digital line?
Currently, you can only use an EPOS (electronic point of sale) system that runs over the internet and is does not depend on a phone number.
Your digital phone line will not be compatible with restaurant and takeaway systems which are used to remember customers details or previous orders based on telephone numbers or online orders.
If you have a product or system which may not be compatible with a digital phone line, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Can I have an alarm with a digital phone line?
Alarm systems that run off internet connections or mobile networks are available. However, some alarm systems are dependent on a traditional phone line.
If you think your alarm system will not work with a digital phone line, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Can I run a personal care system or pendant on a digital line?
Some personal care systems and pendants are compatible with digital lines. However, others require the use of a traditional phone line.
If your personal care system or pendant will not work with a digital phone line, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Can I have a digital line in a lift?
A digital line is not suitable for a lift service. If you have a lift which is dependent on a traditional phone line, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Can I run a card machine (PDQ) on a digital line?
Many card machines run over the internet or a mobile network. Such machines are not reliant on a traditional phone line. However, some card machines do still require a traditional phone line.
If your card machine (PDQ) is reliant on a traditional phone line, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Can I run my London Oyster card machine over a digital phone line?
London Oyster card machines are not compatible with a digital phone line.
If you have a London Oyster card machine, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Will my existing extensions work on the digital line?
Your existing traditional phone line extensions will not work with a digital phone line. If you require additional phones to run off your new digital line, you can purchase additional handsets.
Are there any other products I need to check are compatible before I buy?
You might need to check other, more traditional, 3rd party products before purchase. For example: fax; franking; gate entry; magnified bells used in warehouses and loud environments; and older alarms, card payment, care or lift systems.
If you have a product or system which may not be compatible with a digital phone line, please call us on 0800 916 0832.
Can I still get a traditional line?
No phone supplier can provide new traditional phone lines from September 2023. All phone lines will switch to digital by 2027.
Cloud Voice Express
What is Cloud Voice Express?
Cloud Voice Express is a digital line that lets you make and take calls over the internet.
How do I get Cloud Voice Express?
You get access to Cloud Voice Express when you choose a broadband package which includes a digital phone line.
Can I transfer my existing phone number to Cloud Voice Express?
You can transfer your existing number over to your Cloud Voice Express digital phone line when you switch. This means you can keep your number even if you’re moving to a new area. And if you move again, you can keep using the same number for life.
How do I take Cloud Voice Express calls on my smartphone?
Simply download the Cloud Voice Express app to your smartphone. You’ll find it on the App Store and Google Play.
When it’s up and running on your smartphone, you can use the Cloud Voice Express app to make and take calls on your business number, wherever you go.
The legal section
Terms and conditions
Some BT Business Broadband lines require a BT Business phone line. You’ll need to sign-up to a minimum contract. Terms and conditions apply. See www.bt.com/terms under the Broadband and Internet Services section for more information.
General
Prices exclude VAT of 20%.
Your service is subject to terms and conditions found at under the Broadband and internet and Mobile services sections. You will be subject to a minimum contract term and at the end of this minimum contract term you will pay the full standard price – see Section 59, Part 2 and Section 10b of the BT Price List found at www.bt.com/pricing.
You will incur a £125 charge for a new line or £20 for reactivation of an existing line or for taking over a working line. There is no charge to switch your line to BT from another supplier. Depending on your site and subject to any survey, you may incur excess construction charges – see Section 45, Part 1 of the BT Price List found at www.bt.com/pricing.
By signing up to Cloud Voice Express your existing BT PSTN service will terminate. Once terminated, BT may not be able to re-instate your PSTN service on the same commercial terms as you may previously have had.
Cloud Voice Express does not guarantee the ability to make calls to emergency services at all times.
Mobile speeds vary by location, coverage and demand.
Compensation
We have a compensation scheme for those rare occasions where something goes wrong, and there are delays in putting it right. See information on compensation scheme at https://business.bt.com/compensation-scheme/.
Hybrid Backup and Always Connected Guarantee
If your Hybrid Backup or 4G Assure service fails to activate within 30 minutes of you reporting a fixed line fault to us, leaving you without a broadband connection, you can claim a one-time credit of £60 to be added to your bill.
To be eligible, you must report a fixed line failure in the correct manner. You’re restricted to one compensation claim during your contract term. Credit will be applied once the fixed line fault is resolved.
Hybrid Backup and next day set connection
We deliver Hybrid Backup the next day if your order is placed by 12pm Monday to Friday and you pass credit checks. Orders placed at the weekend will be delivered on Tuesday, or Wednesday for bank holidays.
Complete Wi-Fi Money back guarantee
The Complete Wi-Fi Guarantee is valid for a period of 6 months from the Service Start Date. The Complete Wi-Fi Guarantee will cover the main building at your site, but will not cover any Broadband faults or any outbuildings or extra sites. If your Complete Wi-Fi fails to provide a strong signal, BT may send you up to five additional Wi-Fi Discs. If you have three or more Wi-Fi Discs, you can request for a BT engineer to visit your Site to maximise performance. If your Complete Wi-Fi still fails to provide a strong signal, you will be entitled to cancel the Complete Wi-Fi add-on during the guarantee period and claim a refund of up to a maximum of 6 months’ previous Charges for the Complete Wi-Fi add-on. If you cancel the Complete Wi-Fi add-on under the Complete Wi-Fi Guarantee, your BT Broadband plan will continue unaffected. You must return all Wi-Fi Discs to BT.
Speed Promise
Before your service starts, we will provide you with the Minimum Guaranteed Access Line Speed and an estimate of the upload and download speed you may expect. If after 10 days from the start of your service your speed is regularly at or below this speed, you may contact BT and BT will try to fix it. If BT is unable to fix it within 30 days, you can terminate your service without paying any charges (other than for any service already received) but you must return any BT Hub. Please see minimum guaranteed download speed for more information.
UK’s largest Wi-Fi network
You can get onto our Wi-Fi as long as you're in one of our Wi-Fi hotspots and your device has wireless internet.
Ultrafast
Several factors can affect your speed (such as distance to the street cabinet). To check the speed at this location visit: www.business.bt.com/products/broadband-and-internet. Not all lines in Ultrafast enabled areas can support the Ultrafast service.
Speed Estimates
The speed ranges we show are estimates based on business peak time between 12.00 and 14.00. The estimates take into account congestion on the network at these times. Your actual broadband speeds depend on a number of factors, including distance from the exchange, your equipment, the quality of your line, the number of people connected at the same time, and whether Wi-Fi is being used. It can take up to 10 days for your line to settle at its maximum stable speed.
Enhanced IT support
Enhanced IT support included with Enhanced broadband only.
All IP Voice Products
In the event of a power cut, you won’t be able to make calls on a digital network. Extra support may be available if you don’t have access to a mobile phone or you are worried about being able to call emergency services.
Cloud Voice Express app
Cloud Voice Express – Subject to £30 one-off charge for each Cloud Voice Express digital phone line. £125 installation charge for a new line or £40 for reactivation of existing phone line. Charges effective from 01/08/23.
The Cloud Voice Express app requires the latest iOS or Android operating system and an internet connection.
Keep the same number for life
Subject to having a Cloud Voice Express service with BT. BT has the right to cease your number in certain circumstances. See the Cloud Voice Express terms under the ‘IP Communications’ heading for details.