What is business fibre broadband?

It’s the next generation broadband technology that uses fibre optic cabling instead of copper. It enables much faster and more reliable connectivity for businesses. The three main types of business fibre broadband are fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), Fibre to the premises (FTTP) and a more dedicated solution called a leased line.

What is Full Fibre broadband?

Full Fibre is fibre to the premises (FTTP). It’s a pure fibre connection from the exchange to your business. It offers higher broadband speeds to specific premises in areas that have been enabled for FTTP (speeds up to 900Mbps).

What are the differences between FTTC, FTTP and leased lines?

FTTC, or fibre to the cabinet, uses a combination of fibre optic and copper cables between your business premises and your local exchange. Fibre optic cable is installed to a green cabinet in the street, and from the cabinet to your business premises, standard copper cable is used to deliver the remainder of your broadband connection. FTTC offers faster and more reliable broadband than standard broadband, which only uses copper to connect your business premises to the exchange.

FTTP, also known as Full Fibre, is fibre to the premises. It uses fibre optic cabling between your local exchange and your business premises. Because only fibre optic cabling is used, FTTP offers much faster and more reliable broadband than FTTC and is significantly better than broadband that uses copper alone.

A leased line offers businesses a personal internet connection with dedicated bandwidth and significantly faster speeds than FTTP broadband (up to 10Gbps). It’s ideal for data hungry businesses and when internet access is business critical.

What kind of fibre can I get?

Based on your address we’ll either supply you with fibre that comes to your property via a cabinet and copper or full fibre. We’ll work out what you can get at the time you place your order and display the appropriate packages and speeds available to you.

How fast can my fibre go?

Based on what way we need to get the fibre service to your property you will have an option to choose the highest speed possible. If you are Full Fibre, you could potentially have up to 900Mbps.

I need a dedicated secure fibre connection, above the standard option.

If you don't want to share the network with anyone else, and need faster connectivity, then our leased line service providing dedicated internet access might be for you.

I only want Broadband; do I need a phone line too?

Depending on what's available at your address you may still need to have a traditional phone line. This could be due to compatibility with 3rd party products, but also that you are not yet in a full fibre area. If you are still in an area where your fibre is delivered from a fibre cabinet, it's only possible to supply this over a phone line.

What is a digital phone line?

A digital phone line is simply a 'line' to make and receive calls like you’ve always done, but the technology to do so is via your broadband/fibre connection.

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 is in 2025, but we’re offering solutions now to get you digital ready.

Can I get a digital line?

We’re working hard to get the whole of the UK covered, but it’s still unavailable in some instances. You can see if your address is eligible by putting your details in the availability checker at the top of this page.

Why is a digital phone line better?

You get all the calling features included in the package that can be chargeable on traditional packages, you can manage your calls remotely for a more flexible and productive business day and it allows us to provide you with a dedicated internet connection to get you the fastest speeds physically possible at your location.

Is a digital phone line easy to set up and use?

It’s extremely simple; your smart hub and office extras are plug and play and instead of plugging a phone into a socket on your wall, you plug your phone into the back of the smart hub. The making and receiving of calls is identical but you have the additional portals and apps available to you. We have dedicated help guides and teams on standby to help you if you’re stuck, and lots of self-install content when your order is placed.

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 own phones?

No. Traditional phones won’t be compatible, but don’t worry we will send you one new digital phone for free if you purchase one of our digital phone line packages.

Can I use an EPOS system with a digital line?

You can only currently use a system that runs over the internet and is not dependent on a phone number. Your digital phone line will not be compatible currently with restaurant and takeaway systems used to remember customers details or previous orders on the back of a telephone or online order.

Can I have an alarm with a digital phone line?

The alarm companies are now selling systems that do not rely on a traditional phone line, they can run off your internet connection or supply you with a system that runs over the mobile network. You’d need to ensure that any alarm you currently have or intend to purchase is the newer technology and is not dependent on a traditional analogue phone line.

Can I run a personal care system or pendant on a digital line?

Personal care systems and pendants that do not rely on a phone line are OK, however if your current or intended care alarm requires the use of a phone line then a digital line is currently not compatible with these products; please ensure you check this before ordering.

Can I have a digital line in a lift?

A digital line is not suitable for a lift service. Please contact your lift company for advice on alternative SIM based solutions or alternatively you will have to order a traditional phone line.

Can I run a card machine (PDQ) on a digital line?

Payment systems have moved on significantly in recent years, as long as you ensure your terminal runs over the internet or mobile network and is NOT reliant on a traditional phone line. A digital line will not prevent you from taking payments and the problems with blocked payments.

Can I run my London Oyster card machine over a digital phone line?

The digital line is not currently compatible with this system, this is currently only compatible with a traditional phone line.

Will my existing extensions work on the digital line?

No, your traditional extensions will no longer work: if you require additional phones to run off your new digital line, you can purchase an additional handset as an extension to your line for £75 + VAT later if required.

Are there any other products I need to check are compatible before I buy?

Yes, other more traditional 3rd party products like fax, franking, gate entry, magnified bells used in warehouses and loud environments, older alarm/card payment/care/lift that may rely on a traditional (PSTN) phone line should be checked before purchase. All industries must align to the UK's telecoms evolution to digital, so products are currently available now. If you need to check, simply contact your specific supplier of the service and check its compatibility.

Can I still get a traditional line?

Yes, if you have a current dependency on a product that is not yet compatible with a digital phone line you will still be able to purchase a traditional phone line but you will have to migrate in the future.

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?

Choose a broadband bundle that includes a digital phone line. A traditional analogue phone line doesn’t support Cloud Voice Express.

Do I need fibre broadband to get Cloud Voice Express?

Yes. Cloud Voice Express works exclusively with BT fibre broadband. Original non-fibre broadband doesn’t have the speeds to support Cloud Voice Express.

Can I transfer my existing phone number to Cloud Voice Express?

Yes. If you already have a phone line, you can transfer this number over to your Cloud Voice Express digital phone line when you switch. So 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.