Small Business Telecoms Discussion Area

A question about : Small Business Telecoms Discussion Area

This thread is specifically to discuss the
[CENTER]
Small Business Telecoms

section of the Small Business MoneySaving guide.

If you want to discuss this section, or suggest any new comparisons for consideration, please click reply.

Best answers:

• One thing the article doesn't mention is that if you have a business account with telecoms and broadband providers you are likely to receive better customer service and reliability.
  For example I work from home on and off and use to have a consumer account with Tiscali.
  There were issues with the connection which meant my connection went off every other day. I then tried to telephone Tiscali and had to wait a minimum of 40 minutes to speak to an operator.
  I subsequently changed to NTLTelewest business. The two times I've had a problem with my connection I have got through to speak to someone within 3 rings. They have also rung me back on my mobile to state that the issue was resolved and they guarantee except in extreme cases* to resolve problems in 1 working day.
  So yes I pay more for the service but I have a connection I can rely on.
  *No broadband provider or telecoms company can do anything if workmen cut telephone cables which has happened to me in the past.
• Just out of curiousity, as anyone heard of Midlands Telecom? They phoned me asking if they could visit us to discuss if they could save us money, which while I'm willing to do, I do really like the customer service with NTL telewest and I can't seem to find anything about them (review-wise) on the internet.
• I've had Opal consistently deny my broadband problems. Their equipment appears to be faulty because my equipment and the line have been tested extensively. I'm off back to an IpStream-based service and won't recommend Opal-based services to anyone who needs reliable broadband.
• Do you mean https://www.midland-telecom.com/ been around for a long time ,they have lots of blue chip clients.
• I have a BT business line and, like many small businesses divert calls to my mobile when out of the office. During busy times this was costing me about Ј100/quarter. With BT OnePlan plus, if you have a BT mobile, all calls (incl divert) between office numbers and mobiles on the plan are free, meaning huge savings. The switchover was not without hassle, but definitely worth it for the savings.
• ooooo heck i am in the middle of switching to opal, to late to cancel, will keep you informed how their service is
  i am transfering my phone and broadband to them.
• I made the mistake of signing up with Opal.
  When I originally signed up it was a 5 year deal but the sales advisor assured me that if the business closed for any reason then I wouldn't be subject to any cancellation fees.
  I moved my broadband over in February and unwittingly started a new two year contract that seems not to include this (for me at least) highly important selling point.
  Opal now want to charge me a Ј300 per line (I have two lines) cancellation fee because I'm closing down and want the lines terminated.
  Avoid Opal at all costs, is my advice.
• Hi All,
  First time poster, long time reader.
  I am setting up a consultancy business, and probably need to have a seperate phone and fax from my "home office". Any ideas on the best company to use or any pitfalls you have experienced before to watch out for?
  I know of a friend that has set up a fax line in a way that when a fax comes in, it is also sent on an email that he gets on his mobile. Any all in one packages out there?
  Cheers
• Hi all!
  I am a new company that is now looking to go ahead and set up a business landline for my premises. The line is already on BT but I know that I can save a small fortune in this rather overlooked costcutting exercise.
  I'm rather meticulous in the way I do things and I am just really wondering if there is a website out there that can give me an idea of what the majority of companies out there charge for line rental per month, minimum contract information, capped rates on local and mobile calls etc., just so I can have in my hand, a very simple list of who charges what.
  I've tried to go on a few different provider websites and it is nigh on impossible just to find out rates and line rental charges for business telecoms. Is there an easier way to find out other than having someone call me up and try to pitch to me?
  The closest sites I have found so far are ones who will do the legwork to find me the 'cheapest' deal. But in the minefield that is Business Telecoms, lower line rental charges does not equate to cheaper bills over the course of the contract. Is it too hard just to ask for some information on rates and charges to be laid bare by business telecom providers and their packages?
  If anyone knows of any particular website that can lead me to this apparent Holy Grail or at least point me in the direction of easier ways to find out other than giving my contact details and being hassled to sign a contract I don't want, would be extremely appreciated.
  Thanks in advance money savers
• Welcome to the boards, Swish.
  did you check the links in Martin's article on business telecomms? There's a link in the first post here, and it does mention a couple of business comparison services, although not having used either I realise they may not be doing what you're asking for!
  And if you DO find what you're asking for, do come back and let us all know ...
• has anyone got a really good deal with business phone line and broadband been on the lookout xtl seem to be the best so far at Ј26.99 a month including line rental and unlimited calls to any uk number anytime and 10g of download
  thanks
• If you haven't spotted the article referred to in the first post of this thread yet, it should help. And I've merged ...
• Hi, I work for a small charity and we have been experiencing problems with our telephone provider for a LONG time now (major UK telecom company!). We have a system which uses something called a VOIP line and calls go through a server, in a similar way to Skype. Has anyone come across this system and how has it been? We are looking to change the system, because it cannot carry the amount of 'traffic' we require (ie 1 person using the internet while 2 others are making calls!) and the system keeps crashing. We are also looking to possibly change provider> is anyone using Opal and how efficient is it?
  Thanks for any comments
  (PS if I could remember how to put a winking smiley in, it would go here.......)
• You might get some help on the Phones board, but tbh I'd have a look round first and see if anyone's already posted about VOIP issues.
  I tried Skype and Jajah at work, but found quality varied too much and was sometimes just not adequate, especially as I have a hearing loss. However I know others swear by it.
  Out of interest, are you reliant on a wireless network to hold all this together? You MIGHT find it helps to make it wired, but don't take my word for that. I just know our tame geek advised against trying to do everything wirelessly - there are 10+ in our office, mind you.
• Currently have a local number but want to give my business more nationwide appeal. Can anyone reccommend the best national rate number to use and the best provider to go with. Currently with BT as my provider and need to keep my local number as just spent alot on literature but want a a national number for my website
• Hi,
  We currently have 3x ISDN2 lines & an Intertel 5000 telephone system and our provider is Daisy but we are looking to switch.
  I have 3x companies that are quoting, but not sure which one is the best to provide us with good reliable service, broadband & cheap line rental.
  The 3x companies are Opal, Opus & Netcomm. Could anyone please that are currently using these companies let me know what your thoughts are.
  Thanks
• Our company has just switched to Opal and have read some of the posts on here thought we would have problems. Anyway change over day- Thusday broardband went down, called Opal who said that we need a new hub as the old one will not work with their system, they said we were intitled to one free of charge (and to be fair we were offered it but were not told that our previous one would not work). Arrived the next day and worked. The only thing I did notice was that the fax line went down for an hour which was a little inconvenient as the credit card machine uses the same line. However, we are very pleased with the transition, esp when reading other posts. Just thought I would share our experience and hope it helps if anyone else is concidering using them.