A dependable connection for cloud applications, calls, video meetings and the people who need them every day.
What is business broadband?
Business broadband is an internet service sold for commercial use, with product terms that may include business support, fault escalation, static IP options and managed equipment. The exact features vary by provider. The right choice depends on your users, upload and download needs, local network, support requirements and the impact of an outage. Stratiis helps Scottish organisations compare, install and manage those connections.
More than a headline speed
Your broadband may carry Microsoft 365, hosted calls, payment systems, backups and customer services. A service that was adequate a few years ago may struggle when more people and applications share it.
Capacity for real work
We assess simultaneous users, uploads, calls, video and cloud systems, including busy periods.
Stable performance
Connection quality, router capacity, Wi-Fi and local cabling all affect the experience.
Support when it fails
Fault ownership, repair targets and escalation are part of the service decision.
Continuity
Where an outage would stop critical work, we plan and test suitable backup connectivity.
Look beyond the speed-test result
Frozen video, broken voice calls, slow file uploads and cloud systems that lag during busy periods can point to an undersized service. They can also come from Wi-Fi interference, a router or firewall bottleneck, packet loss or application issues. Repeated router restarts and suppliers passing a fault between one another are further signs that the whole path needs attention.
We review the internet service and the network inside the premises before recommending a change. Buying a faster package without identifying the cause may leave the problem in place.
Which broadband technology fits your site?
Availability changes by address. Full fibre, copper-based services and mobile connections can all have a role, while a dedicated leased line is a different choice for sites that need committed capacity.
| Connection | How it works | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Full fibre / FTTP | Fibre reaches the premises directly. Product speeds, upload capacity and support still vary by provider. | Offices with growing cloud, video and multi-user demand where available. |
| SoGEA / FTTC | Fibre reaches a street cabinet and the final section commonly uses copper. SoGEA provides this access without a traditional analogue phone service. | Sites awaiting full fibre or where a suitable copper-based business service meets the need. |
| 4G / 5G broadband | A mobile-network connection whose performance depends on coverage, signal, congestion and allowance. | Temporary sites, new premises, remote locations or a tested backup route. |
| Dedicated leased line | Committed, usually symmetrical capacity with service terms set out in the agreement. | Critical locations needing predictable performance or stronger repair commitments. |
See our Business Leased Lines page if a dedicated connection may be a better fit.
What is different from home broadband?
A residential package can show a similar advertised download speed at a lower price. A business product may instead offer different support hours, fault escalation, repair commitments, static IP options and managed routers. Those features are product-specific, so compare the contract rather than assume every business-labelled package includes them.
A small, low-dependency office may find a simple connection adequate. If phones, payments, customer service or essential cloud applications depend on internet access, the cost of an outage and the available backup options become more important than the monthly line price alone.
How fast should business broadband be?
There is no single Mbps figure for every organisation. Count the people and devices active at the same time, the size and direction of file transfers, concurrent video meetings, hosted calls, cloud backup traffic, guest Wi-Fi and expected growth. Download speed helps receive data; upload speed matters when sending files, backing up to the cloud and sharing video.
Some products have lower upload than download rates; others are symmetrical. A speed test measures a moment in time and cannot by itself reveal intermittent loss, delay or a congested local network. We consider consistency, packet loss and jitter for real-time services, as well as capacity at the busiest times.
The router, firewall and Wi-Fi are part of the service
A managed router connects the circuit to your internal network and can support monitoring, secure configuration and failover. The firewall must be sized and configured for the new service. A static IP can help certain approved applications or remote-access arrangements, but it does not mean devices should be exposed directly to the internet.
Weak wireless coverage, overloaded access points and unrestricted guest traffic can make good broadband feel poor. We look at the complete path from device to application, including switches and cabling, and keep visitor access separate from internal systems. Explore Managed Business Wi-Fi for coverage and capacity planning.
Make calls, meetings and cloud work reliably
Hosted Voice
Calls need a stable network with low packet loss and suitable router and firewall settings. The bandwidth required per call may be modest, but interruptions are audible.
Video conferencing
Several simultaneous meetings can use substantial upload and download capacity. Wi-Fi, room equipment and competing backup traffic also affect quality.
Cloud and backup
Business applications and Microsoft 365 need consistent access. Cloud backups can consume upload capacity, so schedules and traffic management may matter.
Plan broadband resilience before an outage
A second fixed service or 4G/5G connection can keep essential traffic moving if the primary broadband fails. Automatic failover requires suitable equipment and configuration. The backup should be tested at the site and have enough capacity for the applications that must continue, possibly with guest traffic and large downloads restricted during an incident.
Two circuits can still share ducts, a building entry or provider infrastructure. Where resilience is critical, we assess route and technology diversity where information is available, as well as router power and the plan for calls. Learn more about Internet Failover and Backup Connectivity.
Know who acts when something goes wrong
Ask when support is available, what the target repair time means, how faults are escalated to the network provider and whether the router is monitored. A low-cost service with a long restoration target may be unsuitable for a site where internet access is essential.
Security belongs in the design too. The router and firewall should be maintained, administrative access controlled, remote access protected and guest networks separated. DNS filtering can add protection against known malicious destinations, but it does not replace endpoint, identity and user controls.
One organisation can need several connection types
A head office or customer-contact site may justify a dedicated circuit and backup, while a small branch may work well on business full fibre. Remote colleagues depend on home or mobile services that the business does not fully control; approved devices, secure access and an alternative working plan can help.
For office moves and new sites, order early and check building access, cabling, router, firewall, static-IP and telephone dependencies. Temporary 4G/5G can bridge a delay if coverage and capacity are suitable. Keep the old service running until the replacement is installed, tested and ready. Accountancy firms, housing associations, charities, professional practices and construction sites will each have different continuity and budget priorities.
Questions to settle before you sign
Check the technology available at the address, expected download and upload performance, whether capacity is shared, the router and firewall included, static-IP options, support hours, repair targets and who owns supplier escalation. Ask how the service will support calls and meetings, what happens during a failure, whether failover switches automatically and any data limits.
Get installation charges, lead time, contract term, renewal and exit terms in writing. A provider should be able to explain the trade-offs between a lower-cost shared product, a stronger business package and dedicated access without relying on headline speed alone. See our wider Business Connectivity service for the full network picture.
From review to managed service
Discover
Understand users, sites, cloud systems, voice, video, backups and the impact of downtime.
Audit
Review the current service, performance, router, firewall, Wi-Fi, contracts and risks.
Compare
Check address availability and explain capacity, support, costs, lead times and backup choices.
Install
Coordinate providers, equipment, configuration, access and a controlled cutover.
Test
Check performance, calls, meetings, cloud applications, Wi-Fi, security and failover.
Support
Monitor the connection, manage faults and review capacity and contracts as needs change.
Business broadband FAQs
Answers to common questions when selecting or replacing a service.
What is business broadband?
It is an internet product intended for commercial use. Support, repair, equipment and IP options vary by provider and package.
What is the difference between business and home broadband?
Business products may offer different support, fault escalation, router and static-IP options. Compare the specific contract rather than the product label.
What is Full Fibre broadband?
Full Fibre, or FTTP, uses fibre-optic cabling to the premises instead of copper for the final section.
What is SoGEA?
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access provides broadband without a traditional analogue telephone service, commonly over a fibre-to-cabinet access line.
What is FTTC?
Fibre to the Cabinet uses fibre to a street cabinet and copper from there to the premises.
How fast should our business broadband be?
It depends on concurrent users, applications, calls, video, backups, file sizes and growth. Upload, stability and support matter as well as download.
Is 100 Mbps enough for a business?
It may be for some teams. User numbers, upload capacity and simultaneous activity determine whether it is sufficient.
Why is broadband slow when a speed test looks good?
The problem may be intermittent loss, Wi-Fi, router or firewall capacity, congestion, limited upload or the application itself. A single test does not diagnose all of these.
Do we need a static IP address?
Some VPN, approved-access and specialist systems need one; many cloud users do not. Any exposed service should be protected appropriately.
Can broadband support Hosted Voice?
Yes, when the circuit and local network provide suitable stability, upload capacity and low packet loss.
Can broadband support Microsoft Teams?
Yes. Assess concurrent meetings, upload and download capacity, Wi-Fi and the quality of the connection.
What is a managed router?
It is a router configured and supported as part of the service, potentially with monitoring, security and failover features.
Do we need a leased line?
It may be worthwhile for committed capacity, symmetrical speed or stronger service commitments. Many organisations are adequately served by business broadband with suitable backup.
Should we have backup internet?
Consider it when an outage would stop important work or customer contact. Define what the backup must carry and test it.
Can 4G or 5G be used as backup?
Yes. A suitable router may switch automatically, but coverage, allowance, capacity and recovery should be tested at the premises.
Can 4G or 5G replace fixed broadband?
It can for some temporary or remote sites. Performance and suitability depend on signal, congestion, allowance and applications.
Can we keep our existing router?
Possibly. We assess compatibility, performance, security, support and whether it can provide the required failover.
How long does broadband installation take?
It varies with product, provider, site access, survey and any construction work. We confirm a schedule after checking the address.
What happens to our old broadband service?
Keep it active until the new line and dependent services are tested. Then check cancellation and contract terms.
Can Stratiis support broadband from another provider?
Stratiis may support the local network and coordinate with the third-party provider. Escalation rights depend on the agreement.
Can Stratiis provide broadband, Wi-Fi and security?
Yes. We can design and support the connection alongside routers, firewalls, managed Wi-Fi and failover.
Give your business a connection it can depend on
We can review your current service, compare the options available at your premises and plan the network and backup around it.
Book a Business Broadband Review
Call 0141 348 7960 or email sales@stratiis.com.
