BT triples broadband speeds for 8,500 micro-businesses

BT is tripling broadband speeds for 5,900 micro-businesses in Manchester and 8,500 micro-businesses in Birmingham to promote the launch of its new business unit dedicated to small firms and start-ups.

The new unit is launching in Birmingham by offering discounted full fiber packages for thousands of micro businesses – which typically have a handful of employees.

BT’s recent survey found that nearly a third of Birmingham small businesses (28 per cent) planned to move more of their operations online following lockdown restrictions easing; while 67 per cent would be more likely to adopt new technologies if they knew the technology industry provided training or support.

The survey also found that more than 70 per cent of small firms in Birmingham are confident in the success of their business as the lockdown restrictions lift. And with more than 18,000 businesses set up in Birmingham during 2020, the rise of digital shopkeepers and freelancers mean that an increasing number are running their business from home.

BT’s new online tools are designed to remove some of the biggest barriers which are preventing the UK’s smallest companies from using digital advertising to boost their online presence and reach new customers. The new service is currently being trialed with customers and BT will share more details over the coming weeks.

Working with its infrastructure partner Openreach, BT’s Enterprise business will focus on bringing full fiber to businesses across Birmingham, including 8,500 micro businesses initially. These businesses will be able to access BT’s fastest full fiber speeds yet – up to 900Mbps – a tripling of the speeds previously available.

Sarah Walker, BT Enterprise business director for the Midlands, said: “By setting up this new unit we’re investing in the future of Birmingham’s smallest firms and start-ups which are the lifeblood of the local economy. I’m really proud that we’re creating this new unit at a time when their success has never been more important in securing the city’s future as it rebuilds after the toughest economic crisis in a generation.

“In addition, we’re tripling the speed of full fiber broadband for businesses in Birmingham, with nearly 8,500 of the city’s smallest firms now able to access speeds of up to 900Mbps through BT. The availability of our fastest business broadband speeds yet will grow over time as Openreach continues to expand its full fiber footprint across the city,” Walker said.

Together with the launch of the UK’s first ‘unbreakable’ Wi-Fi for micro-businesses – delivering guaranteed coverage across the workplace, full fiber speeds and free tech expert support – the new unit will help the UK’s smallest firms and start-ups to rebuild and get set for growth.