Why Investing in Full Fibre Broadband Is An SME Must

A fast and stable internet connection has never been more crucial in the digital age, especially as more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rely on online tools for task completion and productivity. 

However, 33% of UK SMEs have struggled with poor internet or connectivity issues, according to a TalkTalk Business survey. This can significantly hamper operations, as 74% of SMEs rely on the Internet to access key business tools like accounting software, video conferencing platforms, and cloud storage. 

Every year, UK SMEs lose an average of £3,100 due to technical difficulties like slow internet connection, resulting in significant financial losses, especially for small startups. The same survey mentioned above also found that 22% of SMEs feel like they are lagging behind competitors due to outdated technology, highlighting the need for tech upgrades that can help boost productivity, including improved internet connection. Luckily, small businesses can now more easily access full fibre broadband networks that can optimise their daily operations. But what exactly is full fibre broadband, and how precisely can SMEs benefit from it? Here’s what you need to know:

Understanding full fibre broadband for businesses

Full fibre connections are specially designed for business purposes and are outfitted to support teams and establishments with needs above those of the general household. With full fibre business broadband, SMEs can benefit from their own dedicated line that ensures uninhibited speeds and stability since only your business will be using this connection. In using a plan from full fibre network operator Zzoomm, this private line can be maximised with packages that may appeal to whatever your business' budget is while still maintaining speeds between 300Mbps to 1,200Mbps. Furthermore, since these business broadband offerings understand that efficiency and communications are key for SMEs who often operate in modest teams, you can enjoy Wi-Fi 6 routers that keep employees seamlessly connected throughout your working space. Unlike traditional copper wiring, which many providers like BT use on the Openreach infrastructure, that uses electrical signals for data transmission, fibre optic cables use light pulses that travel much faster. Consequently, when compared with regular home full fibre, full fibre for business also boasts bandwidth caps that surpass residential user requirements, ensuring faster connections.

To learn more about specifically how these can benefit SMEs, read on.

Why full fibre broadband is a must-have for SMEs

It provides a stable internet connection 

Research shows that a quarter of SMEs in the UK also admitted that poor internet connectivity caused them to lose business, with 40% saying their capacity to serve customers had suffered as their connections dropped out. With full fibre broadband, however, SMEs can leverage a more stable connection, allowing them to perform crucial business tasks such as transferring large files and accessing cloud-based applications without delays or experiencing Wi-Fi outages. Full fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables that are capable of sending signal transmissions faster. Signal strength also stays the same even in long distances with fibre optic cables, thus ensuring a more stable internet speed that is less likely to drop out.

Full fibre broadband is less susceptible to disruptions

The fibre optic cables used in full fibre broadband are generally considered stronger than traditional copper cables, making them less vulnerable to disruptions such as inclement weather conditions that can stall data transmission. Full fibre broadband also connects optic cables directly to your home or office, unlike traditional broadbands connected to a street cabinet, making them more prone to electrical interference that can compromise speed and cause internet outages that affect 91% of UK SMEs. Fibre optic cables are also less susceptible to electromagnetic interference caused by nearby electrical devices, unlike copper, which is more sensitive to such disruptions because of its high electrical conductivity. This makes full fibre broadband more reliable in handling business operations.

It can improve cybersecurity 

Did you know that small businesses are vulnerable to cyber attacks? In fact, 32% of small businesses encountered a cyber attack or breach from 2022 to 2023, according to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey. Cyber attacks can put confidential data and business reputation at risk. This highlights the need for SMEs to adopt tighter security measures, which full fibre broadband can provide. Research shows that the internet structure of fibre optics can be less susceptible to cybersecurity threats since it uses photons to transfer data along cables, which are significantly harder to intercept than the electrical signals used by other broadband networks. This makes full fibre broadband a viable option for SMEs seeking a more secure connection. 

Full fibre broadband is more energy- and cost-efficient 

According to Ecologi research, eight in 10 UK SMEs want their businesses to become more sustainable. There are many ways to adopt sustainable business strategies, including partnering with other enterprises with the same sustainability values and using renewable energy. For SMEs wanting to be more sustainable, investing in full fibre broadband might be a step in the right direction. Studies show that full fibre optic cables require less power to transfer data over long distances, resulting in lower energy consumption and a smaller ecological footprint. Small businesses can also save more money with fibre optic cables since they are more durable and require fewer repairs and replacements, reducing maintenance costs caused by constant upgrades. As such, investing in full fibre business broadband can result in more long-term financial savings, especially as some providers, like Sky and Virgin Media, have been known to regularly implement price hikes that can be very costly when added on top of fees related to repairing and maintaining non-fibre connections.

Investing in a fast and strong internet connection is crucial for SMEs to provide the best services to their clients and improve workplace productivity. With full fibre broadband, small businesses can enjoy secure and reliable internet speeds that can handle daily operations.