91探花

By Emma Lewis,

As many as 70% of micro businesses still can鈥檛 get full-fibre broadband, something due to a combination of factors, with Openreach also prioritising residential addresses in particular.

VoIP digital phone systems work best with high-speed fibre broadband. That鈥檚 because it鈥檚 super fast and stable, making video calling, downloading and streaming easier. Voice calls are also crystal-clear thanks to low latency.

SoGEA 鈥� The Modern Copper-Based Option

SoGEA is basically a broadband-only service that doesn鈥檛 need a traditional phone line. It uses the existing copper infrastructure (like FTTC – Fibre to the Cabinet) but makes things easier by removing the need to order a separate landline. For small businesses, this means:

• Lower costs (because you鈥檙e not paying for line rental)
  
• Easier setup and maintenance
  
• Decent speeds – typically up to 80 Mbps download

While it鈥檚 not as fast as full fibre, SoGEA is a reliable and affordable choice, especially for businesses that rely on cloud software, VoIP calls, web browsing and emails. It’s widely available throughout the UK and is generally seen as a smart 鈥渘ext step鈥� for businesses still using older ADSL connections.

FTTC – Fibre to the Cabinet

FTTC is SoGEA鈥檚 older cousin. FTTC stands for Fibre to the Cabinet, and as the name suggests, fibre runs to a street cabinet with the last stretch to your premises being delivered via traditional copper wires.

FTTC has been the go-to for many UK businesses for years. It’s available in most areas at a reasonable price and is faster than older ADSL lines (with speeds up to 80 Mbps).

However, because it relies on copper for the final stretch, speeds can vary depending on your distance from the cabinet. in the UK by 2027, meaning FTTC is rather on borrowed time.

Mobile Broadband – 4G and 5G

If you鈥檙e in a location where fixed-line broadband isn鈥檛 great, mobile broadband is a useful alternative. Using 4G or 5G signals, this type of internet connects via the same network as your mobile phone.

Mobile broadband is attractive necasue it鈥檚 very quick and easy to set up. All you need to do is plug in a router or hotspot device. It鈥檚 also highly portable, so ideal for working on the move. Speeds are increasing too, with 5G widely available in many areas of the UK.

When All Else Fails: Satellite

For small businesses in extremely remote or rural areas, satellite broadband can be a lifeline. Services like Starlink have made satellite internet faster and more reliable than the older generation of satellite providers.

It really only works though if there鈥檚 a very clear view of the sky although you can hopefully expect speeds of 100-200 Mbps. It鈥檚 also generally quite pricey, and may have slightly higher latency (delay), which can affect real-time applications like video calls. But if you鈥檙e in a broadband 鈥渘ot-spot,鈥� it can absolutely get you up and running.

What To Consider

Full fibre broadband might be the gold standard, but small UK businesses have plenty of strong alternatives while they wait. From SoGEA鈥檚 simplicity to 5G鈥檚 speed there鈥檚 usually something that will work.

The key is to consider your current needs, future business growth and what鈥檚 available in your area. With the right choice, your business can stay online, productive and ready for whatever comes next – fibre or not!