The product has been designed specifically with such businesses in mind and makes better business broadband more widely available thanks to the following features:Easy to switch thanks to a simple set up, backed by technical support; Secure internet access with state of the art McAfee security software included at no extra cost to block viruses, remove junk mail and conceal computers from hackers; Round the clock technical support included as standard, with a desktop application to keep customers’ broadband functioning fully; Fast fix and back up option available* to prevent downtime by flagging faults and arranging fixes, and providing a replacement dongle as back up.
The new offering is ideally timed to improve and transform a mature market. O2’s customer insight highlights a number of problems regularly experienced by business broadband customers, ranging from a loss of access (experienced by 70%) and regular dips in performance (experienced by one in four).
Yet despite this, figures from Ofcom[2] suggest just one in five businesses changed their provider in the last 3 years with many put off by the potential risk and hassle of switching supplier, suggesting the market is ripe for a shake up.
O2’s new broadband product aims to cater for home workers, sole traders, professionals, small offices and branches looking for a more reliable and cost competitive broadband. Internet access is increasingly crucial to the smooth running of such businesses’ operations, leading them to demand superior reliability and support.
Two packages are available offering differing speeds and security settings – the Home Office package available from £15.50 and Office 10 available from £22.50** per month excluding VAT.
Simon Devonshire, General Manager of Small and Medium Business, O2 said: “We understand just how vital internet access is to our customers in terms of managing their day to day operations. We also know the pressure they’re under to cut costs, save time and improve efficiency. Our number one focus is on making their lives easier, and helping them succeed by providing a competitive and high quality business broadband service, backed by the infrastructure to give them the right support and guarantee peace of mind.”
As it increasingly becomes the one stop shop for business communications, O2 is ideally placed to deliver better business broadband alongside fixed line and mobile. To date, the business has invested heavily in its broadband network winning multiple awards including Best Broadband Provider and Best Broadband support in the Broadband Genie Home Broadband Awards in 2011. In 2010 O2 was also ranked highest in customer satisfaction in both the JD Power Fixed and Mobile Broadband studies for the second consecutive year.
The new product also comes as O2 launches a new £1.5 million infographic inspired advertising campaign aimed at small businesses. The campaign will promote O2’s core messages of Service, Value for Money and Innovation. O2’s service promise means 160 hours of training per employee. Value for Money is exemplified by offers such as O2:O2 which provides small and medium sized business customers with free calls to other O2 mobiles and its Business Flexibility package which makes it easier to add, suspend or transfer business mobiles as and when expanding or downsizing businesses require it. The focus on Innovation encompasses ongoing developments in mobile, landline and broadband products and services.
The ads will run in a range of national print titles, trade publications and online outlets throughout May and June.
Business broadband will be available from May 9 to small and medium business customers.