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June 8, 2021
Company also launches UK’s first ‘unbreakable’ Wi-Fi service
BT has today announced the launch of a new business unit that will serve millions of SMEs to rebuild and recover.
More than 95 per cent (around 5.7 million people) of the UK’s private sector companies are micro-businesses with up to nine employees. These range from home-based businesses and start-ups to more established firms with a single site.
BT says it is convinced by the growth potential of this market, also known as the Single/Small Office/Home Office (SoHo) and its role in powering the post-pandemic recovery that it has established a new unit to focus on the digital and connectivity needs of these businesses.
The company will also launch a new suite of services and apps to help the UK’s smallest and fledgling firms grow by building stronger foundations.
These new services could include stronger cybersecurity measures, free digital skills training and new digital advertising tools, for example.
The latest research from BT found that three-quarters of the UK’s small firms are confident in the success of their business as lockdown restrictions ease.
The research revealed that 800,000 new UK businesses were set up during the pandemic, representing a year-on-year increase of 40 per cent.
BT’s managing director for its new SoHo unit Chris Sims said: “By setting up this new unit we’re investing in the future of the UK’s smallest firms and start-ups which are the lifeblood of the UK economy.
“I’m really proud to be leading this new unit at a time when their success has never been more important in securing our country’s future as we rebuild after the toughest economic crisis in a generation.
“Every big business starts small, and we want to help them thrive by delivering flawless connectivity, coverage and customer service – so that their broadband never lets them down. Building on the purpose of our Skills for Tomorrow programme – which has delivered free digital skills training to almost 300,000 small business employees – we’ll also be launching a suite of new services and apps to move the UK’s smallest firms into the digital fast lane.”
BT’s new SoHo unit will sit in its Enterprise division and will officially launch on July 1, 2021.
Unbreakable Wi-Fi
Alongside this, BT also revealed the UK’s first ‘unbreakable Wi-Fi service for SMEs which will launch today.
The service will offer full-fibre speeds of up to 900Mbps and free tech expert support to the UK’s smallest firms to help them rebuild after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the introduction of its converged Halo for business broadband bundles last year, BT has revamped the offering to bring various benefits to the UK’s smallest firms including:
- Its fastest ever full fibre broadband with speeds of up to 900Mps
- 4G mobile broadband back-up and next day connectivity
- Complete Wi-Fi coverage across the workplace
- Business-grade security
- Free visit from a tech expert and 24/7 remote IT support