Many small businesses operate digital storefronts without having a brick-and-mortar store. They communicate through online chats and video calls. They market their products through email, ecommerce platforms, and social media sites. Almost all business tasks are done online. That is why internet reliability and speed are a top concern for many small businesses. According to a report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), small businesses are commonly affected by internet issues. These problems may have brought them financial losses. As such, TIO has received a lot of complaints. In this article, we will identify a list of the common complaints. We will also try to help you find the best NBN plans for your small business.
Below are the top internet complaints from small businesses in Australia as listed down by the TIO.
Charging a termination fee for ending a contract
This is a big deal among small businesses that are trying to make ends meet with limited capital. Most of the time, they are forced to switch plans because the ISP cannot provide them a decent internet connection to perform their operations smoothly. An early termination fee adds insult onto injury.
Delayed relocation or transfer of the internet service as needed
You may need to move business premises. Unfortunately, many WiFi providers are slow to relocate their services, taking days or even weeks. The reason may be because of the lack of facilities in the new location. Your WiFi provider should set expectations clear as early as possible. Businesses can’t afford to operate without the internet for an extended period of time, so it’s important to know where you stand.
Intermittent service or frequent dropouts.
Small businesses communicate online, download large files, send email blasts, and upload ads. In other words, they technically do business using the internet. If their connection is intermittent or the signal frequently drops out, their daily operations are affected. What’s worse is that they may incur financial losses. That is why you need to have a fast and reliable internet connection.
No phone or internet service
Downtimes can happen occasionally. Sometimes, your telco company may need to upgrade. They may have some facility issues which they need to address. But if issues occur too frequently, your business will feel the effects.
THE BEST NBN PLAN FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
The best internet subscription for a small business (and for big corporations, too) should be fast and reliable. Different small businesses will need different internet speeds, depending on their activities, needs, and size.
- If you only have 1 to 2 employees who only browse online, check email and send small files, 15 Mbps to 25 Mbps of internet speed should be sufficient.
- With 2 to 5 employees sharing large files, video conferencing, and using point of sales software, you may need 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps of internet speed.
- 5 to 10 employees who need data backup when sharing large files and do remote collaborations may require 50 Mbps to 75 Mbps.
- If you have more than 10 employees performing cloud file sharing, ecommerce management, and web hosting, it’s best to get a WiFi deal with 75 Mbps to 100 Mbps internet speed.
It is also important to consider the contract timeline for your WiFi subscription. Just like a home internet plan, a 6-month or 1-year contract might be suitable for you. It may not be best to get a longer contract especially if you are just starting your business. You might be bribed by the discounts and freebies that an ISP offers. But think of the obligation that comes with such promotions. Money should smoothly flow during the business operation. Paying a big sum upfront for longer contracts may also affect your operating expenses.
Lastly, the best NBN plan for small businesses may come in bundles. They are a great way to save money. If your business needs a phone line or voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP), you may want to look at internet plans offering discounted rates for these services.
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