Tiscali targets SMEs with 'affordable' broadband

Bit of a trend going on

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Small Biz, 4th November 2004 11:47 GMT

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Tiscali UK has unveiled a range of "affordable" business broadband packages specifically tailored for small businesses. Starting £15.99 a month (ex VAT) for a 256k service, its Tiscali Business Broadband range includes anti-virus protection, spam filtering, a domain name plus oodles of space to set up a website.

Although the packages are subject to a £50 connection fee, Tiscali reckons its bundle is a "compelling offer for UK small businesses and business home workers".

Tiscali UK isn't the only ISP busy trying to tempt SMEs to part with their hard-earned dosh. Last week cableco NTL slipped out a new entry-level broadband service designed to "drive efficiency and productivity" for small businesses.

Starting at £24.99 for the 750k service, it comes complete with ten email addresses and free domain name. According to NTL's research, businesses save an average of 90 minutes a day using broadband compared to a slow old dial-up link.

On Monday Scottish ISP Iomart confirmed it was offering SMEs free broadband for a year if they subscribe to its NetIntelligence security product. Firms signing up to the NetIntelligence service - which costs £29.99 a month and provides mail filtering, monitoring and reporting designed to protect company email systems from viruses, spam and phishers - will get high-speed net access free for 12 months. ®