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XLN Business
It would be best if you had the business broadband that best suits your company's needs; this can massively vary between different enterprises. A small business would not need the infrastructure or connectivity of a big company – scaling to the size of your operation is vital in saving money and preventing other complications.
XLN Telecom was founded in 2002 specifically to cater to the needs of small and medium-sized UK businesses. This specialisation makes them a prime consideration when setting up your small business broadband, so you must consider the pros and cons of XLN as your broadband provider.
1. Pro: Built for small businesses
As mentioned above, XLN's services are designed from the ground up to suit a more modest company size; this means that a smaller business could benefit from this intense focus. XLN's principles manifest themselves in several key ways – just as an example, XLN has significant discounts during your first year with them, meaning you do not have to worry as much about broadband when you are just starting.
On top of this, there are additional features to the service which help to differentiate it from other broadband packages that tackle this niche, such as Guest Wi-Fi and a unique VoIP system. XLN claims to have assisted over 700,000 small businesses, and this is because they know how small businesses need help with their broadband.
2. Con: Additional and Hidden Costs
Of course, the natural downside to a cheaper first-year contract is that the price creep afterwards might not fit everyone. Even if you are doing your best to grow your business at every juncture, there is no guarantee of suddenly being able to afford a significant increase in broadband costs. The price rise does put it above most competitors after the first year, with TalkTalk and Vodafone seeming more attractive after this point.
For a business that is still relatively young, this increase could be too much compared to the more traditional broadband options. Potential price increases can seriously undercut the appeal of XLN for small businesses – and given that this is a core part of the provider's ethos, this could be a serious dealbreaker.
3. Pro: XLN offers fibre broadband
In recent years, the growth of fibre broadband has taken the connectivity world by storm, and XLN can provide a Business Fibre plan with all of the features that this entails. Fibre is much quicker than other broadband types, as the ultra-thin cables provide rapid data transmission across greater distances.
Essentially, fibre broadband is a more robust connection – businesses of all sizes could benefit from implementing it. XLN offers fibre at no additional cost compared to standard broadband lines; if your area can utilise fibre broadband, you will not be put further out of pocket by making use of it. The package offered by XLN can increase your speed up to 76 megabits per second, over quadruple that offered by their standard broadband.
4. Con: Fibre still has limited availability
Of course, the caveat with any form of fibre broadband is that it is not available everywhere, meaning that you may be stuck with traditional broadband. Broadband can quickly get the job done, especially if your enterprise will not be particularly data-intensive, but it can still be discouraging when the 'better' option is locked away.
The fact that there is no price difference could be a downside – it will feel like you are paying the same price for the slower connection. This is not something XLN is responsible for, but this is still a necessary disclaimer that might offset a core benefit. The vast majority of homes and businesses can access a fibre connection, but being in a remote area may leave you as part of the unlucky 4% that cannot reap the benefits of fibre.
5. Pro: XLN is Transparent
In 2016, Ofcom established the Voluntary Code of Practice for Business Broadband Speed – XLN is one of the companies that abide by this code. Business broadband companies such as XLN do not have to divulge their average speeds, in contrast to home broadband – but this code means they promise to be transparent and to give complete information during every sale.
This means XLN provides a bespoke speed estimate in the sales process and tries to fix speed-related issues. If they cannot fix these problems, businesses can end their contract without extra hassle. This dedication to transparency is something many companies miss and can make a world of difference.
Overall, XLN business broadband offers a robust service with plenty of additional features to benefit smaller companies. That being said, we cannot ignore the price increase after the first year – especially as their discounts merely bring them to the same price as alternative providers. XLN broadband might seem an attractive option (especially with the benefits of fibre), but they are best used if you are confident in your company's finances. Alternatively, when you reach this point, you may want to switch to a different provider.
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