BT Business Broadband Enhanced

What is BT Business Broadband Enhanced?

Enhanced sits between BT Business Broadband Essential and BT Business Broadband Pro. BT's own tagline for it is "an unbreakable connection", and the plan is built around one idea: if the fixed line goes down, your business stays online.

It is available on Full Fibre, Standard Fibre (SOGEA) and copper, so most business addresses can get it. The speed you get depends on the access type at the address, from up to 17Mbps on copper to Full Fibre tiers up to 900Mbps. Our speeds guide sets out the tiers.

What Enhanced adds to Essential

You get everything in Essential (Content Controls and Web Protect, guest Wi-Fi, unlimited data, BT's Minimum Speed Guarantee, BT's support and Standard Care), plus:

• Hybrid Backup: BT supplies a Hybrid Connect device that switches your broadband to 4G automatically if the fixed line fails. BT says your static IP and IP voice services keep working on the backup connection.
• One static IP address: a fixed public IPv4 address with an IPv6 prefix, useful for remote access, VPNs, cameras and servers.
• Enhanced IT Support: BT's remote IT help for wider questions than the broadband itself. BT gives examples such as operating system upgrades and malware removal, and says the service is available 24/7.
• An Expert Setup option: a BT engineer visit to set up the hub and your devices. BT's terms for a free visit depend on the plan and on it being selected when the order is placed, so we confirm whether it is included at quote. It is available in mainland UK only.

Essential vs Enhanced at a glance

Wi-Fi Security Controls is not available on Enhanced, even as an add-on: BT keeps it for Pro. If the only thing you would add to Essential is Hybrid Backup, or only a static IP, compare the two prices in the quote. If you want both, Enhanced is usually the simpler order.

How Hybrid Backup works on Enhanced

The Hybrid Connect device sits alongside your Smart Hub. When the fixed broadband line fails, it moves your connection over to 4G automatically, so devices on your Wi-Fi stay online without anyone changing settings. When the line comes back, it moves back.

Things worth knowing:

• It helps before installation too. BT says Hybrid Backup can get you online on 4G before your fixed line is installed, which helps a new business or a business moving premises.
• It depends on indoor 4G signal. We check coverage at your address as part of the quote, and the device placement matters.
• BT backs it with its Always Connected Guarantee. If the backup fails to activate within 30 minutes of you reporting a fixed-line fault in the way BT sets out, BT's terms provide for compensation, limited to one claim in the contract term.
• It is backup, not a second line. For dedicated bandwidth or a stronger service level, look at a leased line; see when to upgrade to a leased line.

More detail is on our Hybrid Backup page.

Who Enhanced suits

Enhanced is a strong fit when an outage costs you money or customers:

• Shops, cafés and salons taking card payments and bookings over broadband, where a dead line means turning customers away. See broadband for retail.
• Offices on cloud software and IP phones, where losing the line stops calls as well as email. Our broadband for VoIP guide covers what voice needs from a connection.
• Businesses that need a fixed IP address for remote access, a VPN, CCTV viewing or a firewall allow-list at a supplier. See static IP addresses.
• New businesses that want to start trading before the fixed line is in. See broadband for startups.

Enhanced is probably more than you need if a few hours offline would be a nuisance rather than a problem, and you have no use for a fixed IP. In that case Essential is the leaner choice.

When to step up from Enhanced

Enhanced keeps Standard Care, BT's fix target of the end of the second working day. Consider moving up if:

• You want BT's faster Prompt Care fix target. You can add it to Enhanced, but Pro includes it.
• Wi-Fi does not reach every part of the premises. Pro includes Complete Wi-Fi Plus and Smart Hub 3, including on Standard Fibre.
• You want to approve devices before they join the network, set schedules and filter content per device with Wi-Fi Security Controls, which is Pro only.
• You want a managed security appliance, firewall and Meraki access points: BT Ultra Broadband.

The packages comparison shows all four plans together.

Setting up Enhanced well

A little planning makes the extra features on Enhanced pay off from day one:

• Place the Hybrid Connect device where indoor 4G signal is strongest. BT's guidance for its 4G backup kit is that walls and structures weaken mobile reception, so a spot near a window usually works better than a closed comms cupboard.
• Decide what the static IP is for before installation. If a supplier, an accountant's remote access tool or a VPN needs to allow-list your address, have the details ready so the change can be made as soon as BT confirms the address in your welcome email or letter.
• Plug phones and card machines into the right place. IP phones and broadband card terminals on the Smart Hub's network carry on over Hybrid Backup; anything still on an old copper line does not. Our PSTN switch-off guide explains what to check.
• Switch on Content Controls and Web Protect. They are included, but off until the account holder turns them on in My Account.
• Use Enhanced IT Support for the wider IT questions that are not broadband faults, as BT intends.

If you would like an engineer to set up the hub, backup and devices for you, ask about an Expert Setup visit when you order.

Getting Enhanced through us

For an Enhanced order we check the access type and expected speed at your address, look at 4G coverage for Hybrid Backup, ask what the static IP needs to do, and confirm whether an Expert Setup visit is included. We then place the order and help with the installation date and set-up questions.

Prices depend on the access type, speed, contract length and add-ons, and BT's pricing terms include annual price changes; all of this is confirmed at quote. Contact us for an Enhanced quote.