In short
A BT Business Broadband upgrade can mean moving from Essential or Enhanced to Pro or Ultra, moving from copper or Standard Fibre to Full Fibre, adding Hybrid Backup, Complete Wi-Fi Plus, Prompt Care or a static IP, or re-contracting at the end of your term. The right change depends on whether speed, Wi-Fi, resilience or security is the problem.
Get a quote for BT Business Broadband upgrade
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
Start with the problem, not the product
Upgrading is easier when you name the problem first. The common ones, and the change that usually addresses each:
| The problem | Likely upgrade | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads, uploads or video calls are slow | A faster access type or speed tier, such as Full Fibre | Speeds, Full Fibre |
| Wi-Fi does not reach parts of the building | Pro with Smart Hub 3 and Complete Wi-Fi Plus, or a Complete Wi-Fi add-on | Complete Wi-Fi Plus |
| An outage stops you trading | Hybrid Backup (Enhanced or Pro, or an add-on) | Hybrid Backup |
| Faults take too long to fix | Prompt Care (Pro and Ultra, or an add-on) | Prompt Care |
| You need a fixed address for remote access or a VPN | A static IP (Enhanced or Pro, or an add-on) | Static IP |
| You want control over which devices join | Pro with Wi-Fi Security Controls | Wi-Fi Security Controls |
| You want a firewall and managed security | BT Ultra Broadband | Ultra |
| Broadband cannot give you the bandwidth or service level you need | A leased line | Leased line or broadband |
A slow connection is not necessarily the line. Run a proper wired test first; our speed test guide shows how, and BT's Minimum Speed Guarantee applies if the line is underperforming.
Not sure which tier fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right tier for your organisation, with a quote.
Moving up a plan
The three core plans build on each other, so moving up adds features rather than changing how the broadband works:
- Essential to Enhanced adds Hybrid Backup, one static IP and BT's Enhanced IT Support. See Enhanced.
- Essential or Enhanced to Pro adds Smart Hub 3, Complete Wi-Fi Plus, Prompt Care and Wi-Fi Security Controls. On Standard Fibre this also swaps Smart Hub 2 for Smart Hub 3. Pro is not available on copper, so a copper address needs a fibre upgrade first. See Pro.
- Pro to Ultra replaces the Smart Hub with a Cisco Meraki security appliance, adds Meraki access points and a managed security package, and includes a longer BT Expert Setup visit. It is a different kind of product, so read the next section first.
Sometimes an add-on is the better move. If the only thing missing is 4G backup or a static IP, adding it to your current plan may be simpler than changing plan. We compare both in the quote.
Moving to BT Ultra Broadband: check first
BT Ultra Broadband suits businesses that want BT to provide and change a managed firewall and Wi-Fi. Before moving to it, check these points, which BT itself flags:
- No static IP. Ultra does not support public static IP addresses. If anything depends on your current static IP (remote access, a VPN, a supplier's allow-list), Ultra is not the right move yet.
- Broadband only. Ultra cannot be bundled with a Digital Line, so voice is ordered separately.
- Existing firewalls. Ultra is not intended for businesses keeping their own third-party firewall, or for complex or bespoke networks.
- Self-managed security. BT makes configuration changes on request. BT says Ultra is not designed for customers who want to manage their own security configuration, or who want a proactively managed and monitored service.
- Access and contract. Ultra runs on Standard Fibre 76 or Full Fibre, not copper. BT's Ultra pricing terms refer to 36- and 60-month contracts; the term is confirmed at quote.
Our Ultra vs Pro page compares the two in detail.
Is BT Business Broadband upgrade the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Moving from copper or Standard Fibre to Full Fibre
If Full Fibre has reached your street, moving to it is a large step up in speed. BT's Full Fibre tiers run from 100 to 900Mbps, with up to 104Mbps upload on Full Fibre 900, against up to 76Mbps download on Standard Fibre and up to 17Mbps on copper. BT's business pages also list gigabit Full Fibre plans at some addresses; see gigabit business broadband.
Moving to Full Fibre is a new connection, so it involves an Openreach install. BT describes three types:
- 0 stage: the fibre box (ONT) is already fitted at your premises. BT says this takes 1 to 3 working days.
- 1 stage: an engineer fits the fibre and ONT in one visit. BT says this takes 9 to 18 working days.
- 2 stage: Openreach has external work to do first. BT says Openreach aims to complete its survey within 10 working days; the overall timescale depends on that work and can be delayed by things like road works.
You get Smart Hub 3 on Full Fibre on every plan. See BT Business broadband installation for what to prepare, and check availability to find out what your address can get.
Adding features to your current plan
Add-ons let you fix one gap without changing plan. The ones BT lists:
- Hybrid Backup: automatic switch to 4G if the line fails. Included with Enhanced and Pro, an add-on for Essential.
- Static IP: one included with Enhanced and Pro, an add-on for Essential. BT also offers a No NAT range of five static IP addresses.
- Prompt Care: BT's next-working-day fault-fix target. Included with Pro and Ultra, an add-on for Essential and Enhanced.
- Complete Wi-Fi or Complete Wi-Fi Plus: Wi-Fi discs for wider coverage. Complete Wi-Fi Plus needs Smart Hub 3 and is included with Pro.
- Endpoint Threat Protect: BT's paid security software for individual devices.
If you add several of these, compare the total against the next plan up.
Static IPs, contracts and timing
A few practical points make an upgrade go smoothly:
- Static IP addresses. BT applies static IPs based on your broadband username and password, and its help pages say that after an IP option change you disconnect and reconnect so the hub picks up the new settings. If systems depend on your current addresses, tell us before ordering so we can check whether they stay the same through the change.
- Contract position. Check when your current minimum term ends. Moving up can mean starting a new minimum term, and BT's pricing terms include annual price changes; we confirm both at quote.
- Installation work. Plan changes on the same line are usually simple. A change of access type means an install, so allow for it in your plans.
Our contracts guide covers minimum terms and the end of a contract in more detail.
How an upgrade through us works
- Tell us what is not working, and share your current plan, speed and contract end date if you have them to hand.
- We check the address for Full Fibre, Standard Fibre or copper, the speed tiers available and anything else that affects the options.
- We recommend one change, or compare two side by side, with the reasons, and confirm the price, minimum term and BT's pricing terms in the quote.
- We place the order and help with installation dates, static IP questions and set-up of new features such as Wi-Fi Security Controls.
Nothing is ordered until you have seen the quote and agreed it.
When broadband is no longer enough
Some businesses outgrow broadband altogether. Signs include heavy uploads all day, many users on one connection, the need for symmetrical speeds or dedicated bandwidth, or a service level that broadband does not offer. At that point a leased line is the next step. Our guide on when to upgrade to a leased line covers the signs, and our sister site leased-lines.uk covers BTnet leased lines.
Tell us what is not working, and we will check your address, look at your current plan and contract position, and recommend the change that addresses it, whether that is an add-on, a new plan, Full Fibre, Ultra or a leased line. Contact us to talk about upgrading.
Why buy BT Business Broadband from Forever Communications
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BT Business Broadband to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, and we help with each step from first enquiry to go-live.
- The right connection for your address: we check whether your premises can get Full Fibre or another access type, and explain what that means for speed; see checking availability
- A plan that fits how you work: we help you compare BT Business Broadband plans, including BT Business Ultra, and decide which add-ons such as Hybrid Backup or a static IP are worth having
- A clear quote: charges, minimum term and what is included set out in writing; see what affects the price
- Installation planned with you: we explain what happens before and on the day; see BT Business Broadband installation
- Connected services in one conversation: phones with BT Cloud Voice, Wi-Fi and security, or a BTnet leased line when broadband is no longer enough
BT Business Broadband is a business service. Speeds, features, service levels and availability are BT's and are confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I upgrade my BT Business Broadband?
Decide what needs to improve (speed, Wi-Fi, resilience, fault fixing or security), then choose the change: a higher plan, a faster access type such as Full Fibre, or an add-on. Contact us and we will check your address and recommend the right option.
Can I upgrade from Essential to Pro?
Yes, as long as your address has Full Fibre or Standard Fibre. Pro is not available on copper broadband, so a copper address needs a fibre connection first.
Will my static IP change if I upgrade?
BT applies static IPs to your broadband username and password. If systems depend on your current addresses, tell us before ordering so we can check whether they stay the same. BT Ultra does not support public static IPs.
How long does an upgrade to Full Fibre take?
BT says a 0 stage install (fibre box already fitted) takes 1 to 3 working days, a 1 stage install 9 to 18 working days, and a 2 stage install depends on Openreach's external work. BT gives the date when you order.
Does upgrading start a new contract?
Moving to a new plan can start a new minimum term. We check your current contract position and confirm the new term and BT's pricing terms at quote.
When should I move to a leased line instead?
When you need dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth, a stronger service level or heavy upload capacity that broadband cannot give. Our leased line or broadband guide explains the signs.
Still have a question about BT Business Broadband upgrade?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.