The reliance on legacy connectivity and voice solutions continues to restrict both channel partners and small business customers. Gavin Jones, Channel Director at BT Wholesale discusses the recent launch of Broadband One and WHC Express and why the combined power of full fibre broadband and a digital phone line is the winning combination for an all-IP future.
The past 18 months have required a mindset of evolution. Digital transformation has been driven into the spotlight, as businesses look to provide for employees and customers in new digital ways. Such a transition requires laying the foundations for greater performance, experience and resilience, whilst also critically ensuring operations are future-proofed for the all-IP world.
While the benefits have been widely spoken about, it doesn’t mean all businesses are starting their digital transformation journeys from the same place – particularly if thinking about small office home office (SOHO) businesses. Many continue to rely on copper-based phone lines as they have yet to change to faster connectivity solutions that enable flexible and remote working.
Traditional phone lines and slow connectivity can restrict business performance and the digital future will only generate further challenges. The imminent switch-off of copper-based phone lines (ISDN and PTSN) mean all phone calls will have to be placed over an internet connection. When you consider 60% of customers prefer to contact small businesses by phone, it’s clear small businesses need VoIP enabled solutions that allow them to stay connected to their customers. That’s where you, our partners, are crucial.
Why upset the apple cart?
It’s a significant opportunity but for channel partners to provide the best advice around digital strategy, they must also have their own house in order – and many still have a lot of catching up to do. Some partners remain reliant on legacy technology, continuing to sell it and possibly even using it to keep their own operations going.
We understand why this is happening. If you are sitting on a solid revenue stream generated by legacy-based services, you may ask why you’d risk that to move to selling modern alternatives? Here’s a few reasons:
- The Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) rollout is reaching critical mass, meaning the rate of adoption is fuelling further growth. Others are selling fibre-based solutions now and, if you don’t act, they may attract your legacy customers that are looking to upgrade.
- Evidence suggests customers are prepared to pay more for faster connectivity and modern services, they just need education around the benefits. We introduced our Partner Plus programme to assist partners in doing just that. Providing access to our cutting-edge products and services, online training courses, as well as account manager and marketing support and exclusive events, we’ll help you to convey the value of new technologies to your customers.
- The switch off is coming. Due to be completed by December 2025, Openreach is introducing stop sells on copper-based products around exchanges where 75% of premises have ultrafast full-fibre broadband available – so you may have less time than you think.
Simplifying digital transformation through a powerful connectivity and IP voice combo
For both partners and SOHOs, taking the leap and laying the groundwork for future all-IP needs to be simple, flexible and made less daunting. That’s why we’ve combined two key solutions – Broadband One and WHC Express – to give the ultimate in control and flexibility.
Combining the power of ultrafast full fibre broadband and a digital phone line, you can offer your small business customers the tools they need to stay connected now and in the future. And all through a single supplier for voice, broadband, equipment and more at a price point that works for them. You’ll become their supplier of choice and build a relationship that lasts.
Broadband One is a future-ready solution that you can sell right now. Partners can take advantage of our managed service to meet customers’ increasing bandwidth demands through a range of broadband options from FTTP to SoGEA. Providing customers with low latency and ultrafast speeds up to 1Gbps, Broadband One is built on the biggest network in the UK with exceptional levels of resilience and 99.999% availability.
WHC Express provides the ultimate in flexibility. The digital phone line allows users to make and take calls anywhere, at any time, through our new mobile app or office handsets, all from the same business number. The same features, such as voicemail, call diverting, and out of hours rules are available, regardless of device used.
Crucially, we also made it easier for you to manage orders. Our new APIs plug into your systems so you can order with just a few clicks, while customers can self-manage up to 10 users via the non-branded business portal.
To find out how our winning combination of Broadband One and WHC Express gives you control and your customers the ultimate flexibility to embrace the digital future – get in touch now.