Choosing the Right Broadband or Fibre for Your Office
Internet is often an afterthought when starting a business — but if it’s too slow or unreliable, it can cause real disruption.
Whether you’re setting up a new office or reviewing your current connection, here’s a simple guide to choosing the right broadband or fibre for your business.
📶 Step 1: Understand the types
There are three common types of broadband in our area:
Standard Broadband (ADSL)
Older copper line service – very limited speeds. Mostly being phased out (especially with the PSTN switch-off).Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC)
Fibre to your local cabinet, copper to your premises. Decent for small offices, with speeds up to ~70Mbps.Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
Full fibre – fastest and most reliable, with speeds over 100Mbps. Now available in more areas around Newry and beyond.
⚙️ Step 2: Match to your business size
Business UseSuggested Connection1–3 people, emails, browsingFTTC or entry-level FTTPCloud tools, VoIP, TeamsFTTP preferredFile sharing, backups, CCTVFTTP or leased line if budget allows
If you're sharing files or using cloud apps (like Microsoft 365), a stronger connection will make a big difference.
📡 Step 3: Ask about SLAs and support
Business connections usually come with:
Better response times for faults
Static IP address (useful for remote access and VoIP)
Dedicated support lines
Residential broadband might be cheaper, but it’s rarely worth the risk if your team depends on uptime.
🗺 Local availability matters
Not all services are available everywhere — even within the same postcode. Some areas of Newry, Mourne and Down now have Project Stratum full fibre, while others may still be FTTC only.
I can help check what’s available at your address and recommend what best suits your team and tools.
👣 Final Tip: Plan ahead
If you’re moving premises or setting up a new site, sort broadband early. Installs (especially fibre) can take several weeks.
🟢 Need help picking the right broadband and getting set up properly?
📩 Drop me a line