Finding the right provider for your care home can be difficult, especially with many different options available to you. The first port of call is to check if faster broadband is available in your area through Ofcom’s broadband checker. Simply enter your postcode and it will tell you what connection speeds are available to you.

Quick tip: Get in touch with your local authority to see if they have negotiated deals with any providers for homes in your area.

Why you should choose business broadband for your care home

There are many benefits to having business broadband that can help ensure your home continues to run smoothly. Whilst you may think standard broadband packages can cope just fine, business broadband focus more on supplying a faster, more reliable, and attentive service. But there are many more benefits to business broadband.

1. Business broadband service guarantee and compensation

If your internet service runs into a fault and is unusable, many providers pledge to get your connection back by at least the next working day to minimise disruptions. These types of service guarantee are much less common with residential broadband but with a business broadband service, if they are unable to get you connected again within the specified timeframe, you may be entitled to compensation.

2. Dedicated customer support

Internet connections are becoming vital in healthcare which is why having business broadband over residential can offer you enhanced support. Many providers offer around the clock UK based customer support, so any issues can be addressed quickly.

3. Business broadband traffic is prioritised

Business broadband customers tend to be prioritised over residential customers when it comes to broadband traffic. This means business customers are on the receiving end of consistent speed and quality of connection, that is unaffected by other customers usage.

4. Better security

With digital care records becoming the norm across the healthcare industry, security of data is a natural concern. But business broadband comes with much higher-grade security software to protect against attacks.

5. A router that’s made for business

Business broadband routers and residential routers can differ substantially. Business broadband routers provide you with a much stronger Wi-Fi router that can cover between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet over multiple stories. For care homes in older buildings with thicker walls this can help alleviate some of the connection issues you may face.

What to look out for

When it comes to finding a new provider, cheaper or limited time deals might be tempting, especially with tightening budgets. However, there may be limits on the amount of data or another limitation that isn’t advertised. For smaller care homes, it can also be tempting to choose a package designed for household use as these contracts tend to be cheaper, however even with unlimited packages, in most cases you may find they aren’t suitable for your needs.

Quick tip: Watch out for ‘advertised speeds’ where packages say they offer speeds up to or average speeds – the ‘up to’ or ‘average’ part is key here. In 2018 the Advertising Standards Authority put in place a requirement for any numerical speed claims in advertisements for broadband to be based on the download speed available to at least 50% of customers during peak hours (8 pm – 10 pm).

Here’s a list of what you should consider when looking for your new internet package.

• Contract length
• Cost
• Upload and download speeds
• Bandwidth
• Average downtime
• Lead time
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service

Find expert support for your care home

To learn more about our software and what it can do for your care home, get in touch with our friendly team on 0330 056 333 or email sales@caredocs.co.uk.