BT Broadband Voice targets smaller firms

BT's new flat-rate VoIP package promises to cut call costs

BT last week launched Broadband Voice, a flat-rate package aimed at small and medium-sized firms wanting to use broadband links for voice calls.

"This offer will cut the cost of calling for smaller businesses," said Mick Hegarty, general manager, broadband and VoIP at BT Business. "What we're offering is better value on calls, but with no built-in service-level agreement. "

Sandra O'Boyle of Current Analysis said, "If BT really wants smaller firms to move to VoIP in droves, it should start with basic education - a big marketing campaign around the possibilities of what a broadband line can do for the small business - and free trials ... but that would hurt BT's call revenues and mobile voice usage is high among smaller firms."

The service costs £15 + VAT for the first three months and then £20 + VAT a month. BT said it will cap charges for calls to most mobiles at 25p for up to an hour.
The new package will be available to new and existing BT Business Broadband customers. Firms can use standard handsets plugged into their BT Business Broadband router and BT said the system will work even when PCs are switched off, unlike Skype's VoIP service.

The service will also include advanced call forwarding, three-way calls and call barring, which can be managed online.

The package is on offer until 18 April 2006 and is subject to availability and survey, and a BT line or similar non-cable line is required.