Business phones, mobiles, broadband

[martnewts]

My brother runs a small bodyshop in North Somerset and needs to get broadband internet, 2 business mobiles and a more competitive deal on his current calls and line rental package for two landlines (1 phone line and 1 fax line) he was discussing with me that he had been visited by a salesman and is going to sign up to a deal that is £100 per month for all of the above (I dont yet have specific information as to the broadband speed or any limits, inclusive minutes in either landline or mobile packages) my concern is that he mentioned that this is a SIX year contract, to me this seems to be excessive. Does anyone have experience of these type of deals? Are there any PHers in the area who are able to do a better deal?

[JustinP1]

Although its a bit sneaky, could he use 'residential' services?

Through Virgin, I have two phone lines, and 20 meg broadband for £49 a month.

I have just rang O2 yesterday and got a new phone, and 200 minutes per month for a tenner.


Edited to add:

The six year contract is insane, unless they are putting cable broadband under the road to him!

If he is not a Limited company he needs to take into account that this deal which is £100 per month probably plus VAT is £1410 per year which is a total liability of £8460.

If his business were to go under or close they would chase him for the remainder of the contract.

My advice would be not to sign up to anything that length.

Edited by JustinP1 on Thursday 28th February 11:06

[martnewts]

Unfortunately he cant use residential as his workshop is in an industrial unit on an industrial estate. Although he is a limited company as you say the total liability is huge. I do wonder if the deal is very uncompetitive and the reason for the long contract is to make sure he doesnt go elsewhere. I also wonder if the practice of long contracts once favoured by photocopier salesmen is endemic of the kind of deal on offer.

[Andrew[MG]]

Surely he can just get 2 lines from BT + their BB and then get 2 mobile contracts that are totaly seperate? Business deals always seem to cost more so avoid if at all possible.

[Timja]

6 years is crazy! I wouldn't commit to more than 2years. Prices for broadband are likely to continue to drop and the telephone market is so competitive that i'm sure renewing every couple of years is going to secure better rates.

Some companies such as Orange can offer packages covering all the things he is after and i'm sure you can get a decent rate for 2 years commitment.

[andoverben]

I work in the industry and you should be paying in the region of £12 per month for each Analogue line and around about £25 - 30 for the Broadband. Mobiles are little bit of an unknown because it depends on how many minutes you have but they certainly don't need to be on the same contract as his Landlines.

To the best of my knowledge there are only 2 companies (in the south) who would try to pull a stunt like a 6 year contract for calls and lines and I wouldn't wish their service on anyone.

He should not sign for longer than 12 months, PM me if you want me to point you in the direction of some more reputable Companies.

[norbertc]

What he said ^

I also work in the industry and the cost of telecoms is reducing in real terms year on year. To that end what looks like a good deal now will result in the provider creaming it in after 18 months. I wouldn't touch it with yours

Sign up for 12 months on a decent tariff for line rental, broadband and voice minutes now and renegotiate in 12 months time. Mobiles are very competetive at the moment and there are lots of cost effective deals about. Depending upon usage it may be that your £100 per month can be matched and with a much shorter contract.

Norb

[nekrum]

Hi

As a telecom supplier we would be happy to offer fellow PistonHeaders the following deal:

Local / National Calls @ 1.35 pence per minute
Mobiles @ 8.25 pence per minute
PSTN Lines @ £11.29 per month
8Mb Business Broadband @ £29.99 per month
Term 12 Months

Mobiles are dependant on Network and Tariff but we can source all. Very good Blackberry deals at the moment.

Or if you have a specific requirement get in touch..

[Dunk76]

nekrum said:

Hi

As a telecom supplier we would be happy to offer fellow PistonHeaders the following deal:

Local / National Calls @ 1.35 pence per minute
Mobiles @ 8.25 pence per minute
PSTN Lines @ £11.29 per month
8Mb Business Broadband @ £29.99 per month
Term 12 Months

Mobiles are dependant on Network and Tariff but we can source all. Very good Blackberry deals at the moment.

Or if you have a specific requirement get in touch..

Oooh a fight!

I can beat that I can (except mobiles)

Local/National - 1 pence per minute
Mobiles - can't do
ISDN30/PSTN - £6.50 per channel/line per month
10Mb Broadband, uncontended - £40 per month

:P