O2 targets SMEs with broadband deals

O2 is expanding its reach in the UK market with the launch of O2 Business Broadband, and is making its Home Broadband service available nationwide.

The operator said that O2 Home Broadband was launched six months ago with the intention of providing a "quality service that would renew customer confidence in the broadband industry".

"We feel we are in a strong position to go after a larger market share, offering nationwide broadband coverage and a business proposition alongside a proven, excellent service," said Sally Cowdry, marketing director of O2 UK.

O2 is investing £6m in a high visibility broadband marketing campaign across the UK to drive awareness of the nationwide availability of its complete broadband portfolio, including fixed-line home, business and mobile.

The Business Broadband service will offer a business-grade package compatible with BT analogue lines that allows a small office to access the internet at speeds of up to 20Mbps.

Customers outside the coverage on the O2 Broadband LLU network will be able to receive O2 Business Broadband Access which provides download speeds of up to 8Mbps with the same features and benefits of O2 Business Broadband.

The new service will include a free connection, unlimited data usage, a free wireless router, five McAfee security licences, a static IP address and 24 hour UK-based business support.

O2's Home Broadband service is now available throughout the UK using BT's wholesale network to reach potential customers in areas where the local BT telephone exchange has not been unbundled.

Home Broadband customers using BT's network will be charged £17.50 per month, rather than the broadband delivered over O2's LLU network which starts from £7.50 per month for O2 customers.