a strategic partnership with Cisco Meraki, BT is the first provider in the UK to combine business-grade leased lines with integrated Cisco Meraki MX equipment. This brings a host of new cloud-based features to the market leading* BTnet leased line internet service which offers businesses a range of speeds up to 10Gbps and superior levels of reliability and resilience. The new service is also the first integrated cloud managed infrastructure solution to be launched by BT’s Enterprise business.
A key benefit of the new service is the new ‘plug and play’ security option which is delivered by BT as a managed service. With BT providing the Cisco Meraki MX equipment as part of its BTnet service, firms can secure their business internet connection more easily by sourcing their network and security requirements from a single supplier. This removes the headache of having to procure and manage separate security appliances from multiple suppliers.
In addition to enjoying high-speed internet connectivity, businesses will benefit from a comprehensive security package comprising Firewall, Anti-Malware, Content Filtering and Intrusion Detection and Prevention.
The new Cisco Meraki equipment also offers customers integrated Wi-Fi, Guest Wi-Fi and LAN for the first time, allowing for quick and easy connectivity without the need for additional equipment in many situations. A new user portal allows customers to monitor their service and request changes via the BT support teams.
Steve Best, MD, Enterprise Products at BT, said: “A secure, reliable, high-speed internet connection is the cornerstone of any business. With the launch of this new service, businesses looking to switch from broadband to a business-grade leased line service can upgrade more easily than ever before.
“It gives our customers peace of mind by combining a range of dedicated leased line internet speeds with simple plug and play connectivity and new integrated features such as security, Wi-Fi, Guest Wi-Fi and LAN services. This makes it ideal for SMEs and larger businesses who want to source their business internet, local networking and security requirements from a single supplier.”
By bundling their network and IT services together, and moving them into the cloud, businesses can reduce their operational costs, simplify their infrastructure and flex services easily to meet the changing needs of their organisation. Businesses benefit from having one contract and one bill, delivered as a fully managed service, with access to an online management tool which allows them to monitor and request changes to the service themselves.
SMEs who are interested in upgrading to the BTnet service can also claim a grant of up to £3,000 to fund their connection and construction charges via the UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.