homeworker broadband

Join together and bring superfast fibre to Bovingdon green

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Broadband built for working from home 

Whether you’re an employee that works remotely from home, or self-employed and running a business from your home office, you need a business grade connection you can rely on. Our Home Worker broadband is tailored to business needs.

Unstoppable internet. Crystal clear conferencing. Wi-Fi that works for you.

Lightning-fast Gigabit speeds for your home

Get an extra 100 Mbps after 12 months

Next-day technical support for your business 

Lightning-fast speeds that exceed your mightiest of demands

Your broadband connection is the heart of the internet in your home and your business.

With a starting speed of 400 Mbps straight out of the blocks, our base plan will serve your business needs. Your household can work and play at the same time - day or night.

Our 900 Mbps will take your home office to another level.

400 Mbps Upload + Download

Great for home offices. Offering lightning speeds for the home and office needing internet to rely on for work and play – day or night.

12-month minimum term.

£45   ex VAT  

£50   ex VAT

One-off activation fee

900 Mbps Upload + Download

Perfect for anything you want to throw at us! Blistering speeds make light work of your heavy lifting, serving up homes and offices, power users and business demands with ease.

£75   ex VAT

Different factors can affect your Wi-Fi signal and speed, so actual speeds may vary.

Supercharged speeds

Say hello to 4K streaming, hardcore gaming, crystal clear

video calls, and smart home living across multiple devices at the same time.

Ultra-reliable

900Mbps mean a more reliable connection that won’t let you down at peak times - no matter what you throw at it.

No more dead spots

Full fibre coverage  for every corner of  your home, day  and night.

No mid-contract price hikes

We charge  what we say  we will, from t he start to  the end of  your contract.

Gigabit broadband voucher scheme

Swish fibre are proud to be working alongside the UK Government, supporting the Gigabit Broadband voucher scheme, to bring Full Fibre Broadband to people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas.

The scheme helps Swish Fibre to deliver the UK’s fastest Full Fibre broadband network direct to you, with no risk or additional cost to you.

An advanced solution for your home and your business

There’s more to a great broadband service than speed alone. Your router is the much-ignored powerhouse of your home network. Our routers deliver exceptional signal and management to help deliver high performance to the many devices around your home and in your office.

A router that’s light-years ahead to match your next-gen Full Fibre service.

Wi-Fi  Analytics

Smart Wi-Fi software improves performance behind the scenes and offers insights to help you get the most from your connections. Swish will manage your broadband connection and support your Wi-Fi network performance.

Gigabit Wi-Fi, lightning-fast speed

Experience never-before-seen wireless speeds, featuring both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands via six internal antennas with beamforming technology. Packed with all the latest features to deliver smooth, speedy access.

Next-day technical support 

When a business connection has a problem, it can have a huge impact, from loss of revenue, to project delays, even the loss of potential clients. Our next day technical support means we will aim to fix your internet problem by the end of the next working day.

We may ask for Swish Fibre kit to be returned at the end of your contract.

View Terms and Conditions

Got a hard-to-reach home? No problem.

Swish Pods help you to flood every nook and corner, even in the trickiest spots.

Using the latest mesh network technology, our Swish Pods eradicate frustrating blind spots typically found in larger or older “built to last” homes. Our Pods come with an app that gives you smart controls including security and parental controls.

Complete Wi-Fi coverage in your home.

Full-strength, uninterrupted connectivity that learns and adjusts to your habits to provides the best coverage.

Intelligent Wi-Fi

Smart Controls

Smart home controls at your fingertips to manage and create passwords, guest access and view connected devices.

Threat Protection

Advanced AI Security keeps your entire home office network and devices protected from hackers and cyberattacks.

Parental Controls

Setting limits for device-level and internet-level access has never been easier. Turn on child appropriate internet filters.

£5 ex VAT

Per pod per month

All Swish Fibre kit is loaned to you and must be returned at the end of your contract if requested.

Make things extra special with our  Add-Ons

Static IP Address

If you run a business where you need to host your own network equipment and servers, or need a VPN to allow other employees remote access, then having a fixed IP address for your home office network will be vital. 

Swish Voice

Switch your phone number to our Swish Voice service and ditch your monthly line rental charge for your home and business calls. Crystal clear calls via your safe and reliable Full Fibre service.

A plan that works for you as you work from home

Our Home Worker Broadband solution is designed to offer you exceptional Full Fibre download and upload speeds, complete with next day technical support to ensure you get the support you need.  Beyond the initial 12-month contract, you will receive an additional 100 Mbps speed as a big thank you for your ongoing loyalty.

Enjoy the best broadband in the UK, designed for home workers.

Responsive next-day technical support

Invoice your company

or your employer

We’ll deliver your Full Fibre broadband to you and you can bill your company or your employer.  VAT invoice as standard.

Get a 100 Mbps boost

for free after 12 months

Power up with an extra 100 Mbps boost after 12 continuous months with Swish Fibre, taking you to either 500 Mbps or 1000 Mbps depending on which speed you've used.

Register your interest and join the Swish community.

If you'd like to hear more about the Swish journey and what' we're working on then please complete the details below.

Check availability

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What’s Virgin Media HomeWorks?

Virgin Media HomeWorks is a monthly subscription for award-winning internet security and priority tech support. HomeWorks helps you get back online if something goes wrong with your gadgets or home WiFi while you’re running a small business or working from home.

In this article

Who’s eligible for homeworks, what does virgin media homeworks include, how to get virgin media homeworks, i already have virgin media homeworks, frequently asked questions.

You are – if you’re relying on our broadband for remote working (at home, not on commercial premises). You can add HomeWorks to your package and cancel the subscription without affecting your other Virgin Media services.

Gadget Rescue can fix most problems in under an hour. When you subscribe to HomeWorks, you can contact their experts instantly on live chat (virginmedia.com/gadgetrescue) or Call 0800 014 7398

With your consent, they’ll remotely access your device and investigate the problem – 93% of issues, they can fix first time. And when they’re done, a full report of their work will be sent to you, for your records. Your laptops and computers, your printers and tablets, your mobiles – all but the gadgets you got from us, are covered. An extra bonus? You can run Gadget Rescue’s daily PC health check on your Windows (7, 8.1 and 10) machines, free.

Having HomeWorks rushes you to the top of our engineer’s list for an appointment the next working day, if you’ve called up about a broadband issue that can’t be fixed over the phone.

Award-winning Virgin Media online security for iOS and Mac, Andriod and Windows PC.<p> F-Secure SAFE scans devices several times a day to detect and remove ransomware, malware, spyware and viruses. Your money and personal information will be better protected against cybercriminals, including phishing scammers.

Plus, the kids are safer too. When you add up to 10 devices to F-Secure as part of your HomeWorks subscription, parental controls are also included.

Call 0800 064 3855 to add HomeWorks to your broadband package. You’ll pay £9.99 monthly on a rolling contract – for 40% off (knocking it down to £6 monthly), upgrade your broadband speed while you’re chatting with us. If the boss calls you back to the office (or for any reason), you can cancel your HomeWorks subscription with 30 days’ notice – or sooner for a small fee.

To upgrade to HomeWorks please sign in on My Virgin Media account will be updated.

Here’s how to make the most of your new services and your all the all-important contact points.

Get started F-Secure SAFE - Providing security for up to 10 devices.

Add your devices today - Click the link below and add your 10 devices to the F-Secure SAFE portal to start protecting your devices today. Add devices to F-Secure portal .

Gadget Rescue - 24/7 IT support for all your gadgets. If you need help then getting in touch with Gadget Rescue is easy. Help is available 24/7 online and over the phone. But don’t forget, it’s just for tech support! You can chat to a Gadget Rescue expert online or call free on 0800 014 7398

Next-day technician service - If you have any issues, we’ll move fast to get you up and running again – just call us straight away.

Remember: Gadget Rescue is here to help with gadgets you’ve bought yourself. But if you’ve got a problem with your Virgin Media products or services, our tech support teams will fix or replace it as part of the Virgin Media service.

No. It can be purchased as an add-on like any other.

Unfortunately, you can't as HomeWorks is designed to meet the needs of residential customers who regularly work or operate a business from home.

No need to worry, if you're already a Gadget Rescue user and want to upgrade to HomeWorks you'll continue to receive the support you need and we will make sure your account is updated accordingly.

If you already have F-Secure SAFE and want to upgrade to HomeWorks, you can do this by registering or signing into My Virgin Media and selecting My Apps. F-secure SAFE will be notified of this change and stop your existing F-Secure SAFE standalone payments.

Yes. Once you upgrade to HomeWorks you will receive F-Secure SAFE inclusive for the duration of you having this add-on on your account.

The contract term for HomeWorks is 30 day rolling. After that you're free to discontinue the service by giving us 30 days prior notice.

HomeWorks usually £9.99 per month based on a 30 day rolling monthly cost. After that you are free to discontinue the service by giving us 30 days prior notice.

40% off HomeWorks available to existing customers who choose HomeWorks and a speed tier increase on M50, M125, M250 and M350 Fibre Broadband only. Discounted price £6 per month. The cost of the speedtier increase is additional. Also available to existing M500 and Gig1 Fibre Broadband customers with no speed tier increase. Offer is valid for the duration the customer takes an increased broadband contract with HomeWorks.

F-Secure SAFE: covering up to 5 devices is included for the length of the HomeWorks subscription. Additional device licenses over and above your 5 device allowance can be purchased via my.f-secure.com/register/Homeworks .

Next Day Priority Service: Priority for available next day appointments vs other cable customers if appointment is required, subject to appointment availability. You must call contact centre during contact centre opening hours to get next day availability.

Gadget Rescue: included in the cost of HomeWorks, usually £5 per month for 6 months, plus a £20 setup fee. One-off help usually £60.

The legal stuff: Prices may change at any time during the contract. New customers only. Services only available in Virgin Media network areas. Subject to survey, network capacity and credit check. A minimum period applies to the services, please check basket for details.

What is a minimum period? When you take a service from us you’ll be agreeing to commit to taking that service for a minimum amount of time (e.g. 12 or 18 months). We call this a minimum period, minimum term or minimum commitment period but they mean the same thing. Please check your basket for details of the minimum period that applies to the services you’ve chosen.

What if I cancel or move home? If you cancel during the minimum period you may need to pay an early disconnection fee, including where you move to a property outside of the Virgin Media network area – this is because you’ll be asking to cancel your services early. The Virgin Media network doesn’t cover all of the UK – please use our postcode checker by clicking here to check availability. You can find out more details on the early disconnection fee and process by visiting the Legal Stuff section of the website here. For the full terms and conditions please click here .

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Do I need to provide broadband for homeworkers? What's my obligation?

Do i need to provide broadband for homeworkers.

Many businesses are now offering at least hybrid, if not fully remote, working patterns to their staff. But with this extra flexibility comes questions, like “Whose responsibility is it to pay for broadband if my staff are working from home?”

There are many business benefits to providing and paying for homeworkers’ broadband, though there’s no legal obligation to do so. The advantages of installing a dedicated work broadband connection to remote workers’ homes include:

• Control over the Internet Service Provider (ISP) used
• Centralised and consistent billing
• Enhanced security
• Improved performance
• Centralised support

In this post we’ll answer some of the questions we’re often asked about providing business broadband to home working employees.

If I do provide broadband for homeworkers, can I stipulate what they use it for?

This is one of the big advantages of providing employees with a dedicated internet connection for work – you can make sure it’s only used for that purpose. This helps with security by keeping work and business separate, as well as giving bosses peace of mind that only work-appropriate applications are being accessed during working hours. It also gives employees the ability to use certain technologies, and crucially, influences the service levels you’ll be entitled to.

Read this article for a full breakdown of the advantages of using a separate, specialist business connection for working from home.

If I provide homeworkers with broadband, can I choose which internet service provider to use?

When you’re supplying the connection, you get to choose which ISP is used.

Not all broadband providers are the same, as we explain in this guide to choosing a broadband provider for your small business . Employees may be more motivated by price and deals that include TV and other services, while priorities for your business lie more in reliability, speed and knowing you’re in safe hands should there be a problem.  When you’re choosing the provider you can go for a business-grade connection from a provider you can rely on.

Do we have to reimburse remote working employees for their broadband?

If you expect employees to use a separate business broadband connection for work then you will have to pay for it, but this gives you peace of mind that they’re working securely, on a reliable connection and with good support in place should there be a problem. You won’t need to reimburse your staff because the ISP will bill the company.

By using the same internet service provider to bring a business broadband connection to all of your remote working employees’ homes, you’ll know that your monthly bills will be consistent and centralised. No need for workers to submit expense forms or claim allowances.

Will employees need two routers?

Yes, your business broadband ISP will send a router out to each worker that needs one, and should give them easy instructions to plug it in so that it doesn’t interfere with their own home broadband. The router should be specially configured so that workers can easily connect to remote desktop applications and VPNs.

What if an employee leaves the company?

If you have to cease a connection whilst still in contract you would most likely pay termination charges, so when you’re choosing your ISP, make sure to be clear on contract lengths and be wary of those that try to sign you up to deals on very long terms. If an employee were to leave you don’t want to be stuck in a lengthy contract you’ll have to pay to cancel.

  What if an employee moves home?

A good business internet provider will manage a transfer of services to make sure there’s as little disruption as possible to your employee. If the ISP is unable to offer a like-for-like transfer of services due to the new location, they should be able to help you choose the best available connectivity option.

What if an employee’s connection goes down?

They’ll want to report the problem, have it resolved and get back to work as quickly as possible, so when you choose the ISP that will connect your employees to the internet, be sure to research their support. You’ll want to know that your staff aren’t spending hours hanging on the phone waiting for a resolution, and that a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place to fix any major problems as quickly as possible.

Another advantage of your staff having separate connections for work and home use is that you’ve got in-built resilience. In a pinch, home broadband or a 4G connection can be used for work for a short period of time until the business connection resumes so there’s no worries about not being able to work.

Products & services for successful homeworking

Superfast broadband.

Reliable and high speed broadband great for accessing cloud apps, email and communicating from home.

BeamRing Cloud Phone

Flexible and future proof, homeworkers can use an app on mobile or desktop to stay connected to the company phone system, wherever they’re working.

Homeworker ProtectNet

Specially developed for secure remote working, ProtectNet allows easy remote access to your network without compromising on security.

Businesses we help with hybrid & flexible working

• Not For Profit
• Remote Working

Let's Do Business Group

When the quality of customer service is central to a business’s success, phone and internet are invaluable tools. The Let’s Do Business Group couldn’t live without either.

PR Artistry

PR Artistry is a PR and content creation company.  Since 2017 everyone at PRA has worked remotely therefore a central point for the company’s connectivity & communication is essential.

The Adastral Group

With one eye always on the future, the Adastral Group knew there was likely to be a move towards the virtual delivery of training, but they couldn’t have predicted quite how quickly this would happen.

• Manufacturing

Astell Scientific

Having been at the cutting edge of technology for over 130 years, Astell Scientific knows that the technology they use to support their business also needs to be kept right up to date.

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About Beaming

We are an independent internet service provider for uk businesses. serious about service with a network built for business; we make sure you stay connected., from the resilient and secure network we’ve built, to the choice of tailormade products all supplied with expert service, we provide peace of mind that businesses require..

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PublicTechnology

Defra extends £2m deal for homeworker broadband.

The department has expanded by 18 months and £630k an incumbent arrangement with BT through which almost 300 staff on remote working contracts can tap into connections provided by Defra

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has extended a multimillion-pound contract for the provision of broadband connections for hundreds of staff working from home or from smaller offices.

In July 2021, the department signed an initial three-year deal with BT for the provision of 900 broadband connections – including services for 282 “contractual homeworkers, [who] as part of their contract terms, they have the option of opting into home broadband provided free of charge by Defra”.

The connections offered via the BT deal are also used by “small Defra Group office locations and telemetry” services. The engagement has further served to “underpin small WiFi networks, printing capability, CCTV, alarm systems and other ICT” in use at departmental locations, according to newly released commercial documents.

With the contract originally scheduled to expire next month, Defra has signed an 18-month extension – taking the end date to 24 January 2026. The value of the agreement has consequently increasing by £631,800 to an overall total of £1.9m.

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Defra is currently in the midst of delivering its Future Network Procurement Project (FNPP), which aims to refresh connectivity services for more than 30,000 staff across 300 sites operated by the department and its many arm’s-length bodies.

The existing deal with BT was, thus, extended without any competitive process in order “to maintain continuity of service whilst FNPP further competition is running and to allow time for transitions” to Defra’s future connectivity services.

The additional term of 18 months represents “the expected timeframe to move services to FNPP”, according to the formal extension document.

“This is a fundamental business critical service, without this service none of Defra Offices or homeworkers will be able to function and there will be a direct business impact,” it adds. “Digital lines will be transitioned to the new FNPP contract provider for digital services at some point during the term of the 18-month contract extension, therefore the stated annual costs are expected to reduce. Digital lines will be transitioned to FNPP using the standard notice period of 28 days for those which have gone past the initial  [12-month] period from installation.”

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A Homeworker’s Guide to Finding Reliable, Fast Broadband

TechRound Team June 18, 2020

Working at home isn’t a new phenomenon. Even back in 2017, around 30 percent of company employees spent at least one weekday working from home. Indeed, this had been growing at a steady pace before 2017, and today we have seen a recent growth spurt with so many safely sheltering at home. One of the difficulties with homeworkers is enjoying fast enough internet speeds to get their work done successfully, whether they’re self-employed, a remote worker, or temporarily based at home. With more time than ever on our hands, also important to consider are those playing online games such as they casino games or otherwise.

The difficulties rear their ugly head in several ways, depending on what type of work is being done. There are also problems when trying to get work completed in a shared household where some are working while others are not. What follows is a homeworker’s guide to getting work done, living harmoniously with others, and securing better broadband internet.

Homeworking in a Shared Household

The nature of using a Wi-Fi connection is that it tends to be shared with other people. The more people use it, the slower the internet experience will be for each user, depending on the internet speed at that time of day. While you wouldn’t think this is a difficulty for homeworkers, it turns out that it has been recently since more people are home and using the net at the same time.

In a recent survey, at least one-third of UK millennials reported arguments with family members or partners over who needs to use the internet and why it’s slow. This at a time when over half of us are using the internet for entertainment e.g., Netflix streaming video and YouTube, and around two-thirds for online news.

Where Are People Working?

While it’s possible to work from the dining room table in a pinch if you’re positioned in the living room; that’s a problem. The coming and going of people and the TV being on becomes a distraction when trying to get serious work done and focus completely on it. Subsequently, many homeworkers are setting up shop in a spare bedroom that’s been converted to this use or squeezing a small desk and chair into the corner of the bedroom if it’s large enough and there isn’t another practical space to use. When more than one person is trying to work from home, the space becomes even more of a premium.

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There are even people who, due to space limitations, decide to set up on the patio table every morning or to reconfigure the garden shed to convert it into an office. A conservatory is another option chosen by a few if they can handle the midday sun streaming in when they don’t have blinds installed yet.

Will the Broadband Signal Reach This Far?

When the broadband router is downstairs, which it usually is, then the signal only broadcasts so far.

It’s worth pointing out that when you decide to compare broadband deals to find something faster, the speed to the home does not affect the ability of homeworkers upstairs to grab the Wi-Fi signal. It’s a completely different thing! That might seem obvious to many, but it’s not to everyone, so we mention it to avoid confusion.

If the Wi-Fi signal is down to 2-3 bars (out of five) for the connection to the router via Wi-Fi, then the speed will be drastically reduced. In reality, speed declines the farther you get away from the router. Modern routers broadcast a much greater distance than a few years ago. However, when the signal must go through walls and/or ceilings, there may be a considerable variance between the internet speed enjoyed upstairs and the speeds available near to the router.

It may be worth investing in a Wi-Fi extender or a second router configured as a repeater to re-broadcast the router’s original Wi-Fi signal. It will cover a greater distance to get past speed declines due to the distance from the internet equipment. A broadband installer won’t usually do this for you!

What’s a Typical Usage for the Internet in Your Household?

With the kids still off school and some using virtual teaching provided by the school, video streaming is used at different times of the day.

Video Streaming/Chat is a Beast

Group video streaming services like Zoom suck up considerable bandwidth. Even for a one-on-one video call with a supervisor, they can use over half a gigabyte of data for a 60-minute call. With multiple people on the call for half an hour, a similar amount of data is consumed. In which case, a plan that offers 25 Mb or greater is probably best. As many as 40 percent of homeworking people have had problems connecting to a group video call with work colleagues recently. As a result, they’ve had to miss the meeting. If this happens too often, it may be a problem that could put their job at risk.

Coordinate with Family or Housemates

You may wish to make arrangements to schedule time blocks when people in the household can use video streaming , Netflix, and video chats. This will allow more of the available bandwidth when you’ve got to make it to a conference call. Nevertheless, that’s an imperfect solution and requires regular cooperation from everyone in the household.

Finding a Reliable Broadband Provider with Sufficient Speed

When realising that your current internet provider isn’t cutting it in the speed stakes now that you’re home working, it’s time to think about upgrading. Performing a broadband comparison for your area is worthwhile. This will indicate which providers sell an internet service for your postcode and which are installable.

Broadband Plans for All Occasions

Broadband deals come in all shapes and sizes. Some are faster. Others include a second line, shorter contract terms, or a pay-as-you-go mobile SIM. Many will now offer some kind of discount or cashback offer for signing with them for a contracted period. This might be a discount on a future bill, a card loaded with credit, or a discount voucher. When looking at the best broadband deals, pay special attention to internet speeds. Some broadband speeds are as low as 10 Mb; others are set at 38 MB, and plenty offer 50 Mb, 100 Mb, or even faster.

Postcode Determines Availability

The speed is partly dependent on what’s supported by the provider within that area. The same provider may have internet available at one speed in a nearby postcode but at a slower speed at your postcode. When you compare broadband providers and plans through a broadband comparison site like usave, don’t just fix on a certain brand. Use usave’s feature to enter your postcode, so the site can give you the most accurate information about the speeds available at your location, which providers offer it and at what cost.

Other Factors to Consider

Don’t forget to consider other aspects like whether you’ll be expected to change your landline over to a different one and if the existing phone number is transferable too?

If you currently have other services bundled with broadband like TV channel packages, then think about what you’ll do there. This might be a consideration for a Sky customer, for instance, unless you split the phone line and TV services from the broadband to move to a dedicated, faster internet provider.

Lastly, when choosing a plan, do bear in mind that the stated speed is experienced by half of all customers during the peak usage period between 8-10 PM on a weekday evening. Therefore, if that speed is the minimum that you require, it would be best to opt for the next plan up. That way, it’s more than you require, so even when the internet is running slower, it will still be fast enough to get your work done or to successfully video stream with work colleagues.

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Summer broadband deals for everyone's castle

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Can you get Hey!B?

Full Fibre unlimited

Lightning fast full fibre meets your everyday broadband needs with a stable connection throughout the day. Video call, browse, stream and game to your hearts content.

Super-reliable ultrafast connection

Full fibre directly into your home delivers broadband speeds up to 20 X faster than standard connections. Enjoy glitch-free broadband, with no drop-outs, buffering or lag.

Fit for the future

Next generation broadband handles multiple devices with no drop in performance. Add value to your property with a connection fit for the future that goes beyond the 2025 fixed line switch off.

Experienced support team

Our amazing customer service team and technical support team will ensure that you stay happily connected and answer any queries or questions you may have.

Choose the right full fibre plan for you

SYMMETRICAL UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD*

• 150 Mbps symmetrical download/upload speed*
• 24 months commitment period
• Free router & standard installation (worth £150)
• No price increase during the length of your contract
• Standard monthly price £23/mth

• 400 Mbps symmetrical download/upload speed*
• Standard monthly price £33/mth

• 900Mbps symmetrical download/upload*
• Standard monthly price £43/mth

Need help choosing the right plan?

Talk to our friendly Customer Service or Technical Support teams.

Call 0808 168 1616 today.

All of that PLUS…

Next generation broadband, future ready, efficient service, no price increase during your contract, free router, top customer service.

Fibre vs full fibre

Did you know that not all fibre broadband is the same? It’s the connection from the green box on your street to your home that makes all the difference. Traditional copper connections can be described as ‘fibre’. But true fibre broadband, where a fibre optic connection is brought all the way into your home, is known as full fibre, fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) or fibre-to-the-home (FTTH).

Business or Homeworker?

Home worker

Our Homeworker packages give you a dedicated IP address and premium SLA with access to technical support and one working day response times

Our business broadband comes with dedicated technical support and SLA guaranteeing you 8 working hours fix time.

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Enjoy hassle free installation

Our broadband is fast, affordable and reliable. But that’s not the only reason to choose H!B. We believe in fair pricing. That means we guarantee we won’t raise the price of your package during the length of your contract. A deal’s a deal after all. And you don’t need to worry about support. Our friendly customer and technical teams are here to help.

What’s stopping you?

If you’re no longer in a contract with another broadband provider it’s super-easy to switch to Hey!Broadband.

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If you’re stuck in an expensive contract you can’t get out of we can still help. Call 0808 168 1616 today and we can help switch you to Hey!Broadband faster.

We’re connecting more areas to our full fibre network all the time. Use our postcode checker to see if you’re already connected or will be soon.

Call our friendly customer team on 0808 168 1616

Take the speed test

Check out the time difference in download speeds! Our average wired speed of 900Mbps is up to 20x faster than the UK’s average. How much time would you save each day?

*Broadband speed calculations: The UK’s average broadband speeds are 80.2Mbps for downloads and 21.6Mbps for uploads, compared to Hey!Broadband’s top average speed of 900Mbps which is achieved through a wired connection. Average speeds taken from Ofcom’s ‘UK Home Broadband Performance’ measurement period May 2021.

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Homeworker and Mobile Broadband

Beat the competition with business-grade broadband for your remote team.

Fast, reliable internet, even when you’re working from home

Why get homeworker & mobile broadband? Working from home can be challenging with a dodgy internet connection. Residential internet was not built for the excesses of business. It’s not fast, reliable or secure enough to handle it. So give the poor residential connections a rest, and invest in great value, business-grade home broadband for your entire remote team.

SoConnect only caters for the business market, so we know exactly what your team needs to boost productivity. Say goodbye to frozen video calls and hello to speeds of up to 80Mbps, better reliability and best-of-breed support.

Homeworking is here to stay

Ensure maximum success with homeworker and mobile broadband.

Homeworker Broadband for a succesful hybrid working machine

Clear audio and video.

With our business-grade internet at home, your remote workers will enjoy uninterrupted audio and video for those important Teams meetings. Better broadband for your at-home working team makes collaboration with the office a breeze. Save the time and money lost to missed calls and misunderstood meetings.

Less downtime

Here’s a secret: business SLAs are superior to residential SLAs. Shhh. This means that if something goes wrong, your team member won’t be at the back of the queue when it comes to service support. There is no downtime, just considerable uptime; business broadband at home keeps your team working

Powered productivity

If remote workers don’t have the bandwidth, there is no point in investing in productivity-boosting software. Laggy software will just slow them down. Providing your team with the tools needed to succeed starts with connectivity. Our homeworker broadband packages will power productivity wherever your team works.

Our Homeworker Broadband Packages

​Find an affordable homeworker broadband deal to power your remote working team.

Homeworker Broadband

• 24Mbps Average Download Speeds
• Fixed business-grade broadband home connection
• 1 Dynamic IP or Static IP available free of charge
• Ideal for running VoIP telephony at home
• Dedicated Account Manager
• Expert UK Support

Homeworker Fibre broadband

• 40Mbps Average Download Speeds

Homeworker Fibre Plus

• 80Mbps Average Download Speeds

Mobile broadband for business on the go

Mobile Broadband is an ideal option if you have poor broadband speeds or you want to be connected to 4G & 5G networks on the go. It’s a secure, fast and easy way to access the internet on the move. We work with the top networks to give you great-value deals. Choose data-only SIMs or all of the latest mobile broadband devices, including dongles, portable mini routers and high-speed WiFi routers.

Work from anywhere

When you are working on the move, you need to stay connected wherever you go. With business mobile broadband, keep working even if there’s no WiFi. Connect your laptop via a dongle or data SIM, and there’s no stopping you.

More flexible & faster than DSL

Yes. That’s right. That small data sim will get you downloading faster than the metres of copper cable leading from the roadside cabinet. It’s more flexible too! Many data plans can be upgraded and downgraded when the need arises.

Banish the rural blues

Those hills might look pretty through the window, but they cause mayhem for getting fast and reliable broadband. Mobile business broadband enables homeworkers with poor quality internet to connect any device quickly, efficiently and securely.

Mobile broadband options

Our wide range of data sim plans will get you connected over 4G or 5G at home or on the move. Use our sims for mobiles, tablets, dongles or routers. There’s no need to worry about running out of data; we offer unlimited plans, shared data bundles, or capped plans.

Mobile WiFi

It’s easy to connect up to 10 devices to a Mobile WiFi router or use a dongle connected to your laptop for fast and reliable internet. Use these handy devices in the house or out of the office to get you online safely and reliably. Giving endless options for where you can do work.

More and more employees are working away from the office, and they must be connected to the internet. Get plug and play WiFi with the GigaCube. This nifty router gives access to speedy 4G & 5G networks and allows you to connect up to 64 devices

Mobile Broadband Pricing

We understand that not everyone has access to fast and reliable broadband at home. Mobile Broadband is the ideal alternative if you have poor broadband speeds or you want to be connected to 4G & 5G networks on the go. Choose a contract length that suits you – 30 days rolling, 12, 18 or 24 months.

Mobile Broadband 6GB

• 4G & 5G

Mobile Broadband 60GB

Mobile broadband unlimited.

• Unlimited Data

Homeworker and Mobile Broadband FAQs

Can i get business broadband for my remote working staff.

If you have employees working from home and lagging behind because of poor internet, then Homeworker business broadband will help. You’ll be an absolute hero by giving them the tools needed to do their jobs properly. They will also benefit from direct support and business lead times if issues arise.

Can I use a Virtual Private Network for accessing the internet with mobile broadband?

Yes, your mobile broadband device can be used with any VPN. Our team of experts can help you set up. 

Why can't my remote staff use their home internet connections?

While it is acceptable for remote staff to use their own broadband for work, it isn’t an ideal solution in the long term. A plan that offers a faster connection for your remote team member is better. With the security and reliability of a business-grade internet connection, your business will benefit from increased protection and greater productivity.

We moved our voice and data services for four remote wind farms and operations base from a well known UK supplier to SoConnect. Commercial and technical support is a breath of fresh air compared to our previous experience, and prices remain competitive. Thank you, SoConnect!

“SoConnect provided a cost-effective solution to bring a leased line direct to the office. That solution enabled us to move to a credible MS Teams solution replacing the VOIP service (by others) that was no longer fit for purpose. SoConnect provides effective project management and competitive data services to us. They have a friendly team that is flexible and proactive in its approach to service delivery.”

News and Views

The PSTN Switch-off: What it means for your business

Sep, 2023 | Business Internet , Telecoms

As the PSTN switch-off date nears, many companies are unsure about what’s next. SoConnect can make the switch easy for you. Find out how!

Broadband Speeds – What is a Megabit?

Mar, 2021 | Business Internet

A ‘Megabit’ (or Mb) is the term most commonly used to talk about an internet connection’s speed. The higher the rate of Megabit, the faster your broadband.

A digital transformation strategy for business

Oct, 2020 | Business Internet , Cloud Services , Cyber Security , IT Support

Digital transformation can seem an abstract term. It encompasses complex processes that represent a significant cultural shift in the workplace. Many businesses find that they understand the importance of digital for the future. Still, they may fixate on digital...

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• Business Broadband

TalkTalk Business broadband review

By Phil Wilkinson-Jones | Thursday, September 9th 2021

TalkTalk is perhaps best known for its budget-friendly home broadband and TV, but did you know that the brand is also an award-winning business broadband provider?

This page will tell you everything you need to know about TalkTalk Business broadband for your business; what’s available, which deal is right for your company, and what you can expect in terms of equipment, customer service and more.

We’ll also tell you why TalkTalk Business broadband stands out from the competition and tell you about the best business packages currently available from the provider.

Is TalkTalk Business broadband any good?

TalkTalk’s business broadband is generally highly regarded. The brand provides some of the cheapest and simplest internet for business deals on the UK market with the ability to add inclusive calls if a company needs them.

Overall, the brand’s business broadband is rated higher by its customers than its home internet provision.

As with any deal and provider, there are pros and cons when choosing a TalkTalk Business broadband package:

• It’s affordable - most deals are cheaper than with BT or Sky.
• It’s simple - making it easy to pick the right plan for your business.
• It’s unlimited - with no data caps on any business package.
• It’s easy to bundle - add unlimited phone calls to your plan for an extra charge.
• TalkTalk broadband isn’t available in all areas of the UK.
• Listed prices don’t include VAT.
• Small businesses may find themselves with less choice.
• Low customer satisfaction scores with regard to complaint management

The ISP also provides 70% more Ethernet coverage than BT, great for companies looking for a more secure and speedy connection.

When choosing a new business broadband provider, you should carefully weigh up the pros and cons. No one provider can tick all the boxes, but it’s entirely possible to find one that meets your most important needs.

Overview of TalkTalk Business broadband

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect with a TalkTalk Business broadband deal.

Compare TalkTalk Business broadband

Average TalkTalk Business Broadband speeds

TalkTalk has a huge range of business broadband deals to suit companies of different sizes and with varying requirements.

Speeds range from a modest 18Mbps with TalkTalk’s entry-level Simply Business Broadband ADSL service all the way to 1000Mbps with either a Full Fibre connection or up to 10Gbps on an exclusive leased line. Businesses can also choose from a standard fibre connection of 76Mbps, or an ultrafast service, averaging 145Mbps or 290Mbps.

Not all speeds are available in every location across the country, however, so some businesses may find their options are limited when it comes to download speed.

Average TalkTalk Business broadband upload speeds

With home broadband, download speed is often more important than upload speed. This is because most households transfer more information from the internet to their devices than vice versa. With business broadband, however, average upload speed can be as important – if not more so – than average download speed. This is because many companies store large volumes of information online.

TalkTalk’s standard business broadband deal offers upload speeds of up to 1Mbps, whereas the brand’s fibre broadband service for companies has a much healthier average upload speed of 20Mbps. To get the fastest upload speed, customers will need to sign up either for the Fibre To The Premises 900Mbps download speed, which comes with an upload speed of 115Mbps, or for the provider’s maximum leased line speed, which comes with both download and upload speeds of 10Gbps.

TalkTalk Business broadband packages

For its slower speeds of 18Mbps and 76Mbps, TalkTalk offers a choice of either a ‘Simply’ or a ‘Complete’ business broadband package.

Both Simply and Complete deals offer unlimited broadband, static IP addresses, free new line installation (if needed) and seven-day UK business support. The difference is that with a Simply package, calls are included on a pay-as-you-go basis. With a Complete deal, all UK landline and mobile calls are included in the monthly price.

TalkTalk offers five different options for your business broadband – plenty of choice for your business’s needs.

TalkTalk Simply Business Broadband : This is TalkTalk’s entry-level package – an ADSL service with average download speeds of up to 18Mbps. This package is perfect for small businesses looking for an economical solution to their broadband needs. Customers wanting inclusive UK landline and mobile calls can go for the Complete Business broadband option.

TalkTalk Simply Superfast Fibre : TalkTalk Simply Superfast Fibre comes with download speeds up to 76Mbps and pay-as-you-go calls. Customers looking for inclusive calls can choose Complete Superfast Fibre, that also comes with a free premises move. The Superfast Fibre packages come on a 24-month contract.

TalkTalk Full Fibre (Fibre-to-the-Premises or FTTP): TalkTalk also offers two Full Fibre packages: 100Mbps download speed and a 20Mbps upload speed, or a 900Mbps download speed with 115Mbps upload speed. TalkTalk FTTP packages are available on 12 or 24-month contracts.

TalkTalk Business Ultrafast Fibre : Ultrafast Fibre 150 comes with an average download speed of 145Mbps and an upload speed of 25Mbps. Ultrafast Fibre 300 comes with a download speed of 290Mbps and an upload speed of 40Mbps. Both ultrafast packages are available on either 12 or 24-month contracts, and come with free new line installation, 365-day business support and a free static or dynamic IP address.

TalkTalk Leased Line : Bigger businesses can enjoy a dedicated leased line connection with TalkTalk Business broadband that provides a choice of three symmetric speeds: 10Gbps download and upload, 1Gbps download and upload, and 100Mbps download and upload. For companies requiring slower but equally reliable upload and download speeds, there is also an option to have 20Mbps download and 20Mbps upload package with TalkTalk’s Ethernet Over Fibre To The Cabinet service. All these packages are available on 12-month or 36-month contracts.

TalkTalk Homeworker Business Broadband : For businesses requiring 100 lines or more to keep homeworking staff connected, TalkTalk offers its Homeworker package that offers business-standard connectivity for home-based staff. It comes with 24-hour support, WorkSafe and static IPs if required. There are two download speed options available: 76Mbps or 1Gbps with the Homeworker Enterprise package, which also comes with a dedicated account manager.

TalkTalk states that it can also accommodate the needs of smaller businesses with fewer than 100 homeworkers if required, albeit not under this specific Homeworker package. Interested businesses should call TalkTalk on 03301 621045.

Routers and installation

All new TalkTalk Business broadband customers will receive the brand’s multi award-winning WiFi Hub router with Gigabit speeds, seven separate antennae and WPS one-button pairing. The Hub is packed with cutting-edge technology to help improve business efficiency and is ideal for businesses of all sizes, from home-based operations to large corporate offices.

Thanks to beamforming technology, it can also break through background interference and pinpoint your devices to keep them connected in all corners of your office.

Installation

TalkTalk will install a new phone line, if required, for any new business customers ordering a standard or fibre package. Installation of any Business Broadband or Business Fibre service is free of charge

Customers signing up for an Ultrafast or Full Fibre package on a 24-month contract do not have to pay any installation charges either, but those that want the 12-month contract will have to pay an upfront fee to cover the cost of the shorter contract.

Ultrafast or Full Fibre customers can choose to request the installation of a separate phone line if required, as these services are data-only as standard. This comes at a cost of £10 extra per month which includes calls to UK landlines and mobiles.

Customer service

TalkTalk Business offers small businesses 24/7 customer support 365 days a year should anything go wrong, with a team of 600 UK-based business broadband experts at the ready. Small businesses can call TalkTalk’s Business customer service team directly on 0800 083 3003, and for large businesses that number is 0800 298 2883, but it is only available Monday to Friday. TalkTalk also has an online Support Centre for its business broadband customers as well as a live chat service.

Leased line customers are assigned an account manager who will be their designated contact for the duration of the contract. TalkTalk also promises a five-hour fix time to leased line customers.

Deals and offers

Along with their standard and fibre business broadband deals, TalkTalk offers some extras to incentivise their deals:

Worksafe: WorkSafe is security software that operates at network level, protecting your business online. It is available exclusively to TalkTalk Business broadband customers at no extra cost and removes the need for additional security software.

Free standard new line installation: If a new landline connection is required, TalkTalk promises to install one of these at no cost.

Dynamic IP or static IP: TalkTalk offers either a dynamic (moveable) or static IP, depending on the needs of your business.

Our verdict

Price is really where TalkTalk stands out, as prices start at just £23 per month, with additional features, including unlimited calls, available for an additional monthly fee. There are no upfront costs for standard and fibre broadband packages, with static IP addresses also included as standard on request.

TalkTalk offers an impressive range of packages to choose from, with varying speeds and at varying prices according to your business needs. The packages are simple and uncomplicated, with optional extras to suit individual requirements available. The tailored Homeworker package is an ideal solution for businesses looking for a reliable service to keep home-based staff connected.

We give TalkTalk a solid 4/5 for choice, affordability, reliable provision and simplicity.

Compare TalkTalk Business deals

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TalkTalk targets teleworkers with business-grade broadband

Uk mobile network operator aims to take advantage of mass increase in home working, which will likely persist into next year and beyond, by offering medium and enterprise-sized businesses packages for reliable connectivity.

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

With all indications that the new normal of masses of home workers will persist for the next year to 18 months at least, and could just be a permanent fixture, UK business-to-business (B2B) telecoms provider TalkTalk Business has introduced a B2B Homeworker Package, providing business-grade connectivity for employees working from home.

The UK telco said it introduced the offering due to a perceptible increase in customer interest and to support businesses looking to make a permanent switch to employee home working in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It quoted a forecast by Global Workplace Analytics predicting that 25-30% of the UK workforce is projected to be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021. Data-driven sectors such as finance, technology and IT are seen to have exhibited the greatest shift to remote working.

Other research has come to similar conclusions. A  study by Xerox Holdings Corporation showed an estimated 82% of the workforce in respondents’ organisations was likely to have returned to the workplace in 12-18 months’ time, necessitating investment in new resources to support a hybrid remote and in-office workforce.

But while most businesses plan to return most of their employees to the office, the research found that expanded remote working policies are here to stay. The research also highlighted that the rapid transition to remote working had been difficult for most businesses, with only 28% saying they were fully prepared and 29% citing technology as their biggest pain point.

TalkTalk Business believes that around 17 million people will be expected to work from home multiple days a week, so its Homeworker Package will provide speeds from 76Mbps to 1Gbps to offer the reliability, flexibility and security that businesses and their workforces need following the Covid-19 crisis, and to support the increase in home working.

The Homeworker Package is claimed to offer business-specific benefits that aren’t typically available through regular residential connections. These are said to include business-grade connectivity, scalable to the point of supporting enterprises needing 100 or more connections, varied management levels, connectivity options up to 1Gbps, “worksafe” security and 365-day UK support.

With such a rapid rise in home working in recent months, the need for reliable connectivity in Britain has never been greater, commented Jonathan Kini, managing director at TalkTalk Business.

“The launch of TalkTalk Business Homeworker offers medium and enterprise-sized businesses and their employees the opportunity to benefit from business-grade connectivity in their homes, with the necessary security, reliability and speed needed to meet business demands,” he noted.

“For employees, the package will allow them to carry out their day-to-day jobs as effectively at home as they do in the office, and without the many technical and connectivity issues that cause frustration for many remote workers today.”

Read more about remote working

• A global business survey commissioned by Xerox Holdings Corporation shows an estimated 82% of the workforce in respondents’ organisations will on average have returned to the workplace in 12-18 months’ time, necessitating investment in new resources to support a hybrid remote/in-office workforce.
• Research reveals a disparity between millennials and older generations when it comes to their acclimatisation to remote working , prompting call for firms to provide targeted tools and training for employees during this difficult period.
• UK’s fixed networks handling increased traffic well since lockdown, but customer experience is somewhat affected, especially when connected via Wi-Fi, on several days starting 20 March 2020.

Read more on Telecoms networks and broadband communications

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Nokia and Swisscom Broadcast to deploy largest Drones-as-a-Service network

Press Release

• Nokia Drone Networks solution including 300 Drone-in-a-Box units, will enhance safety and operational efficiency for public safety and industrial use cases in Switzerland.
• Collaboration with Swisscom Broadcast will also enable the advancement of industrial use cases, drone automation, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, and the expansion of 3GPP technologies for drone use in Switzerland.

8 August 2024 Espoo, Finland – Swisscom Broadcast has selected Nokia to deploy a nationwide Drones-as-a-Service network across Switzerland. 300 Nokia Drone-in-a-Box units are planned for deployment to enable emergency response, perimeter protection and infrastructure inspection, which will help keep public safety workers safe.

This will be the second nationwide Nokia Drone Networks project after Belgium's Citymesh deployment. It will support Switzerland's public safety and Industry 4.0 efforts and highlight Nokia's strength in modernizing digital infrastructure projects and utilizing mission-critical industrial edge computing (MXIE) with the support of 3GPP technologies for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) autonomous operation.

In addition to increasing first responders’ safety, drones support resource optimization and help to save the lives of those involved in incidents. The drones, which are operated remotely, gather relevant information within the first minutes following an emergency, enhancing first responders' situational awareness.

Public safety agencies in Switzerland will easily tap into the nationwide drone network by simply requesting a drone flight, similar to a ride-sharing service, from Swisscom Broadcast. They will also be backed up by a service portfolio with expertise, compliance, data collection and analysis of the collected data from Nokia and Swisscom Broadcast.

The deployment is expected to be available in all areas of Switzerland. Nokia and Swisscom will continue cooperating with competent regulatory bodies to ensure all operations comply with regulatory frameworks, especially from spectrum and aviation safety standpoints.

Drones will also boost worker safety within the Swiss Industry such as inspecting tall or hard-to-reach infrastructure, which removes the need for workers to climb or walk around hazardous areas. As Nokia Drone Networks are an integral part of the Nokia MXIE platform architecture, they enable easy onboarding of additional applications for industrial customers with Edge computing needs, such as creating 3D maps or detecting assets.

The deployment will facilitate reliable Drone-as-a-Service operations at scale in Switzerland with Nokia Drone Networks, a turnkey Drone-in-a-Box solution that integrates the drone, a docking station, a ground control station, a payload with video and thermal cameras, related software, and service components. The solution also supports interfaces and APIs for easy third-party integrations, such as traffic monitoring systems, video management software, dispatch solutions, and industrial inspection and process monitoring systems.

This collaboration with Swisscom Broadcast will also enable the advancement of industrial use cases, automation, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, and the expansion of 3GPP technologies for drone use in Switzerland.

Dominik Müller, CEO at Swisscom Broadcast, said: “We are pleased to select Nokia as a partner for this important infrastructure project in Switzerland. Together, we can speed up the go-to-market of our Drones-as-a-Service offering to our customers in the industrial and public safety landscape in Switzerland. The integration of our existing People Density Tool and our Drone Operations expertise with Nokia’s industrial grade hardware in combination with an open and future proof Software architecture is an important key to support such large-scale projects.”

Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: “We are proud to partner with Swisscom Broadcast, a true innovator in drones-as-a-services operation, for this important project to establish a nationwide Drone-as-a-Service network in Switzerland. Nokia Drone Networks solution enables large-scale projects as it incorporates our mission-critical industrial edge (MXIE) technology to power its advanced computing functions and software. It will undoubtedly help Swiss enterprises gain access to a superior Drones-as-a-Service offering to enhance worker and public safety.

Resources and additional information Webpage: Nokia Drone Networks | Nokia DAC

Press release: Nokia’s turnkey 5G-connected drone platform selected by Belgium’s Citymesh for world’s first nationwide drone network | Nokia  

Downloadable images: Nokia Drone Networks

About Nokia  At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media inquiries Nokia Communications, Corporate Email: [email protected]

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News | Tech

Home-working harmony: how TalkTalk's new package can improve your WFH set-up

Working from home has become the new normal over recent months, with millions of us swapping our offices for working remotely.

With no commute to contend with, the flexibility to fit work around family life and fewer office distractions, WFH helps many people to achieve a work-life balance.

Having a dedicated place to work plays a big part in achieving that balance. Research by broadband provider TalkTalk has found that those with a dedicated workspace feel more comfortable, relaxed and focused than they do in the office.

Improve your home working set-up

TalkTalk’s research* revealed that 44% of those with a dedicated home working space feel more comfortable than in the office, 26% are more focused, 36% are more relaxed and 21% are happier. Of course, working from home is not without its downsides. And battling for bandwidth with your family while trying to do that all-important video call can cause many to feel frustrated.

Trying to work while his three children were streaming a film or playing online games was a nightmare for Charles. “Halfway through the day I’d be on important video calls and everything would go pixelated because they’d all be trying to download something,” he says. “There are five of us at home and there was a fair bit of tension at the start, because we were all battling for bandwidth.”

Charles, a commercial director at a nuclear decommissioning site in the North of England, got to the point where he was arranging slots when everyone could download stuff, but the final straw came when he had an important meeting with government officials in a bid to secure a significant amount of funding.

“The kids all decided this was the moment they were going to do everything at once and I couldn’t connect,” he says. “It was a high-pressure situation and it made me realise I needed additional connectivity to accommodate my remote working.”

TalkTalk’s dedicated, great-value Homeworker package, which is paid for by Charles' employer, has solved all his problems: “There’s no more arguments about who’s online and who’s downloading what. It’s made it easier for me to work remotely – I’m no longer worried video calls will cut out or freeze – and it’s made home life more harmonious.”

Super-fast fibre broadband

An additional fibre line that’s as dedicated to work as you are, TalkTalk’s Homeworker package provides the peace of mind that no matter how many videos your kids stream, your work will be unaffected.

Priced at £26.95 a month – fixed for 24 months – the Homeworker package is your own dedicated broadband line, so you can get on with your job without interruptions, regardless of what else is going on in your home.

A second broadband line into your home, the superfast fibre package is easy to set up and provides average speeds of 67Mb/s per second.

As well as super-fast speeds, the package includes business-grade support with a dedicated UK-based call centre, online live chat and an online support centre providing support seven-days a week, 365 days a year.

There's more good news: you don't have even have to be a current TalkTalk customer to take the Homeworker package. Even if you’re with another provider, you can still take a second line with TalkTalk, dedicated for your work.

Visit talktalk.co.uk/homeworker or call 0800 996 1447 to find out more

*Quadrangle survey of 2,530 adults carried out in late-September 2020

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The Long Run

A Vice Presidential Learning Curve: How Kamala Harris Picked Her Shots

As President Biden’s understudy, Ms. Harris did not often get to lead on signature issues. But she found roles to play on abortion rights, gun safety and a Supreme Court appointment.

Credit... Erin Schaff/The New York Times

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By Peter Baker and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Peter Baker and Zolan Kanno-Youngs are White House reporters who have covered Kamala Harris for nearly four years and traveled with her to Europe, Asia, Africa and across the United States.

• Aug. 18, 2024

When a draft of a blockbuster Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade leaked in 2022 , Vice President Kamala Harris met with Ron Klain, then the White House chief of staff, in her West Wing office. He had an idea: She should lead a new task force on abortion rights.

She seemed uncertain. “Why?” she asked.

“We need a real leader, and you’re the leader,” Mr. Klain responded.

Ms. Harris asked for time to think about it. She did not want to just give a speech without substance. And she had spent much of the previous year and a half trying to avoid being typecast as the first female vice president. But as the White House began mapping out executive actions to defend access to abortion, she began to see the possibilities and accepted the role.

It was a moment that captured the essence of the Harris vice presidency. Deliberate and disciplined, cautious and at times risk averse, she saw trapdoors around her and wanted to avoid them. She considered herself a team player, but could not always be sure the team had her best interests at heart. She gravitated to issues on which she thought she could make a difference without upstaging President Biden, but was rarely promoted as a critical player in the administration.

The court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision eliminating a constitutional right to abortion proved to be an issue on which Ms. Harris could take the lead, one that Mr. Biden, a churchgoing Catholic, did not feel as comfortable addressing. She found her voice as the administration’s champion of abortion rights , changing some minds among Democrats who had harbored doubts about her. And she paved the way to the moment when she will accept her party’s nomination for president this week.

Ms. Harris’s record as vice president is complex, as described in interviews with dozens of current and former administration officials and allies, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid alienating her or the president. She has done the dutiful things she has been asked to do. She led a labor task force and a gun safety office. She traveled to places the president had no time to visit. She has been sent to deliver private messages to the leaders of Poland and Germany and to break key tie votes in the Senate.

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An Army officer will not face charges in the killing of a Moore County utility worker

A U.S. Army Special Forces colonel will not face charges after he fatally shot a utility worker in May, authorities said. The shooting took place outside the unnamed soldier's home near Carthage.

Moore County District Attorney Mike Hardin said the soldier’s actions were justified under the North Carolina Castle Doctrine . That law allows defensive force when there’s a perceived threat within one's home or property.

The worker, Ramzan Daraev, was surveying utility poles for a fiber optic construction project and taking photos of individual poles, some with the soldier’s home in the background. Daraev was a Russian citizen and an ethnic Chechen.

In the first of two 911 calls, at 8:12 p.m. on May 3, the soldier’s wife said she thought he was taking photos of their children and house.

She asked for law enforcement help.

Investigators from the Moore County Sheriff's Office said the soldier, initially unarmed, approached Daraev to ask what he was doing. The soldier went back to his house to get a handgun and walked back to Daraev to keep an eye on him while a deputy was on the way.

Then, in a second more frantic call, at 8:25 p.m., the woman said her husband badly needed law enforcement help, and she yelled for someone to get her a rifle.

"The confrontation escalated when Daraev reportedly became agitated and lunged at the homeowner after repeatedly refusing to leave the property," said a Sheriff's Office's news release. "The homeowner reported firing several shots in response to Daraev’s advance. Under the North Carolina Castle Doctrine, the homeowner's actions are protected, providing legal justification for using defensive force."

Daraev entered the U.S. in 2022 over the southern border. His nationality — and the fact that the soldier is a Special Forces officer — sparked Internet conspiracy theories about Russian espionage.

But investigators say there was no question he was doing work for the utility project; a Moore County deputy actually had seen him earlier in the day at another location and asked what he was doing. Daraev’s English was so poor that the deputy had to use a phone app to translate their conversation.

According to the news release, Daraev had nothing to identify him as a utility worker. He was wearing dark shorts, a burgundy shirt, and flip-flops. He was working into twilight and hadn’t notified property owners of his presence.

The Sheriff's Office said Daraev was not armed and had nothing with him except a cell phone when law enforcement arrived on the scene after the shooting.

The investigation found confusing relationships between the companies involved in the fiber optic project. The local utility company, Brightspeed, was working with a New Jersey company called Utilities One to survey the area. The investigation found Daraev was doing work for a subcontractor to Utilities One called Cable Warriors, but the two companies were related.

Utilities One didn’t return calls seeking comment.

The Sheriff's Office said it received several reports after the shooting of people being seen on private property in same general area earlier in the evening. According to the release, those people were likely part of the group working with Daraev.

“None of the citizens making those reports were aware that the persons they observed on their properties were conducting utility work,” the release said.

The Sheriff’s Office said in the news release it had requested an investigation by the N.C. Labor Department into things like the safety practices for workers involved in the broadband project.

A Labor Department spokesperson said Tuesday it had closed its investigation because Daraev appeared to be an individual contractor rather than an employee of one of the companies involved.

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Former postal worker pleads guilty to workers’ compensation fraud

• August 14, 2024 9:25 PM / Updated: August 14, 2024 9:25 PM

A former U.S. Postal Service employee from Auburn pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of workers’ compensation fraud after falsely claiming benefits while secretly working another job.

Christopher Gleason, 36, admitted in U.S. District Court to filing false claims to obtain federal compensation benefits, stating he had no outside employment while collecting workers’ compensation after a job-related ankle injury in January 2022. However, Gleason was earning income from construction work during the same period, defrauding the government of nearly $15,000.

Gleason now faces up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a three-year supervised release. He will also be required to pay restitution for the fraudulently obtained benefits. Sentencing is set for December 11, 2024.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson prosecuting.

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