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Frequently Asked Questions
Business grade Internet services are designed for the specific needs of businesses who generally have different requirements to residential customers, e.g. high bandwidth, high speed backup, static IP address, higher level of customer service. These range from a standard NBN service with 4G backup to a Gigabit-speed fibre service from Telstra, Optus, TPG or NBN.
A minimum speed of 100Mbps is recommended for all but the smallest businesses. A fast upload speed is also important as many business applications now reside in the cloud. If you have more than a few staff members, it's worth considering faster fibre services, which also benefit from faster restoration times if there is ever a fault.
For all but the smallest business, it's not recommended to use a home Internet service. If there is a fault, there is usually only a slow speed mobile backup or no backup at all. Also, restoration times are not guaranteed, so your business could be off line for days.
An NBN service with a full speed 4G backup is only slightly more expensive than a standard NBN service. Fibre-based services start from about $400 per month.
Most of Australia is now wired for NBN so the chances are that it will be available at your business premises. To check go to https://www.nbnco.com.au
Using 4G as a backup for NBN is a common way to maintain Internet connectivity when your NBN service is down. However most NBN providers slow the 4G backup to 10Mbps or less. This means a very noticeable drop in performance when running on backup. In contrast, Buroserv business grade 4G backup runs at the full speed of 4G - up to 100Mps or more.
The first thing to do is to check that you're not on an older more expensive plan. The cost of mobile phone plans continues to fall so switching to a newer plan will often save you money. If your business has several mobile phones, consider moving to a fleet plan that allows data sharing. That way you are paying for average usage not peak usage.
Check your phone's settings to make sure you use free Wi-Fi rather than paid data wherever possible. For example apps such as Dropbox or iCloud (for cloud storage) have an option to only use Wi-Fi for synching your phone to the cloud.
Using free Wi-Fi rather than paid data is the easiest way to reduce your data charges. If you are using a cloud back up service such as iCloud or Dropbox, check the setting to make sure your data is only synched when your Wi-Fi is active. Also consider watching videos, streaming audio and scheduling system and app upgrades for when you have Wi-Fi coverage.
Video apps such as YouTube and Netflix can you consume a lot of data very quickly. You'll use a lot less data if you only watch videos when your Wi-Fi is active. Cloud based back up can also use a substantial amount of data, especially if you are backing up videos. System and app upgrades are also data hungry, so these are best carried out using Wi-Fi.
Most plans include an Internet data allowance. Providing you don't go over your allowance, enabling mobile data won't cost you anything extra. However if you exceed the included allowance, data charges will apply. Warning messages are sent at 50%, 85% and 100% to let you how much data you have left.
Check your phone's settings to make sure Wi-Fi is enabled. If you are inadvertently using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, you could end up using much more data than expected. You should also check your apps to see how much data they have been using. If you have been uploading videos and photos to social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram you may find they have used more data than expected.
The key to a successful franchise operation is that the franchiser can provide value to their franchisees. For ICT, this means providing the franchisee with the technology needed to run their business successfully. By partnering with franchisers, Buroserv can develop repeatable, easy to implement ICT solutions to support the specific needs of franchisees.
Unlike the ICT solution for a typical business, a successful franchise ICT solution is one that both meets the needs of the franchisee and can be easily repeated and implemented as new franchises are added. By utilising a "cookie-cutter" methodology, set and support of new franchises is greatly simplified.
VoIP is a term that describes the process of making phone calls via the Internet, rather than through traditional cabled telephone lines. Instead of using the public switched telephone network, it transmits voice packets through data connectivity.
SIP is the protocol used to support and control most (but not all) VoIP systems. Voice, video and messaging sessions are initiated, maintained and terminated through SIP protocols, which are typically delivered by a hosted unified communications provider.
A business VoIP service offers additional features such as support for multiple telephone numbers (direct in dial) and simultaneous calls. They are also compatible with business phone systems (PBXs) and offer a wider range of configuration options.
When you are a business looking for a VoIP provider it's important to choose a supplier that offers a high level of customer support. Downtime can mean a significant loss of revenue so you need a VoIP provider that's easy to contact and responsive. Buroserv's average time to answer support calls is less than 30 seconds and we've been providing VoIP services for over a decade.
A SIP trunk is a 'virtual' phone line that replaces the physical lines used to connect legacy phone systems. It works the same way as a physical phone line, but connects over the Internet instead of a dedicated cable.
Fixed wireless is an alternative to using a cable or fibre to provide Internet access to a home or business. With fixed wireless, radio signals are used to transmit data which is received via a rooftop antenna. It's often deployed in rural and remote areas where the cost of running a cable can be prohibitive. It can also be used in urban areas to provide a backup link or where rapid deployment is required.
Fixed wireless uses radio signals instead of a cable or wire to connect a home or business to an Internet access point. Both the Internet access point and the home or business use antennas to send and receive data between them.
Fixed wireless systems are designed so that the signal strength is adequate even under different weather conditions such as heavy rain. Occasionally, under extreme conditions, transmission can be impacted, but generally any interruption will be of very short duration.
The maximum speed for NBN fixed wireless is 75Mpbs download, though actual speeds may be as low as 25Mbps depending on location and local congestion. For business grade fixed wireless, speeds up to 1Gbps are possible.
Fixed wireless uses radio signals to connect an Internet access point to a home or business. The radio signals travel by line of site between the access point and home or business. Satellite Internet also uses radio signals to connect between an access point (Earth station) and a home or business. However instead of the radio signals travelling directly, they go via a satellite in orbit. Speeds are generally lower, with more congestion and longer transmission delays (due the time taken to send a radio signal into space and back).
Using 4G as a backup for NBN is a common way to maintain Internet connectivity when your NBN service is down. However most NBN providers slow the 4G backup to 10Mbps or less. This means a very noticeable drop in performance when running on backup. In contrast, Buroserv business grade 4G backup runs at the full speed of 4G - up to 100Mps or more.
The NBN is Australia's national broadband network. Built by NBN Co, a state owned enterprise, it replaces the network of copper wires and cables which have historically been used to provide the country's landline phone service and Internet access.
Residential NBN speeds (Mbps download/upload) are: 12/1, 50/20, 100/20, 100/40 and 250/25, though actual speeds may be lower depending on the technology used and the level of congestion in the network. NBN Enterprise Ethernet Business is also available with a maximum speed close to 1Gbps for both download and upload.
Fibre to the premises (FTTP) is the most common technology used by NBN to connect new buildings. Fibre optic cable is delivered all the way to the premises providing maximum speed and reliability.
Fibre to the node (FTTN) is commonly used by NBN to connect existing buildings. Fibre is run to a distribution point on the street and from there to the premises using existing copper wire. Depending on the distance from the node, this can mean lower speeds than FTTP.
Hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) is used by NBN to connect premises with an existing 'pay TV' or cable connection. Fibre optic cable is run to a distribution point on the street and from there to the premises using coaxial cable. Because coaxial cable can carry high speed data and is very reliable, performance is very similar to FTTP which uses fibre all the way to the premises.
NBN fixed wireless is used to deliver Internet access in rural and remote areas where there is either no existing cabling (or the cabling is not good enough for high speed data) and it would be too expensive to install new cabling. Fixed wireless uses radio signals instead of cable and requires a rooftop antenna at the customer's premises.
A business phone system is used to make and receive internal and external calls as well as providing voicemail, call queuing, hunt groups, auto-attendant and a range of other features designed to streamline management of phone calls.
A PBX is another term for a business phone system which is used to make and receive internal and external calls as well as providing a range of features for managing phone calls.
VoIP (voice over Internet) is the technology used to carry telephone calls over the Internet. It has largely replaced the PSTN which is the old analog technology used for carrying telephone calls over copper wires.
A hosted PBX is a business phone system where the infrastructure exists in the Cloud. Telephone extensions are connected directly to the Internet rather than to a system located at a business's premises. This makes for easier installation and configuration as well as being highly scalable and able to support roaming from one location to another (such as working from home and the office).
A traditional PBX is a physical phone system located at a business's premises with each extension typically connected to it by wire to enable phone calls from one extension to another. The system is linked to outside telephone lines, delivered by a third-party carrier or service provider, to make and receive external calls.
At Buroserv we help retail customers focus on their core business by simplifying their ICT. Key to this is the use of cloud hosted phone systems and business applications. This requires a business grade Internet connection to ensure business continuity. A single invoice and single number to ring for support for Internet, phone and mobiles can also reduce overheads and help maximise discounts.
Retail businesses generally rely on transactional sales. That means if a business's systems are down, sales are lost, not deferred. That makes a reliable Internet connection and cloud based applications a must. So is a responsive service provider who will give you a high level support whatever issue you are faced with.
The two main factors to consider are reliability and bandwidth. Most businesses rely on their data connections for mission critical applications such as contacting customers and processing orders. Residential grade NBN services are inexpensive but don't come with guaranteed restoration times nor high speed backup options. Consider how long you can afford your business to be down when deciding whether to choose a high availability enterprise grade solution. Bandwidth is also important. With high use of cloud based applications, upload speed can be just as important as download speed, in which case a symmetrical Internet connection may be the way to go.
Enterprise data connections are generally delivered using fibre to provide high bandwidth symmetrical transmission. Buroserv offers connections from a variety of different carriers with speeds ranging from 400Mbps/400Mpbs through to 2Gbps/2Gbps. While fibre optic connections are very reliable with uptimes in excess of 99.95% this can be improved if necessary by selecting an service with a guaranteed repair time and wireless backup.
Data management means being able to optimise network performance, maintain security, control assets and resolve faults. As an alternative to maintaining your own network operations centre and network management system, it can often be more cost effective to outsource this to a service provider.
Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) is a technology that uses software to control a private data network. Instead of having to program individual switches and routers, SD-WAN allows users configure and manage their networks centrally. This makes it easy to adjust bandwidth, add new branch offices and manage security.
With the ever increasing threat of cyber crime, one of the primary benefits of a secure private network is the ability to keep company data private. A private network keeps your data separate from the Internet making it much harder to hack. Other benefits are better management and control to make sure users have adequate response times at peak periods and have their access level controlled in accordance with company policy.
13, 1300 and 1800 numbers are known as inbound numbers and are used for receiving phone calls rather than making them. 1300 and 1800 numbers are instantly recognisable as business numbers and can be used nationally because they are not geographically based. A 1300 or 1800 number is configured to divert to a normal landline or mobile phone. These can be in Australia or overseas. With an inbound service, the cost of the call is shared between the person making the call and the person receiving it.
A 1800 number is free to call from a landline while callers to 13 and 1300 numbers are generally charged a flat rate per call. (Mobile costs vary by plan.) As a consequence 1800 numbers are generally more expensive than 1300 numbers.
13 and 1300 numbers work in exactly the same way and cost the same to call. The difference is that a 13 number is 6 digits long while a 1300 number is 10 digits long. This makes 13 numbers more attractive as they are easier for callers to remember. However 13 numbers incur a substantial government charge in recognition of there being far fewer possible 13 numbers.
13, 1300 and 1800 numbers generally incur a fixed charge per month plus call costs. In addition, 13 numbers incur a substantial government surcharge. Owners of 1800 numbers are charged for each call they receive, while owners of 13 and 1300 numbers may receive some calls at no charge (usually shorter calls from landlines) with other calls are chargeable.
13, 1300 and 1800 are "virtual" numbers that are diverted to another number. However there are many options for choosing where to direct the calls. You can direct calls based on where the caller is located, e.g. Melbourne callers can be diverted to a different call centre than callers from Perth. Other options include routing based on time of day/day of week and the use of interactive voice response to route calls based on a caller's selection (e.g. Press #1 for Accounts, Press #2 for Customer Service).
The main types of mobile plans are: voice & data or data only; post-paid or pre-paid; individual plans or shared plans. Voice & data plans are designed for use in a mobile phone while data only plans are great for the Internet of things, i.e. for use with devices such modems that need access to the Internet but don't need to make phone calls. Post-paid are traditional plans where you are billed a monthly fee in advance and pay for calls after you make them, while with pre-paid, calls as well as monthly fees are charged in advance: they are often cheaper than post-paid plans. Shared plans allow data usage allowances to be shared between multiple users which averages out usage and can provide cost savings.
Shared data plans for business, sometimes known as a fleet plans, allow you to share data usage across your workforce, meaning you pay for average data consumption rather than peak usage and minimise any excess data charges.
Not-For-Profit organisations generally have the same need to manage their telecommunications as other organisations but often without the same budget or internal IT resources. An effective way of achieving this can be to partner with a service provider with experience in the sector that has the resources to provide all of the services you require and can tailor an all-of-business package to meet your budget.
Key for many Not-For-Profit organisations is being able to do more with less. Without the budget of many commercial organisations and often with limited internal IT resources, Not-For-Profits need to streamline their ICT services to reduce costs and simplify ongoing management. Cloud based services and support from a experienced service provider can help achieve this.
When NBN reaches your location, your old PSTN landline will be disconnected. When this happens you can port your landline to a VoIP service that runs over an NBN Internet service. However if you don't want an Internet service, you can choose a landline replacement telephone that incorporates a mobile SIM. This lets you keep using a regular telephone with your current phone number without the need for an Internet connection.
Many users choose to keep their landline when their PSTN service is disconnected by NBN Co. That allows family, friends or customers to continue to reach you on your current number. However an increasing number of people are now choosing to cancel their landline and use their mobile phone instead. With many low cost mobile plans that include calls in Australia, this can be a cost effective and convenient option.
Keeping your existing PSTN landline number is easy. You can port your service to VoIP which works the same as a traditional PSTN service but uses the Internet instead of a dedicated copper wire to your home or business. Once you've ported your number to VoIP you'll need a VoIP capable telephone or an ATA which allows you to use your current phone by converting from VoIP to the PSTN standard.
You'll need to contact a VoIP service provider such as Buroserv, who will manage everything for you. Your VoIP service provider will port your number to VoIP and advise you whether you need any additional equipment such as a VoIP phone or ATA (to convert from VoIP to PSTN).
Both a VoIP telephone service and a PSTN landline service do much the same thing, but the technology they use is quite different. A PSTN landline service uses a dedicated pair of copper wires to connect your home or business to a local telephone exchange. With VoIP, no dedicated phone line is required. Instead, telephone calls are transmitted over the Internet.
This is when a hacker gains access to your VoIP service account and uses it to make unauthorised calls, usually to expensive overseas destinations. Without adequate protection, hackers can make thousands of dollars of calls in a very short space of time. This makes it important to choose a service provider that utilises sophisticated fraud control systems to automatically detect and block fraudulent calls.
VoIP phones are generally very secure provided the password used to authenticate calls isn't compromised. That's why it's important to restrict access to anywhere your password might be stored, such as your phone or computer.
The steps to take to secure your VoIP network are similar to those used to secure a computer network. For example, use hard to guess passwords, don't store your passwords in clear text and restrict remote system access.
While VoIP calls are much harder to intercept than PSTN calls - you can't record a call by clipping onto a wire - an extra level of security is available using a protocol called SRTP. SRTP encrypts voice packets before transmission, so even if the call is intercepted, it won't be possible to understand what's being said. Because SRTP is an end-to-end protocol, it needs to be supported by both the calling and called parties' phones.
Yes, provided your Teams licence includes Microsoft Phone System, which can be purchased separately. With a Teams phone system, you can have a single unified platform for all of your internal and external communications. You will need VoIP trunks to connect to the Teams phone system which are available from VoIP service providers such as Buroserv. They can also arrange porting so you can continue to use your existing phone numbers.
Microsoft Teams uses VoIP trunks to make and receive phone calls. These are available from VoIP service providers such as Buroserv. They can also arrange porting so you can continue to use your existing phone numbers.
Microsoft Teams is a unified collaboration application designed to make it easy for business staff to communicate with each other and their customers via messaging, phone or videoconference as well as enabling file sharing and the creation of collaborative workspaces. It integrates with other Microsoft apps such as Outlook so, for example, adding videoconferencing to a meeting invite is a simple as clicking a Team Meeting icon.
There's no need to download Teams to join a Teams meeting. All that's needed is to click the link in the meeting invite and you will automatically join the meeting.
As a trusted advisor to your clients, you can increase your range of services by including telecommunications. Partnering with a wholesale provider such as Buroserv allows you to leverage off their engineering expertise and product suite to provide your clients with a full ICT solution.
IT and telecommunications were traditionally very separate using their own dedicated equipment and networks. With the advent of VoIP, the shutdown of the PSTN telephone network and the move from standalone to cloud based PBXs, the distinction between the two disciplines is rapidly disappearing. To avoid business erosion it's important to be an ICT provider rather than just an IT provider. Partnering with an experienced communications partner such as Buroserv is a great way to fast track the change.
Apps such as Teams are blurring the line between traditional software applications and telecommunications. With the ability for Teams to replace a traditional PBX, clients expect their IT consultants to be able to provide complete ICT solutions. Partnering with an experienced communications partner such as Buroserv allows IT consultants to leverage from our experience in Teams/voice integration.
Companies are increasingly choosing to outsource their ICT to allow them to focus on their core businesses. With SaaS and cloud base phone systems there is now a wide range of available options. IT consulting firms can increase their market share by partnering with a wholesale communications service provider such as Buroserv to enhance their product range.
