Purpose built features: “Connection Pro” provides automatic 4G backup and “VoiceEdge” delivers 24 call management features

Over 1000 new jobs to be created, including 750 B2B specialist roles

Sky today announced the launch of ‘Sky Connect’, a new entrant in the UK B2B telecoms market focused on partnering with small businesses to provide them with a better broadband experience: purpose-built business products, exceptional service, and simple pricing and packaging, with no hidden fees.

Sky’s entrance to the business broadband market follows its success in residential broadband. With over 6 million customers, Sky Broadband is the second largest residential provider in the UK, and over the past ten years Sky Broadband has, on average, received fewer complaints to Ofcom than anyone else1. Sky Connect plans to bring this best-in-class service to small businesses, including professional installation, backed by a customer charter featuring a 30-day money back guarantee, simplified billing, no in-contract price rises, and no hassle cancellation fees.

Small businesses are the growth engine of the economy, and Sky Connect has been developed to be a partner and help them succeed. Sky Connect’s products and services are built on feedback from hundreds of small businesses across the UK and aimed to address concerns with existing providers. Sky Connect will provide superfast broadband with built-in malware & phishing protection; “VoiceEdge”, a modern digital voice service with 24 call management features*, and “Connection Pro”, which provides business-grade 4G back-up, and much more.

Stephen van Rooyen, EVP & CEO, UK & Europe, Sky, said:

“Covid-19 has had a huge impact on small British businesses, with many moving online to survive. We’re launching Sky Connect now, and plan to create up to a thousand new jobs across the UK, because we know British businesses will come out fighting and we want to be there to help.

“Small businesses are the growth engine of our economy and we believe they deserve better – better products and technology; clearer contracts, and exceptional customer service.”

Responding to the announcement, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility Paul Scully MP said: “The pandemic has been a huge challenge for small businesses but it has also shown the entrepreneurial spirit which Britain is renowned for, with firms adapting and shifting their operations online to access new markets and fresh opportunities.

“This commitment from Sky to create a simpler, better broadband experience for small businesses will make a real difference to many, and it is great that more than 1,000 jobs will be created as a result too.”

The launch of Sky Connect has already led to the creation of 200 new jobs, including over 100 in its Leeds contact & operations centre, and will lead to the creation of up to 1000 more in sales, service and in head-office over the next few years.

To ensure that Sky Connect represents small businesses and the communities they serve, the business will align to Sky’s representation targets: 20% of employees will be from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background by 2025, with at least a quarter of these to be Black.

Since Sky joined Comcast in 2018, the two companies have worked closely together on improving their customer offerings by sharing technologies, experiences, knowledge, skills and content. Comcast’s deep experience in delivering innovative broadband and telephone products and services to small, medium and enterprise-sized businesses through Comcast Business in the United States was utilized for the formation of Sky Connect. Comcast Business today is one of the leading providers of broadband to businesses with over two million customers and more than 15 years of sector experience. Comcast Business’ award-winning portfolio of connectivity, communications, security and video solutions and services set the foundation for Sky Connect’s new offerings.

Sky Connect will provide businesses with a choice of three ‘Business Advantage’ packages that feature combinations of the following products and services:

Superfast broadband with speeds up to 76 Mbps
Secure 4G backup enabling business continuity in case of a broadband outage
Business grade phone solution with 24 call management features* & unlimited UK calling included as standard in all packages
Private WiFi providing secure internet access
Public WiFi available as an add-on service
Phishing and malware protection to protect against malicious websites
International call packs enabling calls to 48 countries, fixed & mobile
Static IP available for businesses that prefer to host their own servers
All Sky Connect services are delivered with a service wrap that includes:

Professional installation - 200 specially trained Sky engineers providing optimised installations
Dedicated business call centre located in Leeds
30-day money back guarantee
No in-contract price rises
Simplified and transparent billing
No hassle cancellation policy
Flexible 12, 24 and 36-month contracts with no impact to package rate