LONDON. O2 today announced plans to inject connectivity into British businesses, with the launch of ‘Flying Start’, the company’s largest offer created specifically for business between 1-2000 employees. The new package has been developed to help British Business with its communications bills and provide small business customers and new joiners to O2 with a free landline and high speed broadband access, as they work to kick start their business communications in 2012.

Eligible O2 business customers with an existing mobile voice contract can take advantage of three to six months landline rental and broadband, free. Eligible O2 business customers that have a fixed line contract with O2 can also take advantage of the broadband offer. Businesses currently without an O2 contract, will be given three months free, providing them with the chance to access and explore a range of tools and resources, tailored especially to support smaller business needs. Flying start is available on 24 month contracts only and will run until the end of March (terms apply).

With 4.5 million small enterprises in the UK, with an estimated combined annual turnover of £1.5 billion , SMBs make up the engine of the British economy. Set against the backdrop of an increasingly tough economic climate, and with fierce market competition, small businesses in particular are under ever increasing pressure to reduce costs and streamline operations, while at the same time improving operational efficiency and attracting new customers.

Claire Darley, Head of Small Business Sales at O2 said: ‘O2 connects people and the things that matter to them. For small businesses that’s staff, suppliers and customers. By boosting their communications and helping to provide genuine savings we want to take a little pressure off. By providing free access to fixed line and broadband, we’re hoping to help British business and go some way towards lowering their costs this year, whilst giving them the opportunity to explore new tools and services that provide them with support and advice.’

O2 has developed resources to specifically help small British businesses compete, do better and become more profitable businesses. All O2 business customers are offered unlimited calls to O2 mobiles from their mobile phone and O2 can help customers join up their communications so that they have one contact, one bill and one point of support. Small businesses above 10 employees have their own business advisor to offer the right solutions for their business and the UK-based Business Technical Service teams are here to help 24/7. Business can also get help and advice for more technical issues from O2 Gurus in O2 Retail and online which provides advice on the best technology for their business, and the ongoing development and sharing of better working practices, which support every element of small business life.

Claire Darley continued: ‘Despite the tough trading climate, the small business community is an extremely exciting place to be ‘ and with 80 per cent of people in the UK working for businesses of between 10 and 50 people, it’s also a vital component to the British economy. Communications sits at the heart of day-to-day operations, and can make or break a successful business. From florists and cafes, to financial services, having the right technology in place is critical to ensuring that an organisation stays connected, agile and flexible, at all times. Our research tells us that 98 per cent of customers make an average saving of 66 per cent with O2 Fixed Line ‘ so Flying Start is an opportunity for businesses to test the benefits for themselves.’

Subject to invitation. Free rental given as bill credit. New connections only. Usual call and other charges apply. Full terms apply.
For more information on the Flying Start programme and full terms, please visit o2.co.uk/business.

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