Tag: tips

How to Plan Your IT Budget for 2027: A Guide for UK Small Businesses

Posted on by Jake Boase

The short answer: For most UK small businesses, an IT budget is mostly per-user running costs: managed IT support (our packages run from £30 to £90 per user per month), Microsoft 365 licences (£5.40 to £16.90 per user per month on an annual plan), plus device replacement, cyber security, internet and phones, and a contingency. For 2027, three changes are already known: analogue phone lines close on 31 January 2027, Windows 10 extended security updates double in price for year two, and Cyber Essentials assessments now automatically fail if multi-factor authentication is missing on cloud services that offer it. Build the budget from the bottom up, per person and per site, rather than as a percentage of turnover.

Last updated: 7 October 2026. Microsoft, Openreach, IASME and GOV.UK figures checked on that date. Prices exclude VAT.

In this guide

What should an IT budget include?

A small business IT budget should cover everything you pay for to keep people working and data safe: support, software licences, devices, security, connectivity and phones, plus a contingency for the things that break. Most of it is predictable once it is written down, because many of the largest IT costs are now charged per user, per month.

Budget lineWhat it coversHow it is usually charged
IT supportHelpdesk, monitoring, patching, endpoint protection, starters and leaversPer user per month, or per device, or by the hour
Microsoft 365 or Google WorkspaceEmail, Office apps, file storage, Teams, and security features on higher plansPer user per month, annual or monthly commitment
Other softwareAccounts, CRM, practice management and design softwarePer user or per licence, usually annual
DevicesLaptops, desktops, monitors, phones and tabletsBought outright, or leased
Cyber securityBackup, email security, Cyber Essentials certification, staff trainingPer user, per device or annual fee
Connectivity and phonesBroadband or leased line at each site, mobiles, VoIP phone systemMonthly per line or per user, on fixed-term contracts
ProjectsOffice moves, migrations, new systems, replacing a serverOne-off, quoted per project
ContingencyUnplanned repairs, replacements and urgent workA set amount held back each year
A typical structure for a small business IT budget.

How much should a small business spend on IT?

We know of no reliable UK benchmark for how much a small business should spend on IT as a share of turnover, and the answer varies too much by sector to be useful. A five-person accountancy practice with sensitive client data needs more security than a five-person trades business that lives on mobiles. It is more accurate to add up what each person and each site actually needs.

The two largest recurring lines for most small offices are support and Microsoft 365. Our own published prices are £30 to £48 per user per month for Core support and £55 to £90 per user per month for Complete IT and security, which adds managed cyber security, Microsoft 365 management, backup and disaster recovery, and Cyber Essentials guidance (see our IT support packages and pricing). Microsoft 365 is billed on top, at these UK list prices:

Microsoft 365 planPer user per month, annual planPer user per month, monthly plan
Business Basic£5.40£6.48
Business Standard£10.80£12.96
Business Premium£16.90£20.28
Microsoft UK list prices excluding VAT, with Teams, checked 7 October 2026. Versions without Teams cost less.

For a fuller comparison of the plans, see our Microsoft 365 business prices guide, which also covers the price changes Microsoft made in July 2026.

A worked example: IT budget for a 15-person office

This is an illustration using our own published prices and Microsoft’s UK list prices, for a single office of 15 people on Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Your figures will differ, especially for devices and connectivity, which depend on your own quotes.

LineMonthly (ex VAT)Basis
Core support£500 to £700ATS published range for a team of 15 (rounded)
Or Complete IT and security£850 to £1,350ATS published range for a team of 15 (rounded)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium£253.5015 users at £16.90, annual plan
DevicesYour quotes, spread monthlyReplacement cost divided by the months you expect each device to last
Broadband and phonesYour current contractsCheck end dates and the analogue line switch-off
Cyber Essentials£440 a year IASME fee (10 to 49 staff)Plus any help with preparation
ContingencyYour choiceHold back an amount for unplanned work
Illustrative only. ATS ranges from our pricing page; Microsoft price from Microsoft UK; Cyber Essentials fee from IASME.

If you are moving from another provider, add a one-off onboarding fee. Ours is typically £500 to £2,000, covering auditing, documenting and taking over your systems properly. You can get a quick per-user estimate for your own headcount from our IT support cost calculator.

What changes should you budget for in 2027?

Three changes are already fixed and will affect many small business budgets over the next 12 months:

  • Analogue phone lines close on 31 January 2027. Openreach says “the deadline is locked” (Openreach, February 2026). Budget for moving phones to VoIP, and check anything else that uses a phone line: alarms, lift lines, card machines and door entry. Our Big Switch Off guide covers what is affected and what happens after the deadline.
  • Windows 10 extended security updates double in price. Microsoft charges commercial customers $61 per device for year one, and the price doubles each year, so $122 for year two and $244 for year three. The updates are cumulative, so joining in year two means paying for both years (Microsoft Learn). Microsoft publishes these prices in US dollars; UK partners usually invoice in pounds, so check the sterling price in your quote. For most businesses, replacing or upgrading the PCs is better value. See our Windows 10 end of life guide.
  • Cyber Essentials is stricter. For assessments started after 26 April 2026, missing multi-factor authentication on any cloud service that offers it, or not installing high-risk or critical updates within 14 days of release, is an automatic fail (IASME). If you need the certificate for contracts or insurance, budget for the work to meet those rules as well as the fee. Our Cyber Essentials cost guide sets out the fees.

One cost is optional rather than fixed: Microsoft now sells Copilot alongside its Microsoft 365 business plans. Treat it as a project with a trial group and a clear purpose, rather than adding it for everyone at once.

Cyber insurance renewals are also worth planning for, because insurers now ask detailed questions about your IT before quoting. Our guide to whether you need cyber insurance explains what they ask.

How to build your IT budget, step by step

The quickest way to an accurate IT budget is to start from what you already have, then add what is changing:

  1. List every person and device. Headcount now and planned hires, and every laptop, desktop, phone and server, with its age and operating system.
  2. List every subscription and contract. Microsoft 365, other software, broadband, phones and support, with the cost, the renewal date and the notice period.
  3. Remove what nobody uses. Licences still assigned to people who have left, and software nobody opens, are common and easy savings.
  4. Plan device replacements. Anything that cannot run a supported operating system needs replacing or upgrading this year. Spread the rest evenly so you are not replacing every laptop in the same month.
  5. Set your security baseline. Multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, patching, separate tested backups and staff training. If you hold client data or bid for contracts, add Cyber Essentials.
  6. Add the known changes. The analogue line switch-off, any Windows 10 machines, and price rises at renewal.
  7. Add projects. Office moves, new systems or migrations, each with its own quote. If a project needs scoping first, our IT consultancy service can plan and price it.
  8. Hold back a contingency. Something will break or need replacing early. A set amount stops that becoming an argument about budget.

Your IT provider should be able to give you most of this from their own records. If they cannot produce a list of your devices and licences, that tells you something too.

How do you budget for IT across more than one site?

For a business with several sites, per-user support and licence costs stay the same, but each site adds its own connectivity, network equipment and possibly visits. Budget these per site:

  • An internet connection at each site, and a backup connection where downtime would stop work.
  • A firewall and Wi-Fi equipment at each site, and their support.
  • A phone system that works across sites. A single cloud phone system usually replaces separate on-site systems.
  • On-site visits. Ask whether they are included, capped or charged per visit, because this varies between providers and between sites.
  • Shared files and systems. Moving them to Microsoft 365 or another cloud service avoids running a server at each site.

Our support is billed per user, so a 15-person business split across two offices pays the same per-user rate as one in a single office. Whether visits are included depends on location and package, and we set that out in the quote.

Annual or monthly: how does billing affect the budget?

Paying for Microsoft 365 on a monthly plan costs 20% more than committing for a year: Business Standard is £10.80 per user per month on an annual plan and £12.96 on a monthly plan (Microsoft UK), and Business Premium is £16.90 against £20.28 (Microsoft UK). The monthly plan is worth paying for only on licences you expect to add and remove during the year, such as for seasonal staff.

Support contracts and phone contracts work the same way: longer terms are often cheaper per month but harder to leave. Note each contract’s end date and notice period in your budget, so a renewal never rolls over by accident. Our own support is a rolling annual agreement billed per user.

Can you claim tax relief on IT equipment?

Usually, yes. Computers and other equipment bought for the business generally count as plant and machinery (HMRC helpsheet HS252). Businesses that claim capital allowances can usually use the Annual Investment Allowance, which is £1 million a year and lets you deduct the full cost of qualifying plant and machinery from profits. Companies can also claim full expensing on new and unused plant and machinery (not cars), deducting 100% of the cost from profits in the year it was bought. Sole traders and partnerships using the cash basis normally deduct equipment as an expense instead (GOV.UK).

This affects when the cost hits your profits, not how much you pay the supplier. It is general information, not tax advice: your accountant can tell you which allowance suits your business, and whether buying or leasing works out better.

Where can you save without adding risk?

  • Unused licences. Remove licences from leavers promptly, and downgrade people who do not use the features they pay for.
  • Annual commitments. Move stable licences from monthly to annual billing.
  • Duplicate tools. Many businesses pay for file sharing, video calls or security tools that Microsoft 365 already includes on their plan.
  • Licences at cost. Ask your IT provider whether they add a margin to licences. We pass Microsoft and software licences through at cost.
  • Planned replacement. Replacing devices on a schedule usually costs less in lost time than waiting for them to fail.

The one place not to save is the security baseline. Multi-factor authentication, backups and patching cost little compared with recovering from an attack. Cyber Essentials now requires multi-factor authentication and prompt patching, and many insurers also ask about backups.

How ATS Connection helps

We publish our prices so you can budget before you speak to anyone: Core support from £30 per user per month, Complete IT and security from £55, licences at cost and no charge per ticket. Our small business IT support page explains what smaller teams get, and our guide to what outsourced IT support costs compares the pricing models used across the UK.

If you want to know where to spend first, book a free IT review. A senior engineer will review your setup, security, backups and Microsoft 365, and tell you what is worth fixing first. For a price, tell us your headcount and setup through our pricing page and we will give you one figure in writing.

Frequently asked questions

How much should a small business budget for IT?

We know of no reliable UK percentage-of-turnover benchmark for small businesses. Build it per person and per site instead. Managed IT support with us costs £30 to £90 per user per month depending on the package, Microsoft 365 is £5.40 to £16.90 per user per month on an annual plan, and devices, connectivity, security and a contingency are added on top.

What should be included in an IT budget?

IT support, Microsoft 365 or other software licences, devices, cyber security including backup and Cyber Essentials, internet and phones at each site, one-off projects, and a contingency for unplanned work.

Is Microsoft 365 cheaper if you pay annually?

Yes. Monthly plans cost 20% more. Business Standard is £10.80 per user per month on an annual plan and £12.96 on a monthly plan, and Business Premium is £16.90 against £20.28, excluding VAT.

Do I need to budget for the Big Switch Off?

If you still use analogue phone lines, yes. Openreach is closing them on 31 January 2027 and says the deadline is locked. Budget for moving phones to VoIP and for checking alarms, lift lines, card machines and door entry systems that use a phone line.

How much do Windows 10 extended security updates cost?

Microsoft charges commercial customers $61 per device for year one and $122 for year two, and the updates are cumulative. The price doubles each year and is published in US dollars; UK partners usually invoice in pounds. Replacing or upgrading the PC is usually better value.

Can I claim tax relief on computers for my business?

Generally yes. Businesses that claim capital allowances can usually use the £1 million Annual Investment Allowance, and companies can also claim full expensing on new and unused plant and machinery. Sole traders and partnerships using the cash basis normally deduct equipment as an expense instead. Check with your accountant, as this is not tax advice.

Sources

5 reasons to outsource your cyber security

Posted on by Matt Jones

For the majority of businesses, maintaining a solid security position is a significant challenge. All businesses are at risk of becoming victims of the advanced cyberattacks that are growing more prevalent. Businesses often use new technologies that concentrate on prevention, detection, and remediation to lower this risk. 

But this technology alone won’t stop a cyberattack; it needs to be used by knowledgeable security experts. To make sure their business is as secure as possible, many companies opt to outsource this to a reliable third party. This post will go over 5 reasons for outsourcing cyber security by businesses.

Access to cyber security experts

Many businesses rely on their internal departments to manage both their infrastructure and cyber security. This can be a daunting endeavour, leading to a weak security posture and a stressed-out workforce, depending on the size of the business and the workload of the IT department. 

This is made worse by the fact that there is now a scarcity of cybersecurity professionals, which makes it challenging for organisations to hire them.

A business has access to a group of cyber security experts when they outsource their cybersecurity to a reliable third party. 

Their expertise guarantees that they will be able to precisely identify and address weaknesses in a business’s security set up, and most significantly, they are knowledgeable about the most recent cyberthreats and the most effective defences against them.

Reduced costs

Employing a new security specialist or retraining existing staff may be very expensive for businesses of all sizes. 

It might be challenging to justify hiring someone specifically for security for smaller businesses. A business will still have to pay for cyber security solutions in addition to the expense of hiring or training personnel. 

While the cost of outsourcing a business’s cybersecurity is often a fixed monthly sum that covers the technology as well as access to the team of cyber security experts.

Anytime a business weighs the expense of outsourcing security, they should also take into account the typical cost of a cyberattack because this can help determine the return on investment.

Decrease workload

If your business has internal IT staff, there’s a good chance they’re already swamped with support requests and managing the IT infrastructure. 

They frequently end up having insufficient time to focus on finding the ideal security solution or monitoring threats once the solution has been put in place. 

When cybersecurity is outsourced, a third-party supplier is in charge of the solution’s strategy, execution, and monitoring. As a result, internal IT departments have more time to devote to developing IT solutions that advance the company and enhance the experiences of both customers and other employees.

Improved incident response time

It is essential for a business to act swiftly after being the target of an attack to limit further damage and downtime. An internal IT team might not be aware of a cybercriminal entering a network or system over the weekend until Monday am. 

The threat actor will have enough time as a result to migrate laterally via a network and cause greater harm. For instance, Russian nation-state hackers can penetrate a network in under 18 minutes.

Numerous cybersecurity service providers provide protection, detection, and remediation around-the-clock to guarantee that, once an assault happens, someone is prepared to act quickly. 

Additionally, it is less expensive than hiring an internal crew to work on the weekends and through the evenings to provide round-the-clock security.

More advanced technologies

Numerous cyber security technologies, such as endpoint protection, email protection, autonomous detection, and many more, are made to perform particular tasks. 

Because it would be too expensive and time-consuming to provide training for every available option, an internal IT staff would not have experience with all of these cutting-edge technology. 

If a business outsources their cyber security requirements, it will be protected by a team of experts with knowledge of a variety of cutting-edge cybersecurity tools. This team will be able to reliably provide insights into which technologies are worthwhile for a business to invest in.

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Microsoft 365 for Charities UK (2026): Free and Discounted Nonprofit Plans

Posted on by Jake Boase

The short answer: Eligible UK charities can get Microsoft 365 Business Basic free for up to 300 users. Business Premium costs £4.20 and Business Standard £2.70 per user per month, about 75% below the normal business price. The old grant of free Business Premium licences ended in 2025, so charities that relied on it now pay the discounted price at renewal.

Last updated: 29 September 2026. Prices and terms checked against Microsoft’s UK nonprofit plans page and Microsoft for Nonprofits documentation on that date. Prices exclude VAT.

In this guide

How much does Microsoft 365 cost a UK charity?

These are Microsoft’s current UK nonprofit prices, per user per month, on an annual subscription and excluding VAT, compared with the price a business pays.

PlanNonprofit priceNormal business priceWhat it is for
Microsoft 365 Business BasicFree (grant, up to 300 users)£5.40Email, Teams, 1TB OneDrive, web and mobile Office apps
Microsoft 365 Business Standard£2.70£10.80Adds the desktop Office apps
Microsoft 365 Business Premium£4.20£16.90Adds device management, Defender and data protection
Microsoft 365 E3£8.40£33.50Enterprise plan for larger charities
Microsoft 365 E5£20.60£51.60Enterprise plan with advanced security and compliance
Nonprofit prices from Microsoft’s UK nonprofit plan pages; business prices from Microsoft’s UK business and enterprise plan pages. Checked 29 September 2026.

Microsoft advertises nonprofit discounts of up to 75% on Business Premium and Business Standard, and at current UK prices both work out at 75% below the business price. Business plans, including the discounted ones, are designed for organisations of up to 300 users. E3 and E5 have no such limit.

What changed in 2025 and 2026?

Microsoft withdrew its most generous charity offers in 2025. According to Microsoft’s nonprofit updates log:

  • The Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant and the Office 365 E1 grant were discontinued for renewals on or after 1 July 2025. Existing grant licences expire at the charity’s next renewal date and do not renew.
  • The Business Basic grant continues, free for up to 300 users.
  • Discounted plans replace the grant. Charities that had free Business Premium now move to the £4.20 discounted price, or down to the free Basic grant.

Then on 1 July 2026 Microsoft raised commercial Microsoft 365 prices. Microsoft’s pricing FAQ says nonprofit pricing is adjusted in line with commercial pricing, with the nonprofit discount set at 60 to 75%. The UK prices in the table above are the current ones.

If your charity’s licences were on the old Premium grant, check your renewal date now. When the grant licences lapse, users lose access to the Premium features and desktop apps unless you have moved them to a paid or granted plan first.

What rules come with the free grant?

The free and discounted licences come with conditions, set out on Microsoft’s UK nonprofit page:

  • Grant licences are for paid staff and unpaid executive staff who lead the organisation. Discounted licences can be used for staff and volunteers.
  • Use them or risk losing them. Microsoft expects at least 85% of assigned grant licences to be actively used, and can withhold future grants if usage falls below that.

Is your charity eligible?

Microsoft’s eligibility criteria require a nonprofit or non-governmental organisation with recognised legal status in its country, operating on a not-for-profit basis with a mission that benefits the community. Microsoft excludes:

  • Government organisations and agencies.
  • Schools, colleges, universities and other formal educational institutions (these have separate education pricing).
  • Healthcare organisations, other than specific categories in the United States.
  • Professional and trade associations, political organisations, trade unions and fraternal organisations.
  • Professional and semi-professional sports organisations, and financial institutions.

Public libraries and public museums are eligible. In the UK, the simplest evidence is registration with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Charity Digital notes that smaller organisations recognised by HMRC as charitable can also qualify, while community interest companies and social enterprises generally do not.

How do you apply for Microsoft’s nonprofit offers?

You apply through Microsoft’s Nonprofit Hub. Microsoft’s registration guide sets out the process:

  1. Go to nonprofit.microsoft.com and choose to apply, signing in with a Microsoft account you will keep, ideally your organisation’s admin account.
  2. Enter your organisation’s legal name, charity registration number, address and a public website. Microsoft asks for a phone number that is not VoIP-only.
  3. Agree to Microsoft’s nonprofit compliance terms.
  4. Wait for validation. Microsoft’s documentation says this takes up to 3 days, while its FAQ allows up to 7 business days.
  5. Once approved, activate the Business Basic grant and buy any discounted licences from the Nonprofit Hub or through a Microsoft partner.

To avoid delays, make sure the name on your website matches the charity register exactly, double-check the registration number, and apply from an organisational account rather than a personal one.

Which plan should a charity choose?

Match the plan to the data each person handles. This is the approach we take with the community organisations we support:

  • Free Business Basic for most volunteers and light users. They get a proper organisational email address, Teams and shared files in the browser, at no cost.
  • Business Premium for anyone handling beneficiary, donor or safeguarding data. At £4.20 it adds the controls that stop that data leaking: device management, Conditional Access, Defender for Business and data loss prevention. For most charities this is the best value security spend available.
  • Business Standard only if someone needs desktop apps but no sensitive data. At £2.70 it sits between the two, but the extra £1.50 for Premium usually pays for itself in protection.

Charities are targets too. The government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/2026 found that 28% of charities identified a breach or attack in the previous 12 months, and only 19% had a formal incident response plan.

We moved Arundel Museum onto Microsoft 365 and took over its broadband and phones after a previous provider left costly problems behind. If you would like the same for your organisation, see our IT support for charities.

What other Microsoft offers are there for nonprofits?

Microsoft publishes these offers in US dollars, and availability varies by country:

  • Azure credit: up to $2,000 a year of Azure credit, which does not roll over.
  • Microsoft 365 Copilot: a 15% nonprofit discount on the Copilot add-on. Copilot Chat is included in the Microsoft 365 plans at no extra cost.
  • Volunteers on enterprise plans: for each E3 or E5 licence, Microsoft allows up to five additional F3 licences for volunteers.
  • Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform: discounted CRM and app-building licences. See Microsoft’s offers for nonprofits.

Frequently asked questions

Is Microsoft 365 free for charities in the UK?

Microsoft 365 Business Basic is free for eligible charities for up to 300 users. It includes email, Teams, 1TB of OneDrive and the web and mobile Office apps. The plans with desktop apps and advanced security are discounted rather than free.

How much is Microsoft 365 Business Premium for charities?

£4.20 per user per month in the UK, on an annual subscription and excluding VAT. Businesses pay £16.90.

Can charities still get 10 free Business Premium licences?

No. Microsoft discontinued the Business Premium grant for renewals from 1 July 2025. Existing grant licences expire at the next renewal, after which Premium is available at the discounted price.

Who is eligible for Microsoft’s nonprofit offers in the UK?

Organisations with recognised charitable status, typically registered with the Charity Commission, OSCR or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Government bodies, schools and universities, most healthcare organisations, trade associations and political organisations are not eligible.

How long does Microsoft nonprofit verification take?

Microsoft says up to 3 days in its documentation and up to 7 business days in its FAQ. Making sure your details match the charity register exactly helps avoid delays.

Can volunteers use the free Microsoft 365 licences?

The free grant licences are for paid staff and unpaid executive leaders. Volunteers can use discounted licences, and enterprise customers can add F3 licences for volunteers.

Sources

Why is my WiFi so bad?

Posted on by Tobias Gillott

At home, or at work? This guide works for both. If the trouble is at home and you would rather somebody just sorted it, we handle home IT support and home broadband from our Arundel office. If it is a business network dropping out, start with business wireless networks instead.

Do you have issues connecting to the internet in some parts of your home? Does browsing the web become a chore? Is your line just slow to begin with?

There are many reasons why your WiFi signal could be slow and generally not work, below we’ll be looking at some of the reasons and how you could go about to fix the problems.

Router positioning

Some people like to hide their routers in cabinets and other enclosed spaces to keep their home clear of wires and boxes. Unfortunately enclosing routers is one of the main reasons for slow WiFi speeds. 

This is because the signal has to pass through material which ultimately slows it down, as routers distribute a wavelength depending on the speed. 2.4GHz is the standard frequency that routers distribute on because it has a wavelength that can pass through walls. This wavelength when it collides with an obstacle such as a wall shortens which ultimately hinders the maximum data flow.

The way to fix this issue is very simple. Place the router in an open place preferably raised off the floor and roughly in the centre of the property. This will have an even amount of signal all over the property. Or alternatively place the router close to a device that you want the best speeds on, we also suggest using an ethernet cable if possible.

Keep the router updated

Another easy option would be to keep your router updated on the most recent firmware and hardware. Most modern routers are able to update themselves firmware wise however can be limited by their hardware. 

Routers are mainly made to give out the maximum signal that is available at the time and when the signal improves the router can’t keep up and isn’t giving out your full potential signal strength.

If you think that your router isn’t giving out the best WiFi it should be giving then perhaps it’s time for a replacement. If you are with a large ISP then most likely you can ask for a newer version router, they’ll more times than not try to avoid sending you a new one and say that your speeds are fine so slightly more persuasion may be required. Also you should be careful not to be signed into a new contract especially if it’s more expensive than your current one.

Antenna configuration

Depending on what router that you have you may still have antennae on your router. Most modern routers have an antenna inside of it but if you have purchased a much more powerful router then most likely they will have multiple antennae which can be configured.   

If you do have antennae on your router you may not know but they should be configured in a particular way for the maximum effect. The best signal comes out of the sides of the antenna not the top or bottom, this means that you can point the antennae accordingly to maximise the coverage of your home. This links with router positioning as well as having the router in the optimal spot with antennae facing towards high usage devices.

So what you want to do is have the antennae facing straight up or with the side towards a priority device. That’s it, it’s a very simple fix and can be altered at anywhere.

Stop wifi leeches

The need for accessible WiFi nowadays is greater than ever and if you have personal WiFi best make sure that it is encrypted and has a strong password because if you think your neighbours aren’t going to use it you’d be wrong. 

Usually all the passwords that are given to you by default are very strong so you shouldn’t need to worry too much about intruders getting onto your WiFi unless they get hold of the card with all the details. 

Many people don’t know but you can change your WiFi details such as the name and the password by typing your routers IP into a search engine while connected to it. Which may be a good idea if you have had the same password for a long time or if you want something slightly more memorable.

If you are changing your password remember to create the strongest one you can by doing the following;

  • Include a combination of lower and uppercase characters
  • Avoid common passwords like 123456, qwerty and so on.
  • We recommend eight characters minimum for any password. Short passwords can be brute forced.
  • Avoid personal details like your name or any dates.
  • Never write you password down on anything physical. If you can’t remember it store it in a password manager.

Some routers may provide a guest network which can be turned on from the settings page which creates a separate connection with different details. This is the best option if you have multiple guests connected to the WiFi.

Use repeaters, extenders or boosters

We have a much more detailed article of all the different options that you have here. Really to find the best option for your home you may need to survey your property to see where the weak spots are and figure out how many extenders that you might need. All the options that you have use different ways of connecting and vary in price.

Now, you may get into all sorts of confusion when searching for WiFi boosters etc due to the amount of devices on the market! So here are ones we tend to recommend:

The above items vary in price but hopefully that gives you a good idea on where to start.

If you are interested, here at ATS Connection we can give you an expert opinion on the best option for you. Well even set everything up for you!

Your property location

If you live in a rural area you are most likely going to get worse speeds than those in towns and cities. This is because most of these locations still use copper cables to connect the properties from a cabinet that receives fibre. 

ISPs don’t see a profit in upgrading these rural areas and instead prioritise towns and cites first, this is understandable when looking from a business standpoint but for the consumer can be very irritating. There are other ways of connecting your property instead of outdated copper wires. One of the best solutions that we personally have had with those in rural areas is mobile broadband. How they work is they use a mobile signal much like your mobile phone. Instead an antenna is put at a high point of your property that goes to a router with a mobile SIM inside.

Use a different wifi channel

Similar to lanes on a highway there are multiple WiFi channels which a WiFi router can broadcast from. Most countries have six standard channels which WiFi uses and very commonly your router will use channels one and six. 

This creates a jam on the line as many packets of data are trying to use the same channel which will create a backlog and slow your connection down. The solution for this is to find out which channel is the least occupied and manually switch your router to it. To do this;

  1. Log into your router as admin.
  2. Go to settings and find Wireless Settings
  3. Find an option that has Channel and most likely the setting will be on auto.
  4. Switch to the desired channel.
  5. Save your settings and wait for a few minutes for it to switch.

Prioritise applications

Some applications like streaming services or online gaming use a lot of bandwidth and if there are many things connected to your router at once it can slow down your speeds. Luckily modern routers provide a quality of service (QoS) which allows users to prioritise certain applications over others.  This stops other people from interrupting your streaming session when on the same network.

This is also done within the router admin panel. Although some admin panels are far from intuitive and can be difficult to change these settings. If you have any doubts about any changes that you are making be sure to research your changes before applying or contact your ISP directly.

Use the latest wifi technologies

The newest wireless standard 802.11ac and WiFi-6 offers a superior download and upload speed compared to its older counterparts. Make sure that your router is compatible with the latest WiFi standards and that other devices in your home are able to receive the same WiFi standard otherwise this exercise may be pointless.

To find out what standard your router uses you could contact your ISP or find a manual either digitally or physically. If you do have a non compatible router then perhaps its time to upgrade, some ISPs depending on how long you’ve been with them may send you an upgraded router for free otherwise you might have to purchase one yourself.

If you are starting from scratch then unless you are on a very strict budget you should get the best option that you can get even if it’s a bit more expensive as then you will have an exceptional WiFi connection and are relatively future-proofed. Routers generally should have a lifespan of five years as that is how long it usually takes for a new WiFi standard to be released. Also you should look for routers that come with extra perks like the previously stated quality of service and guest networks.

Switch your routers frequency

Your router comes with two standard frequencies, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. You are most likely using a 2.4GHz frequency when connected to your router as it is the most versatile at long distances although is slower than 5GHz. 5GHz is the faster option with one major downfall, distance. 5GHz frequency’s have an extremely short range and have no penetration so the router would have to be in clear sight and close to the device that you want to receive the best signal.

Most routers combine the frequencies to keep things simple but the two can be separated again in the admin panel for the router usually under wireless settings. We recommend that you use both frequencies in conjunction to avoid any dropouts if you leave the range of the router.

Reboot your router

The classic expert IT advice of turning it on and off does solve most problems even potentially your WiFi troubles. A reboot clears the routers memory and can jumpstart any new firmware updates to install.

To restart your router find a small hole usually on the back of the router which you may need a pin or similar object to press down and hold for a few seconds before releasing. Alternatively you can pull the plug on your router completely disconnecting it from any power.

If your router does start installing a new update then be patient for it to finish even if not all its services are available. Also ever intentionally disconnect it from any power while its updating as this could cause permanent damage to the device.

Wired connection

Wired connection will always be superior to wireless connections because there are no obstacles for the cable like walls or ceilings. They are also the best way to test your internet line speed.

If so far your internet is still very slow then we recommend testing your line speed. To do this use an ethernet cable and plug it in to the router and a device with an ethernet port like a laptop or desktop. Then use a website like Ookla to check your speed. Checking your speed multiple times throughout the day is the best way to make a fair test as certain times of the day will have peak times when there are lots of active people at once.

If you’re not reaching a speed that you think you should be, contact your ISP and explain the situation and give your test results to further your claim.

Change your DNS

The Domain Name System is used to convert domain names such as www.google.com to an IP address. Most likely your modem is configured by default to your ISPs DNS server, whose performance may not be the best.

Don’t worry though most routers let you change the default DNS which is one of the easiest ways to boost your WiFi speeds. If you do want to change your DNS there are a couple suggested public servers you can use such as Googles server (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflares server (1.1.1.1)

Purchase a better plan

More often than not you pay for what you get and depending on how much you spend you’ll receive an average speed. If your current plan just isn’t enough for your needs then no matter what you do you’ll never be able to improve it unless you pay for a better plan.

If you’ve been on the same plan for ages then maybe you should take a closer look and see if the speeds that the ISP provide is enough and if it’s time to get a better plan.

If you’re lucky or good at picking your providers then you may be in luck. Some providers offer loyalty schemes and you may get better prices for other packages they offer.

Purchase a better plan

If nothing else has worked so far then perhaps it has nothing to do with you and instead a fault on your ISPs side. If nothing that you’ve done has helped you should consider calling your ISP directly where they will attempt to find the problem and resolve it.

ISPs receive loads of calls everyday so getting through to them can be difficult at times, they might not be able to resolve the issue right away depending on the problem that they find so it might require some patience.

We hope this article has helped you in some way. If you’re still unsure of any of the points in this article feel free to call us at 01903 255 159 or alternatively email us at hello@atsconnection.co.uk

How to stay productive?

Posted on by Jake Boase

Staying productive


Whether you’re still working from home or have been able to safely return to the office, the way society works is forever changing. So it’s important for everyone to take a step back once in a while and review the way they work to ensure maximum productivity is reached.

Luckily, technology advancements give us a head start, but are you taking full advantage of the tools available?

We’ve pulled together 9 helpful tips below on staying productive in an ever-changing work environment, while still looking after yourself and avoiding burnout.

View PRODUCTIVITY PDF here

How to test broadband speed

Posted on by Matt Jones

Testing a home line, or a business one? The method is the same either way. If the line is at home and the speed is not what you pay for, our home broadband page sets out the packages. If it is a business line, SoGEA, full fibre and leased lines are the upgrades worth knowing about.

We live in a world which near enough everything uses some form of internet signal. Confirming that our internet signal is working properly is one of the most important things when it comes to your business and how it functions. So the question is, how do you test your internet speed?

To test your broadband speed you can use our broadband speed check tool to get a snapshot of your current download and upload speed. There’s no charge, so do as many tests as you like. We encourage you to do as many as you can (and at different times/days) to build a more accurate overall picture of the speeds you are getting and gives your provider and insight as to what is happening.

One thing to keep in mind is speed tests are not definitive nor do they show you what speeds you should be getting. Multiple variables can come into play that effect your broadband speed.

This test is designed for broadband connections of all types, including mobile broadband and smartphones, and is compatible with all major web browsers on desktop, mobile, and gaming platforms.Ready to buy a new broadband package? Enter a postcode to see the best deals in your area.

How does the broadband speed test work? 

Our broadband speed test measures is performed by measuring the time it takes for the server to reply to a request from the user’s client. The client sends a message to the server, upon receiving that message, the server sends a reply back. The round-trip time is measured is measured in ms (milliseconds). This test is repeated multiple times with the lowest value determining the final result. This provides a simple, clear, real-world measurement of broadband speed. 

The test provides accurate measurements of download and upload speeds for any type of broadband connection by dynamically assessing the speed and automatically adjusting in order to achieve the maximum throughput of the line. Data transferred during the test is not saved to your computer.

Is the broadband speed checker free?

ATS Connection’s internet speed test is completely free and always will be. We feel it’s important for all internet users to be able to get a quick internet speed result so they can see what speeds they are receiving. Not sure what speed you should be receiving? Call us on 01903 255 159 to find out.

What is the best way to test internet speed? 

Before using the broadband speed check you should close all other programs and disconnect or switch off any other devices in your household. When possible, connect to the broadband router with a network (ethernet) cable. If using Wi-Fi you should stand next to the router and not use any signal boosters. Speeds can vary during the day, so test at different times to get a more accurate picture of your broadband speed. Remember to take a note of both download and upload speeds. You can then put them into our upload and download time calculator to see how long your own files would take.

Why is the speed I get different from the speed advertised?

Get told one thing from your broadband provider and getting something different on there speed results? There are a number of reasons why the speed test may report a different figure to the speed advertised when you signed up for the broadband.

Home broadband is advertised with an “average” download speed which is achieved by 50% of customers, but of course, your connection could be slower (or faster) than average depending on various variables in the environment. 

But there are other reasons why the connection might be slower than expected. Software running on your device and other users sharing the connection will all impact the test. Wi-Fi can be slower than a cabled connection, while old house wiring can affect home broadband speeds (try to be sure your router is plugged into your main BT master socket). Your supplier may also prioritise different types of broadband traffic. And mobile internet is heavily dependant on having a strong signal and can be noticeably slower in busy areas. The router your broadband provider has supplied you could also be an older version or even a cheap underperforming router.

What now?

So you have ran the speed test multiple times but are still finding your speeds are less than what you were told by your broadband provider? While there are multiple variables that can come into play, you are entitled to your minimum download speed (more information here) offered by your provider. In fact, you can now easily get out of your contract if it is proven that you are not receiving the speeds mentioned to you when signing up.

Broadband can be a problem for many households, especially rural. But ATS Connection offer lighting fast speeds at a cost effective price, while offering local support for the times you need us. Check out our broadband information page here.