XLN business broadband review 2024: Is it any good?

Dan Howdle • September 26th, 2024

XLN provides myriad telecoms services exclusively to small businesses, promising world class customer service and smooth switching. Its offering covers business broadband, mobile, and landlines, as well as some speciality business services like portable card machines and mobile card readers.

For the purposes of this review, however, we'll be looking exclusively at XLN's business broadband service to determine what it offers, how it stacks up against the competition, and ultimately, if it's any good.

Overview

Speed

XLN offers a range of broadband packages, starting with the Unlimited Broadband package, which provides speeds of up to 80Mbps, making it a great entry-level option for businesses needing reliable connectivity without speed caps. This is XLN's only Standard Fibre option, with the other two options being Full Fibre, and therefore have more limited availability.

It's kind of odd that XLN doesn't offer Full Fibre speeds all the way up to around 900Mbps (or more) as that's now become the standard offering among most providers. The only other provider that comes to mind with similar speed offerings right now is NOW Broadband – and it limits its range in order to keep things cheap.

Nonetheless, for a few pounds more per month, you can get XLN’s Superfast Full Fibre Broadband, which offers 160Mbps. As we said, it’s just a few pounds more than Unlimited Broadband, so unless you can’t get Full Fibre at your address, there’s no real reason not to choose this option bar saving a bit of pocket change each. You can use our fibre postcode checker to see whether Full Fibre is available at your location.

For businesses needing even faster speeds, XLN’s Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband package provides up to 330Mbps, catering to those with high-speed requirements. In addition to the broadband service that will be used by you and your colleagues, XLN can also provide you with their public guest Wi-Fi service for a small (£15 at the time of writing) additional monthly fee, but in our opinion that's a bit of a cheek since it's a feature that comes for free with most providers and with most routers.

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Installation

It takes 10 working days to switch your existing line to XLN and there should be no downtime, with the new provider taking over on the tenth day as the service from your old supplier stops.

If your existing phone line can’t be transferred to XLN for any reason, the provider can install a new line for you.

XLN will also be able to move your line if you’re moving premises, as long as you give a month’s notice. Generally if you’re only moving a short distance you’ll also be able to keep the same number.

Router

XLN currently provides the Technicolor DGA0122 Router for their broadband customersand supports dual-band Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. It also includes advanced features such as:

• Beamforming Technology: Enhances Wi-Fi signal direction to provide better performance, particularly for devices located further from the router
• Guest Wi-Fi Network: Allows businesses to set up separate access for guests, keeping employee and guest traffic securely partitioned, though with XLN this comes at extra cost
• Network Security: Provides controls and security features to manage and protect your network

There’s a £9.99 charge for configuration and tracked delivery of the router, which is fairly standard across the industry.

Reliability

XLN runs on the Openreach network also used by BT, TalkTalk and many others. This means that its broadband will be available to 99.8% of UK premises and that if you're already with one of those providers it should be easy to switch broadband suppliers.

In terms of reliability, it shares its reliability with that of Openreach. Of particular note is that if you opt for Full Fibre (something we always advise people do), there are 60% less faults per capita.

Customer service

XLN promises to answer customer calls within three rings and won't use automated menus. It is the only broadband provider – business or residential – that we know of to have made such a promise. XLN’s call centre is UK-based and apparently 90% of issues are solved on the first call.

XLN’s exclusive focus on small businesses should enable it to offer more specialised and expert advice and it claims to do exactly this via the Bizhub section of its website, which offers tips, tools and insight. There’s also a useful help page with frequently asked questions and contact numbers.

XLN picked up three awards at the UK Business Awards 2021, and later that year a further three gongs from the International Business Excellence Awards. Awards aren't everything, but XLN has certainly won its share.

Conclusion

Its focus on small businesses makes XLN an attractive alternative to the likes of BT Business and TalkTalk Business.

Its speeds may not be the fastest available, stopping as they do at the not too dizzy heights (by today's standards) or 330Mbps. However, its range of features, low pricing and extensive help and customer support options definitely make it a contender.

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