News & Blog
The happenings at HM Network.

Data, IoT and M2M SIM cards – what is the difference?
We often get asked why someone would opt for one type of SIM card over another. It depends on the use case and specific needs,


BT Partner Dinner 2023
Working together BT’s partner channel is made up of organisations where connectivity and communications are either at the core of their business, or that complement


BTnet Internet & IP Voice Solutions
Time to Upgrade from ISDN?: Do you still have ISDN? If so, it is time to change. The traditional PSTN, ISDN2 and ISDN30 lines that


Worried About The PSTN & ISDN Switch Off?
*** Updated 29th August 2023 *** The way we make telephone calls and access copper-based broadband internet is undergoing significant changes. Surprisingly, 46% of 400,000


Cloud Voice – Automatic Call Distribution aka Call Centre ACD
Scenario – your business has a requirement where inbound calls need to stack up in a queue waiting to be answered by available agents. Perhaps


Helping you get more from BT connectivity
We have helped hundreds of organisations over the years get more from their BT connectivity. Can we help you too? BT Business services via


BT Smart Hub 3 (FTTP) & Complete WiFi Plus
BT has just announced the release of its new generation of BT business router – the Smart Hub 3, plus the introduction of WiFi plus.


Moulsford Preparatory School – Dedicated Internet
Case Study Business Type – Private Education Client – Moulsford Preparatory School, Oxford Size: 300+ users over 2 sites Product/Service – Dedicated Internet, Monitoring, Point


HM Voice Studio AI Update
We often provide our Hosted Voice customers with access to our Auto Attendant / IVR recordings platform as part of our initial setup. This helps


Internet & WiFi for retail, leisure & accommodation
Ensuring high-quality WiFi and internet connectivity in retail, leisure, hotels and serviced accommodation is of utmost importance. The provision of internet access has become a


SIM Card Sizes
Mobile phones and mobile connected cellular devices have become an indispensable part of our lives. These devices rely on SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards to


Beef up your small business connectivity with unbreakable complete WiFi
How much value do you place on having a rock-solid internet connection? Could it be the key to unlocking your productivity superpowers and bidding farewell


What 3 Words
Situation Have you ever struggled finding an address but struggled and driven up and down for ages? Maybe you have been out walking, got lost,


All Time Low Pricing On BTnet Dedicated Internet with 100% Uptime SLA
We have some great value pricing plus money saving router options available on BTnet, the UK’s number 1 Dedicated Internet connection. If your connectivity is


What the PSTN closure means for broadband
In the ever-evolving landscape of business communication, technological advancements continue to shape the way organisations connect and operate. As we look ahead, there is a significant


Maintaining a HuMan connection
News You may have come across recent news highlighting BT’s plans to utilise AI to enhance efficiency and offer customers various contact options through multiple


Ransomware is crippling businesses.
Ransomware is crippling businesses. Between 2020 and 2021, cyberattacks targeting SMBs increased 154%. Is it time you stepped up your cybersecurity? In larger organisations, the


Solution Case Study – 3DGBIRE
Business Type: 3D Print Distribution Client: 3DGBIRE, Lancashire Size: 30+ staff over 3 sites Products/Services : Hosted Voice, Fibre Broadband + 4G backup, Dedicated Internet


HM Network awarded BT Connectivity Partner of the year.
It is with great pleasure that we announce HM Network have been awarded BT Connectivity Partner 2022 at BT Champions Day 2023! This award


BT Business Price Changes 2023
You may have heard that prices are increasing on certain BT Business products, primarily voice and broadband based services as set out here. The following




Cyber Essentials technical requirements update from 24th April 2023
There are some changes coming to Cyber Essentials Plus certification at the end of April 2023. The information below is straight from the NCSC website


ADSL, FTTC, SOGEA, FTTP and DIA Ethernet Leased Lines…
The internet has become an essential part of modern life, and most of us rely on it for work, entertainment, and communication. However, with so




Cyber Essentials can help you build trust and win business
With more and more transactions taking place online, it is essential for companies to protect their digital assets and maintain the trust of their customers.


Let’s talk about contention
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on the internet, the demand for high-speed data has skyrocketed. During the lockdowns of COVID-19, many businesses started to


Worrying Stats About Cyber Threats for SME
Small and medium sized business owners. Did you know around 43% of cyber-attacks target SME businesses, and 60% of those SMEs that are victims of


Save on Malwarebytes MDR and EDR bundle
A 2022 survey discovered that 62% of organisations lack sufficient security staff. Fret not, we have solutions for resource and budget constrained teams. Get MDR and


Advice on phishing email scams
We are seeing an increase in emails being sent from users accounts trying to lure people into clicking on content that is not what it


Malwarebytes Mobile Security for Business & Education
Did you know that 25% of mobile apps contain at least one high-risk security flaw*? Now even resource-constrained IT teams can secure professional mobile devices with


The education sector at risk of cyber attacks
The cyber health of educational sector establishments is a growing concern in the UK, and for a good reason. In a recent survey conducted by


WhatsApp hijackers can take over your account while you sleep!
Late last week, Twitter user Zuk (@ihackbanme) tweeted an issue about WhatsApp that has the potential to turn heads. He explains that attackers can take


Security – Password Hygiene
What is Password hygiene you may ask? It is the practice of choosing, managing and maintaining strong passwords, to protect accounts and systems from cybercriminals,


Have you ordered your internet connection in time?
So you’ve ordered your office furniture, selected your new wastepaper bin, selected your weekly flower subscription, and are all set for your big office move


Malware Help
Have you ever received a call after hours or on the weekend that an employee’s machine needs attention? If you’re like others in IT security,


A few predictions for 2023…
As we enter 2023, it’s crucial that organisations stay ahead of the curve when it comes to cybersecurity. With the increasing digitisation and modernisation of


Nearing the end of your voice or telephony contract?
Last week we helped a client who’s needs had changed over the past year or two get updated tech, more value, more features and lower


iPhone user watches stolen phone travel from UK to China
iPhone user watches stolen phone travel from UK to China Have you ever wondered what happens to your phone if it’s stolen while on vacation




Renewing Cyber Essentials Certification
On the fence about renewing your Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification this year? A lot can change for a business in 12 months


Possible Whatsapp Data Leak
Cybernews has recently reported of an alleged Whatsapp data leak. Meta owned Whatsapp, currently has around 2 billion users and a list of just shy


BTnet Dedicated Internet – Black Friday & Cyber Sunday All Time Low Pricing
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, at HM Network we have decided to start early. If internet


Hybrid Connect – Rapid Deployment Internet Connectivity & Backup
Internet When You Really Need It. There may be occasions where you need internet connectivity quickly, perhaps for a new site, but time is


Mobile Data Resilience
I was at meeting the other day and the person I was with, was trying to tether to her mobile as the WiFi at the


Unbreakable Wi-Fi
If you are a small business and you rely on your connectivity you should take a look at what we can do for you



Do you use SIM cards?
At HM Network, we provide handsets and data plans on multiple networks, but if you use SIM card’s for anything other than in mobile phones


Lancashire Based National Cyber Force HQ
With HM Network having strong ties with Cyber Security and Cyber Awareness, we were over the moon when we heard that GCHQ had chosen a


Best Practices for Writing IVRs
Got a phone system but needing inspiration about how to approach voice prompts and caller greetings? Maybe you have a system in place but have


Cyber Essentials Plus – 2022 Pass
Well it is that time of year once again for us. This week HM Network Ltd attained our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification


Being lost and needing help!
“A lady in a hot air balloon realised that she was lost. She reduced altitude and spotted a man below. She descended a bit more


The GDPRexpress Tour Of The North
GDPR – the acronym that dominated the headlines and caused quite a stir on social media throughout 2017 and 2018. There was an awful lot


10 Myths About Analogue lines vs Hosted Voice – Debunked
With the 2025 PSTN/ISDN line closure looming – are you still yet to make the move to digital telephony? 1. Calls over the internet


Switching Mobile Providers Has Never Been Easier
Did you know that Mobile customers can leave their network by sending a simple, free text message, under Ofcom rules that were introduced in July


Google Workspace
Looking to move to a better way of working this year? Google Workspace is a cloud-based productivity suite that helps teams communicate, collaborate and get


The Importance Of Cyber Awareness & Educating Your Team
Despite trying to keep work and personal lives separate, there is often a crossover. Many people pick up work emails on their own devices, particularly



How to Use On-hold Marketing Effectively
Every organisation wants to make a great first impression – however all too often companies underestimate just how important the sound of their phone system


Are Your Patients Losing Their Patience?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away – or so they used to say. Sometimes, despite eating your prescribed 5 a day (I know


Lancashire Based Vegan Health Food Manufacturer Expansion
It is always heartwarming to see clients grow and go from strength to strength. Plant based health food manufacturer Nutreelife started out in Preston, we


School Catch Up Tsar Resigns Due To Lack Of Funding.
We saw on the BBC News this week, the headline “School Catch up Tsar resigns due to lack of funding” available for schools to help


The Business Benefits Of Cloud-Based Telephony
In business, it’s likely you’ll need to be communicating with customers daily. There are many forms this communication can take. Email, chat, phone calls –


Home Working
COVID-19 Home Working Support Business Type – Micro, SME, Corporate, Public Sector Client – All sectors Size: businesses with 5 users and above Product/Services –


Expecting the Unexpected: Continuing Instruction in the Midst of Unforeseen Circumstances
Over the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed more than 1.4 billion learners out of the classroom. Schools, colleges and universities around the world were


Remote & Blended Learning
Having spoken to many hundreds of schools this past few months, it is clear that remote learning has presented a number of challenges. Before any



Innovative New Music On Hold Portal
What impression do people get when they call your business? What do your callers hear when being transferred from one extension to another, or when


Helping Education Connect & Create
The CREATE Education project has been a customer and collaborator of HM Network for a number of years. The connectivity and hosted telephony services we


Gigabit Fibre For Preston Businesses
‘Faster Britain’ expansion to light up Preston with gigabit capable full fibre network Preston businesses set to become some of the best connected in the


Feeling Un-loved?
Are you feeling unloved by your current business communications provider? Does your connectivity partner pay you the attention you deserve? ISP’s and telecoms companies often


‘Lockdown Learning’ Support Scheme For Disadvantaged Children & Families
HM Network have been speaking to a lot of schools recently, helping them do more with technology in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics as well


Aardman Animations Christmas Crackers
HM Network are really proud to have been working with client Aardman Animations for over a decade. Earlier this year one of our boys had


Are You Cyber Essentials Certified? If Not, Why Not?
HM Network Ltd are proud to announce that our CE+ / Cyber Essentials Plus certification has been renewed. So what does CE+ mean? Cyber Essentials


Gigabit Fibre For Blackpool Businesses
Blackpool Businesses can now access gigabit capable broadband services over ITS Full Fibre network HM Network partner and Network operator ITS, have announced that businesses


Fibre Broadband & 4G
CASE STUDY Business Type – International Business Development Client – Talent Dynamics, Lancashire Size: 10+ staff Product/Service – Fibre Broadband and 4G CHALLENGE Talent


Business Connectivity Workshops
Business Connectivity Workshops With everything going on at the moment we thought it could be good to hold some free E Workshops to help UK


Preston City Council – Phishing & Compliance
CASE STUDY Business Type – City Council Client – Preston City Council, Lancashire Size: 600+ staff Product/Service – Compliance & Phishing Awareness CHALLENGE Preston


Our Customer Aardman Animations Release New Hit Film “Farmageddon”
Bristol based film Company Aardman Animations have been a client of HM Network’s for almost a decade. The film production industry demands reliable connectivity and


PrestFest 2019
Following a hugely successful PrestonRocks in 2018, June 2019 saw a number of Preston based business and talents come together for PrestFest2019. With HM Network


Helping Visitors Connect With Social Media & Guest Wi-Fi
Preston City Council faced a challenge in being able to offer a safe and legally compliant way for customers to use guest WiFi at