News & Blog
The happenings at HM Network.
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
Cloud Voice Feature Access Codes
There are a number of features you can configure, enable and disable from Cloud Voice handsets without needing to go into the portal. Feature Access
Connectivity Estate Review
Why Get An Estate Review With HM Network? Or put a slightly different way, why wouldn’t you get a review? It’s a no brainer. At
Different Internet Access Options
We often get asked what is the difference between broadband and dedicated internet access. A service delivered over copper may cost around £30 per
When Technology Fails
When Technology Fails: Lessons from the Crowdstrike Update Incident The recent Crowdstrike update incident has reminded us all of the fragility of our technological ecosystems.
Let’s Talk about Unified Communications | HM Network Ltd
There is no denying it, despite tech coming on leaps and bounds, people like to talk and like dealing with people. The conversation flow is
The Critical Importance of SLAs for Internet Connectivity
For modern businesses, internet connectivity is absolutely vital. A disruption in internet access can bring operations to a standstill – preventing employee communication and collaboration,
Internet Connectivity Resilience For Education
Moving Services to the Cloud Demands Reliable Internet With many services being moved “to the cloud”, this puts a lot of demand on schools and
Ticketmaster confirms customer data breach
Originally Posted at Malwarebytes June 1, 2024 by Anna Brading Live Nation Entertainment has confirmed what everyone has been speculating on for the last week:
The Role Of HR In Cybersecurity
Many businesses make the mistake of thinking that cyberattacks only target bigger, higher-profile companies, simply because those stories garner news coverage. The reality? Small businesses
When Rodents Bite: How to Deal with Fibre Connection Damage
Fibre optic internet connections are known for their speed and reliability, but they’re not immune to the pesky mischief of rodents. Whether it’s mice, rats,
BTnet double bandwidth offer!
Looking for a NEW BTnet, additional site or to add resilience? We can help! Having twice as much bandwidth (or more) can come in
Ethernet Resilience : Diverse Routing and Core POP Separacy RO2
Introduction: We often have customers asking us to price up two seemingly separate connections to the same location in an attempt to offer resilience. While
Delay to the December 2025 PSTN closure?
On 31st March 2024 there was an article posted in the Telegraph regarding pausing the ISDN & PSTN switch off due to a change in
We’ve Got Your Back!
A new BT brand campaign launched 8th March 2024 and we at HM Network are behind it 100%. As an Authorised Partner of BT, working
Worried About The PSTN & ISDN Switch Off?
The way we make telephone calls and access copper-based broadband internet is undergoing significant changes. Surprisingly, 46% of 400,000 surveyed UK SME businesses have no
Highlight Reporting
Highlight for enterprise IT Managers It’s a familiar cycle: you sign a contract with a service provider with promises of ultra-reliable connectivity, the latest technological innovations and
Hotel & Hospitality Connectivity
As a hotel, do you have sufficient bandwidth in place to support your business and client demands? Would a bandwidth boost help your business in
Weaponised AI: Phishing
Don’t Take The Bait! UK organisations and individuals face a growing challenge as AI technologies become increasingly sophisticated tools to weaponise for cybercriminals. Eric Geller
Attackers steal HAR files from Okta
On October 20, 2023, Okta, a leading provider of identity and access management (IAM) solutions, disclosed that it had suffered a breach of its customer
Time To Turbocharge Your Cloud Voice?
Is your business harnessing the full potential of Cloud Voice? If you’re seeking to transform your telephony into a more robust and intelligent asset, as
Empowering 3DGBIRE with a cutting edge communications solution
HM Network Case Study: Empowering 3DGBIRE with Cutting-Edge Communication Solutions Client: 3DGBIRE Industry: 3D Print Distribution Location: Lancashire Size: 40+ Employees Scope: 3
Embedding Cyber Awareness In Company Culture
HM Network have been working with Bobs Business for a number of years, helping organisations of all shapes and sizes become cyber aware, training staff,
UC Skills – Getting the most out of your BT Cloud Voice Adoption Platform
Are you getting the most out of your BT Cloud Voice Adoption Platform? ucSKILLS ucSKILLS is there to help customers get the most out of
Changing A Router & WiFi Complications
Many small businesses have various devices and smart speakers in their premises, perhaps to play background music in reception or a treatment room. If
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
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
The HM Voices portal has undergone some updates lately, and now includes an AI driven setup wizard that can auto generate ideas for greetings and
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
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 not
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