Boxx Communications Ltd

Simplifying telecommunications for businesses large and small!

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How to use Apps Safely on your Mobile Phone

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How to use Apps Safely on your Mobile Phone

Apps have become an integral part of our everyday life. As smartphone use continues to increase, we use them to tell us the weather, to hear the news, to check our bank statement, to play games and even more!

Never before has ‘there must be an app for that’ become such a common catchphrase – because there almost always is. And if not, chances are one is in development.

While all of the many and varied apps in our lives provide a simple and easy means of accessing great content and services, it’s important to be aware of how to use them safely and securely.

Key to this is how they get on to your phone in the first place. Apple users have the App Store, Android customers have Google Play – both of these are trusted environments where apps have been reviewed and shouldn’t contain malicious information. You can also be confident when buying from the Windows Store and Blackberry World.

It is possible, however, for some apps to exploit your mobile device once installed. This possibility increases if you install an app from a less reputable (or unknown) source, such as bulletin boards or peer-to-peer networks. Here, you are unable to tell if someone has taken a popular paid-for app and added their own malicious elements. Once installed, it could potentially be used to take control of your handset, rack up charges on calls and messages, or send and intercept SMS and voicemail messages. Apps that work like this often aren’t evident until after your handset has been compromised, so it’s better not to take the risk in the first place.

So, when looking for new apps of any description, exercise caution – research it and check reviews before downloading. Once you have your apps in place, consider who will be using the device. If it will be children, you might want to check the ratings guidance in each store, which generally covers themes such as violence, offensive language, sexual content, or drug references. Each app store has its own policy, and exact age recommendations, for example, differ.

Also be aware, if you use apps that allow you or your child to connect to the internet and access content outside the app, that you may need to consider further device-level or network-level protections, filters or safe search options.

You should also be aware of permissions. These are things the app asks to do when it is installed, typically to assist the content or activity of the app, and often including a request to turn on location settings, for example, or access the camera function of your phone. Check what you are agreeing to, and decline or search for a comparable app if you are not happy.

If you use your phone as a mobile bank, be sure to stay safe and vigilant online – log out after each session, and ensure your phone is password protected.

Apps can cost you above and beyond the purchase price if you are not savvy. Beware going over your mobile data allowance if it is not very high, for example, as most use data or using data roaming when abroad, which can be very expensive.

If apps offer in-app purchases, which many games do, and your device is being used by children, your provider will be able to explain how to lock down your device so that no unexpected bills are run up. In terms of general housekeeping, and keeping your phone safe as well as running as efficiently as possible, delete any apps you’re not using and keep those that you are up to date with the latest fixes.

And, finally, if you trade in, sell or recycle your phone make sure you erase all of your personal data and apps from it.

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Broadband: Switching is set to get easier….!

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Broadband: Switching is set to get easier....!

Ofcom (the communications regulator here in the UK) have recently taken the decision to make moving broadband suppliers follow a process more similar to that which the phone line providers have been using for years…..

This is a welcomed move here in the UK as currently customers wishing to change their broadband provider have to contact their existing supplier to ask for a Migration Access Code (MAC) and then pass this code to their new chosen provider.

This can be time consuming and is often a frustrating process, so ultimately it often results in consumers staying put. This is a real missed opportunity in terms of cost-saving and optimising the performance of your broadband connection, but an understandable choice in a world where we all seem to have way to many things on our to-do-lists!

In June 2015 the communications regulator will make life easier for those who want to switch, by removing the need to obtain a MAC. From 20th June, anyone, whether that be an individual or business, looking to switch supplier will ONLY need to contact their chosen new provider.

The new service provider will arrange the transfer on behalf of the consumer, including informing the old provider of the requested change (who will then process any remaining contractual charges).

The removal of the MAC process will make switching far easier and therefore more attractive to residential & business consumers alike, as it will open up many exciting opportunities for those wishing to enhance their broadband connection and/or save money, without causing themselves a headache.

Are you experiencing problems with your current supplier?

Do you want to upgrade to a better service?

Are you wondering if you could get a better deal?

Regardless of your business size or location, at Boxx we guarantee a competitively priced connection. Better yet, we will search your exchange for best connection available for your line, so you can rest assured, you’ll get a competitively priced and truly reliable broadband service with Boxx. Contact us to find out what broadband options are available to you and let us take care of the rest!

Tier 1 Carriers

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Tier 1 Carriers

At Boxx we use only Tier 1 carriers for our telephone services because that is simply the most reliable way of guaranteeing quality!

Chances are, anyone outside our industry has no idea what this means or why their use is so important, so we thought we’d write a handy explainer that makes this clear. Also, of course, it illustrates our company policy of working with only the best, which reaps constant benefits for all of our customers every minute of every day.

Tier 1 carriers own and operate their own telecoms network, meaning they don’t need to buy in or borrow key services such as network access from other operators as they are the top level. Owning their own network, they can host their own number ranges, as well as deliver their own voice and data services. BT is arguably the most well-known example of a Tier 1 carrier in the UK.

And, naturally, if Tier 1 carriers own their own networks, they are not relying on SLAs with other companies to run their services. Not only does this mean there are fewer middle-men between the Tier 1 source and you, the ultimate customer, it also means that they stake their reputation on doing what they do extremely well and without service interruption.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 carriers also exist, but by their very nature of not being the top level operator in any network, they are reliant for cost and reliability etc on a Tier 1 carrier, either by purchasing network access from them or by piggybacking on their services. This is why we choose to only deal with Tier 1 operators.

Reliability and quality of service aside, using a Tier 1 carrier has many benefits for our customers, including quick set up and package delivery times as they are in control of all the numbers hosted on their network. They are also regulated, and control the porting of their own numbers.

Being covered by Ofcom means that if a Tier 1 carrier went out of business for any reason, ownership of any numbers belonging to it would pass to the regulator with no loss of service – an important guarantee when telephone and internet lines are so critical to so many businesses.

They also commonly have large enough networks that they can re-route a call if a problem occurs in one area, and large and efficient customer service operations that deal with any queries quickly and promptly, with minimal delay

Put simply, Boxx uses Tier 1 carriers because they are the best, the premier option of telecoms networks, and we demand only the best for our customers!

What is Direct Internet Access (DIA)…?

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What is Direct Internet Access (DIA)...?

For ultimate reliability and a rock-solid connection to the internet, Direct Internet Access (DIA) is a robust solution for businesses heavily reliant on being connected, where continuous and reliable online access is of the utmost importance.

DIA is the connection of choice for businesses who have looked at, and discounted, standard broadband and even a fibre connection as not being sufficient to fully support their business’s online demands.

Often, but not always, these businesses will have a large or growing team or make heavy use of cloud-based applications, but what they all have in common is wanting and needing a dedicated and fast internet connection. Internet access is, for them, quite simply business critical.

Featuring totally uncontended and symmetrical bandwidth, DIA’s dedicated business-grade internet service is a superb solution to these needs, as a DIA package means no line sharing and an upload speed that is the same as the download one.

Crucially, multiple users can be online doing multiple tasks at the same time, which is particularly important for businesses using lots of cloud-based storage and applications as is increasingly common across all industries.

And even offering all of these benefits, DIA is not a one size fits all solution, with different bandwidths and speeds available to suit differing business needs.

DIA can be delivered in a number of ways, including over Ethernet fibre, EFM copper and now generic ethernet access fibre to the cabinet (GEA FTTC).

Whichever option is selected, the service is highly resilient because it uses multiple Tier One ISPs to guarantee the fastest connection possible at any time, with automatic core re-routing if any route fails.

Remote working is also non issue, with site-to-site VPNs over DIA allowing access to core site resources quickly and easily. Likewise, while only the bandwidth used is paid for, the service is scalable at short notice if more capacity is suddenly required.

If you want to discuss our DIA products or any other solutions, you can contact us or call us on 01908 350 750.

Boxx Shop Local & Support Small Businesses

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Boxx Shop Local & Support Small Businesses

Here at Boxx we’ve just launched our new website – we hope you like it! Our aim was to simplify our offering to make even clearer what we could do and let our products and services do the talking.

As a service company, we predominantly work with SMEs and so when we were coming up with the content, look and feel for the site, we decided to use local small businesses to pull it together.

The web designer was an easy choice as we have been working with Terry at local business Amasci Creative for years now and he never ceases to amaze us with his work, dedication and professionalism.

Another obvious place to do this was with our images. Like most companies undergoing a website transformation, we wanted to use pictures that were personal to us and pertinent to our products, as well as looking fresh and striking. We decided to think outside the Box(x) and approach a local wedding photographer, Matt Parry Photography, who came with an excellent reputation and a gorgeous portfolio (do take a look, he really has captured some stunning shots).

We needed someone to come into the office to take some photographs, but also wanted some street photography to liven up the pages and offer something different from the standard stock shots, that we all see way too much of. Obviously this was a bit different from shooting emotional brides and tearful grooms, but alternative wedding photographer Matt took to the challenge with gusto and was more than happy to take it on.

One of the reasons we had chosen him was the look and feel of his pictures being a bit different from the standard wedding ones but still conveying the spirit of the day. Our hope – and the reality, happily – was that Matt would be able to capture the spirit and professionalism of the Boxx staffers without resorting to cheesy mass office photos, or individual headshots as seen on LinkedIn.

It worked really well. We’re primarily delighted because we wanted the imagery on our site to be about people, rather than purely corporate, and Matt has captured that perfectly.

Boxx is a huge supporter of people and their businesses, doing whatever we can to help. Whether we are talking about a small independent coffee shop, or a letting agency, they are all run by people, whose customers are people. It is the people-mindedness of our business that really sets us apart, and we are pleased beyond measure that Matt’s lovely pictures reflect that.

So a huge thanks to the talented Matt for his excellent work and cheerful working manner, not forgetting, too, to credit Terry at Amasci Creative for his website design talents. He took the pictures and our words, and created a website that is not only a thing of beauty but also something that we feel really portrays our company, our products and our ethos, in a way that we are immensely proud of!

Cheers guys – And three cheers for SME’s!

The 10 Best Apps for your Business

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The 10 Best Apps for your Business

One of the hardest parts about being a small or medium business can be the need to run all of the operations of a large-scale company without the same staff, resources or efficiencies.

In an increasingly digital business world, apps are increasingly the solution to skills or time shortages, helping you manage everything with ease and create more time in the day.

As ever, some are markedly more useful than others, so here is our top ten of the ones you really need in your life.

1) Evernote: Essentially an organiser that keeps track of everything you want to, well, keep track of – from notes to receipts, to photos, to webpages, to articles bookmarked to read later. Able to sync across all devices and also featuring a powerful search function so you can always find what you’re looking for further down the line, you can even turn notes into a presentation at the click of a button.

2) Dropbox: Bills itself as one place for your stuff, with all file uploads accessible from any device and easily shared. Great for collaborative working as well as those who need files on the go, it can house all common types of files including photos and video, and you can choose whether to share a single file or a whole folder, leaving you in control of your data and information flow.

3) People Per Hour: Like an eBay for freelancers, this site connects people with skills with those looking to get jobs done. Post a job and choose from the applicants who get in touch, with the ability to both rate each other afterwards, or buy an hourlie – a fixed price piece of work designed to take one hour to complete. Also great for those looking for additional work, particularly when starting up.

4) Mention: Real-time media monitoring, which allows you to create alerts for names, brands and competitors and get a real-time alert any time they are mentioned on the web or in social networks. You can also create analytics charts based on your mentions versus competitors, for example, and make sure you’re not missing anything.

5) LinkedIn Connected: Billed as taking the work out of networking, this app essentially mines your existing LinkedIn contacts and keeps you up to date with what’s new, ranging from birthdays to promotions, keeping you in touch and giving you the chance to strengthen relationships without having to constantly keep tabs on what everyone you are linked to is doing.

6) Buffer: A superb scheduling tool that enables easy management of multiple social media accounts, allowing scheduling of posts across various platforms and then spreading out their posting throughout the day. Fully integrated with major social networks including Twitter, Facebook and Reddit, it makes for fast and simple sharing.

7) Feedly: A free web-based news aggregator tool that allows you to find the content that is most valuable to you by filtering out the rest, as well as suggesting new experts that may be of interest based on those you already follow. Easy sharing options too.

8) Paypal Here: A chip and pin reader from the secure online payment masters, allowing you to process payments on the go, as well as issue receipts and invoices. Highly secure, it also accepts both debit and credit cards, and also has a facility to log cash and cheque payments.

9) Facebook Pages Manager: This app lets you manage multiple Facebook pages from your tablet or smartphone, as well as sharing content, seeing activity on each page and interacting with it by liking or commenting, in addition to having access to page analytics.

10) Survey Monkey: Web-based survey leaders, used by everyone from business leaders to academic institutions. Surveys can be customised with your logo and branding, and sent out over web, mobile and social media, with the site’s survey builder featuring multiple types of questions. Once released, benefit from the site’s real-time results and analysis to help you make key decisions about your business.

So that’s it – our top ten. Hope you find them as helpful and time-saving as we do!

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