Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around the world are rethinking how they handle communications. As operations move online and remote work becomes more common, traditional telecom contracts with long lock-ins and costly extras are being questioned.
One example of this shift comes from the UK, where bOnline, a cloud-based VoIP and broadband provider, has built its business around the needs of smaller firms. The company’s model—shorter contracts, predictable pricing, and systems that can be managed without specialist IT support—reflects challenges that are also familiar to Indian SMEs.
Founded by telecom entrepreneur Anthony Karibian, bOnline’s services are designed to be set up in minutes. Business owners can add numbers, set up call flows, and use a mobile app for work calls from anywhere. Unlike traditional providers that push 36- or 48-month contracts, bOnline works on 12- and 24-month terms, aiming to give small firms more flexibility.
The subscription-based platform runs fully in the cloud, allowing users to manage calls, analytics, and integrations remotely. Customers can scale services up as their business grows, with options including AI call recording, CRM integrations, and advanced analytics.
Pricing transparency is another feature the company highlights, with fixed plans, no hidden charges, and even a price-match guarantee. Packages include nearly 50 features, from AI call summaries to integration with widely used business tools.
Customer service remains central to bOnline’s positioning. Having previously founded XLN Telecom, Karibian has emphasized the importance of support designed for small firms. The company has received industry recognition in the UK for its service, which it markets as an alternative to the impersonal support often associated with larger telecom providers.
For India, where over 63 million SMEs contribute nearly a third of the country’s GDP, the model is noteworthy. Many Indian small businesses also face high telecom costs, legacy systems, and lack of tailored services. Local telecom players are increasingly experimenting with cloud-based VoIP and mobile-first platforms, reflecting similar trends.
As small businesses worldwide seek affordable and flexible ways to stay connected, bOnline’s approach highlights how providers are adapting to this demand. Whether in the UK or India, the shift suggests a growing appetite for communications solutions that keep pace with fast-changing business needs.
