In short: Multi-site connectivity means giving every location the right connection and linking them securely. With BT, that usually means business broadband at smaller sites, BTnet at head office, and Ethernet Connect between key locations. Larger estates can use IP Connect UK, BT's MPLS IP VPN, or BT Managed SD-WAN. BT Cloud Voice can put every site on one phone system.
Start with what each site does
Not every site needs the same connection. Before choosing products, list each location and answer three questions:
- How many people work there, and what do they use? Cloud apps, video, phones, card payments, CCTV.
- What happens if it goes offline for a day? An inconvenience, lost sales, or a stopped operation.
- Does it need to reach other sites privately? For example, a central server, warehouse system or shared phone system.
The answers usually sort sites into tiers: a head office or data centre that needs dedicated capacity, mid-sized sites that need resilience, and small branches where good broadband with backup is enough.
BT's building blocks for multi-site networks
| Building block | What it is | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| BT Business Broadband at each site | Full fibre up to 900Mbps or part fibre, with Hybrid Backup on the EE Business 4G network on higher tiers | Shops, branches and small offices |
| Broadband One | BT's multi-site full fibre broadband, with a self-service portal to order and cancel lines, troubleshoot and reach the helpdesk | Estates with many similar small sites |
| BTnet | Dedicated internet leased line, up to 10Gbps symmetrical, with a 100% availability SLA | Head office, data centre or central internet breakout |
| Ethernet Connect | Private layer 2 links between sites over fibre, or over SoGEA and FTTP for smaller sites | Linking key sites, campuses and data centres |
| IP Connect UK | BT's MPLS IP VPN, with multiple overlapping VPNs and access up to 10Gbps | Larger organisations that want BT to run a private WAN |
| BT Managed SD-WAN | Software-defined WAN over a mix of private and internet links, fully managed or co-managed | Multi-site organisations wanting central, application-aware control |
These are not either-or choices. A typical design mixes several of them. More detail on the dedicated options is on BT leased lines.
IP Connect UK: BT's MPLS network
IP Connect UK is BT's MPLS VPN, aimed at large businesses with networks across multiple sites. Your sites join a private network that BT routes, separate from the public internet. BT highlights:
- Multiple, overlapping VPNs, so different teams or functions can reach only the parts of the network they need.
- A range of access speeds and technologies, up to 10Gbps.
- Private connections to cloud providers such as Google, Microsoft and AWS.
- 24/7 support with a single point of contact for provisioning, and an optional Managed WAN service with real-time analytics from BT's UK-based Network Operations Centre.
- A standard availability guarantee of 99.9%, as BT states it.
- A fully managed option, from WAN design through to proactive network management.
MPLS suits organisations with strict traffic separation, many sites and central applications, and a preference for BT to design and run the WAN.
BT Managed SD-WAN
SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) uses software to steer traffic across whatever links each site has, such as broadband, leased lines, MPLS or mobile. Instead of relying on a single private network, it combines private and public links. You decide which applications take priority, and you see what is happening across every site in real time.
BT offers SD-WAN as a fully managed or co-managed service, so you can match it to how your own IT team works. BT says it includes:
- On the fully managed service, a dedicated project management team for set-up, then 24/7 proactive monitoring from UK-based operations centres.
- Application prioritisation, with real-time views of applications, users and devices and analytics to spot pinch points.
- Direct connection to the hyperscale cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud) as well as private cloud environments.
- SD-WAN technology from vendors BT names as Cisco, VMware, Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks.
- A single service experience, with one provider and one invoice.
SD-WAN often goes hand in hand with cloud-delivered security. See SASE on our cloud security site. Forever Group also designs Meraki SD-WAN networks for organisations that want to run their own.
Typical designs by size
| Organisation | A common BT design |
|---|---|
| 2-5 offices | BTnet or full fibre with Hybrid Backup at the main office; business broadband with backup at the others; firewalls with site-to-site VPN; BT Cloud Voice across all sites |
| Retail or hospitality chain | Broadband at each store with 4G backup to keep card payments up; guest Wi-Fi kept separate; central management; EE Business mobiles for managers |
| Head office plus depots or a data centre | BTnet at head office for internet; Ethernet Connect to the data centre and larger depots; Ethernet over SoGEA/FTTP or broadband at small sites |
| Large or regulated estate | IP Connect UK or BT Managed SD-WAN across all sites, with resilient access at critical locations and central internet breakout |
| Multi-academy trust | BTnet or Ethernet into each school, central filtering, and Wi-Fi across buildings. See school broadband |
Shops and chains should also read retail broadband, which covers card terminals and the PSTN switch-off.
One phone system across every site
Multi-site businesses often still run a separate phone line or system at each location. Moving voice to BT Cloud Voice puts every site and home worker on one system. You get shared call routing, internal extension dialling and central management, and you can keep your existing numbers through porting. BT says BTnet prioritises voice traffic, which helps at sites with lots of concurrent calls.
With the PSTN closing by 31 January 2027, as BT states, a multi-site connectivity review is also the right moment to remove old copper lines. Our PSTN switch-off guide covers what else to check.
How Forever Communications helps
As a BT Business Partner, Forever Communications Ltd gives you one point of contact for every site's connection, however many products are involved. We:
- Build a site list with what each location does, then check availability at every address.
- Propose a design that mixes broadband, BTnet, Ethernet and, where it fits, IP Connect UK or BT Managed SD-WAN.
- Line up contract end dates so sites can move without overlapping charges, where possible.
- Coordinate roll-out site by site, including surveys and leased line installation.
- Stay your contact for faults, moves, new sites and renewals.
Pricing depends on the number of sites, their locations and the products chosen, so ask us for a quote. Contact us with your list of sites.
Why buy BT through Forever Communications
Forever Communications Ltd is a BT Business Partner, supplying BT Business connectivity, voice and mobile services to UK organisations. You get BT's network with a named team who knows your account.
- Impartial advice on the right BT product for each site, from Essential, Enhanced, Pro and Ultra business broadband to BTnet and BT Ethernet
- One point of contact for availability checks, orders, installations, moves, upgrades, faults and renewals
- Ready for the PSTN switch-off: digital phone lines, SoGEA, BT Cloud Voice, BT Cloud Phone and Digital Voice for Business, with your numbers kept where possible
- Multi-site and sector know-how for schools, GP surgeries, retailers, hospitality venues and growing offices
- Mobile and security too: EE Business mobiles from BT Group, Hybrid Backup on the EE Business 4G network, and BT security options alongside our wider Cyber Essentials help
We sell to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations. We do not sell consumer or home products.
Want a BT Business quote for your sites?
Tell Forever Communications what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
What is multi-site connectivity?
Multi-site connectivity means providing internet and private networking across several business locations, so every site has the connection it needs and can securely reach head office, data centres and cloud applications. It is usually managed as one estate rather than site by site.
What is the difference between SD-WAN and MPLS?
MPLS, such as BT's IP Connect UK, is a private network that the provider routes between your sites. SD-WAN is a software layer that steers traffic across several links, including broadband and leased lines, by application, with central visibility. Many organisations use SD-WAN alongside or instead of MPLS.
Do I need a leased line at every site?
Usually not. Many businesses put BTnet at head office or a data centre and use business broadband with Hybrid Backup at smaller sites. Ethernet Connect, including lower-cost Ethernet over SoGEA or FTTP, can link sites privately where needed.
Can I have one supplier for all my sites?
Yes. As a BT Business Partner, we supply BT broadband, BTnet, Ethernet and multi-site services across all your locations, and act as your single point of contact for orders, faults, moves and renewals.
Can branch sites share one phone system?
Yes. BT Cloud Voice puts every site and remote worker on one cloud phone system with shared call routing and central management. You can usually keep your existing numbers.