We’ve answered some of the most common ones right here to save you time.Still curious or need something specific?
We’d love to hear from you!Call us on 0333 015 2615 or email us anytime –we’re always happy to help.
FAQs
Will this be on every bill?
You will only be charged a pro-rata fee on your first bill with your network. This is a one-time charge that covers the partial month from when your contract started to the beginning of your regular billing cycle.
However, there are two situations where you may see a pro-rata charge again:
Switching networks — if you move to a new provider, your first bill with them will include a new pro-rata fee
Mid-contract changes — if you upgrade or change your plan mid-cycle, a pro-rata adjustment may appear
After the first full month of your contract, your bill should revert to the agreed monthly cost. If you notice unexpected charges on subsequent bills, contact your Connection Technologies account manager for a review.
Need help finding the right business mobile deal?
We compare every UK network to find you the best price. Free, no-obligation quotes.
No, MDM does not affect user privacy on personal data. Modern MDM solutions use containerisation technology to create a strict separation between business and personal data on the same device.
Your employer can see and manage:
Business apps and their data
Device compliance status (is the OS up to date, is encryption enabled)
General device information (model, OS version)
Your employer cannot see:
Personal photos, videos, or files
Personal messages (SMS, WhatsApp, etc.)
Personal browsing history
Personal app usage
Location data (unless explicitly agreed for company-owned devices)
This privacy separation is a legal requirement under UK GDPR and is built into all reputable MDM platforms. Read our complete MDM guide.
Need help finding the right business mobile deal?
We compare every UK network to find you the best price. Free, no-obligation quotes.
Why use an independent mobile provider instead of going direct?
Going direct to a single network means you only see that network’s deals. An independent provider like Connection Technologies offers significant advantages:
Access to all networks: We compare deals from Vodafone, EE, O2, and Three. You get the best deal from whichever network suits you, not whichever network we represent.
Independent coverage advice: We use Ofcom data to check actual signal strength at your locations, not marketing claims from a single network.
One point of contact: Even if different employees are on different networks, you deal with one account manager for everything — billing queries, upgrades, support, and device issues.
Better pricing: Our bulk buying power across all networks means we can often beat direct network pricing, especially for multi-line accounts.
Ongoing management: We proactively review your contracts, flag savings opportunities, and handle mid-contract upgrades. Networks rarely do this for direct customers.
UK-based support: Calls answered within 45 seconds by people who know your account — not a generic call centre. Experience the difference.
Need help finding the right business mobile deal?
We compare every UK network to find you the best price. Free, no-obligation quotes.
All the UK mobile networks that Connection Technologies work with bill one month in advance. This means your first bill will include a partial month charge (known as a pro-rata fee) on top of your standard monthly cost.
For example, if your contract starts on the 15th of the month and your billing cycle runs from the 1st, your first bill will include:
The pro-rata charge for the 15th to the end of that month
Your full monthly charge for the following month
After this initial bill, your monthly charges should return to the agreed amount. If your bill continues to be higher than expected, contact your Connection Technologies account manager who can review it for you.
Why is mobile device management (MDM) important in an organisation?
MDM can create efficiencies as well as enhance security protocols. It can allow businesses to automate many tasks such as remote installation of applications across all users and centrally updating of software. This eliminates the need for employees to be in a physical office at a designated time to have their devices upgraded.
It can also help businesses achieve compliance and quality standards, for example, GDPR, and protect sensitive corporate data on mobile devices by controlling how it’s shared or saved on third-party devices.
Need help finding the right business mobile deal?
We compare every UK network to find you the best price. Free, no-obligation quotes.
If you change network providers and want to keep your existing mobile number, you will need a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) to facilitate the transfer. This process is known as mobile number portability (MNP).
Without a PAC code, your old number will simply be deactivated when your previous contract ends, and you will be assigned a brand new number by your new provider.
Keeping your existing number is important for business continuity:
Clients and customers already have your number
Your number may be printed on business cards, websites, and marketing materials
Updating your number across all contacts and services is time-consuming
You may miss important calls during the transition
Once you provide your PAC code to your new network, the number transfer typically completes within one working day. Read our complete PAC code guide.
Need help finding the right business mobile deal?
We compare every UK network to find you the best price. Free, no-obligation quotes.
Why can’t I see my Airtime Credit on my network bill?
Your Airtime Credit (ATC) will not appear on your monthly network bill because it is a separate financial arrangement between your business and Connection Technologies.
Here is how it works:
Your network (Vodafone, EE, O2, or Three) bills you their standard rate
Connection Technologies pays an airtime credit directly into your business bank account
The net effect is that your actual cost matches the price we quoted you
Airtime credits are classified as ex-gratia payments and are zero-rated for VAT purposes. This means you can still reclaim VAT on your full network bill as normal.
Payments are made monthly in arrears to your nominated business bank account. The exact timing depends on your contract terms.
Which mobile network has the best coverage in my area?
Coverage varies significantly between Vodafone, EE, O2, and Three depending on your exact location. No single network has the best coverage everywhere in the UK.
To check coverage at your business locations:
Use Ofcom’s Map Your Mobile tool for independent, crowd-sourced signal data
Check each network’s own coverage checker (though these tend to be optimistic)
Ask Connection Technologies for a free coverage analysis — we use independent Ofcom data to check all four networks at your specific postcodes
We recommend checking coverage at your office, warehouse, key customer sites, and regular travel routes. The best mobile deal is worthless if you cannot get a signal where you need it.
Each UK mobile network offers a range of bolt-ons that can be added to your existing plan to provide additional allowances. Common bolt-on types include:
Data bolt-ons: Extra data allowances ranging from 1GB to unlimited, ideal for months with higher usage.
International calling bolt-ons: Reduced rates for calls to specific countries or groups of countries.
Roaming bolt-ons: Cost-effective packages for using your phone abroad, covering data, calls, and texts.
Premium features: Additional services such as enhanced voicemail, call recording, or priority customer support.
Bolt-on availability and pricing varies by network and changes regularly as providers introduce new options. Your dedicated Connection Technologies account manager stays up to date with all available bolt-ons and can recommend the most cost-effective options for your usage patterns.
Call our customer services team on 0333 015 2615 for advice on the best bolt-ons for your business.
Need help finding the right business mobile deal?
We compare every UK network to find you the best price. Free, no-obligation quotes.
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) defines the standards your IT support provider commits to delivering. When evaluating IT support companies, the SLA is one of the most important documents to scrutinise — it determines how quickly issues are addressed and what accountability exists when things go wrong.
Key metrics to look for in an IT support SLA include:
Response time – how quickly the provider acknowledges your issue. Leading IT support services providers typically guarantee response within 15–30 minutes for critical issues
Resolution time – the target timeframe for fixing the problem, which should vary by priority level
Uptime guarantee – for managed infrastructure, look for 99.9% or higher uptime commitments with clear definitions of what constitutes downtime
Priority levels – a clear classification system (e.g. P1 critical, P2 high, P3 medium, P4 low) that determines how resources are allocated
Escalation procedures – defined paths for when issues are not resolved within target times, including management escalation points
Reporting and transparency – regular SLA performance reports showing ticket volumes, response times, and resolution rates
Penalties and remedies – service credits or other compensation if SLA targets are consistently missed
Connection Technologies provides transparent, measurable SLAs across all our managed IT support contracts. We publish our performance openly and hold ourselves accountable. Get a quote to see our SLA commitments.
Need expert IT support for your business?
Our team provides tailored IT solutions for UK businesses. Get a free consultation today.
What should I expect from the Cyber Essentials self-assessment?
Quick answer: The Cyber Essentials self-assessment is around 70 questions across 6 sections, completed online via the IASME portal. Most are yes/no with a free-text justification. Allow 4-8 hours of focused time, plus 5 working days for the assessor to review.
The six sections of the self-assessment
A1. Your business — scope: Who you are, what’s in scope, organisation structure
A2. Boundary firewalls and internet gateways: ~8 questions on firewalls, default passwords, inbound rules
Most questions are yes/no with a justification box. A handful ask for counts (number of devices, users, cloud services). The portal saves as you go, you can collaborate with colleagues, and you have 6 months from registration to submit.
What happens after submission
An IASME-licensed assessor reviews within 5 working days. About 60% of submissions receive at least one round of clarifying queries — typically asking for screenshots of MFA enforcement, leaver process evidence, or BYOD compliance. You have up to two rounds of queries before the application is rejected. Reply within 5 working days to keep the application live.
What helps you pass first time
Build an asset register before you start
Prepare screenshots of MFA enforcement, patch dashboards and device compliance ahead of submission
Have a documented joiner / mover / leaver process
Be honest in the free-text boxes — assessors prefer “we use X but haven’t formally documented it” to a confidently inaccurate yes/no
What IT support does the manufacturing sector need?
The manufacturing sector faces distinct IT challenges as operational technology (OT) and information technology converge on the factory floor. Specialist IT support for manufacturing ensures production lines run efficiently, securely, and with minimal downtime in an increasingly connected industrial environment.
Critical IT solutions for manufacturing include:
OT/IT convergence management – Safely integrating traditional manufacturing systems with modern IT networks while maintaining security boundaries between production and corporate environments.
SCADA and industrial control system security – Protecting supervisory control and data acquisition systems from cyber threats that could disrupt production or compromise safety.
ERP system support – Reliable management of enterprise resource planning platforms like SAP, Oracle, and Sage that coordinate manufacturing operations, inventory, and supply chains.
Supply chain technology – IT infrastructure supporting real-time visibility across your supply chain, from raw materials to finished goods distribution.
IoT on the factory floor – Managing connected sensors, predictive maintenance systems, and smart manufacturing devices that generate valuable operational data.
Maximum uptime guarantees – Manufacturing downtime is exceptionally costly. Proactive monitoring and rapid-response support keep production lines running around the clock.
Connection Technologies delivers tailored IT services for manufacturing businesses across the UK, understanding that every minute of downtime impacts your bottom line. We bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing systems and modern IT requirements. Get a quote for manufacturing IT support.
Need expert IT support for your business?
Our team provides tailored IT solutions for UK businesses. Get a free consultation today.
