In short
BTnet Wi-Fi is BT's managed wireless add-on for BTnet leased lines on Cisco Meraki equipment. BT's brochure describes one Wi-Fi 6 access point as standard with up to four more, engineer-assisted installation, wired or mesh set-ups, separate staff and guest networks, and one portal shared with BTnet. Eligibility is confirmed at quote.
Get a quote for BTnet Wi-Fi
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
What BTnet Wi-Fi is
BTnet gives you a dedicated, symmetrical connection into your building. BTnet Wi-Fi carries it around the building. It is BT's managed wireless service built on Cisco Meraki access points, and it sits on the same managed platform as the BTnet Meraki equipment.
BT's product page describes BTnet Wi-Fi as extending wireless coverage further around your site with up to five Meraki Wi-Fi access points. BT's BTnet Wi-Fi brochure fills in the detail:
- One access point included as standard, with the option to add up to four more
- Wi-Fi 6 technology, which BT's brochure says brings more capacity and better performance where many devices connect
- Engineer-assisted installation, with BT managing set-up, configuration and later changes
- Wired, mesh or combined set-ups: access points cabled back to the network, linked wirelessly to each other, or a mix
- Updates through Meraki's cloud, so firmware and policy changes are applied without you scheduling them
- One portal for BTnet and BTnet Wi-Fi, with a usage dashboard you can view from any device
Who can take it
BT's brochure ties BTnet Wi-Fi to a 1Gb BTnet circuit with the Meraki router. Plans and eligibility change, so we confirm whether your chosen speed, bearer and equipment qualify when we quote.
Staff Wi-Fi, guest Wi-Fi and control
BT's brochure describes a set of controls that make BTnet Wi-Fi useful for offices, venues and public-facing sites:
- Separate networks for employees and guests, so visitors are kept apart from your business systems
- Group policies that set who can use the network, on which devices, and how much bandwidth each user gets
- Rules for applications and device types, so you decide how the network is used
- A customisable splash page for guests, which you can use for terms of use, information or a welcome message
- A dedicated scanning radio that checks the 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels for nearby networks that could affect performance
- Self-service licence management in the BTnet user portal as your needs change
Add BTnet Security and its protections can apply across your wireless networks too. If you do, BT's terms ask you to make sure your security policy is active on both the staff and guest networks.
What BT does and does not cover on Wi-Fi
Wireless is treated differently from the line in BT's terms, so it pays to know where the lines are drawn:
| Topic | Under BT's terms |
|---|---|
| Testing at installation | BT tests the service with an Ethernet cable; wireless is not connected or tested by BT |
| Wi-Fi range, signal and throughput | BT is not responsible for wireless connectivity, range, signal strength or throughput |
| Testing the wireless | You test the wireless on the managed equipment |
| Passwords | You choose, manage and protect Wi-Fi passwords; an open network is your risk |
| Guest use | You are responsible for misuse by people you let onto Wi-Fi or guest Wi-Fi |
| BT's availability SLA | Excludes Wi-Fi |
None of this makes BTnet Wi-Fi less useful; it reflects the fact that walls, building materials, layout and the number of devices all affect wireless. Good results come from planning where access points go and checking coverage once they are in.
Not sure which option fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right option for your organisation, with a quote.
Planning Wi-Fi coverage
A few questions help decide how many access points you need and where they go:
- Map the space. Floors, room sizes, thick walls, glass, lift shafts and outbuildings all change how far a signal travels.
- Count devices, not just people. Laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, screens and sensors all connect, and busy rooms need more capacity.
- Decide wired or mesh. Cabled access points are the most predictable; mesh helps where running cable is hard. BT supports both, and a mix.
- Separate staff and guests. Decide who gets which network, with what limits, and what guests see on the splash page.
- Plan for the line too. Wi-Fi shares your BTnet bandwidth, so size the line for everything on it. See our bandwidth guide.
- Test once installed. Walk the site, check signal and speed where people work, and adjust.
For hotels, venues and shops, also read leased lines for hospitality and retail. BT's terms say BTnet is not PCI DSS compliant, so card payment traffic needs its own controls, whatever the Wi-Fi.
Who BTnet Wi-Fi suits
- Offices with more people than one router can cover, across several floors or a large open-plan space
- Hotels, cafes and venues that offer guest Wi-Fi and want it kept apart from business systems; see leased lines for hotels
- Schools and colleges with many devices in every room, where content filtering matters; see leased lines for schools
- Shops and showrooms that want staff tablets and customer Wi-Fi on separate networks
- Businesses without in-house network skills, who prefer BT to set up, manage and update the wireless
If you already run a wireless system you are happy with, you may not need BTnet Wi-Fi at all: any plan can feed your existing Wi-Fi from its LAN port. BTnet Wi-Fi earns its place when you want the line, the edge equipment and the wireless managed together on one platform, with one portal to see them.
Is BTnet Wi-Fi the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
How Forever Communications helps
Forever Communications is an Authorised Supplier for BT, and we can help you scope BTnet Wi-Fi as part of your BTnet order, so the line and the wireless are planned together:
- Check eligibility for your chosen speed, bearer and BTnet Meraki equipment
- Work out how many access points you are likely to need and whether wired, mesh or both fits your building
- Plan staff and guest networks, policies and the guest splash page
- Consider BTnet Security across both wireless networks
- Help with survey and site preparation questions, including where cabling is needed
Ask us for a quote: pricing depends on your site, plan and options. Contact us with your postcode and a rough idea of the space.
Why buy BTnet from Forever Communications
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BTnet, BT's dedicated leased line internet service, to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, and we help with each step from first enquiry to go-live.
- The right BTnet option for you: we help you choose a speed, bearer, router and resilience option that fits how your sites actually work, from BTnet plans to BTnet speeds
- A clear quote: BTnet is priced per site, so we check availability at your address and set out what is included; see leased line cost
- Installation managed with you: we explain the survey, any wayleave or construction steps and the installation process, and keep you updated on progress
- Connected services in one conversation: phones with BT Cloud Voice, Wi-Fi, firewalls and backup lines, so the whole set-up is planned together
- Help after go-live: we can help with faults, changes and upgrades, with the support arrangements confirmed in your quote
BTnet is a business service. Service levels, lead times and features are BT's and are confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
How many access points come with BTnet Wi-Fi?
BT's brochure describes one access point as standard, with the option to add up to four more, so up to five Meraki access points in total.
Is BTnet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6?
Yes. BT's brochure says BTnet Wi-Fi uses Wi-Fi 6 technology.
Can I have separate guest Wi-Fi on BTnet?
Yes. BT describes separate employee and guest networks, with group policies and a customisable guest splash page. You are responsible for guest use and for setting passwords.
Is Wi-Fi covered by the BTnet SLA?
No. BT's terms say BT is not responsible for wireless range, signal strength or throughput, and its availability SLA excludes Wi-Fi. Good placement and testing make the difference.
Can I get BTnet Wi-Fi with BTnet wires only?
No. BTnet Wi-Fi runs on BT's managed Cisco Meraki equipment, so it goes with the BTnet Meraki plan. We confirm eligibility for your speed and bearer at quote.
Still have a question about BTnet Wi-Fi?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.