Business Broadband Deals

Business broadband deals supply a company and its offices with a secure, reliable broadband connection. This type of broadband must be fast enough to support more people than in individual homes, and the connection must be safe to ensure no information is lost or stolen. Many providers also offer phone services as an add-on in their business broadband packages.

What is business broadband?

Business broadband has to serve more users than home broadband, so it needs a router that can support plenty of devices. While business broadband is more often used in offices as it’s more secure, stable and fast, you can also get business broadband for your home (for example, if you run your company remotely).

Why get a business broadband deal?

The features included in your plan will be unique to each broadband provider, but below are some things you can expect.

Guaranteed service: most providers offer a speed guarantee and a 4G connection as a backup option should anything go wrong with the broadband service
Faster speeds: upload and download speeds are often faster and more consistent than with home broadband
Dedicated customer service: a 24-hour helpline is often available with business broadband, as well as prioritised customer service
Enhanced security: anti-virus software and spyware protection services are included as standard with a business broadband package
Static IP address: this is essential for running a server, having a domain name in your email address (and your employees’ email addresses) and creating a website
Higher-capacity broadband router: this is a reliable router with the capability to connect multiple devices

Should I get a business broadband and phone deal?

If you need a landline, it makes sense to look for a broadband and phone deal for your business. With this type of deal, you’ll only pay one bill every month, and some providers offer business-specific add-ons to their packages, such as conference calls or multiple phone lines in one office. A business phone line can also provide you with a dedicated business phone number as well as additional landline phones.

Combining the two services can save you money, and providers are more likely to offer discounts. Sky and G.Network offer 50 per cent off any business broadband deal for the first six months.

How much does business broadband cost?

This will depend on the provider you choose, but generally, you can expect to pay significantly more for a business broadband deal than you would for a basic home broadband package. If you need business broadband for a large office or co-working space where hundreds of employees will be connecting to the internet, it may be necessary to purchase several routers, as the one router included in your plan may not have the capacity to service a large building. Most providers offer the option to add extra routers.

What are the most common types of broadband for business packages?

Full fibre broadband

Fibre and full fibre broadband are often offered for business broadband plans, but full fibre is the better option if you want a fast, reliable connection. That’s because it’s the best type of broadband you can get, and its quick speeds and reliable service make it well suited for an office with many devices or for a home office that needs to run on fast internet. However, full fibre isn’t yet available to every household and company in the UK, so you’ll need to check its availability in your area.

Broadband with 4G backup

Many business broadband plans come with a 4G backup guarantee. This means that if your broadband stops working, it will use 4G from the same provider to keep you connected. Similar to full fibre broadband, this isn’t an option that will work for everyone – if you’re in a remote area, you might not be able to access that provider’s 4G service.

What should I consider when comparing broadband offers?

Many broadband providers offer similar packages for business broadband, but here are some things you should keep in mind:

Cost: this will likely be an important factor when comparing deals. Make sure you’re only paying for what you need, and don’t add a landline service to your plan if you know it isn’t necessary for your business. Remember that if you’re registered as a company, you should be able to claim this cost back as a business expense
Phone plans and voice over internet protocol (VoIP): VoIP means you can make phone calls using your broadband connection rather than your landline. This might be preferable if you don’t need physical landline phones in your office but do want to make and receive work calls from one place
Contract length: some providers offer 12-month contracts, which can be helpful if you’re just setting up your business and don’t want to commit to a long contract. Other providers offer flexible terms, allowing you to adjust your download speeds partway through your contract
IP addresses: certain providers will let you choose between a dynamic or static IP address, but generally, businesses need a static IP address to create websites and host domains
Security: protection from spyware, malware and hackers is always important, even when considering home broadband packages, but for a business, it’s especially imperative for keeping data secure. This is why virus protection is often a purchasable add-on for home broadband packages but is almost always included in business broadband plans

Business broadband deals FAQs

This depends on how big your office is: the general rule of thumb is that a router usually stretches to about 150 feet inside and 300 feet outside. If your office is very large, you’ll likely need more than one router so everyone in the building can connect to the internet.

Yes. It makes sense to bundle business broadband with a landline service if the provider offers it and you know you’ll use the landline. It also means you’ll pay one monthly bill for the broadband and the landline, and you can usually enjoy good deals by adding both to your basket at the same time.

Business broadband often needs faster download speeds than home broadband because more people will be connecting to the internet and uploading and downloading more than your average home broadband user. The monthly cost will also usually be higher.

There are other features that you’ll only find with business broadband, like a static IP address (rather than a dynamic one) and the option of guest wifi, which means that people visiting the business (eg customers in a cafe or restaurant) can join the network without using a password.

Rachel Sadler

Home Tech Writer

Rachel is a seasoned writer who has been producing online and print content for seven years.

As a home tech expert for Independent Advisor, Rachel researches and writes buying guides and reviews, helping consumers navigate the realms of broadband and home security gadgets. She also covers home tech for The Federation of Master Builders, where she reviews and tests home security devices.

She started as a news and lifestyle journalist in Hong Kong reporting on island-wide news stories, food and drink and the city’s events. She’s written for editorial platforms Sassy Hong Kong, Localiiz and Bay Media. While in Hong Kong she attended PR events, interviewed local talent and project-managed photoshoots.

Rachel holds a BA in English Language and Creative Writing and is committed to simplifying tech jargon and producing unbiased reviews.

Mina Frost

Editor

Mina is an experienced writer and editor with a focus on home tech and appliances. As an Editor at Independent Advisor, Mina manages the site’s broadband content.