It can be challenging to choose the right broadband when there are so many on the market to choose from.
With Christmas fast approaching and the year coming to an end, you might be looking to switch broadband or find a better deal for your business. Read more on how to switch your broadband provider.
We’ve rounded up the best broadband deals for businesses to help you decide.
What is business broadband?
Business broadband is a dedicated broadband connection that is used for an office or workspace environment. Business broadband packages are optimized for businesses with faster speeds, more secure connections, and dedicated services to suit video conferencing.
Do I need business broadband if I work from home?
It isn’t necessary to buy business broadband if you work from home, but with the current pandemic where remote working has become the new norm, you may have to share your broadband connection with others. Consider whether this will slow your operations down.
It also depends on the type of business you run. If your day consists of regular video conferencing calls and sharing of large files, then you may want to consider a faster, more secure business broadband connection.
Should I get mobile broadband for my business?
A bit different from fixed broadband is mobile broadband, which provides an internet connection by connecting to a mobile network with a SIM card. It offers flexibility, as you’re able to carry it around with you as you would your smartphone for 4G or 5G internet access.
Fixed broadband, on the other hand, limits you to being at home or in the office. If your business includes a lot of traveling, then it is probably better to opt for mobile broadband. Of course, with the current pandemic limiting travel, you may not need it for a while.
What should I look for when comparing business broadband deals?
There are a few things to consider when comparing business broadband deals – apart from just the cost. First off, confirm availability in your area. Don’t pay upfront to realize the provider’s coverage is poor in your area.
Most network providers offer coverage checkers on their sites which only need you to enter your postcode.
If you do opt for mobile broadband, you should also look into the data limit. In some cases, this might not be unlimited.
Also, consider the contract length. How long do you want to be locked to the same network? Typically you’ll be tied into a 24-month contract, but there are also 12-month options.
Which business broadband is best?
1. Vodafone Superfast 1
From: Vodafone
Now: £15.83 per month
View Deal
This is one of the cheapest fibre broadband deals for businesses. You can get it even if you run your business from your home address and it offers an average download speed of 35Mbps. It’s possible to get up to twice that speed if you pay a few pounds more per month, but if the lowest cost is the most important thing, Vodafone has you covered.
Note that, like all business broadband deals here, prices are exc VAT. This is a 36-month contract. It’s possible to choose 24 months instead, but the price goes up to £19 and there are faster services at that price.
2. Plusnet Unlimited Business Fibre Broadband
From: Plusnet
Now: £22 per month
View Deal
Plusnet’s Unlimited business fibre broadband which offers speeds of up to 76Mbps instead of the much-slower 17Mbps download speed of the cheaper package.
The cost includes a landline and you’ll pay £4.95 for postage on the new Hub Two router.
4. TalkTalk Simply SuperFast Fibre
From: TalkTalk
Now: £23.95 per month
View Deal
TalkTalk’s best-value deal offers up to 76Mbps download speeds just like BT. There are no setup or postage costs (for the kit) and the deal price lasts the full two years, not just the first one. The price also includes line rental with pay-as-you-go calls for 24 months.
5. Virgin Media 350Mbps
From: Virgin Media
Now: £32 per month
View Deal
Offering fast download speeds, Virgin Media’s Voom Fibre 1 package has up to 350Mbps (20Mbps upload speed). For an extra £7 per month you can add a phone line with unlimited UK calls.
6. BT 76Mbps, superfast broadband
Now: £42.95 per month
View Deal
BT’s Superfast Essential + Digital Phone Line package offers up to 76Mbps download speeds and 19Mbps upload.
The digital phone line doesn’t change how you use your phone, but offers ‘HD calling’ for crystal-clear calls.
It is a 24-month contract, priced at £42.95 per month.
Which broadband is best for 2021?
According to Ofcom, here are the best broadband providers of the year based on customer satisfaction and least complaints:
- Broadband provider of the year: EE
- Best provider for customer service: BT
- Best broadband provider for small businesses: Vodafone
- Fastest broadband provider: Virgin Media
How much internet speed does my business need?
Choosing the right internet speed for your business is important in order to keep it running effectively.
In essence, when it comes to choosing the best speed for your business, it is worth considering the size of your employee base. The larger your business, the more speed you’ll need.
Broadband with a download speed of 75Mbps could typically work well for a small business with 5 to 10 employees, whereas 250-350Mbps would be effective for 15 to 20 employees.
You can also do a speed test to get a sense of how fast your current broadband. Google has its very own tool that lets you check (you can access it by just Googling “internet speed test”). Does the speed match what’s promised on your current plan? Does it need to be faster? This can help you get a rough idea of how fast your broadband requirements need to be.
Also, take a look at how to choose a broadband service for additional advice. We also have a separate broadband buying advice for help on finding the fastest and best broadband for streaming.