A reliable broadband connection can be essential for running a business. Email, cloud software, card payments, video calls, online systems and internet-based phones can all depend on it.
The best connection is not simply the fastest one available. It needs enough speed and reliability for the way your business works, at a price that makes sense.
Business or Home Broadband?
Business broadband and home broadband use much of the same network technology, but the service and contract can be different.
A business package may offer better support, faster fault handling, a static IP address or other features designed for commercial use. Some also come with service commitments that are not normally included with cheaper home packages.
However, not every small business needs these extras. If you work from home or have simple needs, the difference may be less important.
Start with what the business actually needs rather than choosing a package because it is labelled “business”.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
Broadband speed is normally measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or, for faster connections, gigabits per second (Gbps).
The speed you need depends on what people are doing online and how many people are doing it at the same time.
A small office using email and web-based software may need much less than a company regularly transferring large files, making video calls and running cloud services across many computers.
So, think about the whole business rather than one user.
Download and Upload Speeds
Download speed affects how quickly information reaches you. This matters when browsing websites, downloading files and using many online services.
Upload speed affects how quickly information leaves your premises. It can matter for video calls, cloud backups, sending large files and hosting online services.
Some connections have much faster download speeds than upload speeds. That may be perfectly suitable for many businesses, but companies that regularly send large amounts of data should check both figures.
Fibre Broadband
The word fibre can describe different types of broadband.
Some connections use fibre for most of the journey but still use another type of cable for the final connection to the premises. Others use fibre all the way into the building.
Full fibre, also known as Fibre to the Premises or FTTP, can provide very high speeds and does not rely on the old copper telephone line for the final connection.
Availability varies, so check what can actually be supplied to your premises.
Leased Lines
Businesses with greater demands may consider a leased line.
A leased line provides a dedicated connection rather than a normal shared broadband service. It can offer high speeds in both directions and stronger service commitments, but it usually costs more.
For a small office, that extra cost may be unnecessary. For a larger business where an internet failure could stop work across the organisation, it may be easier to justify.
The decision should be based on the cost of losing the connection, not simply the attraction of having a faster one.
Reliability Matters
A very fast connection is little help if it regularly stops working.
Think about how much of your business depends on broadband. Could you still take payments? Access customer records? Use your phones? Process orders? Contact customers?
The more important the connection is, the more attention you should give to reliability, support and backup options.
Check the Service Level
Some business broadband services come with a Service Level Agreement, usually shortened to SLA.
This can set out commitments around areas such as service availability, fault response or repair.
Read the actual terms rather than assuming that “business support” means a fault will always be fixed immediately.
If downtime could cost your business money, the level of support may be just as important as the broadband speed.
Consider a Backup Connection
If losing broadband would stop the business operating, consider what happens when the main connection fails.
A backup could use another fixed connection or a mobile network such as 4G or 5G.
Some business routers can switch to a mobile connection automatically when the main broadband service fails.
A backup does not need to match the full speed of the main connection. It may simply need to keep essential systems working until the fault is fixed.
Check Mobile Coverage First
A 4G or 5G backup is only useful if the mobile signal at the premises is reliable.
Check coverage before depending on it.
Where possible, it can also make sense for the backup to use infrastructure that is not dependent on exactly the same route as the main connection. Otherwise, one local problem could affect both services.
Wi-Fi Is Not Broadband
A slow internet experience does not always mean the broadband connection is slow.
The broadband connection brings internet access into the premises. Wi-Fi distributes that connection wirelessly around the building.
Poor Wi-Fi coverage, interference or an unsuitable router can make a good broadband connection feel slow.
So, if some parts of the building have problems while others work well, investigate the local network before paying for a faster broadband package.
Larger Premises
One Wi-Fi router may be enough for a small office, but larger buildings often need more.
Walls, floors, distance and the number of users can all affect performance.
Access points can be placed around the building to provide better coverage, while wired Ethernet connections may be preferable for fixed equipment that needs a stable connection.
Good business connectivity is therefore about both the internet connection and the network inside the building.
Static IP Addresses
Most people do not need to know their internet address, or IP address.
However, some businesses need an address that stays the same. This is called a static IP address.
It can be useful for certain remote-access systems, servers, security systems and specialist business applications.
If you do not have a specific reason to need one, it should not be a major factor when choosing broadband.
Internet-Based Phones
Many businesses now use phone services that operate over an internet connection.
This can make broadband reliability more important because a broadband failure may also affect phone calls.
If your business depends on internet-based phones, check what happens during an outage and whether you have another way to make important calls.
Check the Contract
Do not compare broadband on monthly price alone.
Check:
- the minimum contract length
- installation or setup charges
- the price after any introductory period
- what equipment is included
- support arrangements
- any service commitments
- charges for leaving early
Also check what happens at the end of the minimum term.
A low starting price may not represent the long-term cost.
Moving Premises
If your business is moving, check broadband availability at the new address early.
Do not assume the same service will be available just because the new premises are nearby.
Installation can also take time, particularly where new work is needed. For a business that depends heavily on internet access, broadband should form part of the moving plan rather than being arranged at the last minute.
Before Choosing Broadband
Start with what would happen if your internet connection became slow or stopped completely.
Then consider how many people use it, the services they depend on and whether upload speed matters as much as download speed.
Finally, compare the available connections, contract terms, support and total cost.
For many businesses, reliable broadband that is fast enough is more valuable than simply buying the highest advertised speed.
Key Points
- Choose broadband around the way your business works.
- Check both download and upload speeds.
- Reliability and support can matter as much as speed.
- Consider a backup if broadband failure would stop the business.
- Do not confuse poor Wi-Fi with poor broadband.
- Check the full contract cost and minimum term.
- Plan broadband early when moving premises.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
Energility may receive a commission or other benefit from some links or services. Where this applies, we aim to make it clear. This does not increase the price you pay unless stated otherwise.
Energility
Learn. Compare. Save.