Best broadband for businesses

Broadband is one of the most important things that any business needs to succeed. Wifi makes it possible for companies to conduct their work, talk to customers and work wherever and with whomever they like.

Because business broadband is so important, you need the best for your business to succeed. But with so many service providers and so many different packages, which is the best?

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best broadband packages for businesses, based on unbiased customer reviews that Ofcom conducted.

How to choose a broadband package for your business

Each business is different, and so are its broadband requirements. For example, a small business or a home office may only need a home broadband service. However, a large company with hundreds of employees and computers will need a dedicated server to keep up with the demand. Therefore, you first need to understand how strong a wifi connection you need for your business and the speed of the link. Companies can often deal with incredibly sensitive information. You should ensure that wherever you get your broadband from, their security protocol is airtight.

Once you understand your requirements, it is important to crosscheck this with the broadband availability in your area. This will impact the speeds that are available to your business. For example, if you are located in an area where FTTP hasn’t been rolled out, it’s unlikely you will be able to achieve speeds higher than 80Mbps. Gigabit FTTP is currently being rolled out by several companies including infrastructure builders like CityFibre and ITS Faster Britain, as well as individual providers. They are working to meet a government target of 85% FTTP national capacity by 2025. This means that if you are still without FTTP, it is highly likely this will change over the next couple of years. To check your current availability, use our FTTP availability checker.

The best business broadband

Once you have decided on the right broadband package size for your business, you need to decide which is the best broadband company for you. Here are some of the top providers of broadband for businesses and what they offer.

Vodafone

Vodafone is a network company that has a proprietary broadband service and fibre optic network. They already work with a number of the leading businesses in the UK to provide them with reliable wifi that is secure, fast and effective.

With over 30 years of experience, Vodafone has a variety of packages to suit every business, from the smallest to the largest, and have pledged to invest a massive £2 billion into their fibre optic network.

According to Ofcom, Vodafone was given 4.5 out of 5 stars for their speed and coverage, value for money and customer support. They offer superfast broadband of 38Mbps or 76Mbps. Moreover, they are one of the cheapest broadband providers out there. There is no line rental, and their average monthly cost is around £20, although this will change depending on the size of the business.

Virgin Media Broadband

Virgin Media is a big name in technology, and they are another reputable service provider offering fast and reliable broadband. Their speeds are lightning fast, making them an excellent choice for businesses who conduct their business over the internet (which is most, nowadays). Their broadband is 99.9% reliable, and they have an above-average customer satisfaction rating.

You can get speeds of 50Mbps, 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 300Mbps up to 1Gbps. It is, however, essential to note that their coverage only covers about half of the UK, so this is something you need to take into account.

For superfast broadband, Virgin’s prices are reasonable, starting at £29 per month.

BT internet

BT is a powerhouse of UK broadband and claims that it has the best coverage in the whole of the UK. Indeed, BT can reach more places than any other network, making it the perfect choice for a business that operates from the middle of nowhere. They also have some of the best speeds in the UK.

However, it is essential to note that BT has the third-worst score compared to other providers, according to the customer reviews in the Ofcom report. Despite this, BT will still have your broadband fixed quicker than any other provider. This is a critical factor to consider, as a business without wifi is no business at all.

Prices are highly reasonable at £22.90.

PlusNet

PlusNet is known for its fast and incredibly cheap broadband. They are also famed for their straightforward setup and flexible contracts, meaning that they are an excellent choice for start-ups or small businesses that are rapidly growing and need flexibility.

Moreover, Ofcom’s survey gave PlusNet the highest satisfaction score out of any broadband providers, and they have comprehensive network coverage.

Their monthly prices start at around £14.49, making them, by far, the cheapest option for business broadband. PlusNet is worth considering for any business, small or growing.

EE broadband

EE is a mobile phone network provider, but they also offer a wide range of internet packages. EE is the most reliable broadband in the UK, and the speeds are known for being lightning fast. Their fibre max packages offer rates of a whopping 145Mbps and 300Mbps.

Their prices are low, too, and start at just £19 per month.