Which Business Broadband Package Should I Choose?

Buying the wrong package is a common, avoidable cost. Buy too little and your team hits slow connections at peak hours, dropped VoIP calls and stalled file transfers. Buy too much and you pay every month for capacity nobody touches. This guide walks through the package types, the questions to ask, and typical UK price ranges so you can size the connection deliberately. If you want the connectivity overview first, start with our business broadband guidance.

How does my business actually use the internet?

Before comparing packages, map how your team uses the connection. Most business usage falls into a few patterns, and each one stresses a different part of the line — download, upload, or consistency under load. Get this map right and the speed numbers below stop being guesswork.

• Cloud applications: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, accounting and CRM software generate steady, moderate use all day.
• VoIP calls: Each concurrent call needs roughly 100Kbps, so 10 simultaneous calls need at least 1Mbps reserved for voice (Microsoft, 2026).
• Video conferencing: Microsoft Teams and Zoom typically need 1.5–4Mbps per active video call (Microsoft, 2026).
• File transfer: Large design assets, CAD drawings and video files demand bursts of bandwidth, especially on upload.
• On-premises servers: Sites with servers needing external access or off-site backup need reliable upload, which often points to a leased line over standard broadband.

How many concurrent users does my connection need to support?

Bandwidth is shared across everyone in the building, so size it by concurrent users rather than headcount. A practical starting point is 2–4Mbps per active user for general cloud and communication work (a typical UK 2026 sizing range). That rule of thumb frames the sums below; multiply it up if your team runs heavy applications.

These assume typical mixed use. If your team runs video editing, large CAD transfers or continuous cloud backup, treat the upper figure as your floor, not your ceiling.

What are the main business broadband package types?

UK business connectivity comes in four mainstream forms — ADSL, FTTC, FTTP and leased lines — plus bonded broadband as a middle option. They differ in technology, speed, price and whether the bandwidth is shared or dedicated. Ofcom tracks availability and performance across all of them (Ofcom, 2026).

ADSL broadband

ADSL delivers up to 17Mbps download over copper telephone lines. In 2026 it suits only minimal-use sites — fewer than three users, no cloud telephony or video. Beyond basic email and light browsing it will underperform. Typical cost: from £35 per month.

FTTC broadband (superfast)

FTTC runs fibre to the street cabinet and copper from the cabinet to your premises, giving 35Mbps to 80Mbps depending on cabinet distance. It suits offices of 5–15 people running standard cloud apps without heavy video or file transfer. Typical cost: from £35 per month.

FTTP broadband (full fibre)

FTTP runs fibre directly to your building, delivering 100Mbps to 1Gbps with none of the copper speed drop-off. It is now the recommended default for any office above 10 users, or any business running VoIP, video and cloud apps daily. Typical cost: from £35 per month, depending on speed tier.

Leased line

A leased line gives a dedicated, uncontended connection with symmetrical speeds and a formal SLA. The 100Mbps entry point suits 15–40 users. Pricing starts from £69 per month for a 100Mbps circuit, with the exact figure depending on how well-connected your site is. If a prolonged outage would seriously damage your business, a leased line is the right product. Our dedicated internet access guide covers how the SLA and uncontended bandwidth work in practice.

Is bonded broadband worth considering?

Bonded broadband aggregates multiple FTTC connections into one faster pipe. It is for sites that need more than a single FTTC line can deliver, but where leased-line pricing or install lead time is a barrier. It can provide 150–300Mbps at lower cost than a leased line, without the same SLA guarantees.

It works best as an intermediate step where full-fibre or leased-line installation is delayed. Treat it as a bridge, not a destination — once FTTP or a leased line is available at your site, the dedicated product usually wins on reliability.

What should I check before signing a contract?

Before committing to any package, pin down the guarantees, not just the headline speed. Business-grade products differ from consumer ones precisely in the small print — the SLA, the speed floor, the IP allocation and the exit terms. These four questions surface most of the cost surprises.

• Is the speed advertised or guaranteed? Business packages usually offer a minimum guaranteed speed floor; consumer products do not.
• What is the fault-resolution SLA? You want a defined response time — ideally within one business day — and a formal escalation route.
• Does it include a static IP? You will need one for VPNs, hosted services or IP-based access controls.
• What are the contract and notice terms? Business broadband runs on 12, 24 or 36-month terms — understand the exit terms first.

A security-first point worth making: the connection is also your attack surface. If you are running VoIP, hosted services or remote access over it, line up the connectivity and the security together rather than bolting protection on later — see our business VoIP guidance for how voice and security overlap.

AMVIA compares broadband across multiple UK providers and runs an availability check at your postcode to show which products and speeds are genuinely accessible at your site — before you commit. One accountable provider, security-first, Microsoft-certified.