A broadband connection to the internet is vital for many businesses. Here's what you need to know to choose the right business broadband package for you...
What's available for business broadband?
There are a number of options for your business broadband connection:
- ADSL/DSL: the most popular form of broadband uses a telephone line to make a connection to the internet. It's available in all towns and cities, and in most rural areas that are within 6km of a telephone exchange.
- Cable: cable broadband is available where data cables have been laid in the streets.
- Mobile broadband: this uses the mobile phone network to provide a connection to the internet.
- Satellite and wireless: relatively uncommon, these broadband services require expensive equipment but can provide connections in the most remote areas.
"Wireless broadband" is used to mean a wireless connection between your computer and an ADSL/DSL modem plugged into a phone line. This isn't the same thing as a fully wireless connection - which has no wires connecting it to the network.
Choosing your business broadband connection type
ADSL/DSL and cable business broadband connections are cheap, fast and reliable, making them the best option for office-based business broadband.
Mobile broadband is ideal for business broadband laptop users who need Internet access when out of the office.
You'll probably only want to consider wireless or satellite for your business broadband where no other option is available.
Find the types of business broadband connection available in your area with Broadband Checker.
Choosing a business broadband supplier
Broadband connections are available from Internet service providers or ISPs. Here's what to look for when choosing an ISP for your business broadband:
Support for your business broadband connection
This is probably the most important thing to consider when choosing an ISP for business broadband, because if your broadband stops working your business could grind to a halt.
- Check if the ISP only offers support during business hours or a full 24/7 service.
- Find out if faults, once reported, are investigated at any time, not just during office hours.
- Call the support number and see how long it takes before anyone answers. If you are left waiting for more than five or ten minutes consider an alternative supplier.
- Check what operating systems the ISP supports. Many will not help you if you use Apple Macintosh or Linux-based computers.
Reputation matters when choosing business broadband
Before picking an ISP for your business broadband, it's a good idea to ask other small business owners about their own business broadband providers, and check our customer satisfaction ratings for consumer ISPs.
Choosing a business broadband package
Here are the most important things to look out for when choosing your business broadband package:
Business broadband speed: A faster connection means you can send or receive large files more quickly. A connection offering a download speed of between 2 and 8 Mbps is sufficient for most businesses - faster connections are available in some areas but the difference is often hardly noticeable.
Usage limits for business broadband: Most ADSL/DSL and cable ISPs offer cheaper packages which limit the amount of data you can transfer in a month as well as more expensive "unlimited" packages. Wireless, satellite and mobile broadband providers often have relatively low limits (1GB or 5GB, for example) and extra data charges are often very high.
A 15GB usage limit should be adequate for most businesses that don't regularly send and receive very large files. Alternatively, consider a "pay as you go" package for your business broadband with a low base fee and extra charges for every gigabyte (GB) of data you transfer.
Security and backup for your business broadband: Many business broadband packages include a service which backs up your computers to a remote server overnight. However, this type of service is also available from third party providers for about £5 per month.
Email addresses and web space with business broadband: These are usually included in any business broadband package but since they are available free or at very low cost from third parties, they should not play a significant part in your buying decision.
Business broadband price: Although this is important, any company offering a very cheap service is unlikely to be able to offer good quality support and maintain a reliable business broadband service. Business broadband is usually available via ADSL from about £20 per month.
Business broadband: a buyer's checklist
- Have you checked to see what types of business broadband connection are available in your area?
- Does the ISP you've chosen offer good customer support for business broadband?
- Are the usage limits on your business broadband suitable for you?
- Does the ISP you've chosen for your business broadband support your operating system?
- Have you asked other small business owners about their business broadband providers?
- Does the business broadband you've chosen offer fast enough speeds?
How uSwitch for business can help
Read our guide to doing business online