Your guide to business broadband
Dan Howdle
Business broadband deals from major UK providers like BT and Virgin Media aren't on the face of it all that different from those they supply to UK homes. However, there are numerous differences lurking beneath the surface, so let's cover those in detail.
In this guide
How to choose a business broadband deal
Picking the right business broadband package is less about the flashy, headline speeds you see in the TV ads and more about what’s actually useful to a business. Whether you're running a small team from an office, trading online, or just need a reliable connection to take card payments and stay in touch with your customers, the right setup makes all the difference. Here's what to look for.
What features should I look for in a business broadband package?
- Static IP address: Needed for things like remote access, hosting services, and running certain security systems. Not everyone needs one, but for some types of business it is essential
- SLAs (Service Level Agreements): Are guarantees on how quickly your provider will fix faults or outages, often with compensation if they miss their target
- Upload speeds: Are important if you regularly send large files, back up to the cloud, or use video calls and conferencing tools
- Business-grade routers: Better Wi-Fi coverage, more reliable connections, and features like guest networks and VPN support
- Guest Wi-Fi: Keeps your business devices separate from customers or visitors who need to use your Wi-Fi while in your building
- Priority customer support: Faster access to help when something goes wrong — often with dedicated business-only helplines and/or 24/7 assistance
Are extras like cloud storage and VoIP lines worth it?
Many business broadband providers bundle in (or offer as add-ons) a range of useful tools beyond just your broadband connection. Cloud storage can be essential for off-site backups and remote access to documents. VoIP (Voice over IP) or 'digital phone lines' are replacing traditional landlines and often include features like call divert, voicemail-to-email, and many more.
Other extras might include a custom business email domain, basic web hosting to get your website online, and cybersecurity tools to protect against threats like malware and phishing. Whether these are worth it depends on your setup and the type of business you run — but bundling them into your broadband deal can often work out cheaper and easier than managing them all separately in most cases.
Business broadband providers compared
There’s no shortage of business broadband providers in the UK, but not all of them are worth your time. For this guide, we’re focusing on the four providers we have picked to include in our comparison tools: BT Business, Virgin Media Business, Vodafone Business and XLN Telecom.
Why these providers?
We’re sticking to national providers that offer clear package structures, reliable service, and are available to most UK businesses. Smaller or more niche providers can be great in specific situations but aren’t included for discussion here as they’re not as broadly available.
Provider overview
- BT Business: Strong on reliability and support, with static IPs and digital phone lines available on most packages. It offers a wide range of speeds from Standard Fibre to Full Fibre, and tends to suit businesses who want a wide range of features in one place
- Virgin Media Business: Known for fast speeds via Virgin Media's cable network, with gigabit-speed packages available to any business where you can get it. Virgin Media Business packages often include fixed-price guarantees and limited-time discounts
- Vodafone Business: Offers a mix of Full Fibre and Standard Fibre packages, many with no upfront costs. A solid pick for tradespeople, home-based businesses or anyone after good value without cutting corners
- XLN Telecom: Excellent and budget-focused, aimed particularly at sole traders and very small businesses. Often includes a digital phone line and keeps things simple, though top speeds and support aren’t quite as strong as with some other providers
What types of packages do they offer?
Broadband speeds and connection types
Not all broadband is created equal, and for business use, the type of connection you get can make a big difference — especially if you're doing more than just browsing or sending emails. Here’s a look at the most common connection types and what sort of speeds you can expect.
What connection types are available to businesses?
Most business broadband deals in the UK fall into three main types: Standard Fibre, Full Fibre, and mobile broadband. Standard Fibre (also known as fibre-to-the-cabinet) is the most common and widely available, offering decent speeds for smaller setups. Full Fibre is much faster and more reliable, delivering broadband without relying on old copper wiring. Then there’s mobile broadband, which uses 4G or 5G — sometimes offered as a backup to your fixed-line connection, or in areas where fixed-line broadband isn’t available.
There’s also something called a leased line, which gives you a dedicated connection with guaranteed performance. It’s much more expensive and better suited to large companies/ We're not covering it here because we don't compare it, but it's worthy of a menton nonetheless.
Why upload speed matters more for businesses
When people talk about broadband speeds, they usually mean download speed — how fast you can stream or grab files from the internet. But for business users, upload speed can be just as important. If you’re sending large files, backing up data to the cloud, using video calls, or running a website or security system from your premises, a strong upload speed keeps everything smooth and stress-free. Standard Fibre often has much slower upload speeds than Full Fibre, so it's something to watch out for when choosing your package.
What speeds are available and what are they good for?
Routers, hardware and installation
Getting set up with business broadband doesn’t just mean plugging in any old router and hoping for the best. The equipment you’re given with your package and the way it’s installed can have a real impact on how reliable and secure your connection is, especially if you're relying on it to keep things running smoothly all day.
What’s different about business routers?
- Static IP support: Essential if you’re hosting servers, CCTV, or need secure remote access
- VPN compatibility: Allows for safe remote access to your systems, especially useful for teams working off-site
- Guest network creation: Lets you keep visitor or customer Wi-Fi separate from your main business network
- Stronger Wi-Fi signal: Business broadband-focused routers tend to be beefier, covering larger spaces and handling more devices without slowing down
- Better device control: More control over who connects and how the speed you have available is divvied out and used
What should you expect from installation?
If your business premises (or home if that's where you work from) has had the same type of broadband as you're getting before (Standard, Full, or cable), providers often offer a self-install kit — it arrives in the post and includes everything you need to get going. It’s usually plug-and-play, but you’ll need to be confident following instructions and checking settings yourself.
In other cases — especially for new Full Fibre connections — you’ll need an engineer to come out and do the setup. They’ll check wiring, fit the router, test the line, and make sure you're up and running before they leave. Appointments are usually booked within a few days, and downtime is often minimal unless your connection needs building from scratch.
Support, service guarantees and contracts
When you're running a business, a broadband issue isn’t just annoying — it can cost you money. That’s why business broadband usually comes with better support and stronger guarantees than home broadband. But it’s still important to know what you’re signing up for, what happens if things go wrong, and what sort of contract you’re tied into.
What are SLAs and why do they matter?
SLAs — or Service Level Agreements — are promises your provider makes about how quickly they’ll fix problems. With business broadband, these tend to be much tighter than for home users. It's actually the SLA that constitutes probably the most important difference between home and business broadband. For example, you might get a fix within 24 hours (or less), with compensation if the provider doesn’t meet that target.
This can make a big difference if you rely on your connection to trade, serve customers or run your systems. Without a proper SLA in place, you could be stuck waiting days for a fix — and that’s time you might not be able to afford to lose.
How do support and service differ by provider?
Support quality varies a lot between providers. BT Business offers 24/7 UK-based help, along with fast fix targets and dedicated phone lines for business customers. Virgin Media Business also has a business support team and typically includes fault resolution guarantees as part of the deal. Vodafone Business provides extended support hours and has both live chat and call options, while XLN tends to keep things more basic, with UK-based support limited to standard office hours and slightly longer fix times than the bigger names.
Contract terms, hidden costs and VAT
- Contract lengths: Most business broadband deals run for 24 or 36 months — shorter terms are rare
- Installation or setup fees: These may apply up front, especially with engineer installs or specialist hardware
- Early exit penalties: Cancelling before your contract ends usually means paying off the remaining months
- Price increases: Many providers raise prices each year — usually in line with inflation plus a set percentage
- VAT: Business broadband prices are usually shown excluding VAT, so remember to factor that in
