Business broadband

Yes. Business broadband is designed for commercial use, so it often comes with extras that home packages don’t. Common differences include:

Support: Priority business support and guaranteed response times, set out in a service level agreement

Features: Options such as a static IP address or a bundled business phone line

Terms: some home packages are for personal use only, so check the small print before using one to run a business

A home package could work for some sole traders working from home, but check what’s included first. Our guide to broadband for home working has more.

When you’re comparing business phone and broadband deals, see if you could save money by getting a business phone line and broadband bundle from the same supplier.

Most suppliers offer packages that:

• Include either superfast or ultrafast fibre broadband and phone

• Are usually more cost-effective and convenient, as you’ll only have one bill to deal with each month. 

If you buy a phone and broadband bundle, make sure it only includes what you need and no unnecessary extras.

If you’re worried about soaring call costs, it could be worth capping the costs of your business calls.

• If you want to just cap specific calls (such as international calls) – you’ll need to agree this when you sign up to your new deal 

• If you want to cut the cost of everyday UK calls – you might want to consider an unlimited calls package, which lets you make as many calls as you like at certain times, for no extra cost. 

To get a good Wi-Fi signal all over your office, you need a strong connection via a long-range wireless router.

• If you have a large office, you may need to have more than one router and multiple access points 

• If you have a small office, with fewer than 10 workers, one router should be enough.

Where you put your router will affect the quality of the signal, so keep it in a central, unobstructed location away from outside walls or other equipment. Avoid the temptation to hide it in a cupboard, as this can weaken the signal.

If you have Wi-Fi dead zones around your building, it could be worth investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system. This is a relatively inexpensive way to make sure you have uninterrupted Wi-Fi all over the office.

Yes, you can get business broadband when working at home. Here are a few things to know:

• You use the same service level that a business uses, not a residential package 

• If your business is registered to, or legitimately operates from, your home address, many providers will supply business broadband there 

• Just like with residential broadband, your speed will be determined by what’s available in the area. If your home is serviced by fibre, you’ll get access to higher speeds, while remote areas may have more limited options.

You may be able to claim the full cost of your business broadband as a business expense if you run a limited company.

The contract must be specifically for business use, in the company's name and the company needs to pay the bill directly. It’s worth speaking to your accountant to make sure.

If you're a sole trader working from home, you're allowed to claim the business portion of your internet costs as an expense for income tax purposes, but only if you're not already claiming the £1,000 tax-free trading allowance.

It varies, so there isn’t a single price. Your quote depends on:

• The connection type and speed

• The contract length

• Extras, such as a business phone line, static IP address or priority support

• What’s available at your address

Quotes can be shown with or without VAT, so check which you’re looking at when you compare.

It depends on how many people use the connection and what they use it for.

As a guide, Ofcom says 10 Mbps can handle an HD video call, while superfast speeds of 30 Mbps or more suit one person streaming in 4K with several devices working at once. A busy office, an online shop or a team that relies on video calls and cloud tools may need more.

Our broadband speed test can show you what speed you’re getting now.

Usually, yes. You can normally keep your existing landline number when you switch provider, which is known as number porting.

Tell your new provider you want to keep it so they can arrange it.

You may not be able to keep your number if you’re moving premises at the same time, so it’s worth asking before you cancel your old line.