Business broadband

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.