Types of business broadband in the UK
Hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) broadband
HFC broadband creates a powerful connection by combining fibre optic and coaxial cables. Your internet service provider connects their central office to optical nodes using fibre optic cables, then uses coaxial cables to link these nodes directly to your business.
Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) broadband
Many UK businesses opt for ADSL broadband because it offers a cost-effective solution, particularly for small and medium-sized operations. This technology delivers internet access through existing copper telephone lines, making it widely accessible across the country.
Fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband
When your business demands the highest performance, FTTP broadband delivers unmatched speed and reliability. By running fibre optic cables straight into your building, FTTP provides ultra-fast symmetric speeds for both uploads and downloads, significantly outperforming ADSL. This makes it particularly valuable for larger businesses and those with substantial data requirements.
Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) broadband
FTTC broadband strikes a balance between performance and cost, making it a popular choice for many businesses. This technology runs fibre optic cables to your street cabinet, then connects to your premises via copper wires. Small to medium-sized businesses often find FTTC meets their needs for faster upload and download speeds.
Single order generic ethernet access (SOGEA) broadband
For businesses requiring dedicated bandwidth, SOGEA broadband offers an attractive solution. While it resembles FTTC by using fibre optic cables to connect the local street cabinet to your provider’s network, SOGEA sets itself apart by providing uncontested bandwidth. This means your business won’t share its connection with other local users, resulting in more consistent and reliable speeds. Larger businesses running data-intensive applications particularly benefit from this dedicated connection.
Leased line or direct internet access (DIA) broadband
A leased line, also known as Dedicated Internet Access, connects your business directly to the internet through a private connection that runs straight to your building. This dedicated service delivers consistently high performance since you don’t share bandwidth with other users, ensuring your speeds remain reliable even during busy periods. You’ll also benefit from matching upload and download speeds, allowing your business to send and receive data with equal efficiency.
Wireless mobile 4G and 5G broadband
Mobile broadband networks using 4G and 5G technology deliver internet access through cellular signals. Many businesses rely on this service as a backup connection to ensure continuous operations, while others choose it as their primary connection in locations where traditional fixed-line services perform poorly.
Wireless internet service provider (WISP) broadband
Fixed wireless broadband providers (WISPs) match the high speeds and quality of traditional broadband services but transmit data through the air rather than underground cables. This wireless approach eliminates the need for conventional telephone lines while maintaining reliable internet connectivity.
UK broadband speeds by connection type
Your choice of internet connection technology directly determines your business’ broadband speed. Different technologies across Britain deliver varying performance levels, with each option offering unique speed capabilities and coverage areas.
| Broadband connection type | Speeds available | UK coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ADSL broadband | Up to 20 Mbps | Near universal |
| 5G broadband | Up to 150 Mbps (though will vary significantly) | Most towns and cities, though coverage can vary significantly |
| Satellite broadband | Up to 200 Mbps | Universal |
| SoGEA broadband | Up to 80 Mbps | 97% of UK properties |
| Cable broadband | Up to 1,000 Mbps | 60% of UK properties |
| Full fibre broadband | Up to 1,000 Mbps | 70% of UK properties |
| Leased line broadband | Up to 10,000 Mbps | Near universal |
UK business broadband speed test
You can test your own business broadband speeds using the tool below. This can help you decide whether your current broadband package and connection type measures up to the speeds above, and whether you should consider switching broadband provider, and/or optimise your Wifi network for better speed.
UK business broadband suppliers
BT Business
Founded: 1846
Visit BT Business
Talktalk Business
Founded: 2003
Visit Talktalk Business
Virgin Media Business
Founded: 2007
Visit Virgin Media Business
Daisy Communications
Founded: 2001
Visit Daisy Communications
XLN
Founded: 2002
Visit XLN
Zen
Founded: 1995
Visit Zen
Kcom
Founded: 1902
Visit Kcom
Hyperoptic Business
Founded: 2011
Visit Hyperoptic Business
Vodafone Business
Founded: 1984
Visit Vodafone Business
Vorboss
Founded: 2006
Visit Vorboss
bOnline
Founded: 2011
Visit bOnline
Sky Business
Founded: 1990
Visit Sky Business
UK business broadband FAQs
What are the benefits of business broadband vs home broadband?
Here are the main benefits of business broadband in brief:
| Business broadband | Home broadband | |
|---|---|---|
| Uptime SLAs | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dedicated IP Addresses | ✅ | ❌ |
| Managed Services | ✅ | ❌ |
| Network Prioritisation | ✅ | ❌ |
What is a business broadband SLA?
Service-level agreements (SLAs) in business broadband contracts establish clear performance commitments between providers and their customers. These agreements specify how your provider must deliver key services, including guaranteed connection speeds, uptime, and latency targets. The SLA outlines exactly how your provider will respond to service disruptions, when they must resolve issues, and what compensation you can claim if they fail to meet these standards.
Business broadband SLAs typically cover five essential areas. Your provider must meet their committed installation date, clearly stating what compensation you’ll receive if they fail to do so. They will guarantee specific service availability levels, often promising 99.9% uptime throughout the year – this allows for approximately 9 hours of potential downtime annually. Your SLA will also specify network latency guarantees, with SoGEA and full fibre services near exchanges potentially offering speeds under 20ms, while leased lines may deliver even faster responses below 10ms.
When service interruptions occur, your agreement will specify how quickly your provider must restore your connection and what compensation they owe you for missing these targets. The SLA also defines the customer service standards you can expect, including support hours, response times, available communication channels, and steps you can take to escalate unresolved issues.
Do I need an SLA?
Your business needs reliable internet to thrive, and a service-level agreement protects this essential connection. By establishing clear performance standards, your SLA holds your provider accountable and gives you options when service falls short of promised levels. This contractual protection guarantees your connection’s reliability and performance, offering peace of mind for your business operations. Many providers include these agreements as part of their premium business broadband packages.
Should I get a static IP address or a dynamic IP address?
Internet protocol (IP) addresses are unique numerical identifiers for every device that connects to the internet.
A static IP address remains constant, permanently linked to a specific device or network. Dynamic IP addresses work differently, changing automatically each time a device establishes an internet connection.
Organisations can choose between static and dynamic IP addresses, each offering distinct advantages. Let’s explore how these two options differ and which might better suit your needs.
Advantages of static IP addresses:
Static IP addresses offer several important advantages for businesses. They enable consistent access to your hosted websites and servers from external locations, while also providing reliable connections for employees who need to work remotely. Your organisation can enhance security by implementing stronger remote access protocols and firewall rules with a static IP. Additionally, if you maintain your own email server, a static IP helps ensure reliable email delivery and reduces the risk of your messages being marked as spam.
Advantages of dynamic IP addresses:
Dynamic IP addresses typically suit users with simpler IT needs or limited budgets. Most internet service providers assign dynamic IPs to residential properties as standard practice. This option often proves more cost-effective than static IP addresses, making it particularly attractive for homes and small businesses that don’t require advanced networking features.
What is business broadband throttling?
Broadband providers sometimes deliberately slow down internet speeds through bandwidth throttling to maintain fair service across their network, particularly during congested periods. They typically target data-heavy activities first, including video streaming, torrenting, and large file transfers. In exceptional circumstances, like extreme network congestion or maintenance work, providers might reduce all bandwidth regardless of usage type.
However, businesses rarely experience throttling for two key reasons. First, providers prioritise business traffic over residential usage. Second, most commercial internet activity occurs during standard business hours, avoiding the peak residential traffic periods of 7-9 AM and 7-11 PM.
Is broadband throttling legal in the UK?
UK law permits bandwidth throttling, but providers must follow strict net neutrality rules. These regulations require providers to manage traffic openly and fairly, preventing them from selectively slowing specific services for commercial gain. The law allows providers to throttle connections only for legitimate purposes, such as maintaining network security, protecting network integrity, or meeting legal requirements.
Can I get a business broadband connection in my home?
Yes, you can, and it is becoming increasingly popular to do so. A business grade broadband connection delivers faster speeds than residential internet when you work from home or run a remote business. You’ll never have to share bandwidth with neighbours during peak hours – something that plagues residential users trying to run a business. For anyone who depends on reliable internet to keep their business running, upgrading to a business connection could make all the difference.
Why is business broadband more expensive than residential/domestic broadband?
You pay more for business internet because it delivers more value. Your package includes faster speeds and dedicated bandwidth, plus service agreements that guarantee quick fixes if problems pop up. Business support teams respond faster and stay with you until issues are solved – unlike basic residential support. Many providers bundle phone services with your internet too, which can save money while keeping all your business communications under one roof. The extra features and premium service might cost more upfront, but they help keep your business running smoothly when it matters most.
Is business broadband faster than residential broadband?
In almost all cases business broadband will be faster, and while you might not notice much difference when downloading emails and files, business connections really shine when it comes to uploading. You can blast files to the cloud, join crystal-clear video calls, and collaborate on shared drives without missing a beat. The faster upload speeds mean your team can work together in real-time, keeping your data secure and your workflow smooth.
Is coverage important for 4G/5G business broadband?
Depending on your location in the UK, coverage will make a substantial difference to your connection quality and speed. It’s best to check your 4G/5G coverage before committing to a business broadband contract.
How can I check 4G/5G broadband coverage?
There are various online tools to help you check 4G and 5G coverage before you buy. Here are a few:
Why has 4G/5G coverage suddenly dropped in the UK?
Recently, the UK’s mobile coverage for 4G and 5G has noticeably worsened. We’ve written a longer form explanation here: Why is 4G and 5G coverage so bad in the UK?
Is business broadband prioritised over residential broadband? What is prioritisation?
Generally speaking, business broadband is prioritised over residential broadband – this means business traffic does not compete with residential neighbours for example. Your bandwidth is protected, where residential connections will not be – if your neighbour is streaming shows in 4K and downloading large files, your business bandwidth will be completely unaffected. Some broadband providers explicitly state that they prioritise business over residential customers, such as BT and TalkTalk.
What is Quality of Service (QoS)?
QoS technologies keep your most important network traffic flowing smoothly, even when bandwidth gets tight. Your network knows to send high-priority data like VoIP calls first, while making sure other traffic still performs well. Think of it like a smart traffic system – it spots the emergency vehicles (your critical data) and clears a path, while keeping regular traffic moving along too.
Quality of Service can apply at the network level (via your router), or at the connection level (via your broadband provider).
Can I change bandwidth prioritisation or Quality of Service settings on my router for my network?
Your level of control over bandwidth priority or QoS will depend on what router your have. Generally speaking, most modern stock routers provided with business broadband contracts are not very sophisticated, or terribly powerful, and will default to inbuilt priority settings that you can not change. High performance routers (ones you buy separately) will almost always have sophisticated prioritisation and QoS settings.
What is symmetrical download upload speed?
A symmetrical connection delivers identical speeds for both uploading and downloading data. You’ll get the same performance whether you’re sending files to clients or downloading their feedback. Take a 200/200mbps package – you can upload those massive project files at 200mbps and pull down new assets at the same speed. This differs from asymmetrical connections, where you might zip through downloads but crawl along when uploading.
Should I bundle my business phone and broadband?
It makes a lot of sense to bundle both phone and broadband, not only are there savings to be made, but you’ll have one contract, and one point of contact for customer service. Given the prevalence of VOIP in business phone needs, phone and broadband services are ever more similar in nature.