First step: test your UK business broadband speed
Use the tool above to instantly test your internet speed – measuring your download speed, upload speed, ping and jitter.
What is considered fast broadband? What is considered slow broadband?
You can take your tested download speed and compare it to the figures on the table below for representative maximum download speeds depending on your particular broadband connection type:
| Broadband connection type | Maximum download speeds available |
|---|---|
| ADSL broadband | Up to 20 Mbps |
| 5G broadband | Up to 150 Mbps (though will vary significantly) |
| Satellite broadband | Up to 200 Mbps |
| SoGEA broadband | Up to 80 Mbps |
| Cable broadband | Up to 1,000 Mbps |
| Full fibre broadband | Up to 1,000 Mbps |
| Leased line broadband | Up to 10,000 Mbps |
Bear in mind that the figures above are theoretical an no broadband connection will ever reach its theoretical max speed.
Optimise existing internet setup or switch broadband provider?
The question then arises: do I switch broadband provider or attempt to rescue my current internet setup? If you choose to optimise your existing setup, here are some tips to try.
Wired Ethernet connections are faster and more reliable than Wifi
Wherever possible, connect directly through Ethernet cables since WiFi speeds decrease significantly with distance from your router. If you use laptops (that rarely have ethernet ports), dongles and adapters are cheaply available to give your devices an wired ethernet connection.
Consider where your Wifi router is positioned
If you must use wireless connections, carefully position your router to minimise signal interference from walls and obstacles. Larger offices can benefit from a mesh network system, deploying multiple routers to ensure consistent coverage throughout your space. Consider upgrading to newer router models or implementing advanced networking solutions like SD-WAN to enhance overall performance.
Consider Wifi repeaters/range extenders or a Wifi mesh network
Range extenders simply rebroadcast your existing WiFi signal, creating a second network name alongside your original router’s network. They relay traffic between these networks without any intelligent management.
Mesh systems work differently, offering a complete WiFi solution that replaces your current setup rather than adding to it. While you can technically use mesh networks with your existing router, most businesses choose to implement them as standalone systems. Mesh technology eliminates the complexity of router-and-extender combinations by deploying identical units throughout your space, working together as a single, seamless network.
Use 4G or 5G backup for your broadband
Protect your operations by implementing some level of redundancy. Small businesses often benefit from 4G and 5G-enabled routers that automatically switch to mobile broadband if the primary connection fails. Larger organisations typically prefer a secondary tethered connection, which not only provides backup but can also help balance network load – for example, by routing guest WiFi traffic through the secondary connection to preserve primary bandwidth for critical operations.
Switch broadband providers to business broadband robust SLAs around speed and uptime
Think ahead when selecting your business broadband contract and provider. Choose a scalable connection that can grow with your business, allowing quick bandwidth adjustments as your needs evolve. As your network becomes more complex, implementing network monitoring tools becomes increasingly important to maintain optimal performance.