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The "Traffic Jam" Factor: Contention Ratios Explained
The most significant technical difference between home and business broadband is the Contention Ratio.
Residential Broadband
Typically operates on high contention ratios (often 50:1). This means you share your bandwidth pipe with up to 50 other properties. At 6 PM, when neighbours start streaming 4K video, your business connection slows down.
Business Broadband
Offers lower contention ratios (often 20:1 or 10:1).
Leased Lines
Offer a 1:1 contention ratio. The bandwidth is dedicated entirely to you.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
When a home internet connection goes down, the provider is obliged to fix it "within a reasonable time," which can often mean days.
Business contracts are governed by SLAs. These are legally binding guarantees regarding:
Uptime
The percentage of time the service is available (e.g., 99.9%).
Mean Time to Fix (MTTF)
The guaranteed time to resolve a fault.
- •Standard Business: 24–48 hours.
- •Enhanced: 6–8 hours.
- •Critical (Leased Line): 4–5 hours.
Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses
Most residential lines use a Dynamic IP, which changes periodically. Business lines often include or allow for a Static IP. You need a Static IP if you intend to:
Host your own email or web server..
Access your office PC remotely via VPN.
Run CCTV systems that require external access.
Use specific VoIP services that authenticate via IP.
The UK Connectivity Landscape: Types of Business Broadband
To choose the right package, you must understand the infrastructure delivering the data. The UK is currently in a transition phase from copper to full fibre..
AADSL and FTTC (The Legacy Tech)
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): Uses copper wires all the way from the exchange to your premises. Max speeds ~24Mbps. Obsolescent.
FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet): Fibre runs to the green cabinet on the street; copper runs the final leg to your building. Max speeds ~80Mbps. Being phased out.
Expert Insight: Do not sign a long-term contract for ADSL or FTTC unless absolutely no other option exists. These technologies are prone to environmental interference and are being retired.
SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access)
SoGEA is the bridge technology for the PSTN switch-off. It provides internet without a traditional phone line (voice services are moved to the cloud/VoIP). It uses the same infrastructure as FTTC but is data-only.
Best for: Small businesses transitioning away from landlines who do not yet have Full Fibre access.
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) / Full Fibre
SoGEA is the bridge technology for the PSTN switch-off. It provides internet without a traditional phone line (voice services are moved to the cloud/VoIP). It uses the same infrastructure as FTTC but is data-only.
Speeds: 100Mbps to 1Gbps (and increasingly up to 10Gbps with XGS-PON technology).
Reliability: Immune to electromagnetic interference and weather degradation.
Availability: Rapidly expanding via Openreach and Alternative Networks (AltNets) like CityFibre and Hyperoptic.
DIA (Dedicated Internet Access) / Leased Lines
For medium-to-large enterprises, or businesses where internet loss equals immediate revenue loss.
Symmetrical Speeds: Upload speeds match download speeds (crucial for cloud backups and large file transfers).
Dedicated Bandwidth: You do not share the connection with neighbours.
Premium SLAs: 4-hour fix times are standard.
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Deep Dive: Top UK Business Broadband Providers
Based on market analysis of Vodafone, Virgin, BT, Zen, and others, here is an expert breakdown of the key players.
BT Business
Positioning: The market incumbent. Massive coverage via the Openreach network.
Pros: Access to the largest network of Wi-Fi hotspots; comprehensive "Halo" packages that include 4G backup; 24/7 support.
Cons: often more expensive than competitors; contract lengths can be long (24 months+).
Best For: Businesses wanting a "safe pair of hands" and bundled equipment.
Virgin Media Business
Positioning: Speed kings. They operate their own cable network separate from Openreach.
Pros: Generally faster speeds than Openreach FTTC products; "Voom" fibre allows for varying upload speed tiers; 4G Back-up available.
Cons: Coverage is limited to roughly 55-60% of the UK; customer service reputation varies.
Best For: Data-heavy businesses in urban areas.
Zen Internet
Positioning: The "Ethical" Choice. B Corp Certified.
Pros: Consistently wins awards for customer service; no mid-contract price hikes (a major USP); excellent technical support staff who understand networking.
Cons: Often a premium price point compared to budget providers.
Best For: SMEs who prioritize speaking to a human and technical reliability over the lowest possible price.
Vodafone Business
Positioning: The Mobile-First Challenger.
Pros: Very competitive pricing; strong integration with mobile contracts; "Pro II" broadband offers Wi-Fi 6E hardware and 4G backup.
Cons: Customer service can be disjointed between mobile and broadband divisions.
Best For: Cost-conscious businesses and those bundling mobile fleets.
AltNets (Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear)
Positioning: The Disruptors.
Pros: Often offer symmetrical speeds (1Gbps up/down) for prices lower than BT/Virgin; very low latency.
Cons: Patchy availability (often building or street-specific).
Best For: Businesses lucky enough to be in their catchment areas.
Critical Features: How to Evaluate a Deal
When looking at a landing page or quote, ignore the marketing fluff and look for these four technical specifications.
4G/5G Failover (Hybrid Broadband)
In 2025, downtime is unacceptable. Look for routers that include a SIM card slot or a separate dongle.
How it works: If the physical line is cut by a builder, the router automatically switches to the mobile network, keeping your card machines and email online.
Terminology
BT calls this "Hybrid Connect." Virgin calls it "Constant Connect."
Security Wrappers
DNS Filtering: Blocks employees from accessing malware sites or non-work content (gambling/social media).
Anti-DDoS: Essential for Leased Lines to prevent attacks that flood your network to crash it.
Bandwidth vs. Throughput
Providers advertise "Bandwidth" (the theoretical maximum capacity of the pipe). "Throughput" is the actual data transfer rate.
Experts Tip
Check the "Minimum Guaranteed Speed". If the throughput drops below this for 3 consecutive days, you are usually entitled to exit the contract penalty-free (under Ofcom voluntary codes).
The Router (CPE)
The Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) matters.
Look for: Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 standards.
Mesh Systems: If you have a large office, ensure the provider offers "Discs" or "Pods" to extend the signal, rather than just a single router.
Cost Analysis & Contracts
Moving from a landline to VoIP? Follow this roadmap to avoid downtime.
How much should Business Broadband cost?
Standard Fibre (FTTC/SoGEA): £25 – £40 per month.
Full Fibre (FTTP - 150Mbps to 900Mbps): £35 – £60 per month
Leased Lines (1Gbps Dedicated): £200 – £450 per month (highly dependent on location and construction costs).
The Hidden Costs
Installation Fees: Can range from Free to £500+ depending on whether new infrastructure is needed
Excess Construction Charges (ECCs): Common with Leased Lines if they need to dig up a road to reach you.
VAT: Business prices are almost always quoted exclusive of VAT. Remember to add 20% to the advertised price for cash flow planning.
CPI + 3.9%: Most major providers (BT, EE, Vodafone) include a clause increasing prices annually by the Consumer Price Index plus 3.9%. This can result in significant hikes in April. Zen Internet is a notable exception to this.
Can I claim broadband as a business expense?
Limited Companies: Yes. If the contract is in the business name, the full cost is tax-deductible.
Sole Traders (Home Based): You can only claim the business proportion of the bill. You cannot claim the full bill if you also use it for Netflix in the evening.
Not sure what Business Broadband you need?
Our Business Broadband experts will analyze your buusiness and recommend the right coverage.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Switch Provider
Switching business broadband is slightly more complex than residential due to the potential for downtime.
Step 1
Check Your Current Contract Request your "End of Contract date". Leaving early can incur heavy Termination Fees (often 100% of the remaining rental).
Step 2: Needs Assessment
How many employees? Do we use VoIP? Do we need a Static IP?
Step 3
The "One Touch" Switch (OTS) As of 2024/2025, the One Touch Switch process has been rolled out for business broadband (where the new provider handles the cancellation with the old one). However, this primarily applies to simple broadband switches. Caveat: If moving from Openreach to Virgin (or vice versa), or upgrading to a Leased Line, you may still need to manage the cancellation manually to ensure services don't overlap or leave a gap.
Step 4
The Survey For FTTP and Leased Lines, engineers will conduct a site survey to plan the cable route. Ensure you have landlord permission for drilling if you lease the office.
Step 5
Installation & Testing Run the new line parallel to the old one for 48 hours before cancelling the old service. This "overlap" is the best insurance against downtime.
Troubleshooting & Speed Optimization
Even the best connection can perform poorly if the office network is set up incorrectly.
Wi-Fi Spectrum Congestion
In shared office blocks, dozens of routers compete for signal space
Solution: Use 5GHz or 6GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) bands which are less congested than 2.4GHz.
Pro Tip: Hardwire (Ethernet) stationary devices like Desktops, Printers, and VoIP phones. Leave Wi-Fi for laptops and mobiles only.
Placement Matters
Do not hide the router in a metal server cabinet or the cleaner's cupboard. Wi-Fi signals degrade significantly passing through metal, water (pipes), and thick concrete.
Frequently Asked Questions
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