Businesses need a fast internet connection they can depend on. Business broadband deals tend to be more expensive, but you’ll get more bandwidth and reliability for your money.
If you have dedicated business premises then business broadband will be your only option.
If you run your own small business from home, there are lots of reasons why you might want to choose a broadband deal specifically for business use.
Price and speed are the two main factors to compare, but you should also consider:
If you’re running a small business from home, it can be tempting to go for home broadband because it’s cheaper. But business broadband comes with some important benefits.
Business broadband contracts usually come with a service level agreement (SLA) setting out the standard that your provider must deliver. This usually includes:
For business users, the upload speed can be just as important as download rates. You need a good upload speed for activities that involve sending information, such as:
As we’ve explained in our guide to what speed you need, home broadband is mostly focused on download rates and for most packages your upload speed will be a fraction of this. Business broadband is different and many providers offer symmetrical speeds - equal rates for upload and download.
This means that at times of heavy traffic on the network, your provider will give business connections priority over other users. It helps business broadband providers achieve their typically very high standards for uptime.
Business broadband comes with better and speedier tech support than home broadband. The type of service depends on the package; if it’s very important to get problems fixed fast, it’s a rational business decision to pay more for a higher level of support.
Your IP address is what identifies your device on the internet. Think of it as a cross between a postcode and a fingerprint. Broadband providers usually prefer to have a shared pool of IP addresses and assign them to different devices as needed, because it’s cheaper and more flexible for them. But as a business user, you could need your own fixed IP address for:
A static IP address also makes some security measures easier.
Business broadband usually offers a static IP address as standard, but do check before signing up.
Business broadband usually has better security measures as standard. These might include:
As with tech support, the level of security you get depends on the broadband package and how much you’re paying.
Data backups aren’t technically a security measure, but could be invaluable in the event that your security is compromised. It’s worth checking if your provider offers secure offsite backups as part of the service.
The routers you get for business broadband are designed to serve larger premises, like an office or factory. This means a more powerful wifi signal that can cover a bigger area.
Full fibre means a speedy connection, although exactly how speedy depends on the package you buy (and how much you’re prepared to pay). At the top end, you could get speeds of up to 900Mbps.
If your business premises don’t have a fibre connection yet, you’ll probably have a hybrid set-up for your business broadband: fibre from the exchange to your nearest roadside cabinet, but copper telephone wires from the cabinet to the building.
The two options with this kind of set-up are Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access). They’re subtly different but it’s debatable which is better for business use, so we advise you to compare all the options.
A leased line is when your business pays to have exclusive use of its own internet line. Your connection goes straight to your provider’s network, not via a roadside cabinet or telephone exchange. A leased line will be faster than a normal full fibre connection and always offers symmetrical upload/download speeds.
Leased lines are significantly more expensive than normal business broadband, so they tend to be used by large organisations and those that depend heavily on a super-speedy connection. Most businesses find that a normal full fibre connection is more than fast enough for their needs.
Standard business broadband doesn’t work for everyone. Some businesses operate in remote areas where the network isn’t fast or reliable enough, while others are run from temporary buildings or even with no fixed premises at all. 5G broadband bypasses the need for physical wiring by working on the same wireless network as mobile phones. It also tends to have shorter, more flexible contracts.
5G business broadband is the perfect solution in many cases - but always check the coverage before you sign up. 5G coverage is better in urban areas, so if you’re in a rural area too remote for good broadband you may also lose out on 5G. If that sounds like you, check out the 4G options instead. It’s a bit slower but the coverage in the UK is much more widespread
Go.Compare is free to use and completely impartial. Our broadband search saves you time by using your postcode information to filter out the irrelevant stuff and only display the deals actually available for your address. In 2024, hundreds of people took out business broadband contracts after using Go.Compare to weigh up their options.
No. One Touch Switch only applies to home broadband customers.2 But there are rules in place to ensure that business broadband customers get a straightforward transition that is led by the new provider. The telecoms industry is currently working on a new process to make things easier for business customers who want to switch, but this isn’t finalised yet.
Many business owners feel that a landline number with a UK dialling code makes your business look more credible. That doesn’t mean you have to have a real landline, though. Many telecoms companies offer a virtual landline service where the number diverts to the mobile number of your choice.
It’s usually simpler and cheaper to get your business phone number from the same company that’s supplying your broadband, so speak to them first.
If you’re running a small business from home, using your existing home broadband for work purposes is definitely an option. But not all providers allow you to do this. If you’re mid-contract, check the terms and conditions to make sure there’s no clause excluding business use. At renewal time, you’ll have to do a bit more legwork to find a home broadband provider that’s OK with their services also being used for running a business.
Yes, it’s very common for sole traders and other small businesses to operate from home. Providers have no problem with supplying business broadband to residential addresses.
We’ve already explained the advantages of having a broadband service that’s specifically tailored to businesses: more bandwidth, faster upload speeds and so on. Business broadband is more expensive because maintaining a higher level of service with extremely low downtime and dedicated tech support costs the providers more. Basically: you get what you pay for.
Yes. If you’re self-employed you can claim your business broadband as an expense on your tax return. It doesn’t matter whether the broadband supply is going to an office you’re renting or your home address. What matters is that it’s being used for business purposes.[3]
There is no obligation for a business to cover the costs of an employee’s home broadband service. But if the employee doesn’t already have a broadband connection at home and needs it to do their work, your business can pay for it and then claim the cost as a taxable expense.[4]
[1] As of 13th March 2026, there are 6 active business broadband providers on the panel at Go.Compare
[2] Ofcom told Go.Compare on 7 January 2025: “One Touch Switch only applies to residential customers (and not to businesses of any size). There are also high-level switching rules which require communications providers to offer gaining provider-led switching for business customers - industry are therefore developing a process to support business customers switching broadband, regardless of the technology or network used, however this is not yet in place.”
[3] UK government, Expenses if you're self-employed, last checked 7 January 2025
[4] HMRC, Employment Income Manual, last checked 7 January 2025