August 31, 2023
In this blog, we’ll outline the key differences between home broadband and business broadband, offering advice on which to choose for your specific requirements.
Business broadband is a broadband connection that’s set up in a workspace to support a demand for larger internet services. As a result, they’re more encompassing than traditional home broadband packages, with more features and services, quicker speeds, larger capacities, and more reliable connections. Business broadband is more expensive than home broadband.
Business broadband connections are widely accessible across the UK, with just 2% of UK properties unable to receive a broadband service with a download speed of at least 10 Mbit/s and an upload speed of at least 1 Mbit/s.
The main difference between business broadband and home broadband is that business broadband comes with a lot more features and services designed to support more devices and wider internet services. Business broadband packages tend to be quicker, more reliable, and more secure than home broadband packages, while providing more tailored support to typical organisational operations than home broadband packages. Business broadband is more expensive than home broadband, but for organisations looking for a reliable connection and business-specific features, it’s an investment that can improve communication and prevent potentially costly issues that arise.
Key business broadband features include:
Most business broadband providers promise that they’ll get your connection up and running the following day should a fault arise. If your broadband provider is unable to do this, they’ll often offer compensation. Service guarantees are vital, as fault can cause disruption to your communications and impact customers. Residential broadband packages are less likely to offer this service – a point worth considering when making your decision.
Faults with your connection will undoubtedly impact your business. Should they occur, it’s essential you can contact your provider and get back online as soon as possible. Most business broadband providers offer support around the clock, meaning you’ll be able to quickly report, diagnose, and resolve problems. Home broadband support generally operates during fixed hours, while business broadband customers are often given priority over home broadband customers in queues.
Several major business broadband providers prioritise business broadband traffic over home broadband traffic, meaning the speed and quality of your connection won’t be impacted by customers’ usage patterns.
Security is essential for businesses, as compromises in your network can lead to huge financial and reputational losses. To cover this, business broadband packages come with superior security software.
The main difference between a home broadband router and a business broadband router is that the former will only be able to connect 10 to 12 computers, whereas the latter will provide coverage of up to 2,000 square feet over multiple storeys. Thus, any workspace with more than a handful of employees will massively benefit from choosing a business broadband package.
Business routers are also more secure, further mitigating against any potential threats to your organisation.
When you buy a home broadband package, you’ll be assigned a dynamic IP address. Dynamic IP addresses change each time you connect to the internet.
Business broadband packages come with a static IP address, allowing you to use your connection for a range of features critical to the everyday operations of your organisations. For instance, static IP addresses allow you to:
Each type of broadband package is designed to meet specific needs. Let’s look at each in more detail.
There are a variety of home broadband bundles on offer, all designed to meet the needs of a typical household. These include streaming films and TV, gaming, browsing the internet, and the like, in addition to remote working operations like video calls, emails, tasks, and more.
Business broadband packages are designed to meet the needs of businesses with a dedicated workspace, with dedicated technical support, advanced speeds, extra features, and more. Similarly, if you run a small business from home, or work from home regularly, you may benefit from switching your home broadband to a business broadband service.
Business broadband is almost always a better option than home broadband for organisations looking to improve connectivity and avoid potentially costly faults to finances and reputation. Connectivity is essential in modern business, and the ability to communicate seamlessly with employees and clients is vital to successful operations. Similarly, should a problem with your connection arise, the ability to quickly assess, diagnose, and fix it will limit the damage done. With home broadband packages, faults are more likely, while the length of time you’ll be offline as a result of any faults will likely be longer than those on business broadband packages.
Business broadband is quicker than home broadband, making uploading, downloading, video calls, and general browsing easier. It’s also more secure and reliable, and comes with a range of features not available with home broadband packages.
Business broadband is undoubtedly better than home broadband, a fact substantiated by its higher price. The extra quality, reliability, speed, and security mean that this price difference is ultimately justified.
We offer a range of business broadband packages, including superfast broadband and SoGEA broadband,
Learn more about why to choose NBC.
Business broadband is more expensive than home broadband because it comes with a range of extra features and services. The extra monthly fee is generally worth paying, as the value it brings to your company in terms of security, connectivity, reliability, and issue-resolution will be a huge benefit.
If you’re working at home full-time, business broadband is a good option, as the extra benefits it brings will be a huge support. Plus, you’ll be able to claim back the cost of your connection as a business expense.
You can use home broadband for business purposes, but there are a few things you’ll need to consider. For instance, you’ll likely have slower speeds, a less secure connection, less features to help with your business operations, less scalability, a static IP, and less support available should you experience faults. As a business owner, these are the things you’ll have to bear in mind when choosing a broadband package.
Average businesses require at least 25 Mbps of download speed and 3 Mbps of upload speed to reliably perform everyday tasks. However, higher speeds will aid your business communications.
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