Hybrid and remote working have transformed business models worldwide. As of 2020, there was a rapid increase in people working from home in the UK during lockdowns. This figure, alongside hybrid working, is likely to continue to rise. As people continue to enjoy hybrid working, because of the work-life balance it brings, they may consider upgrading their work setup. A standing desk may be useful in tackling that constant back pain, or perhaps an ergonomic desk chair might help. But what about your internet connection? Is it reliable, and fast and makes you work productively? Have you considered business broadband?
In this article, TechRound explores the main differences between home and business broadband and whether or not the latter is essential for remote and in-office workers.
What Is Business Broadband?
Business broadband is designed to assist with working. It has dedicated features such as faster speeds, higher security measures and more reliable connections than home broadband. All of these features, alongside many more, set business broadband apart from residential internet connections. It enables employees working remotely and in offices to work more efficiently online, which is imperative with businesses now operating almost digitally.
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How Is Business Broadband Different to Residential?
The main difference between business and residential broadband is that the latter is designed for at-home use, such as for entertainment and personal purposes. Business broadband, however, is more feature-rich. Below, find the main differences between the two:
Business Broadband |
Residential Broadband |
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How Can Business Broadband Benefit Businesses?
In short, business broadband is faster, more reliable and more cost-effective than residential broadband. Yet how can business broadband specifically benefit a business? Find out below.
Faster Speeds
Many business broadband providers offer internet speeds up to 1 Gbps (gigabytes per second) for large corporations. Meanwhile, smaller businesses and startups can take advantage of speeds up to 500 Mbps (megabits per second). Residential broadband, meanwhile, tends to be around 30-60 Mbps.
Faster internet speeds mean better customer response time, higher levels of productivity and a potential increase in sales. Which all contribute to the core success of a company.
Dedicated Customer Support
Paying more for business broadband is beneficial when things aren’t going quite to plan. The best business broadband providers will provide guaranteed customer support when the internet goes down. This is because staff will likely prioritise business broadband customers over residential customers as there is more at stake.
Better Security
More than 80% of businesses were subject to cybercrime in 2021/22. While many businesses will opt for outsourcing IT support, it is imperative to secure the basic parameters of a business. By using business broadband, companies can be reassured that they are better protected online as they come with security software. Hence, no risk of data and later financial loss.
Other Dedicated Features
Business broadband also relies on a static IP address. An IP address provides businesses access to their server (great for sharing large files) and their domain server. This also means employees that work remotely can access the same network securely and efficiently.
Is Business Broadband Better Than Residential Broadband?
Business broadband is not better than residential broadband, it is simply more advanced. Businesses that want to excel or are larger tend to use it because of its many added features. Nonetheless business broadband is also suitable for solo entrepreneurs or freelancers that work from home. Likewise, business broadband may even be a viable option if you have your own separate office at home and are finding your residential broadband cannot equip the household.
The Best Business Broadband Providers
If your business is considering switching to business broadband then it is important to take several factors into account, such as your budget, expectations and type of business. Small startups, for example, can get by during the initial launch of their business if their team is relatively small. However, growing and larger businesses may want to consider upgrading to a business broadband plan. Find out here the top small business broadband providers in the UK.
