Six UK business broadband providers for small offices, compared on speed, ex-VAT prices, price rises, static IPs and backup.
Updated 27 October 2026 · Researched from official and published sources
Business broadband differs from home broadband in the details that matter when the internet goes down: faster fault fixes, static IP addresses, 4G backup and support lines for business customers. For a small office, the right plan depends on what is available at your postcode, how many people share the line and how much you rely on video calls and cloud software.
Prices below are the providers' own published monthly prices excluding VAT, checked in October 2026. Most providers add fixed price rises each April during the contract, so we note those too. Availability varies by address, so always run a postcode check.
BT offers Essential, Enhanced and Pro tiers. Enhanced adds Hybrid Backup, which switches to EE 4G if the line fails, plus a free static IP. Pro adds guaranteed Wi-Fi coverage and next-day fault fixes. All tiers include a minimum speed guarantee and 24/7 support.
Wide coverage on Standard and Full Fibre
4G backup and static IP on Enhanced
Minimum speed guarantee
Next-day fault fixes on Pro
Watch out: Broadband-only prices rise £3 a month (ex VAT) every 1 April, and standard prices apply from month 25 of the 36-month offer contracts.
Check live prices (postcode-based); offer of 25% to 50% off selected plans on 36-month contracts ends 15 Nov 2026Visit official site
2 · Best value full fibre
Vodafone Business Broadband
Full Fibre 900, for 1 to 9 employees
Vodafone's three Full Fibre 900 plans all offer up to 900Mbps download and 100Mbps upload with unlimited data and a new router. The Business Pro II plan adds a WiFi 6E booster and 4G backup. Vodafone also offers up to £300 (inc VAT) credit towards early termination fees from your old provider.
Low starting price
900Mbps on every plan
4G backup on Business Pro II
Help with exit fees when switching
Watch out: Prices rise £2.93 a month (ex VAT) every 1 April during the minimum term, and the page does not mention static IP addresses.
From £22 to £32 a month ex VAT on a 36-month contract, checked Oct 2026Visit official site
3 · Best for fast speeds on its own network
Virgin Media Business Voom
Voom 200 to Voom 600 Gig1, Virgin Media network areas
Virgin Media's Voom plans include 4G backup, a Wi-Fi router with guest Wi-Fi and unlimited downloads. Voom 600 Gig1 includes a static IP. Adding an O2 Business mobile SIM boosts you to the next speed tier through Virgin Media O2's Volt offer.
4G backup included
Static IP on higher tiers
Speed boost with an O2 Business SIM
Shorter 24-month contract
Watch out: Set-up fees total £100 ex VAT, and prices rise £3.50 a month (ex VAT) every April.
£39.95 to £48.95 a month ex VAT on a 24-month contract, plus £75 installation and £25 activation, checked Oct 2026Visit official site
4 · Best for price certainty
Zen Business Full Fibre
Full Fibre 100 to 900Mbps on Openreach
Zen states its business full fibre price stays the same for the whole contract, with no mid-contract rises. Every package includes one static IPv4 address and a FRITZ!Box router. The Business Pro package adds a router with built-in 4G failover.
No in-contract price rises
Static IP included as standard
Shorter 18-month contract
4G failover on Business Pro
Watch out: Technical support runs 8am to 8pm on weekdays, not 24/7.
From £30 to £46 a month ex VAT on an 18-month contract, checked Oct 2026Visit official site
5 · Best for symmetrical speeds
Hyperoptic Business
250Mb, 500Mb and 1Gb, in Hyperoptic-connected buildings
All three Hyperoptic business packages are symmetrical, so uploads are as fast as downloads. That helps with video calls, large file uploads and cloud backups. Each plan includes one static IP, free standard installation and a dedicated business support team, with contracts from monthly rolling to 36 months.
Symmetrical upload and download
Static IP included
Monthly rolling contracts available
Free standard installation
Watch out: It is only available in buildings on Hyperoptic's own network, so many offices will not be able to get it.
Community Fibre runs its own full fibre network across London and sells symmetrical business plans with one static IP included. Its business pages advertise 99.9% uptime and an eight-hour fault-fix target, with London-based support.
Symmetrical speeds
Static IP included
Very high top speeds
London-based support
Watch out: It is London only, and business phone lines are not included, so you need to keep or move your numbers elsewhere.
Start with a postcode check, as what you can get at your address limits the choice. If full fibre is available, it is usually worth having: the UK's copper phone network is being switched off, and full fibre gives much faster uploads.
Then compare the total cost over the contract, not just the first month. Add up set-up fees and the fixed April price rises most providers apply.
Upload speed: matters for video calls and cloud backups; symmetrical plans are fastest
Static IP: needed for some VPNs, remote access and CCTV
4G backup: keeps card machines and email working during a fault
Fault-fix times: next-day or hours-based targets beat standard repairs
Contract length and price rises: 18, 24 or 36 months, and the £ amount added each April
Set-up costs: installation, activation and router postage
Support hours: 24/7 or office hours only
How to choose for a team
As a rough guide, think about how many people are on video calls at once and how much you upload. A small team on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace will be well served by a 300Mbps to 500Mbps full fibre plan, while design, video or large backups justify 900Mbps or a symmetrical line.
If the office cannot work without the internet, put 4G backup and fast fault fixes ahead of headline speed. If you have outgrown broadband entirely, BT, Zen and Hyperoptic all offer leased lines, which come with guaranteed speeds and service levels at a higher price.
Run postcode checks with at least three providers
Compare total cost over the full contract including April rises
Ask whether a static IP is included or extra
Check what happens to your phone numbers if you move to full fibre
Note your current contract end date to avoid exit fees
The landline switch-off: check these devices first
The UK is moving landlines from the old analogue network to digital. GOV.UK says most customers are expected to have switched by the end of January 2027, though not every analogue service will close by then. When your line moves to full fibre or digital voice, anything plugged into the old phone socket may stop working.
Your provider will not know what is connected, so make a list before the engineer visits. GOV.UK names lift alarms, burglar alarms, card payment systems, fax machines and telecare devices.
Walk the building and note every device on a phone line, including alarms and door entry
Ask each equipment supplier whether it works on a digital line or needs an adaptor or SIM
Ask the provider what happens to calls and alarms in a power cut, and whether battery backup is offered
Ask when your provider will require you to move
Test card machines and alarms on the day of the switch
Price rises: small businesses get less protection
Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom's rules mean consumers' new phone and broadband contracts must show any price rises in pounds and pence, not linked to inflation. Ofcom says small businesses and not-for-profits are treated differently: providers must state the monthly price in pounds and pence before you sign, but they have more flexibility, so business contracts can include other types of price increase.
Read the price-rise clause before signing and add every rise to your total cost over the contract. If a provider raises the price by more than your contract allows, Ofcom says it must give at least 30 days' notice, and you then have 30 days to leave without exit fees.
Questions people ask
Is business broadband worth it over home broadband?
For most offices, yes. Business plans usually add faster fault fixes, static IPs, 4G backup and business support, and prices are quoted ex VAT so VAT-registered firms can reclaim it.
Are business broadband prices shown with or without VAT?
UK business providers usually quote prices excluding VAT at 20%. BT, Vodafone, Virgin Media Business and Zen all show ex-VAT prices on their business pages.
Do business broadband prices go up during the contract?
Often, yes. Vodafone adds £2.93, BT £3 and Virgin Media £3.50 a month (ex VAT) each April. Zen says its business full fibre price stays the same for the whole contract.
Do I need a static IP address?
You need one if you run a VPN server, remote access to office systems, CCTV or hosted services. Zen, Hyperoptic and Community Fibre include one, and BT includes one on its Enhanced tier.
Will my business phone line stop working in 2027?
Analogue lines are being replaced with digital ones, and GOV.UK says most customers are expected to have switched by the end of January 2027. Alarms, card machines and fax machines on the old line need checking before your switch date.
Can a broadband provider raise prices mid-contract for a business?
Yes, if the contract allows it. Ofcom's pounds-and-pence rule for consumers gives small businesses less protection, so check the price-rise clause. If a rise goes beyond what the contract says, you must get 30 days' notice and can leave without exit fees.