What Is Business Broadband?
Business broadband is a broadband connection sold specifically for commercial use. Unlike consumer broadband, it typically includes faster speeds, more solid SLAs (Service Level Agreements), static IP addresses, and priority customer support — essentials for businesses that depend on connectivity.
Types of Business Broadband in the UK
FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet)
The most widely available business broadband type. Fibre runs from the exchange to a green cabinet near your premises, then copper wire to your building. Typical speeds: 40–80Mbps download, 10–20Mbps upload. Suitable for most small businesses.
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises / Full Fibre)
Pure fibre all the way from the exchange to your building. Much faster and more reliable than FTTC. Speeds typically 100Mbps–1Gbps. The gold standard for businesses that rely heavily on their connection. Availability expanding rapidly across the UK.
Ethernet Leased Line
A dedicated private circuit connecting your premises directly to the internet. Symmetrical speeds (same up and down), 100% uncontended (not shared with other businesses), backed by a stringent SLA. Starts from around £200/month. Ideal for 20+ user businesses or those requiring guaranteed performance.
4G/5G Business Broadband
Uses mobile data networks to deliver broadband. Speeds vary by location and network congestion. Excellent as a primary connection in areas with poor wired coverage, or as a failover backup. Telexico's Assure X product uses 4G/5G to automatically back up your wired connection.
Starlink Business
Satellite internet from SpaceX. Speeds of 100–220Mbps. Ideal for rural locations, temporary sites and offshore. No planning permission needed. Telexico is an authorised Starlink reseller.
Business Broadband vs Home Broadband — What's the Difference?
| Feature | Business Broadband | Home Broadband |
|---|---|---|
| SLA (fault fix time) | ✅ Typically 4–8 hours | ❌ Up to 3 working days |
| Static IP address | ✅ Included | ❌ Usually extra cost |
| Contention ratio | ✅ Lower (less sharing) | ❌ Higher (more sharing) |
| Priority support | ✅ Dedicated business team | ❌ General consumer queue |
| Upload speed | ✅ Higher guaranteed | ❌ Often throttled |
| Service credits | ✅ For SLA breaches | ❌ Usually not available |
How Much Does Business Broadband Cost?
- FTTC business broadband: £30–£60/month
- FTTP full fibre: £40–£80/month
- Ethernet leased line: £150–£500+/month depending on speed
- 4G/5G business broadband: £30–£70/month
- Starlink Business: from £135/month
What Broadband Speed Do I Need?
A rough guide: allow 1Mbps download per user for general office use, plus 0.1Mbps upload per simultaneous VoIP call. A 10-user office making 5 calls at once needs approximately 15Mbps download and 5Mbps upload — well within any FTTC or FTTP product.
If you run cloud-based software, video conferencing or large file transfers, scale up accordingly. When in doubt, FTTP full fibre removes the question entirely.