Buyer's Guide to Business Broadband
What actually matters when choosing business broadband, without the jargon.
In this guide
Do you need 'business' broadband specifically?
Business broadband packages typically offer faster fault-fix times, static IP address options, higher upload speeds, and service level agreements that residential packages don't — worth it if downtime genuinely costs you money.
Key things to compare
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Download & upload speed | Upload speed matters more for businesses than most realise — cloud backups, video calls and VOIP all depend on it |
| Contention ratio | How many other users share your connection — lower is better for consistent speed |
| Service Level Agreement (SLA) | Guaranteed fix times if something goes wrong |
| Static IP | Needed for some VOIP systems, remote access and certain security setups |
| Contract length | Shorter terms cost more monthly but offer more flexibility |
Broadband types explained
FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet): Fibre to a street cabinet, then copper to your building — widely available, moderate speeds.
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises): Full fibre all the way to your building — faster and more reliable, availability growing across Derbyshire.
Leased Line: A dedicated, uncontended connection — the most reliable and expensive option, typically for larger or connectivity-critical businesses.
4G/5G Broadband: Useful as a primary connection in hard-to-reach areas, or as a backup line.
Should you have a backup connection?
If your business relies on VOIP phones, card payments or cloud systems, a second connection (often 4G/5G) configured to fail over automatically is cheap insurance against an outage taking your whole business offline.
How we can help
We advise on and set up business broadband and backup connections as part of our Network Wiring & Installation and IT Support services, and can configure router failover so you're never left without a connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fibre broadband available everywhere in Derbyshire?
Coverage varies by area and is expanding steadily — we can check what's available at your specific address.
Do I need a static IP address?
Only for specific use cases such as certain VOIP systems, remote server access or security software — we can advise if you need one.
What's the benefit of a backup connection?
It keeps phones, card payments and cloud tools working if your main broadband line drops, switching over automatically rather than leaving you offline.
Want advice tailored to your situation?
Get in touch and we'll give you a straight answer — no obligation.