In short
Business broadband is internet access sold, supported and repaired for businesses. It can use the same Full Fibre or Standard Fibre line as home broadband, but BT Business Broadband adds business features: a minimum speed guarantee, static IP options, 4G Hybrid Backup, separate guest Wi-Fi, security controls, business fault-fix targets and business support.
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What is business broadband?
Business broadband is an internet connection sold on business terms and built around what a business needs from it. BT describes it as broadband tailored to a business rather than a home user, with service level agreements, static IP options and a range of products that help a business work, and it points out that every one of its business broadband products includes Guest Wi-Fi that is kept separate from the business network.
The line itself is often the same. Depending on the address, BT supplies BT Business Full Fibre (fibre all the way to the premises, up to 900Mbps on its main tiers), Standard Fibre (SOGEA, fibre to the street cabinet then copper, up to 76Mbps) or copper broadband (up to 17Mbps). None of these needs a separate phone line any more. So the difference between business and home broadband is rarely the cable in the ground. It is everything wrapped around it: what you are promised about speed, what happens when something breaks, how quickly it is fixed, and the features that come with the plan.
That is why the question is not "which is faster?" but "what does my business lose if the connection slows down, stops, or lets the wrong device on?" The rest of this guide works through those differences one at a time.
Business vs home broadband at a glance
The left-hand column describes BT Business Broadband under BT's current plans. The right-hand column is a checklist for any home package you are comparing it with, because home packages vary a great deal and we do not compare named providers.
| Feature | BT Business Broadband | What to check on a home package |
|---|---|---|
| The line | Full Fibre, Standard Fibre or copper, depending on the address | Often the same line types |
| Speed promise | A Minimum Guaranteed Access Line Speed given before service starts, under Ofcom's Business Broadband Speeds Code of Practice | Whether a minimum speed is given, and what you can do if it is missed |
| Static IP | One included with Enhanced and Pro; an add-on for Essential | Whether a static IP is offered at all |
| Backup if the line fails | Hybrid Backup (automatic 4G) included with Enhanced and Pro; an add-on for Essential | Whether there is any automatic backup |
| Guest Wi-Fi | Included on every plan, separate from the business network | Whether visitors would share your own network |
| Security | Content Controls and Web Protect on every plan; Wi-Fi Security Controls on Pro; a Cisco Meraki package on Ultra | What is included, and whether it is designed for a business |
| Fault fixing | BT's Standard Care or Prompt Care fix targets, with compensation under BT's scheme if missed | The repair target, and whether Saturdays count |
| Support | BT business support, plus Enhanced IT Support on Enhanced and Pro | Whether support can help with business kit such as VPNs and IP phones |
| Terms | A business contract; terms confirmed at quote | Consumer terms, and anything they say about business use |
None of the BT features above is a reason to buy on its own. The useful question is which of them your business would miss, and that depends on what you do online.
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Speed: the guarantee matters more than the headline
Business broadband is not automatically faster than home broadband. BT's business Full Fibre tiers run from 100Mbps to 900Mbps, Standard Fibre comes as 38 or 76, and the speed you get depends on the line at your address, just as it does at home.
The difference is what BT commits to. Before a BT Business Broadband service starts, BT tells you the Minimum Guaranteed Access Line Speed for your line, along with estimated download and upload speeds. BT has signed up to Ofcom's voluntary Business Broadband Speeds Code of Practice, and under it, if your speed is regularly at or below that minimum after the first 10 days and BT cannot fix it within 30 days, you can leave without paying charges other than for the service you have already had, returning any BT hub. Our guide to BT's Minimum Speed Guarantee sets out the steps.
Upload matters too. Every broadband line, business or home, has a lower upload speed than download. On BT's tiers it runs from up to 9Mbps on Standard Fibre 38 to up to 104Mbps on Full Fibre 900. If your business sends large files, backs up to the cloud or runs a lot of video calls, read what broadband speed your business needs before choosing a tier.
Staying online: backup and fault fixes
For a household, a day without broadband is a nuisance. For a business that takes card payments, runs cloud phones or works entirely in cloud software, it can mean a day without trading. This is where business broadband differs most.
- Automatic 4G backup. BT's Hybrid Backup uses a Hybrid Connect device that switches the connection to 4G if the fixed line fails. BT says your static IP and IP voice services keep working while it is on backup. It is included with Enhanced and Pro and is an add-on for Essential.
- Fix targets in writing. BT's Standard Care, on Essential and Enhanced, targets a fix by the end of the second working day after a fault is reported. BT's Prompt Care, included with Pro and Ultra, targets the end of the next working day, including Saturdays.
- Compensation if BT misses. BT's Customer Service Compensation Scheme pays rental credit when BT misses its target fix time, under the scheme's terms.
- Business support. Enhanced and Pro add BT's Enhanced IT Support, which BT says covers help with things such as operating system upgrades and removing malware.
Read how BT business broadband support works for the reporting route and what we can help with alongside BT.
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Static IP, guest Wi-Fi and security
Three features come up again and again when businesses outgrow a home package.
A static IP address stays the same, which matters if you connect into the office remotely, run a VPN, view CCTV from outside, host a server or need a supplier to allow your address through their firewall. Many home packages give an address that can change. On BT Business Broadband, one static IP is included with Enhanced and Pro and can be added to Essential; BT also offers a No NAT range of five addresses. BT's Ultra plan does not offer a static IP. See static IP addresses on BT Business Broadband.
Guest Wi-Fi keeps visitors off the network your tills, laptops and files sit on. BT Guest Wi-Fi is included on every plan, is password-free for guests, allows up to 13 users at a time, keeps 80% of the available speed for the business and blocks inappropriate content as standard.
Security controls. Every BT Business Broadband plan includes Content Controls and Web Protect, which BT switches off by default so you choose when to turn them on. Pro adds Wi-Fi Security Controls for device-level control from the BT Business app, and Ultra adds a managed Cisco Meraki security package. Our business broadband security guide explains how the layers fit together.
Can I use home broadband for my business?
Plenty of businesses start on a home connection, and for a sole trader working on a laptop it may be all that is needed for a while. Before you rely on one, check four things:
- The terms. Home broadband is sold on consumer terms. Read what your provider's terms say about business use.
- What a fault would cost you. If the line went down for two days, could you still take payments, answer calls and reach your files? If not, you need backup and a business fix target.
- Whether anyone needs to reach you. Remote access, cameras viewed from outside, servers and some supplier systems need a static IP.
- Who else uses the connection. Customers, staff and family devices on one network is a security question as much as a speed one.
BT says you can get business broadband for your home, for example if you are self-employed and use your home as your office, so moving to a business plan does not mean moving premises. Our guides to business broadband at home, broadband for sole traders and business broadband for startups cover those situations in more detail.
Which BT plan is the right step up?
If you are moving from a home package, the BT plans line up like this:
| If you mainly need | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A dependable connection with business support and guest Wi-Fi | Essential | The entry plan: minimum speed guarantee, unlimited data, Content Controls and Web Protect, Guest Wi-Fi, Standard Care |
| To stay online when the line fails, and a static IP | Enhanced | Adds Hybrid Backup, one static IP and Enhanced IT Support |
| Wi-Fi across the whole premises and faster fixes | Pro | Adds Smart Hub 3, Complete Wi-Fi Plus, Prompt Care and Wi-Fi Security Controls |
| A managed firewall and built-in cellular backup | BT Ultra Broadband | Cisco Meraki security appliance and access points; no static IP; broadband only |
Our BT Business Broadband packages comparison shows every feature side by side, and the small business guide helps you choose by size and risk.
Buying business broadband through Forever Communications
We check which line type your address can get and the speeds BT can offer there, help you decide whether you need business broadband at all or which plan fits, and set out the add-ons worth having. We then quote, place the order and help you through to installation.
Pricing depends on the line type and speed, the plan, any add-ons and the contract length, and is confirmed at quote. Contact us and tell us how your business uses its connection today.
Why buy BT Business Broadband from Forever Communications
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BT Business Broadband to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, and we help with each step from first enquiry to go-live.
- The right connection for your address: we check whether your premises can get Full Fibre or another access type, and explain what that means for speed; see checking availability
- A plan that fits how you work: we help you compare BT Business Broadband plans, including BT Business Ultra, and decide which add-ons such as Hybrid Backup or a static IP are worth having
- A clear quote: charges, minimum term and what is included set out in writing; see what affects the price
- Installation planned with you: we explain what happens before and on the day; see BT Business Broadband installation
- Connected services in one conversation: phones with BT Cloud Voice, Wi-Fi and security, or a BTnet leased line when broadband is no longer enough
BT Business Broadband is a business service. Speeds, features, service levels and availability are BT's and are confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between business and home broadband?
Often not the line itself but the service around it. BT Business Broadband adds a minimum speed guarantee under Ofcom's business code, static IP options, 4G Hybrid Backup, separate guest Wi-Fi, security controls, business fault-fix targets and business support.
Can I use home broadband for my business?
Many small businesses start that way. Check your provider's terms on business use, and whether you could cope with a fault lasting a day or two without backup or a business fix target. If not, a business plan is worth pricing.
Is business broadband faster than home broadband?
Not necessarily. Both can run over the same Full Fibre or Standard Fibre line. The difference is what is promised: BT gives a minimum guaranteed speed before service starts and a route to exit if it is not met.
Can I get business broadband at home?
Yes. BT says you can get business broadband for your home, for example if you are self-employed and work from home. We check what your address can get before you order.
Do I need business broadband to get a static IP?
Many home packages do not offer one. On BT Business Broadband, one static IP is included with Enhanced and Pro and is an add-on for Essential. BT's Ultra plan does not offer a static IP.
Is business broadband more expensive than home broadband?
It depends on the line, plan, add-ons and contract length, and business plans include features you might otherwise go without. Compare what is included, not only the monthly figure. Ask us for a quote.
Still deciding?
Ask us and we will reply by email with a straight answer.