What Is Business Broadband?

What is business broadband?

Business broadband is a high-speed internet connection designed for offices and other workplaces. It is a commercial-grade solution with added features, dedicated customer support and strong service level agreements (SLAs).

“Service level agreements (SLAs) guarantee uptime and prioritize repairs so companies ensure the minimal disruption possible, which is really important if you rely on constant connectivity,” said Georgi Todorov, founder and CEO of Create & Grow. 

However, Julian Jacquez, president and chief operating officer of BCN Telecom, cautioned against relying too much on SLAs. “If your operations are critical, consider a second internet connection combined with an SD-WAN overlay,” he suggested. “This effectively creates ‘unbreakable’ internet access.” 

Business broadband can be supplied to your company via cable, copper wire, 5G and more. We explore the different types of connectivity later in this article.

In 2024, the Federal Communications Commission redefined broadband as speeds of at least 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. That might sound fast, but it may not be enough to meet the needs of some small businesses that rely on higher-level connectivity. Such businesses might include e-commerce stores, marketing agencies that handle large design files, or cafés that offer customers free access to their business Wi-Fi.

If you’re using a digital subscriber line (DSL) through a phone line to get online, you may already face constraints with your bandwidth, so it may be a good time to start looking for an alternative.

Benefits of business broadband vs. other solutions

The biggest difference between home and business internet, with an example like a fiber service plan, is not necessarily the advertised speed. Rather, the largest benefits may lie in the added features, which may include the following services.

Priority traffic management

You can decide which tasks get priority on your network. For example, you can ensure high-definition video conference calls and webinars run smoothly by prioritizing them over less-important tasks, like system backups. Service providers also may prioritize your business traffic over competing residential traffic during peak times to ensure you always get the bandwidth you need.

Extra security and performance

Scalability and security are two key benefits you want, said Andrew Baffoe, director of cloud and network services at Myriad360. A good provider offers essential security tools, like firewalls and protection against distributed-denial-of-service attacks, to help protect your company from data breaches. 

“You should also consider the ability to scale bandwidth,” he said. “Whether you can adjust it on demand through a portal or need to move to a higher plan, having the option to increase bandwidth when you need it is vital.” 

Customization options

Business internet providers let you customize your plan in ways residential customers cannot. You can pick the features and speeds that work best for your team, so you pay only for what you need. For example, seasonal businesses can dial their bandwidth requirements up and down based on the time of year so they get the connectivity they need when they’re busy and avoid overpaying when they’re not.

What types of business broadband are available?

Unfortunately, the types of internet service for business are often limited by location. If you operate in a rural area, true business broadband may not be an option. If that’s the case, you could be stuck using DSL or deciding between a mobile hotspot and satellite internet. But if your business is located in a more populated area, cable or DSL internet, dedicated internet and fiber are all viable solutions.

Cable

Cable should be considered the minimum technology requirement for businesses where it’s accessible. Outside rural areas, cable internet is widely available and reliable.

For small businesses that do not significantly rely on cloud-based services, a cable internet package with speeds of over 100 Mbps could be enough. Larger businesses or companies that rely heavily on cloud-based systems should look for a provider that offers higher internet speeds for services such as smooth video calling and uninterrupted communication.

Dedicated internet

Dedicated internet is a fixed-bandwidth connection that your business doesn’t share with any other users. Because you don’t share bandwidth with neighbors or even businesses on separate floors of the same building, downtime and inconsistencies in speed are far rarer. Like cable, dedicated internet is widely available, particularly in more populated areas.

Dedicated internet is an ideal broadband connection for companies that prioritize cybersecurity and data privacy. It’s also attractive to midsize and enterprise-level organizations that use demanding network applications in their day-to-day operations. [Read related article: Creating a Cybersecurity Plan for Small Business Owners]

Fiber

If it’s available in your area, you should consider fiber for the best download and matching upload speeds. Fiber gigabyte download and upload speeds are often far faster than the best cable internet. 

Although fiber cable infrastructure is still rolling out across the United States, you’ll find that most major cities and large business centers are equipped for lightning-fast internet access. But with an average cost of $60,000 to $80,000 per mile to lay fiber cable, its rollout to less densely populated areas could be very slow.

“Fiber is the gold standard for business use due to its speed, reliability and scalability,” Todorov said. “However, satellite might be the only option for rural businesses, even though it comes with higher latency. DSL and cable are viable for smaller businesses but may struggle to handle high traffic.”

Satellite internet

Satellite internet allows you to connect from virtually anywhere on Earth, depending on your network provider’s coverage level. It can connect your firm to the internet, but it comes with caveats.

Satellite internet is slower than other internet connections, and latency is often poor. Although these drawbacks won’t affect everything you do, they will be frustrating when you’re holding live video conferences and uploading videos to YouTube, for example. Prices are coming down, but satellite internet is often the most expensive option.

Help may be on the way in the next five to 10 years as existing satellite providers and new challengers build networks of satellites that should improve many of these issues.

Enterprise-grade 5G

In the right circumstances, mobile devices running on 5G networks can be a viable solution for businesses that need broadband connections outside the office as long as the signal is strong enough. 

Although strict data caps and lower speeds mean that smartphones and dedicated hotspots can’t compete with other broadband solutions, they can offer the bandwidth required for most day-to-day business uses.

Yashin Manraj, CEO of Pvotal Technologies, has found fiber and 5G promising but still limited in many markets. “We are having better luck working remotely with [satellite internet provider] Starlink and have been able to operate complex use cases more reliably than [with] traditional business or residential plan providers,” he said.

Jacquez stressed the importance of exploring multiple options for your business, such as wired broadband, 4G LTE or 5G LTE wireless plans, and even low-Earth-orbit satellite internet for hard-to-reach or expensive areas.

How to choose a broadband provider

To choose the right internet provider for your business, follow these seven steps.

1. Calculate how fast your connection needs to be.

To determine the best connection speed for your business, consider how you and your employees currently use the internet. Are multiple people simultaneously participating in high-bandwidth tasks, like video calls or large-file uploads to the cloud? Look at how many people will use the connection and what they’ll be doing online. 

Todorov suggested starting with a detailed assessment to determine your requirements. “Businesses can determine the right speed and bandwidth by assessing the size of their team, the nature of their online activities and any bandwidth-intensive applications they use,” he said. “For example, video conferencing, cloud storage or large data transfers require higher speeds, while smaller teams focusing on email and browsing can manage with lower bandwidth.”

2. Determine how important uptime is.

If you rely on the internet to accept payments, run marketing campaigns, respond to customer queries, host your website and more, internet downtime will be very disruptive to your business. [Related article: 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Web Hosting Company]

When you short-list potential providers, prioritize ISPs with high uptime guarantees and robust SLAs.

3. Find ISPs in your area.

If you live in an urban or suburban area, you’ll likely have a decent choice of national and regional business ISPs. Companies in rural locations will have a much more restricted selection.

You can find providers with a quick Google search. Check if their site has an address search function to see if you’re in their coverage area.

4. Think about your sector.

Different industries use broadband in unique ways, so find a provider that suits your specific needs. Here are some examples:

• Healthcare: You’ll need a solution that is secure, encrypted and compliant with data protection regulations, especially HIPAA.
• Financial services: Firms in this sector need compliance, low latency for access to the latest prices, robust security and reliable backup connections.
• Creative sector: If you’re in a creative field, like media production, you’ll likely need high upload speeds, scalable bandwidth, and features that support large file transfers and real-time collaboration.

Check out business broadband suppliers’ websites. Many now feature sections that describe the special services the providers offer to firms in specific sectors. Strongly consider these options, as they’re better equipped to handle your everyday tasks, support your workflows, offer high-grade security and keep you compliant.

5. Compare providers’ prices and plans.

Business broadband providers often bundle extras — such as domain names, website creation tools and static IP addresses — with their services. Although some of the features are included in the price, many are paid add-ons. Decide which features are most useful to you.

If you have any custom requirements, let potential providers know so they can give you an accurate quote. Do you handle security in-house, or would you like help from your service provider? Do you need to prioritize traffic for customers during business hours? Study the SLA to see what you can amend to suit your company’s needs better.

Look closely at the contract terms, too. Some providers may push for multiyear agreements, but shorter contracts or monthly rolling plans could offer more flexibility. Check how easy it is to cancel, switch providers or upgrade if your needs change.

Todorov cautioned against choosing based solely on price. “Cheaper plans often lack the reliability and support businesses need,” he said. “It’s essential to invest in a provider that meets your operational demands.”

Instead, look for a provider that offers a full range of speeds, prices and delivery options, Jacquez suggested. “This flexibility not only future-proofs your network but also ensures better support and a superior customer experience,” he said.

6. Find out what other users think.

You should check the quality of the service potential ISPs offer by looking at their online customer reviews. Many providers serve both residential and business customers, so try to seek out the experiences of business customers before you commit to an ISP.

You can also use one of the many test sites to see if users in your area are getting the speeds advertised. ISP websites tell you how fast their connections are, but these may be optimistic estimates.

7. Consider your future needs.

Broadband technology keeps improving, with faster fiber, better satellite coverage and broader 5G networks just around the corner. Choose a provider that offers the widest range of services, as you may be more likely to enjoy easier upgrades as your needs grow.

Which providers offer business broadband?

AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Google, Spectrum and Verizon are some of the service providers that offer broadband plans tailored to business customers. Depending on the location of your company, cable or faster options ― like fiber and dedicated internet ― may be available. To compare these service plans fairly, we’ll focus on the top plans from each provider in terms of available speeds.

When you contact a potential service provider to discuss pricing, you can typically negotiate better terms with bundled packages or longer service agreements ― so take their listed prices as a starting point with some wiggle room for your specific needs. Not all plans or speeds are available in every market, so you will have to reach out to service providers individually to determine what’s accessible from your exact business address.

AT&T Business

• Pricing: Starts at $40 per month for AT&T Business Fiber 300 with a wireless plan and $70 without one (contact sales for dedicated internet)
• Speed: Up to 1 Tbps on dedicated internet, 5 Gbps on business fiber and 100 Mbps on wireless broadband
• Features: Dynamic/static IP, business-focused customer support, McAfee software-as-a-service endpoint protection (called AT&T AntiVirus Plus), PC backup, online fax, consolidated invoice for multiple locations and symmetric/asymmetric connection available for fiber
• Find out more: See our in-depth review of AT&T Business Internet.

Cox Business

• Pricing: Ranges from $50 per month for the Business Internet 100 Mbps plan to $225 per month for 1 Gbps (pricing and maximum speed may vary in your area; the prices and speeds shown are for Long Beach, California)
• Speed: Up to 1 Gbps download and 35 Mbps upload
• Features: 99 percent service uptime, 24/7 support, business hotspot network access, guest and private Wi-Fi networks, and a complete cloud-based security suite
• Find out more: Here’s the latest Cox Business Internet review.

Comcast Business

• Pricing: Ranges from $69 per month for 300 Mbps to $190 per month for 1.25 Gbps (two-year-minimum-contract prices quoted; discounts available for longer commitments) 
• Speed: From 150 Mbps to 1.25 Gbps, with a maximum upload speed of 40 Mbps
• Features: Cybersecurity software (known as Comcast Business SecurityEdge), five-year price lock, free installation (when phone services are taken out at the same time), prepaid Visa card (on some options), 4G LTE backup (on some options), 24/7 customer service, no data caps, Border Gateway Protocol routing, static IP address
• Find out more: Read our review of Comcast Business Internet.

Google Fiber Business

• Pricing: Ranges from $70 per month for 1 Gbps to $250 per month for 2 Gbps
• Speed: Up to 2 Gbps download (8 Gbps in connected cities) and 1 Gbps upload
• Features: Mesh-ready Wi-Fi 6 (or use your own device); mesh extended with 2 Gbps plan, static IP addresses, 24/7 customer support, basic phone services (for extra charge), discount on Dialpad VoIP service

Spectrum Business

• Pricing: Three packages: 400 Mbps for $49.99 per month, 600 Mbps for $89.99 per month and 1 Gbps for $129.99 per month (prices depend on the current promotion)
• Speed: Up to 1 Gbps download and 35 Mbps upload
• Features: Up to $1,000 existing contract buyout, custom domain with 25 email addresses, 30-day money-back guarantee, 24/7 support, wireless internet backup, and advanced Wi-Fi available for an additional charge
• Find out more: Read our in-depth Spectrum Business Internet review.

Verizon Business

• Pricing: Starts at $59 per month for the Fios fiber internet 200 Mbps plan; 5G and LTE internet are also available
• Speed: Up to 2 Gbps download and upload
• Features: Traffic and application prioritization, cloud-based security, 24/7 monitoring and reporting, strong SLAs, wireless backup, managed SD-WAN, managed network services, and one- to 10-year price guarantees, depending on the connection type and the contract length
• Find out more: Read our Verizon Business Internet review.

Jeff Hale contributed to this article.