Running a business in today’s digital landscape means staying connected is non-negotiable. Whether you’re a sole trader answering emails on the go or a larger enterprise coordinating teams across the country, your mobile connection is your lifeline.
When it comes to looking for a new business mobile provider, it isn’t just about finding the cheapest SIM deal, it’s about finding one which understands and caters for your needs. A solid choice can lead to happier employees and efficient opportunity-finding. Choosing the right business mobile provider is crucial for your long-term success. So, grab a cuppa, and let’s break down exactly what you need to look for to keep your business connected and thriving.
Navigation
- Assessing your business needs
- Key features to look for
- Comparing top UK providers
- Breaking down the costs
- Making the right choice
- Future-proof your business connectivity
- Summary FAQs
Assessing Your Business Needs
Before you start looking at the details, you’ll need to take a good, hard look in the mirror and really see what you require. It’s best to start at the bottom and work your way up to ensure nothing is missed and you really are getting what you need. After all, no two companies are the same and a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach rarely works for business mobiles.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
- How much data do you actually use? Are your team members constantly streaming video calls and downloading large files, or are they mostly sending emails and checking WhatsApp?
- How many connections do you need? Are you equipping five key sales staff or a fleet of fifty delivery drivers?
- Do you operate internationally? If your team travels abroad or makes frequent calls to clients overseas, roaming charges can sting if you haven’t factored them in.
- What about devices? Do you need the latest smartphones included in the contract, or are you looking for a SIM-only deal for existing handsets?
Understanding your usage patterns is the foundation of a good deal. It prevents you from overpaying for data you’ll never use or, getting hit with expensive out-of-bundle charges.
Key Features To Look For
Once you have a clear picture of your requirements, you can start analysing the mobile provider market.
Coverage and Reliability
All the data in the world is useless if you can’t get a signal when you need it. Check the coverage maps for the areas where your team works most frequently, including their homes if you have remote workers. Don’t just rely on the provider’s map, such as Ofcom’s mobile checker; ask for real-world feedback if you can.
Data Plans and Flexibility
Businesses can change. Require hardware updates. Can your plan scale with you? It’s worth looking at providers who can offer you shared data pools or flexible tariffs that allow you to add and remove users at will. It can ensure that you’re not wasting funds that can be put elsewhere.
Security
With cyber threats on the rise, mobile security is paramount. Does the provider offer enhanced security features like mobile device management (MDM) or secure remote access? Keeping your business data safe should be a top priority.
Customer Support
We hate to say it but sometimes, things go wrong. When it does happen, you’ll want experts ready to assist at the touch of a button. Ensuring you choose a provider with a top-class customer team is essential because the last thing you’ll want is to be stuck in a queue for hours on end without knowing the answer is on the other end of the phone. Check out providers by their customer support scores and response times. While you’re at it, feel free to check out our own Trustpilot – we’re quite proud of it.
Comparing Top UK Providers
From a quick glance, the UK market can seem quite saturated with mobile providers. Knowing the key players can give you a baseline for where to start, like seeing what SIM and handset packages on offer for what price. Here’s a quick overview of the current lineup.
EE
Often cited for its speed and extensive 4G and 5G coverage, EE is a strong contender for businesses that rely heavily on data and need connection in rural areas. They offer a range of business-specific plans that often include “Smart Benefits” like Apple Music or TNT Sports, though for a business, their reliability is the main draw.
O2
O2 is renowned for its flexible business tariffs and “Priority” perks. They are particularly strong on roaming options if you travel within Europe. Their “O2 Business” suite includes various digital tools to help manage your account, making them a solid choice for ease of administration.
Vodafone
A global giant, Vodafone is excellent for international business. Their roaming packages are extensive, covering destinations many other providers charge extra for. They also offer very competitive unlimited data plans, which can be a game-changer for data-hungry teams.
Three
Historically known as the budget-friendly option, Three has invested heavily in its 5G network. If you are in an urban centre with good Three 5G coverage, you could get blazing fast speeds for a fraction of the cost of the other big networks.
Breaking Down The Costs
It’s tempting to look at the monthly line rental and stop there, but the true cost of a business mobile contract is often in the details. To get a realistic picture, you need to dig a little deeper into the cost analysis.
- Monthly Fees vs. Upfront Costs: Some contracts offer lower monthly fees if you pay more upfront for devices. Calculate the total cost of ownership over the contract term (usually 24 or 36 months) to see which option is truly cheaper.
- Overage Charges: What happens if you exceed your data allowance? Some providers charge extortionate rates for out-of-bundle data. Capped contracts or “throttled” speeds (where speed slows down but you aren’t charged extra) can save you from nasty surprises.
- Roaming Fees: As mentioned, if you travel, check the specific daily rates for the countries you visit. A “cheap” UK plan can become incredibly expensive after a week-long business trip to the USA or Asia.
- Termination Fees: Business circumstances change. Check the fine print for early termination fees. If you need to switch providers or reduce your line count significantly, you don’t want to be held ransom.
Making The Right Choice
Now you’ve done your homework, comparing the networks and crunched the numbers. Ahead of signing the dotted line, you’ll want to take these final steps to ensure you’re completely confident on your decision. Crossing the t’s and dotting the I’s never hurts.
Ask the right questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask the harder questions when talking to sales representatives of your chosen providers.
- “What is your average wait time for business support?”
- “Is there a dedicated account manager for my business size?”
- “What is the process for adding new users mid-contract?”
- “Are prices fixed for the duration of the contract, or will they rise with inflation?”
Read the reviews
Look for reviews from other businesses, not just consumers. Business support channels are often different from consumer ones, so general Trustpilot scores might not tell the whole story.
Future-Proof Your Business Connectivity
Choosing the right business mobile provider is an investment into your business future. You’d be surprised how many areas of your business your mobiles are used. Take time to assess your needs and get the right package for you so your new mobiles can improve your efficiency and allow you to make good headway into your next business ventures.
Don’t settle for poor signal or unimpressive support just because it’s too much hassle to switch. A little effort now will pay dividends in seamless communication and happier staff down the line. We’re happy to help. We’ll make the process simple and easy to understand so get in touch and our experts will guide you through getting a new package.
Summary FAQs
Let’s break down the content for you in the form of an FAQ cheat sheet.
It’s best to assess your current situation and review the number of handsets you already have and how many you’ll need.
You’ll need to figure out what your data is being used for and how much is being used. That’ll be a good baseline to note before searching business mobile providers.
Check out their customer reviews on their reliability and their aftercare. Reliability can be checked using Ofcom’s mobile checker and their aftercare can be viewed publically on Trustpilot. Google is also a good place to check. You’ll want to make sure they’re there to help you when you need it.
There’s the main ones; EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. It’s worth looking at providers such as ourselves for a good deal on your new business mobile package, paid with high quality customer service. Not to blow our own trumpet – check out our Trustpilot…
Don’t be afraid to ask the harder questions when talking to sales representatives of your chosen providers.
• What is your average wait time for business support?
• Is there a dedicated account manager for my business size?
• What is the process for adding new users mid-contract?
• Are prices fixed for the duration of the contract, or will they rise with inflation?
If you’ve already got a mobile and you’re looking for an upgrade, our Aerial Refresh team can help you get the handset you need with the data package you require.