Choosing the right business mobile plan could seem tricky but, it doesn’t have to be, especially when needing to compare SIM-only vs handset options. It could be as simple as deciding whether you need a new mobile or just a SIM, then going from there. It really shouldn’t be an avenue for stress – we’ll make it stress-free and get you setup. Take a look at how easy it really is…
What is a business SIM-only plan?
A SIM-only plan is one of the most popular with the crowd that already has a handset to hand. It does what it says on the tin – no mobile and just a SIM. There’s some benefits and a couple of drawbacks but these can differ depending on your situation so take the drawbacks with a pinch of salt.
Benefits
- Much cheaper monthly costs.
- Flexible contracts: monthly rolling or 12-months.
- Easier to scale as your team changes.
Drawbacks
- Upfront costs if you need to add new devices to your plan.
- No bundle discounts as you’re only needing a SIM-only contract.
What is a business handset contract?
A business handset contract is a plan that bundles both the handset and SIM. There may be an upfront cost and you’ll be signed up for, most commonly, 24 or 36 months. Again, there’s benefits and drawbacks to this too. It’s all about balancing your mobile plan to get exactly what you require.
Benefits
- All-in-one convenience: billing, devices and contract support.
- Spreads out the cost over the contract length, so less to pay upfront.
- You get to use the latest smartphones.
- Easier for IT to manage since the handset will have up-to-date security updates.
Drawbacks
- Higher total costs paid over the contract length due to interest.
- Locked into the contract length or high costs to cancel.
- Early upgrades can mean extra costs.
Key factors to consider
In all honesty, it’s completely up to you what you decide to go with but before you sign anything, there’s some bits and pieces to consider.
Hardware funding
Do you have cash set aside to pay for the devices outright? SIM-only can save you a lot of money if you buy a handset, especially month-to-month. If not, monthly payments are likely right for you, so you can spread costs out.
Expansion and scalability
Are you experiencing rapid growth or are you expecting to be? SIM-only plans are great for flexibility, letting you add or remove numbers quickly. Handset contracts are less agile and may produce some penalties if you want to cancel before the end of the term.
Upgrades and technology
Do you need the top-of-the-range handset? By choosing a handset contract, you have the option to upgrade early. If you or your team primarily uses calls, texts and basic apps, a SIM-only plan might be best.
Make your mobile plan work for you
In the end, SIM-only and handset contracts both have their perks – it’s just up to you to figure out which best fits you. The right fit depends on your cash flow, pace of expansion and basically, how much you’re happy to spend. If you need a hand, we’re always happy to help – just get in touch!
FAQs
Yes, because a SIM-only plan gives you minutes, texts and data for your existing device, your monthly bills will be much lower.
Yes – they’re easy to adjust up or down, so you can quickly add or remove SIMs without penalty.
Handset contracts give you a new phone and mobile plan in one bill, making device management and upgrades simple.
Yes, SIM-only plans work perfectly for BYOD (Bring your own device) policies—just give your team a business SIM for use in their own phones.
Small businesses benefit from SIM-only deals, medium businesses often choose a mix, and large enterprises usually prefer handset contracts for easy management.