If you work from home, or run a business from your residential premises then, like many others, you may ask yourself – can I get business broadband at home?

In short, the answer is yes. Business broadband can be installed in your residence if you feel it’s necessary and beneficial. And we say that purposefully, as like anything else, there are both pros and cons to consider.

Business internet solutions are an attractive prospect due to qualities such as reliability, speed, and dedicated support. However, there is also the cost to consider and the amount of time you actually spend on the internet working from home.

Carry on reading to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of business internet solutions for small businesses and to see if business broadband is right for you.

Business broadband overview

Let’s start off with the basics and discuss what business broadband actually is. Put simply, it’s a dedicated broadband connection that is similar to any other residential broadband connection, with a modem router, etc.

The main difference is that business broadband supports a much higher demand for online services. This basically means higher speeds with more reliable connections.

If you’d like some more information on the top four business internet providers – check out our blog.

Business broadband vs residential broadband

Now, let’s explore the difference between business broadband and residential broadband:

Service guarantees

Business broadband contracts often come with service guarantees, which assure a certain level of service at all times. This is not often the case with residential broadband contracts.

Better support

It’s largely due to this service guarantee that the support network is a lot better and a lot faster. If your network has an error or goes down completely, raising the issue with a standard broadband provider can often be long and laborious, and is also confined to opening hours. With business broadband, you often have a dedicated 24-hour support team, with a quick and easy fault reporting process, which will get you back online in no time.

Better security

Security online is paramount no matter whether you’re working or just surfing the internet at home. But the potential losses should you get hacked are likely to hurt your business more than anything else. Luckily, business broadband solutions often come with advanced security software to ensure you have complete peace of mind.

Speed

Running a business from home will mean you’re just as concerned about upload speeds as you are with download speeds. With residential broadband providers, they often focus a lot more on the latter to satisfy the demand for streaming services etc. However, your video calls and project updates may also require a fast upload speed too. Business broadband services are often symmetrical in that sense, in that both download and upload speeds are faster than your average.

Prioritised connections

Companies that offer both residential and business broadband services will usually prioritise the connections of the latter. So your network speeds should not be affected by heavy use of residential networks in your area. Which means little to no disruption to your work.

More equipped

If your home business has employees and you have several devices that need to connect to the internet, then business broadband services are definitely more suitable and equipped in comparison to the residential broadband alternative. This includes the use of more advanced Wi-Fi routers that provide better coverage around your premises.

Extras

Most business broadband providers also offer their customers optional extras such as business email accounts, nationwide connections for when you travel, and business phone packages.

So, what’s the downside?

The most obvious downside in comparison to residential broadband services is the cost. It is a little more expensive, but this is reflected in the higher levels of service. You pay for what you get, which is faster speeds, more security, reliability, and dedicated support. You can also offset some of this cost, as business broadband can be claimed as a business expense.

In some cases, setting up business broadband can take longer than expected, especially if you’re looking for a custom solution. Some providers may need to set up more advanced equipment, and this may delay your service in rare cases. But we’re talking a matter of hours or days maximum.

Can I get business broadband at home?

We suppose it’s more of a question of whether or not it suits your needs, rather than whether you can. If you can justify the cost with all of the benefits it provides then absolutely, yes you can get business broadband at home. It is a wise investment that will provide higher levels of service and potentially boost your productivity.

But if you have a ‘working from the kitchen table’ situation that is temporary, then you probably don’t need to upgrade to business broadband. Working from home just a few days a week may mean you are unable to outweigh the higher cost against the benefits you get from it. In this case, a residential broadband package with adequate upload and download speeds could work just fine.

If you’d like some more information then read our blog – How to Choose the Best Business Internet Service Provider.

Make working from home more productive with Infinitel Business Internet

Here at Infinitel, we pride ourselves on the dedicated service we provide to our customers. Our extensive support system is more than happy to share our knowledge and expertise about any of our services, which also includes business mobile phone services and business phone packages.

Business broadband at home can be a wise move if you feel you will benefit from any of the criteria mentioned above. Get in touch with Infinitel today to find out more about how we can help your business stay connected.