Business Mobile Office Broadband vs Fixed-Line; Advantages & Disadvantages

For many of us; business doesn’t happen without an internet connection or mobile office broadband. Post covid; we all spread out just a little further with 44% of the UK now regularly working from home. The need for flexibility in our working habits is more important than ever.

Business in a Connected World 

Anyone who’s ever set up or moved a business knows the pain of getting an internet connection sorted; you could literally be waiting weeks for your provider to perform the install and even then; so much can go wrong.

The Instant Generation

Times are changing with mobile office broadband! Thankfully, your office internet connection is now one of those things you can put into the “Instant” category.

The idea of “plug and go” or a “portable” device is a concept we are seeing more and more. Customers ask us all the time;

“Is this ‘instant’ version of the internet robust enough for the stability of my business?”

What are the business benefits of Mobile Office Broadband? 

There are a number of benefits to using mobile office broadband over fixed-line broadband for your business. Some of the biggest advantages include:

1. Portability

Business mobile office broadband is portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go. This is ideal for businesses that have employees who work from home or who travel frequently. It is also highly popular in the construction industry, where the office will often move sites several times a year.

2. Speed

This option is often faster than fixed-line connections, whether it’s for business or personal use. This is because mobile networks are constantly being upgraded to provide faster speeds, with 5G even reaching speeds of up to 750+ mbp/s!

3. Flexibility

Mobile networks prove much more flexible than fixed-line connections. You can easily change your plan or add more data if your needs change – often with some great discounts on top!

4. Cost-effectiveness

Mobile office broadband for business can be more cost-effective than fixed-line connections, especially if you don’t need a lot of data. It’s also easy to upgrade and offers superb scalability for growing companies.

5. Downtime

When road maintenance creates disruption to fixed-line services, mobile office broadband is a good option for any business that needs to stay connected. This is because the signal is transmitted over the airwaves, so it is not affected by roadworks. 

Fixed-line, on the other hand, is more likely to be affected by roadworks, as the cables are buried underground. Downtime in these situations can be hours, days or even weeks.

If a cell tower goes down for mobile broadband, the router will simply pick up the signal from the next closest cell tower, keeping your business comms online. It may not be as fast as your main cell tower, but service will remain available in the interim.

6. Set-up Costs

No need for installation or complicated set-up, simply plug in a dongle or hotspot and start using it. It really is that easy!

Fixed-line connections, on the other hand, often require a technician to come to your home or office and install a modem or router.

For example, the set-up cost for EE’s business Mobile Office Broadband is significantly lower than the cost of BT and Virgin Media:

Provider:	Category:	Set Up Cost:	Cost Includes:
BT	Fixed	£35	Modem, Router, and Activation.
Virgin Media	Fixed	£49	Modem, Router, and Activation.
EE	Mobile	£0	Hardware

Disadvantages of Mobile Office Broadband

However, there are also some drawbacks to using mobile office broadband, both for business and personal users.

The drawbacks of business mobile office broadband include: 

1. Coverage

Mobile network coverage isn’t always as good as fixed-line coverage. This means that you may not be able to get a signal in some areas.

2. Data Caps

Mobile office broadband plans often have data caps, which means that you may have to pay extra if you go over your data limit. However, this is easily avoided with a 5G router and an unlimited data SIM plan.

3. Latency

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the internet. Mobile office broadband can have higher latency than a fixed-line connection, which may affect the performance of some applications. 

BT / Virgin Media fixed-line vs EE mobile office broadband 

Here is a comparison of the price of BT and Virgin Media fixed-line broadband to EE mobile office business broadband: 

As you can see, the price of mobile office broadband proves significantly lower than the price of a fixed-line connection.

Which is the best broadband option for your business?

If you need a reliable, highly-portable, and fast internet connection to take with you wherever you go, then business mobile office broadband is the best option.

However, if you need a large data allowance and you don’t need to be able to take your internet connection with you, then fixed-line broadband proves a better option. 

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FAQs

Conclusion

Mobile office broadband and fixed-line both have their own advantages and disadvantages for business users. The best option will depend on your specific needs. 

Additional factors to consider when choosing between mobile office and fixed-line broadband: 

• Size: If you have a small business, mobile office broadband may be a good option. However, larger corporations may need a fixed-line connection with a larger data allowance. 
  
• Usage: If your business does a lot of online video conferencing or file sharing, then you’ll need a fast and reliable internet connection. In this case, a fixed-line connection may be a better option.
  
• Budget: Mobile office broadband is typically less expensive than fixed-line options.

If you’re not sure which option is right for you, it’s a good idea to talk to a consultant at BusinessMobiles.com to consider your circumstances. 

Have a device but still need a fixed number for your workplace? Learn how to get a UK business number for free alongside all the types now!

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