| Feature | Home broadband | Business broadband |
| Contention ratio | High — shared with many users | Low — prioritised for business |
| Static IP address | Not included | Included as standard |
| Service level agreement | None | Formal fault resolution commitment |
| Fault priority | Residential queue | Business priority |
| Support | Consumer helpline | Business support team |
| Upload speeds | Slower than download | Faster — better for cloud & video |
| Usage limits | Sometimes capped | Unlimited as standard |
| Contract flexibility | Consumer terms | Business terms |
Making the switch · Business vs consumer broadband
Do you actually need business broadband? Probably yes — here's why
Many Edinburgh businesses run on consumer broadband — particularly smaller businesses, home-based sole traders and recently established companies. It works, up to a point. But there are real differences between a consumer package and a proper business connection, and for most businesses the switch is simpler and more affordable than they expect.
The differences
Business broadband vs home broadband — what's actually different
Who should switch
Signs your business has outgrown its home broadband package
You probably need business broadband if:
- You rely on the internet to trade — if your business can't operate without internet access, a consumer package with no SLA and no fault priority isn't fit for purpose
- You use VoIP or video calls regularly — call quality is directly affected by upload speed and connection consistency, both of which are better on business packages
- You need a static IP address — for remote access, VPN, on-site servers or security systems
- You've noticed peak-time slowdowns — consumer broadband is heavily contended; if your connection slows down when your neighbours get home from work, you're on the wrong product
- You're growing your team — more staff means more demand on the connection; business packages are designed to support multiple simultaneous users reliably
- Your business has compliance or continuity requirements — a formal SLA provides documented evidence of your connectivity arrangements
Making the switch
How easy is it to switch to business broadband?
Simpler than most businesses expect. In most cases your existing line and router can be used initially, and we'll advise on any hardware upgrades that would benefit your setup. Number and service migration is handled by us — there's no significant gap in service during the transition.
The bigger question is usually which business broadband product is right for your premises and usage profile — standard fibre, FTTP or a leased line. We'll help you answer that and give you clear pricing before you commit to anything.
Not sure if you need business broadband?
Tell us about your current setup and we'll give you an honest answer — including whether switching would make a material difference to your business or whether what you have is actually fine for now.