What broadband speed do I need for 10 employees?

For 10 users running standard cloud applications, email, and video conferencing, a minimum of 50–80Mbps download is a sensible floor. FTTP broadband at 100Mbps or above gives comfortable headroom. If VoIP is critical or you have heavy file transfer needs, lean toward the higher end.

What is the difference between contended and uncontended broadband?

Contended broadband shares the connection capacity with other users on the same exchange or cabinet. At peak times, available speed can drop. Uncontended connections — typically leased lines — provide dedicated bandwidth that is not shared. The difference is most noticeable during business hours when network demand is highest.

Should I get a leased line or FTTP for my business?

FTTP is sufficient for most SMEs with up to 30 users running standard applications. A leased line is the right choice when you need a guaranteed minimum speed, a formal SLA for fault resolution, or symmetrical speeds for upload-heavy workloads. Leased lines cost more but provide predictable, guaranteed performance.

Can I upgrade my package mid-contract if I need more speed?

Most business broadband providers allow upgrades to a higher speed tier mid-contract, though the terms vary. Downgrades are generally not permitted until the contract ends. Before signing, ask specifically whether upgrades are possible and whether they incur a fee or restart the contract term.

Do I need a static IP address for business broadband?

Not every business requires a static IP, but you will need one if you run a VPN, host any services accessible from the internet, or use IP-based access controls. Most business broadband providers include a static IP as standard or offer it as a low-cost add-on.

Connectivity

Which Business Broadband Package Should I Choose?

The right business broadband package depends on your team size, how you use the internet, and your tolerance for downtime. This guide walks through the key decision points so you can match the right product to your business without overpaying for capacity you do not need.

NH

Nathan Hill-Haimes

Technical Director

7 min read·Mar 2026

Why Broadband Package Selection Matters

Choosing the wrong broadband package is one of the more common and avoidable costs for UK SMEs. Buy too little and your team experiences slow connections at peak hours, dropped VoIP calls, and frustrated staff. Buy too much and you are paying monthly for capacity nobody is using. The goal is a deliberate match between what you need and what you pay for.

This guide takes you through the main package types, the questions to ask before you choose, and the typical price ranges in the UK market as of 2025.

Step One: Understand How Your Business Uses the Internet

Before comparing packages, spend five minutes mapping how your business actually uses its internet connection. Most business connectivity usage falls into one of these categories:

Cloud applications: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, accounting software, CRM systems. These generate consistent, moderate bandwidth use throughout the day.
VoIP calls: Each concurrent call needs approximately 100Kbps. A business making 10 simultaneous calls needs at least 1Mbps dedicated to voice traffic.
Video conferencing: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and similar platforms typically need 1.5–4Mbps per active video call.
File transfer: Sending and receiving large files — design assets, CAD drawings, video files — requires bursts of high bandwidth, particularly on the upload side.
On-premises servers: Businesses with servers on-site that need external access or regular off-site backup require reliable upload speeds, often making a leased line more appropriate than broadband.

Step Two: Count Your Concurrent Users

Bandwidth is a shared resource across everyone in your building. A useful starting point is to allow 2–4Mbps per active user for general cloud and communication use. This is a rough guide, but it frames the numbers:

5 users: 10–20Mbps minimum
10–15 users: 20–60Mbps minimum
20–30 users: 60–120Mbps minimum
30+ users: 100Mbps+ and worth considering a leased line

These figures assume typical mixed use. If your team runs bandwidth-intensive applications — video editing, large CAD file transfers, continuous cloud backup — multiply accordingly.

The Main Package Types

ADSL Broadband

ADSL delivers up to 17Mbps download over copper telephone lines. In 2025, this is appropriate only for businesses with minimal internet use — fewer than three users and no cloud telephony or video conferencing. For anything beyond basic email and light web browsing, ADSL will underperform. Typical cost: £20–35 per month.

FTTC Broadband (Superfast)

FTTC delivers fibre to the street cabinet and copper from the cabinet to your premises. Download speeds range from 35Mbps to 80Mbps depending on your distance from the cabinet. This suits offices of 5–15 people running standard cloud applications without excessive video or file transfer demands. Typical cost: £30–55 per month.

FTTP Broadband (Full Fibre)

FTTP runs fibre directly to your building, providing speeds from 100Mbps to 1Gbps without the speed drop-off associated with copper. This is now the recommended default for any office with more than 10 users, or any business that runs VoIP, video conferencing, and cloud applications daily. Typical cost: £40–100 per month depending on speed tier.

Leased Line

A leased line provides a dedicated, uncontended connection with symmetrical speeds and an SLA. The 100Mbps entry point suits teams of 15–40 users. Pricing starts from around £199 per month for a 100Mbps circuit in a well-connected location, rising to £500+ in less accessible areas. If your business depends on the internet and a prolonged outage would cause serious damage, a leased line is the appropriate product.

What About Bonded Broadband?

For businesses that need more bandwidth than a single FTTC line can deliver but where leased line pricing or installation lead time is a barrier, bonded broadband aggregates multiple FTTC connections into a single faster pipe. This can provide 150–300Mbps at a lower cost than a leased line, though without the same SLA guarantees. It is a useful intermediate option for sites where full-fibre or leased line installation is delayed.

Key Questions Before You Sign

Before committing to any broadband package, ask the following:

Is the speed advertised or guaranteed? Business packages typically offer a minimum guaranteed speed floor; consumer-grade products do not.
What is the SLA for fault resolution? For a business connection, you want a defined response time — ideally within one business day — and a formal escalation route.
Does the package include a static IP address? You will need one for VPNs, hosted services, or IP-based access controls.
What are the contract terms and notice periods? Standard business broadband runs on 12, 24, or 36-month contracts. Understand the exit terms before signing.

AMVIA compares broadband packages across multiple UK providers and can run an availability check at your postcode to identify which products and speeds are genuinely accessible at your site — before you commit to anything.

Not Sure Which Package You Need?

Tell us about your team size and how you use the internet, and AMVIA will recommend the right broadband product with live pricing from multiple providers.

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