Do you run a small business in the UK? Then it is important to pick the right mobile plan.
It will provide much-needed assistance to your business by helping you streamline communications. In other words, you will be using the mobile plan to contact customers, suppliers, and even your team.
This is where you need to decide whether you are going for a regular mobile plan or a specialized business mobile plan.
Read this guide and we will help you pick the right option out of them.
The Benefits of Business Mobile Plans
While consumer mobile plans can certainly work for some small businesses, there are some key advantages to choosing a business mobile plan instead:
- Extra features like shared data allowances and pooled minutes that support team communication
- Priority technical support and shorter wait times when you need assistance
- Flexible contracts that support seasonal staffing changes
- Volume discounts on multiple lines and large data packages
- More control and oversight through online management portals
- Better security like VPN access for protecting sensitive information
Many providers like BusinessMobiles, Vodafone, O2, and EE offer tailored business plans that include these types of features that smaller companies can benefit from.
So if issues like team coordination and data security are important for your operations, a specialized business plan may be the smarter way to go.
Key Differences from a Consumer Plan
There are a few key differences between standard consumer mobile plans and business plans worth noting. One major difference is contract length flexibility. Consumer plans usually lock you into a 12, 18 or 24-month agreement.
Business plans tend to offer more variation, like rolling 30-day contracts which allow you to scale up and down as needed.
Another major difference is cost. Business mobile plans are typically more expensive upfront than consumer plans, given the extra features and priority support they include.
However, when you factor in the discounts you get for adding more lines and data, they can actually cost less per user in the long run for a growing company. Just be sure to calculate your actual usage needs so you pick the right plan.
You’ll also need to think about who within your company will use the business mobile plan.
Most providers allow a business plan account owner to set restrictions and limits that ensure employees stay within agreed upon usage guidelines.
This oversight can help you manage costs more effectively.
Key Business Mobile Features to Look For
When evaluating UK business mobile plans, keep an eye out for these key features:
- Shared Allowances: This allows teams to pull from the same pool of voice minutes, texts, and data rather than having individual limits. It’s more flexible and cost-effective.
- Expense Management: Online portals allow designated admins to manage costs by setting controls and alerts. Some providers even integrate directly with accounting software.
- Mobile Device Management: Streamline device setup, updates, and monitoring through one centralized portal to enforce security protocols.
- Flexibility: Look for no strict contract requirements and the ability to change plans up or down as your needs change, especially during seasonal peaks.
- International Roaming: Having calling, text and data allowances while traveling internationally can be essential for some businesses. Be sure to understand each provider’s overseas packages.
- Security: Features like mobile VPN access, malware protection, and remote wipe ability are key for securing your devices and sensitive business information.
- Personal and Business Use: Some plans like Vodafone’s Business Mobile Plans allow both business and personal use on the same device, which can be appealing if you also use your phone for personal calls and data.
Top UK Business Mobile Providers
The top five mobile providers in the UK all offer both consumer and business plans.
Here’s a quick overview of what businesses plans from the major carriers include:
- Vodafone: Vodafone offers flexible business phone plans that work on both month-to-month and 12-month contracts. Key features include shared data, unlimited UK calls and texts, roaming, and mobile device management.
- O2: O2’s business plans come in three main packages with varying features focused on teams, individuals and intensive use. Perks include free SuperVoice calls to other O2 mobiles along with shared data and EU roaming.
- EE: EE’s business phone plans tout UK’s fastest 4G coverage along with several plan tiers. Business extras include shared data buckets, unlimited calls and texts, overseas use, and service management portals.
- Three: Three places emphasis on all-you-can-eat data along with unlimited minutes and texts on its business plans. You can also use your plan across multiple devices and benefit from free roaming globally.
- Sky: Sky focuses its business mobile plans on flexibility, with no minimum contract requirements. Features include bundled calls and texts, data sharing, device management, and cutover support from other providers.
Assessing Your Actual Business Needs
With so many offerings on the market, choosing the right UK business mobile plan really depends on your particular situation and needs. Before signing any contracts, gather input from your team and ask questions like:
- How many mobile lines do we need both now and in the next 1-2 years?
- What are our peak usage times and seasons? How much voice, text and data do we realistically use?
- How much overseas travel is expected and to what locations?
- How tech-savvy are our users? Will we need much service provider support?
- What level of oversight or controls do we need on usage?
- What’s our budget? Have we compared account fees, device costs, and usage rates?
Thoroughly assessing your current and future needs will point you in the right direction on whether a basic consumer plan or full-fledged business plan is the smartest choice as well as which UK provider offers the best fit.
Partnering with a provider that offers top-notch account management guidance tailored to small businesses can also pay off enormously.
Final Words
While standard mobile plans might cover the basics, UK business mobile plans add services and capabilities that are worth it for many small companies, even if they cost a bit more.
Features like shared data, usage oversight controls, priority tech support, and integrated device management often justify the expense.
And in some cases, you can actually lower costs by consolidating lines under one account.
Determine your must-have features, compare total provider costs, and evaluate the contract terms that work for your operations.
This will steer you toward the optimal business mobile plan choice for covering your unique communication needs both in the UK and even when working internationally.
With so many great options on the market, you should be able to find an affordable plan that helps keep your team connected and productive wherever they are.
