Navigating business internet providers: how to make the smartest choice
May 21, 2025
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7
min read
Highlights
When researching business internet providers, look for ISPs with their own network infrastructure dedicated to businesses. Reliability, speed, and capacity are also big considerations, as well as the onboarding process, contracts, and quality of customer service.
Internet connectivity is the lifeblood of businesses, powering operations, communication, and growth.
In this guide, we'll explore key factors—network, service, and people—to consider when selecting the ideal business internet provider to keep you connected and thriving.
You should ask these questions to assess whether you're getting what you need from your current provider or ensure you pick the right one.
Network
What infrastructure do they use?
When exploring business Internet Service Provider (ISP) options, it's crucial to distinguish between providers utilising state-of-the-art infrastructure and those relying on legacy networks.
The network build is the foundation of your internet connection, determining the reliability and performance of your business' online operations—now and in the future.
However, you may not realise that many internet providers resell legacy Openreach infrastructure.
ISPs that build their own networks are more likely to have modern infrastructure that can accommodate the growing data demands that every business is experiencing.
Fibre optic networks offer higher speeds, lower latency, and increased reliability compared to traditional copper-based systems. Choose an internet provider that uses the latest technology available to ensure they will provide the data-intensive connectivity you’ll need now and in the future.
What speed do you need?
In today’s business landscape, having abundant internet is non-negotiable. You shouldn’t have to think about speed and capacity, as they are fundamental to everyday business—whether you’re a large corporation or are looking for internet for small businesses.
Bandwidth (or lack thereof) can be the difference between making a landmark deal or dropping a business-critical call.
Consider how much bandwidth your business needs to operate seamlessly now. Then, consider what it will need in five years, taking into account that data requirements are growing exponentially.
Next, compare the upload and download speeds offered by different ISPs. Pay attention to whether their service is contended, meaning the line is shared. You want to ensure that the speeds advertised are what you will actually get so there are no dips in service when your data needs peak (when many people are in the office at once, for example).
Many businesses are transitioning to 10Gbps business internet (or above) as a strategic investment, enabling them to handle large data volumes and adopt advanced applications. Some networks are even 100Gbps capable.
The bottom line is that you should never even come close to outgrowing your digital capabilities. Consider the trifecta of speed, capacity, and scalability to make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.
Can you rely on them?
Every minute of interrupted connectivity can result in financial losses, missed opportunities, and frustrated clients.
Reduce the risk of downtime by assessing business ISPs on their reliability. Compare their Service Level Agreements (SLAs), which set the expectations for uptime, response time, and issue resolution. A robust SLA indicates how confident the ISP is with their network and ensures your business has a safety net.
You should also look out for ISPs that use diverse lines. This is when they install backup routes that will be unaffected if the primary connections go down. The data can, therefore, travel down a separate route whilst they fix the connection on the other line.
Be thorough in your research to ensure you minimise financial losses, decreased productivity, and customer and employee frustration.
Are they dedicated to businesses?
Providers dedicated exclusively to businesses have an in-depth understanding of the distinct needs and challenges businesses face.
Unlike providers serving residential and business customers, business-only specialists have exclusive infrastructure for their business clients.
These ISPs are well-versed in the essential features that matter to enterprises. Whether it's advanced security protocols, reliable connectivity, or specific bandwidth requirements, they prioritise features that contribute to the success of businesses.
They are also more likely to offer tailored solutions that align with the specific requirements of businesses, from custom packages to scalable plans.
Service
How smooth is the on-boarding process?
The installation process for your business internet should be seamless and designed to minimise disruptions.
Whether transitioning from a previous provider or setting up a new connection, a quick and easy installation process reduces downtime for your business.
Ask about timelines to assess the level of support you will receive during the onboarding process. A provider prioritising a smooth experience demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction, setting the tone for a productive and lasting partnership.
Vertically integrated ISPs, who do everything in house, will be more efficient in delivering your connection. From the Installation Technician who surveys your building to the Wayleave Officer managing the legal component, the fibre delivery journey will be drastically better than industry norms.
How clear is the contract?
Transparency in pricing and contracts is paramount. The last thing you want is to discover hidden costs or navigate through convoluted terms that can impact your budget and flexibility.
Signs of a transparent provider include a clear pricing breakdown, open communication, flexible contract options, and no hidden clauses. This allows you to assess the overall cost-effectiveness of your chosen plan.
Here are some questions to ask:
What is the contract duration?
You should look for providers with contracts that give you the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs, whether you need to scale up your services or adjust.
A clear and concise contract eliminates confusion and ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding the service’s duration, terms, and conditions.
Is the pricing straightforward?
A transparent pricing structure lets you accurately plan your budget and effectively allocate resources.
Unpublished prices indicate that they could inflate pricing on a case-by-case basis. All charges should be clear upfront, helping you avoid unexpected fees emerging during your contract.
Does the SLA include fair compensation measures for downtime?
Green flags include a clear definition of what constitutes downtime, a transparent compensation structure, automatic compensation, and proactive communication if an issue arises.
People
Do they get to know their customers?
We’re in a digital world, but businesses prioritising strong customer relationships still reign supreme. Your ISP should take the time to get to know the specific needs of your business and engage in proactive communication, whether it's informing you about potential maintenance or updating you on service improvements.
Assess potential ISPs on their available customer support channels and browse customer testimonials to gauge how much they prioritise customer relationships.
Think about it this way—would you prefer ringing a call centre or a dedicated account manager? Having a single point of contact who works in-house will give you tailored support and take much of the frustration out of issue resolution. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’ll be passed from person to person.
What does the company stand for?
The team behind the scenes can tell you a lot about an ISP. The composition and mindset of the team play a crucial role in delivering innovative solutions that meet diverse business needs.
A provider that values diversity is better equipped to understand and cater to the unique requirements of businesses. Embracing diversity in their team often translates to offering versatile solutions that consider various business needs. Look for a provider committed to fostering an inclusive environment, ensuring their team reflects various perspectives and experiences.
Also, consider whether they prioritise training and development for their team. A workforce continuously enhancing their skills is better positioned to offer optimal support and guidance.
Finally, assess their mindset when it comes to innovation. A youthful and fresh approach indicates a commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. A provider with a forward-thinking mindset is more likely to adopt cutting-edge technologies and services, offering your business the benefits of the latest innovations in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
These insights will help you get below the surface when choosing a business ISP because this is about more than connectivity. Your company should thrive in the modern data-driven landscape; if it does not, it will swiftly fall behind.
Finding a provider that aligns with your goals, empowers your team, and propels your business into a future where connectivity is seamless, reliable, and abundant will make all the difference.
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At May's biquarterly Women in Telecoms meetup, hosted at Vorboss HQ, women from across the industry came together to share experiences, reflect on progress, and explore what real inclusion looks like.
The session, led by Natalie Strange, MD of RPS Telecoms and Head of the Women in Telecoms group, included a panel discussion with our colleagues at Vorboss about their experiences in the industry, the steps we’re taking to make telecoms more inclusive, and what's next.
Here’s how the discussion went
Meet the panel
Jade, Team Lead Engineer
Joined Vorboss at 18 as an apprentice. Now leads on-site fibre installation teams across London.
Tamryn, People & Culture Manager
Originally joined as a Training Administrator. Now helps embed inclusive policies and support systems across the organisation.
Taylor, Head of Operations
Leads the teams that connect customers and deliver our service end-to-end.
Q: What has your journey been like as a woman in telecoms?
Jade shared her positive experience:
“It’s been amazing. I knew I didn’t want to go down the university route; I wanted to get stuck in and work. Vorboss trained me from the beginning, and now I lead my own team. I genuinely love what I do.”
Tamryn, who recently came back from maternity leave, shared:
“Coming back was a big worry for me – would I still fit in? Would I be supported? The answer’s been yes. We have a parent room, a fridge for milk, and my son’s even visited the office. My son’s even visited the office!”
Q: What hiring barriers still exist in telecoms, and how are we addressing them?
Tamryn:
“For engineering roles especially, we had to rethink the language we used. The old versions were unintentionally harsh and often male-coded. Once we made them clearer and more neutral, more women applied”
Some practical changes discussed included:
- Remove industry jargon from job descriptions
- Manually review CVs instead of relying on (often biased) AI-driven filtering
- Eliminate unnecessary degree requirements
- Run diverse interview panels
Q: How can companies like Vorboss foster more inclusive environments that attract, support, and retain women – from technical roles to leadership positions?
Tamryn:
“We’ve made training fully in-house through the Vorboss Academy, so no previous experience is required. That’s opened doors to people who wouldn’t normally apply. We’ve also built internal career tracks, flexible policies, and training for inclusive management.”
Vorboss has launched these initiatives to retain talent and progress women into leadership roles:
- Internal secondments: opportunities to explore other career options internally.
- Training: manager training on inclusive team management plus annual DE&I and menopause awareness training for all staff.
- Flexibility: accommodating workforce needs, e.g. part-time contracts.
- Internal promotion: fostering internal growth means more women in senior roles, helping us retain talent.
- Listening and acting on feedback: from uniform design to policy, we want to ensure everyone feels seen.
Other policies include paid period days, free sanitary products, IVF and adoption leave, domestic abuse support, free breakfast and welfare vans.
Jade completed a secondment with our data centre team. Though she stayed in her role, she found the experience valuable:
“It was such a good learning experience. It gave me more context and helped me feel more confident in my role.”
Q: What barriers have you encountered (or seen others face), and what helped you or your teams overcome them?
Tamryn:
“Workwear. It seems small, but early on we realised all the uniforms were made for men; gloves, trousers, fireproof kit. We redesigned it all. It took time, but it meant that everyone could work more effectively.”
Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of women pursuing careers in telecoms?
Taylor had clear advice:
“Don’t assume the person you’re talking to knows more than you. Say yes to opportunities. If you fail, that’s fine. Ask for help and keep moving.”
Jade:
“Do it! It’s been life changing for me. I’m so grateful I took the chance.”
Q: What’s next for Vorboss?
We want to keep growing - not just in size, but in diversity, inclusion, and opportunity, and inspire others to follow suit.
We’ve set measurable goals for diversity and inclusion, including:
- Today: more than 1 in 3 of our technical and engineering roles are held by women.
- By 2027: we aim for 50/50 gender parity in technical and engineering roles.
- By 2028: we aim for gender parity company-wide.
We’ve signed Ofcom’s Women in Tech pledge and publish our gender pay gap annually.
About Women in Telecoms
Women in Telecoms is an initiative by Comms Council UK, created in response to growing demand from its members for regular opportunities to network, share experiences, discuss key industry topics, and exchange ideas.
Vorboss formalises strategic partnership with Roc Technologies to deliver innovative connectivity services to London's local councils.
London, [02.06.2025] – Vorboss, London's leading dedicated connectivity provider, today announces a strategic partnership with Roc Technologies to deliver best-in-class network solutions tailored specifically for local councils across the capital.
This partnership, borne of long standing collaboration between the companies, brings together two organisations committed to leveraging technology to enhance public sector services. The Vorboss high-performance, resilient network, combined with Roc Technologies' highly secure, customer-centred approach, provides local councils with a distinctive and robust solution to address real citizen needs.
Jason O’Malley, Chief of Commercial Operations at Vorboss, said: "We're excited to be partnering with Roc Technologies, whose values and customer-centric approach align closely with our own. This partnership enables us to offer unparalleled connectivity solutions, directly improving service delivery and efficiency for local councils."
Adam Jarvis , CRO at Roc Technologies, added: "Our partnership with Vorboss brings together two businesses that truly differentiate in the way they support their customers, providing highly responsive services designed to enhance their overall experience. Leveraging Vorboss' superior infrastructure and their technical experts located across London allows us to provide a combined service delivery capability that transforms how local councils manage their infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the communities they serve."
The combined expertise of Vorboss and Roc Technologies presents councils across London with an unmatched proposition: cutting-edge connectivity delivered with clarity, reliability, and a shared dedication to customer-driven outcomes.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Kirstie Lane
Kirstie.lane@vorboss.com
About Vorboss:
Vorboss is London’s dedicated enterprise fibre network. We are disrupting the status quo by providing London businesses with access to critical fibre infrastructure with simple, transparent pricing and London-wide coverage.
Since 2019, we've invested over £250 million into our London network. We have deployed over 700km of fibre optic cables to date, setting an unparalleled standard in both scale and quality.
We maintain complete ownership of the network that we built. This gives us the freedom to approach telecommunications differently.
Partners and customers deal directly with the engineers who built the network, and we can deliver installations and bandwidth upgrades within days, not months.
About Roc Technologies:
Who are Roc?
Roc Technologies delivers transformational IT solutions to public and private sector organisations across the UK. We are a team of brilliant minds, bringing together highly secure infrastructure, advanced cyber security, intelligent automation and modern cloud services, all supported by our 24/7 Managed Services Operations Centre. Our expertise is backed up by some of the UK’s most rigorous data and security accreditations; we’ve earned the trust of the nation’s largest and most complex organisations and have safeguarded their most sensitive data for over a decade.
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