How small businesses stay connected for growth

28 October 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes


Choose the right business internet solution for your industry, location, and business goals.

Staying online is essential in today's fast-paced business world. But with so many internet options available, what’s best for a small business?

Your business internet connection is important. Whether you are in a busy city, a quiet rural area, pop-up location, or multiple locations, internet connectivity can affect your business productivity and growth.

This guide explains the different types of business internet connections out there. It'll help you find the best option for your industry, location, and business goals. We will look at the best solutions for different business needs. This includes 5G Business Broadband and MiFi mobile internet connections, we’ll explore the ideal solutions for various business needs.

1. What type of business internet is best for your industry?

Different industries have unique requirements from their internet connection. Here’s how to match the right internet types to your business.

Retail & hospitality

Small businesses like cafes, restaurants, and retail shops need a robust internet connection. This helps business owners and their staff process transactions, manage stock, and provide guest Wi-Fi.

We recommend: 5G Business Broadband

  • Why: Super fast internet speeds [1], with average download speed of 150Mbps [2] and stable connections ensure smooth operations, especially with multiple devices.
  • Key benefits: No need for an engineer, cutting unnecessary costs while delivering top-notch service.

Learn how Café Lavatté provides reliable 5G internet connection to serve customers

Café Lavatté needed an internet connection reliable enough to handle payments, security and CCTV, customer Wi-Fi, stock management, and more. Three Business offered the complete package.

Construction & pop-up businesses

For temporary set ups like construction sites or pop-up shops, flexible and portable internet solutions are essential.

We recommend: MiFi mobile internet

  • Why: MiFi mobile internet offers a simple plug-and-work solution. It creates a Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere. MiFi internet connection is ideal for teams that are constantly on the go.
  • Key benefits: It’s easy to set up, and perfect for temporary or mobile operations.

Offices & professional services

For businesses like law firms or marketing agencies, a fast and stable connection is essential. It supports cloud IT services, video calls, and large data transfers.

We recommend: 5G Business Broadband

  • Why: Provides high speed [1], stable internet connection with 5G, plus flexibility with no need for physical installations.
  • Key benefits: Seamless data transfers and reliable 5G business internet, offering increased productivity and smoother online collaboration.

5G Business Broadband and MiFi Mobile Broadband

2. Location: what’s the best for urban vs rural businesses?

Urban businesses

Urban businesses typically have more internet options, but may face network congestion or slower fixed-line alternatives.

We recommend: 5G Business Broadband

  • Why: Get super fast 5G internet speeds [1] without the need for a landline, avoiding bottlenecks and installation delays.
  • Key benefits: A simple plug-and-work set up, with no engineers required.

Rural or remote businesses

Rural businesses often deal with limited internet options, slower speeds, or expensive fixed-line installations.

We recommend: MiFi or 5G Business Broadband

  • Why: MiFi offers portable, high speed internet [1], while 5G Business Broadband provides reliable internet where fibre isn’t available.
  • Key benefits: Portable and scalable options for rural work environments.

Check coverage in your area

Discover Three’s 5G Business Broadband or MiFi solutions today.

3. Aligning internet solutions with your business goals

Goal: Scaling operations

As your business grows, your internet connection must scale with you. 

We recommend: 5G Business Broadband

  • Why: Multiple hubs allow for easy scalability without complex installations, and your team is 5G ready.
  • Key benefits: Flexible and scalable, with the option to add hubs as your business grows.

Goal: Reducing costs

Many small businesses aim to lower operational costs while maintaining quality. An affordable yet reliable internet connection is key.

We recommend: 5G MiFi for business

  • Why: MiFi gives smaller teams flexibility. 5G provides high-speed internet [1] at a much lower cost than fixed-lines.
  • Key benefits: Faster speeds without the expense of fixed-line installations.

MiFi Mobile Broadband

4. The role of MiFi in business connectivity

MiFi is a small portable device. It allows multiple users to connect to the internet through a mobile network. This creates a Wi-Fi hotspot. Ideal for businesses that require flexibility, such as remote workers or event planners.

Why choose MiFi?

  • Portable & convenient: Perfect for businesses that operate in multiple locations, or on the move.
  • Quick set up: No landline or cable needed – just power on the device for instant internet access.
  • Cost-effective: No need for permanent internet, saving money on installation and landline costs.

5. The Three Business team can help you find the right fit for your business

Whether you need the flexibility of MiFi, the speed of 5G Business Broadband, or the reliability of eero Wi-Fi mesh system, Three Business has the right options to keep your business connected.

eero Wi-Fi Mesh System

eero mesh internet solution from Three Business

Business internet FAQs

This depends on your business’s needs, industry, and location. For example, a café in a busy city may benefit from 5G Business Broadband, while a remote construction team may work better with MiFi. You can find out more about what’s on offer on our Business Broadband page.

5G Business Broadband offers faster speeds [1], flexibility, and no costly installations, making it ideal for businesses in both urban and rural areas. Move your hubs between offices, and scale up as your business grows.

Find out more on our Business Broadband page.

MiFi allows businesses to create portable Wi-Fi hotspots anywhere with mobile coverage. This is perfect for remote teams or temporary locations, and multiple users. You’ll find more on MiFi here.

Why Three Business? 

Choose Three Business as your trusted connectivity partner and unlock the full potential of your mobile workforce. With our combined 3G/4G network covering 99% of the outdoor population across the UK and a suite of innovative solutions, including Truly Unlimited data and cybersecurity protection, Three Business empowers organisations to thrive in a connected world.

30-day free trial

No upfront cost and 30 day money back guarantee. Order to be completed by 1pm on a working day, for next working day delivery (selected postcodes only).

Plug & work

Get your business internet hub the next day. Unlike fixed lines that require a landline and engineer, plug your hub hassle free. No landline. No engineer. No waiting. 

Fast and reliable

We ensure your teams can serve your customers from any location, allowing your business to run smoothly, with The UK's Fastest 5G Network [1].

Unbeatable value

We understand that, with rising budget pressures, cost-effectiveness is key. We offer simple, value-first plans to help you keep track of your usage and spend.

Business support

We guarantee that service remains consistent throughout, with access to our expert business customer service team.

References:

Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for H1 2024. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission. To verify, visit: speedtest.net/awards/fastest-5g.

The advertised 5G download speed of 150Mbps applies to at least 50% of 5G Business Broadband customers between the peak hours of 8pm and 10pm and is based on average peak download data speeds from our routers in December 2023 - January 2024, which averaged 157mpbs.

As it is based on customer demand, which in turn depends on what users are doing (which may be low data activities), we expect the speed capability of our network for particularly data intensive activities to be even higher. We review this measure periodically.

Due to the nature of the wireless technology delivering your business broadband, the speed that any individual premise will experience is not guaranteed, may vary and can be impacted by local factors, such as the positioning of the hub, and local factors such as line of sight to your nearest mast, local topography (such as hills) number of users accessing the network in your area and thickness of walls and windows.​