There’s hundreds of business mobile contracts for you to choose from – here’s how to choose the right one

About 85% of small businesses in the UK use a smartphone to improve productivity for business related tasks.

Having access to a smartphone for work has almost become non-negotiable today.

More employees are working remote, and many don’t like the idea of giving away their personal number for business purposes.

Afterall, who wants to take a business call on your personal phone at 9:30pm?

Choosing a business mobile phone contract is a big decision.

Especially if you’re buying multiple devices for a business.

There’s lots to think about too.

Do you want to use iPhones and iOS, or do you prefer the idea of using the Android system and having more flexibility about the type of devices employees can have?

Then there’s the deal itself.

Do you want more minutes?

Or would more mobile data be beneficial?

And what about if you’re going to use your business phones abroad?

In this post we explore what you should think about when choosing the right business mobile phone contract.  

Phone deals vs business sim only deals

The first thing you’ll need to think about is whether you want a deal that includes a new phone, or whether you want to keep your current phone and opt for a business mobile sim only deal.

SIM only contracts are cost effective, flexible and perfect if you want to keep your current phone.

You take them out in the same way as a phone contract, but you only pay for your data, texts and minutes.

These contracts cost less than phone deals because you’re not also paying for cost of the device.

Business mobile phone contracts that include a phone are perfect if you want the latest phone without the hefty cost of buying it outright, with costs spread across 24-48 months. 

Phone contracts also allow you to choose the amount of texts, minutes and data that’ll be included. 

What kind of business phone do you want? 

With technology changing and developing all the time, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which phone you want.

At Communications Plus, we offer a selection of the latest Apple and Samsung phones for you to choose from and it’s mostly down to what you prefer. 

Something important to keep in mind is apps – are the enterprise apps you need compatible with the phone you want? 

Most apps will work with iOS and Android software, but some will be exclusive to one operating system.

So it’s best to check before you buy.

If you’re investing in more than one phone for your business, think about compatibility – which phones do people already use and do you want everyone to have the same phone? 

Minutes vs data

Do you or your employees make lots of calls every day?

If so, you might be better finding a phone deal that concentrates more on minutes so you’ll always have some available for client calls when you’re out of the office.

Or maybe you’re on the go a lot and need constant internet access to stay connected with your employees or clients?

In that case you’ll be better with a phone deal that provides unlimited data so you won’t have to worry about additional costs for going over a data limit when using enterprise apps.

With the amount of deals on offer, you’ll be sure to find something that suits your business’s needs. 

Is your new phone 5G ready?

As a business owner, it might be time to start thinking about how you’re going to adapt for the next generation of connected devices. 

Technology with 5G capabilities drastically improves not only how reliable your connections are, but the speed of data transfers between devices, and how efficiently your device runs. 

In the next few years, the need to be 5G compatible is going to be almost non-negotiable for businesses looking to compete in a remote, data heavy world. 

How much does it cost to use your phone abroad?

Being able to use your business phone abroad can make your life easier, but it can be a costly venture if you don’t check a few things first. 

Are there roaming charges involved?

When you travel, your phone should connect automatically to an alternative network in your destination country,  so you don’t have to do anything yourself.

If you don’t know how much it costs, it can be easy to rack up a huge bill – make sure to check with your provider whether you need to opt in or not to enable data roaming.  

How much does it cost to make a call? 

International call charges are expensive, O2 customers for example pay £1.79 per minute if their contract doesn’t include data roaming. 

It’s a good idea to use apps like Skype, Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger to make video or voice calls over wifi to avoid any extra costs. 

How long is your contract?

Phone contracts can tie you in for a long time, lasting anywhere between 12 and 24 months. 

New phones being released pretty much annually would leave you with an outdated device in the last few months of your contract. 

If you’re not interested in having the most recent smartphones and aren’t willing to pay thousands up front for them, a long term phone contract will be perfect for you. 

SIM only contracts are usually a lot shorter, with some running on a month by month basis –  perfect for if you’re testing the waters or like to invest in the new devices as and when they become available. 

As we previously mentioned, you’ll have to pay the cost of the handset upfront, so make sure this is something you’re willing to do.  

Is there an early exit fee? 

Most contracts will have an early exit clause, meaning you’ll have to pay what’s left of your contract upfront if you want out. 

So if you have 5 months left to pay on a £32 a month contract, you’ll make a one off payment of £160 to withdraw from it.

With a SIM only contract, you can upgrade your phone whenever you want; there are no early upgrade clauses involved. 

Can you upgrade your phone when new models are released?

If you opt for a SIM only plan, you’ll be able to upgrade your phone whenever you want, but you’ll have to pay upfront for it. 

If you’re able to fork out thousands for the latest smartphone then a SIM only contract might be best for you. 

As we mentioned before, most long term contracts mean you’re tied to the same phone for 12-24 months and they have an early upgrade clause – meaning if you want to change your device earlier you’ll have to pay what’s left on your contract. 

Find the right business mobile phone with Communication Plus

There are hundreds of business mobile contracts for you to choose from so you’re bound to find your perfect match. 

Before entering into a contract, it’s essential for you to weigh up what you want out of your business phone so you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. 

At Communications Plus we offer a wide range of Apple and Samsung phones and different plans to suit your business needs.

 
If you’re still unsure or want to enquire, get in touch with us today.