Best Business Internet Services

Business internet costs typically range from $40 a month for basic cable internet and slower speeds to $500 a month for satellite internet in rural areas. High-speed fiber internet, often the best connection type for high-demand businesses, will also set you back several hundred dollars a month. However, it’s important to note that exact prices are usually heavily influenced by your company’s location. Pricing listed on provider websites is often noted as “starting at,” and you won’t know your precise cost until you provide the vendor with your business’s information.

Besides location, other factors that will influence your monthly rate include:

• Connection type
• Max speeds
• Data usage
• Contract term
• Bundled services

Promotions highlighting cheaper pricing are often linked to slower speeds, long-term contracts, or bundled packages that require you to purchase two or more services, like internet and VoIP phone service.

>> Read Related Article: SMBs to Benefit From FCC’s Rural Broadband Expansion

Business Internet Hidden Fees & Add-On Costs

While comparing monthly rates is important, business owners should be aware of additional costs that can significantly impact their total internet expenses. These hidden fees can add $50 to $200 monthly to your bill, while others are one-time expenses.

Common hidden fees include:

• Installation and Setup Fees: Most business internet plans require professional installation, which typically ranges from $99 to $500, depending on complexity. Some providers, like Viasat, offer free installation as a promotional benefit.
  
• Equipment Rental Fees: Monthly equipment costs can range from $9.99 to $25 for routers, modems and gateways. Purchasing equipment outright may cost $100-$500, but it eliminates ongoing rental fees.
  
• Early Termination Fees: If you need to cancel service before your contract ends, fees can range from $100 to several hundred dollars. Month-to-month plans avoid this cost but typically have higher monthly rates. As a sign-up incentive, some vendors like Spectrum and Optimum will cover your early termination fees if you switch to their services.
• Static IP Address Fees: Many businesses require static IP addresses for VPN access or hosting servers, typically costing an additional $5-$15 per month per IP address.
  
• Data Overage Charges: While many business plans offer unlimited data, some budget plans may include data caps with overage fees of $10 per 50GB block. For example, Verizon’s LTE offering has a 300GB monthly data allowance; you’ll incur charges if you exceed it.
  
• Service Level Agreement (SLA) Premiums: Enhanced uptime guarantees and priority support can add 10-30 percent to your monthly bill, but may be essential for mission-critical operations.

Before signing a contract, ask ISPs for a complete breakdown of all potential fees and read the fine print carefully to avoid unexpected charges.

Dedicated Internet

If you’re running your business under a shared internet connection, you may experience slow internet speeds during high traffic or network congestion. However, most ISPs have a dedicated internet option that delivers fast internet speeds through a private connection. Even in moments of high internet traffic, business-critical systems, such as point-of-sale software and data transfers, can continue running smoothly.

Verizon offers a 5G wireless connection with fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds. (Source: Verizon)

Internet Backup Options

Things happen. Internet outages, natural disasters and other unexpected events could cause business internet to go down momentarily or for extended periods. Business internet providers are aware of this and know that companies could lose money if they lose connectivity. The best vendors have various types of internet backup options.
Whether it’s offering broadband internet as a secondary connection or a backup router that provides hours of battery-powered connection, leading ISPs typically will include this as part of their internet plans. Most vendors also provide 24/7 support and protection to keep you in the loop about your connection status until the primary connection comes back online.

Cybersecurity Tools

Business internet plans typically include several security features to protect organizations from cyber threats and maintain network integrity. Most providers offer basic firewall protection and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack mitigation as standard features, helping to block malicious traffic before it reaches your network. Many plans also include web filtering and content blocking capabilities that restrict access to potentially harmful websites, malware-infected domains and inappropriate content based on customizable policies.

Higher-tier business internet plans often provide more sophisticated security tools such as intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), which monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and automatically respond to potential threats. Some ISPs include security monitoring services with 24/7 surveillance by dedicated security operations centers, offering businesses professional oversight without needing in-house security expertise. Many business internet services also support secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections for remote workers, ensuring encrypted communication between employees and company resources. Static IP addresses, commonly available with business plans, also enhance security by enabling more precise access controls and making it easier to implement whitelist-based security policies for critical business applications and services.

Business-Exclusive Phone and TV Deals

Companies don’t just rely on the internet to run their businesses. Communicating with co-workers and customers via phone and video is just as essential, whether staff are exclusively in-office or have a remote/hybrid arrangement. Some businesses need television, too, for customer waiting rooms. You can get all of these services through an ISP and save money, too — most offer potential business users great deals if they bundle internet with phone or TV services. More often than not, these packages will result in a discounted price for all services.

Service providers like Optimum offer multiple bundle options that can help lower your annual expenses. Source: Optimum

In some cases, business customers may be able to save some money on this as well. More often than not, bundling business internet with other services offered by the internet provider will result in a discounted price for all services.

Contract Buyouts

The first internet service you sign up for doesn’t have to be your internet service forever. As your business grows and internet technology advances, it’s smart to assess your internet needs and costs periodically. If you decide to switch vendors, some business internet providers will buy out your existing contract to win your business.
This usually involves the ISP granting you a limited amount of “credit” (usually up to $1,500) to cover early termination fees and other costs associated with ending your current contract early. Be aware that the new provider may require your existing contract to explicitly say “early termination fees” as proof of your cancellation costs.

Compared to traditional residential internet, most business internet plans come with special advantages. When you sign up with an ISP for business internet services, you can look forward to these benefits:

Priority connections: Most, if not all, business internet plans come with a priority connection data limit. When connection speeds slow down due to high public network traffic, your business can run uninterrupted with a private network dedicated specifically to your company. If you operate your business in multiple buildings, you may be able to get dedicated internet for each location as well.

24/7 business support: Customers purchasing business internet often have access to 24/7 support for business-specific inquiries. This dedicated support typically includes faster response times and priority handling compared to residential customer service, with technical specialists trained specifically on business networking needs. Many providers also offer service level agreements that guarantee specific response and resolution timeframes, ensuring minimal downtime.

Service discounts: Top providers offer major discounts when you bundle their business internet with additional products, such as TV or mobile phone services. These packages are designed to enhance your business operations and make running your business much more effective. Add-ons may also include features like web conferencing and phone line extensions.

When choosing a business internet plan, here are some things to consider.

1. Business Type

Are you a new entrepreneur who plans to start a business as a sole proprietor? Do you want to open a small shop in a rural area? Are you an existing business owner with a business model heavily reliant on digital marketing and web conferencing? Your business type and whether you operate largely in person or mostly online will factor into your business internet needs.

2. Business Location

While most leading ISPs offer relatively vast internet coverage, your company’s location and work arrangement are still things that should be considered when deciding on the right internet service for your business. High-speed fiber internet isn’t available in all areas, and some rural locations are only served by satellite internet. You may not need large data caps if your company follows a hybrid work model, where employees aren’t always on-site.

3. Business Size

Businesses operating primarily in an office with a large team will have different internet needs than companies with only a few employees. If your business is relatively small, a lower-tier internet plan may suffice. When you need to upgrade to accommodate a larger workforce, vendors will be more than happy to help you transition to a different plan as your business scales. Also consider whether you have a sizeable client base visiting your premises; you may want to provide customers with separate guest Wi-Fi, which not all packages include.

The business internet installation process varies significantly depending on your chosen connection type and provider, but understanding what to expect can help you plan accordingly and minimize business disruption.

Pre-Installation Assessment

Most ISPs begin with a site survey to determine the best installation approach for your company’s location. This assessment typically includes:

• Checking existing infrastructure and wiring capabilities.
• Determining optimal equipment placement for maximum coverage.
• Identifying any potential obstacles or building modifications needed.
• Confirming line-of-sight requirements for wireless services.

Installation Timeline and Process

Installation timeframes vary by connection type:

• Cable and DSL Internet: Usually completed within 3-5 business days of ordering, with installation taking 2-4 hours
• Fiber Internet: May require 7-14 days due to potential infrastructure work, with installation taking 4-8 hours
• Fixed Wireless: Can be completed in as little as 24 hours to 10 business days, depending on complexity
• Satellite Internet: Typically requires 1-2 weeks, with installation taking 2-3 hours

What to Expect During Installation

Professional technicians will typically:

• Install and configure all necessary equipment, including modems, routers and wireless access points.
• Run cables through existing conduits or create new pathways as needed.
• Set up network security features and business-specific configurations.
• Test connection speeds and reliability to ensure service meets contracted levels.
• Provide basic training on equipment operation and troubleshooting.

Self-Installation Options

Some providers offer self-installation kits for simpler setups, particularly for:

• Basic cable or DSL connections in pre-wired buildings.
• Wireless internet services with plug-and-play equipment.
• Businesses upgrading existing services with the same provider.

Self-installation can help you avoid professional installation fees, but may not be suitable for complex network requirements or multi-location businesses.

Post-Installation Considerations

After installation, ensure you:

• Test all connection points and speeds thoroughly.
• Document network configurations and equipment serial numbers.
• Schedule any necessary employee training on new systems.
• Establish backup procedures and understand your service level agreement terms.

Many providers offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, giving you time to identify any issues and request adjustments before committing long-term to the service.

At Business News Daily, our team of small business tech experts researched and tested business internet service providers and plans to find the best options for your business. We compared some of the leading solutions across more than 25 key metrics. We considered 24 internet service providers at the start of our investigation and closely reviewed and tested 11 of them before selecting our six best picks above.

Below are the factors we considered when determining our best picks. Each is weighted according to how much the criteria typically influences business owners’ buying decisions.

Pricing (30%): We considered the monthly cost of business internet services, as well as installation fees, equipment fees and the number of service plans available. We also considered whether bundled packages with other valuable business services were available.

Speed and Uptime (25%): We compared upload and download speeds, putting particular emphasis on symmetrical internet services. We also reviewed network uptime statistics to determine which internet service providers were the most reliable.

Types of Plans (20%): We reviewed the types of internet services available, prioritizing providers that offered the most flexible options. We looked for services with shared, wireless and dedicated internet options.

Customer Support (15%): We examined the ease with which customers could contact the customer service team for help. We reviewed customer feedback to determine how well each vendor’s support meets the needs of existing customers.

Equipment Options (10%): We considered each provider’s modems, backup devices and other hardware. We preferred sleek, modern technology that didn’t look out of place in a business setting or take up much space. We compared equipment costs and favored ISPs that provide free hardware with professional installation.

In addition to scoring each business internet service we reviewed based on this criteria, we also determined the best use case scenarios for each. No two businesses are exactly alike, so we put ourselves in the shoes of different types of small business owners and identify the best business internet service for a variety of needs.

To learn more about how we review and test tech products and services for small businesses, read about our editorial process.

Jeff Hale contributed to this article.