Business SIM-only

At Bionic, we work with a panel of trusted business mobile providers that offer great service, competitive rates, and a reliable mobile connection.

• EE – The UK’s number one mobile network with superfast 4G and 5G
• Vodafone – One of the UK’s largest mobile providers, Vodafone offers a range of SIM-Only plans to suit businesses of all sizes.
• O2 – The UK’s largest mobile network operator offers a range of flexible SIM-Only deals along with perks and prizes as part of its Priority scheme.
• Daisy Communications – Award-winning B2B connectivity specialists with 88,000 commercial customers of all sizes and across all sectors. Specialists in business VoIP and premium connectivity solutions

The inclusion of a handset is the main difference between SIM-only deals and pay-monthly business mobile contracts. When you sign up for a pay-monthly business mobile phone deal, you’ll get the choice of taking on a new handset or tablet, but with business SIM-only, you just get a new SIM card that you slot into your existing device.

Both offer inclusive calls, data, and international roaming, so the choice simply comes down to whether you want to upgrade your tech.

There are many good reasons why your business might want to make the switch to SIM-only, including:

• Cut down on the cost of new devices - Regular software updates for smartphone operating systems mean handsets last a lot longer than they used to, and a SIM-only deal could help cut costs if your current mobile deal has ended and you’ve paid for your device. It could also come in handy if you’re upgrading your current device and passing your old one on to another member of staff - just give them the old handset with the new SIM and they’re good to go.
• Allow employees to use their own devices - SIM-only deals for business can also be a good fit if you allow employees to use their own smartphones for work, as it means you can keep a handle on the cost of business calls without having to fork out for new company devices.
• Better chance of acceptance - It might be worth considering a SIM-only deal if you’re a new start up with a limited credit history, or if your business has a poor credit score - you’ll have a better chance of being accepted for a SIM-only deal as your provider won’t have to legislate for the added ‘risk’ of providing an expensive device as part of the package.
• Greater flexibility - While some business phone contracts might need you to sign up for three years, but you can get shorter, more flexible SIM-only contracts.
• Cut down on admin - It’s also worth knowing that you don’t have to report anything to HMRC, deduct or pay tax and national insurance if you provide employees with one SIM card (or mobile phone) and the phone contract is between your business and the service provider. If your employees’ mobile phone costs are part of a salary sacrifice arrangement, you have to report employees’ mobile phone costs to HMRC. For more information on the tax implications of business mobile phones, go to GOV.UK.

Don’t make the mistake of staying on an expensive contract when you could save money by switching to a SIM-only deal. Get in touch with Bionic’s tech-enabled experts to compare business SIM-only deals.

5G is the next generation of mobile data, promising faster speeds of up to 1Gbps (compared to 100Mbps on 4G) that could even leave your business broadband connection for dead. That’s not to say you should ditch your business broadband though, as the same things that currently impair 4G and 3G speeds - think tall buildings, microwaves and other Wi-Fi signals - will also affect the speed and quality of your 5G connection.

And before you sign up to a 5G deal, consider that not only is it more expensive, but the existing 4G network will probably meet the demands of most businesses. Speak to one of our tech-enabled experts to work out the best option for your business.