Affordable High-Speed Internet for Hotels: Finding the Best Deals on Business Fibre Broadband
As Jet Hotel Solutions (https://www.jethotelsolutions.com/), we know firsthand how critical reliable, high-speed internet is for keeping guests happy and operations running smoothly. A hotel without good Wi-Fi is like a room without a bed. Guests expect to be able to stream, video conference, and browse without interruption. Meanwhile, I need a robust connection to power everything from our reservation system to our smart room controls.
The problem is, business-grade internet access doesn’t come cheap, especially if you need enough bandwidth to support hundreds of devices. I’ve had my share of frustrating experiences with cable internet that crawled to a halt whenever the hotel was busy. But I’ve learned that fibre optic broadband is the way to go for its speed and reliability. The challenge is finding an affordable plan with enough juice to meet my hotel’s connectivity needs.
To help other hoteliers navigate this space, I’ve done the legwork to scope out some of the best deals on business fibre broadband. But first, let’s break down the key things to consider.
Key Factors When Choosing a Business Broadband Plan
Speed and Bandwidth When it comes to internet speed, most providers advertise their download speeds. But for hotels, upload speed is equally important, since you’ll have many devices simultaneously sending data. You’ll want a plan with generous bandwidth and ideally symmetrical speeds (equal download and upload rates).
A good rule of thumb is at least 5 Mbps per room for small to mid-sized hotels. For larger properties and conference facilities, 10-20 Mbps per room is a safer bet.
Dedicated vs. Shared Connection Shared connections, like cable internet, can slow down during peak usage times as bandwidth hogs compete for limited resources. With a dedicated fibre line, your speeds won’t plummet just because the hotel down the street is having a big conference.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Reputable business broadband providers will offer an SLA guaranteeing a certain percentage of uptime. Look for a plan with 99.9% uptime or higher. Also note the promised response and resolution times in case there’s an outage.
Contract Terms Be sure to compare the full cost over the life of the contract, factoring in installation fees, equipment rentals, and promotional discounts. A multi-year contract might have a lower monthly rate, but make sure you’re not getting locked into sub-par service.
Now, let’s take a look at my top picks for affordable business fibre broadband, taking into account the key criteria above. I’ve focused this roundup on plans geared towards small to mid-size hotels, with an eye towards balancing price and performance.
Most Affordable Plans
For hotels on a tight budget, these providers offer surprisingly cheap fibre plans with decent speeds:
- ViewQwest 300 Mbps Plan: At just $96/month, ViewQwest’s entry-level plan is the best bargain I’ve found. You get symmetrical 300 Mbps speeds and a free router rental. Just be aware that the SLA guarantees only 99.5% uptime, a bit lower than other providers.
- M1 300 Mbps Plan: For $99/month, M1 matches ViewQwest’s speed and throws in a free router plus a mesh Wi-Fi system to extend your coverage. The 99.95% SLA is also a step up.
Best Value Mid-Tier Plans
Stepping up to the 500-1000 Mbps range gets you more breathing room to support a higher density of devices and traffic. These plans hit the sweet spot for value:
- ViewQwest 500 Mbps Plan: Once again, ViewQwest undercuts the competition at $106/month for symmetrical 500 Mbps service. You get the same 99.5% uptime guarantee and free router as their lower-tier plan.
- SPTel 500 Mbps Plan: For $113/month, SPTel matches ViewQwest’s price while offering a few extra perks. You get a static IP address, free DDoS attack detection, and a higher-end router rental. However, the contract term is only 1 year.
- M1 500 Mbps Plan: At $148/month, M1’s mid-tier plan is pricier than the budget options, but still quite reasonable. The free router and mesh system are nice value-adds. The 99.95% SLA carries over from the lower-tier plan.
Top-Shelf Performance
For the most demanding environments, these premium plans deliver ultra-fast speeds and robust uptime guarantees:
- ViewQwest 1 Gbps Plan: Clocking in at $149/month, ViewQwest’s gigabit plan is the cheapest I’ve seen. You get the same 99.5% SLA and equipment perks as their lower-tier offerings.
- SPTel 1 Gbps Plan: At $163/month, SPTel’s gigabit service includes all the same benefits as their 500 Mbps tier, like the static IP and security features. But you get double the speed for just $50 more per month.
- M1 1 Gbps Plan: M1’s top-end plan runs $168/month with a 2-year contract. That’s not exactly a bargain, but it’s still cheaper than the big brand-name providers. And you get that solid 99.95% SLA.
The Bottom Line When it comes to cheap business fibre broadband for hotels, newer entrants like ViewQwest, SPTel, and M1 offer the most bang for your buck. Their plans deliver impressive speeds at much lower prices than legacy providers. Just be sure to look closely at the uptime guarantees and contract terms.
If your hotel is running on a shoestring budget, ViewQwest’s $96/month 300 Mbps plan is a fantastic deal. For a bit more oomph, SPTel’s $113/month 500 Mbps plan offers great value. And if you need the absolute fastest speeds without breaking the bank, it’s hard to beat ViewQwest’s $149/month gigabit service.
The key is to right-size your plan based on the number of rooms and expected guest usage. Don’t over-provision and pay for bandwidth you don’t need. But don’t skimp either, or you’ll get an earful from guests. With a little comparison shopping, you can find an affordable business broadband plan that will keep your guests connected and your bottom line in the black.