Press Release | 19 Oct 2022

Vodafone to offer free broadband for a year to help small businesses mitigate rising costs and stay connected

New offer could save small businesses up to £348 on their broadband costs for a year.

  • Vodafone launches an industry-leading offer, with free business broadband for a year to help UK small businesses mitigate rising business costs and stay connected.*
  • New offer could save small businesses up to £348** on their broadband costs for a year.
  • The offer is available on a 24-month plan.
  • Vodafone will also be offering a £200 gift card to new small business customers.***
  • New research reveals that more than a quarter (28%) of small businesses will not be hiring any new staff over the next 12 months due to the current cost of living crisis.

A new study by Vodafone suggests owners of small businesses around the country are bracing themselves for a turbulent and uncertain year ahead. More than a quarter (28%) of small- and medium-sized businesses admit they won’t be hiring any new staff over the next 12 months due to the current cost of living crisis.

The research – commissioned by Vodafone looking into the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on UK small businesses – has found the rising cost of gas, electricity, and fuel for business use to be the greatest challenge for half of small business owners (53%). This is followed by staff pay rise demands (47%), spiralling transport and distribution costs (30%) and more expensive raw materials (28%). Nearly all small businesses (98%) said good connectivity was crucial to their business, yet more than a third (35%) admitted they have downgraded, cancelled or considered cutting their broadband service to save money.

In response, Vodafone is offering free business broadband for a year to help small businesses mitigate rising business costs and stay connected to customers. Available from 19 October to 24 November, this new support package offers Vodafone’s award-winning business-grade broadband free for 12 months on a 24-month plan. It is available to all small businesses, as well as existing Vodafone Business customers who are eligible to upgrade.

Steven Bartlett and Kat Pither on how entrepreneurs can survive tough times

As the UK economy is roiled by choppy waters, powerhouse entrepreneurs Kat Pither and Steven Bartlett gave their advice to other small business owners at an event marking the launch of Vodafone Pulse Connect.

Nick Gliddon, UK Director of Business at Vodafone, said: “With growing uncertainty in the economy coupled with spiralling business costs, Vodafone will continue to support small businesses who are the key drivers of employment, income, innovation and economic growth.

“This new offer of 12 months’ free broadband means one less bill to contend with for small businesses, who we hope can reinvest the money saved where it’s needed most.”

With nothing to pay on their broadband services for 12 months, small businesses can expect to save up to £348, providing much needed relief on an essential service.

To provide further support for small businesses, Vodafone Business is also offering new customers a £200 gift card for utility bills to help alleviate the pressure of rising costs a little. The limited offer will be given to new customers who purchase an Unlimited mobile plan.***

Once the initial 12-month period has passed, the monthly fee will revert to the standard rate of £26 (excl. VAT) a month for Business Broadband Superfast 1 and £29 (excl. VAT) a month for Business Broadband Superfast 2. There will be a one-time fee of £20 to cover set up costs, with no further payment required until the thirteenth month.

The research, which surveyed 1,000 small businesses, found that despite tough economic conditions, small businesses remain optimistic, with 43% saying they expected their business to grow in the next year. Indeed, 30% of business owners said the financial problems they faced had forced them to innovate and change the way they do things. Meanwhile, the rising cost of doing business had prompted around one-in-10 (9%) to change their business or start a new one.

Vodafone unveiled similar offers of free broadband for six months and 12 months during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to help small businesses struggling to stay connected to customers during lockdown.

This new offer of 12 months’ free broadband on a 24-month plan is a continuation of the valuable support Vodafone has provided its consumer and businesses customers alike during the economic downturn which also includes:

  • V-Hub by Vodafone small business support website: offers extensive resources on key aspects of operating in a more digitalised world and free access to an advisor, either on the phone or online. The website covers topics such as website creation, digital marketing, remote working and cybersecurity.
  • Committing to upskill the digital proficiencies of 800,000 small businesses over three years as part of the business.connected programme in partnership with Enterprise Nation.

Stay up-to-date with the very latest news from Vodafone by following us on Twitter and signing up for News Centre website notifications.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

*The 12 months free broadband offer will run until 24 November and is available to all new small business customers (1- 50 employees) and existing Vodafone Business customers who are eligible for an upgrade.

**Vodafone Superfast 2 Broadband, one of the two plans available under this offer, costs £29 a month, incl. VAT. £29 x 12 = £348 saving for the 12-month free offer if a business were to go with this plan.

***The free £200 gift card towards utility bills is available to new Vodafone Business customers who purchase a Vodafone SIM-only Unlimited 5G plan. This is a limited offer available from 24 October.

About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

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