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.

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.