Business SIM only plans explained
Ex VAT pricing, pooled allowances, account-level bundles and the contract rules that matter when you're buying for a team.
Buying mobile for a business comes down to more than the headline price. Pricing conventions, pooling and the rules around adding or removing lines are what actually determine the cost.
Key takeaways
- Business prices are quoted ex VAT as well as inc VAT.
- Data can be pooled by aggregation or by a single shared bundle.
- Each connection carries its own 24 month term.
- Roaming rates differ by network and matter for travelling teams.
Buying mobile for a business comes down to more than the headline price. The tariffs look similar, but pricing conventions, pooling and the rules around adding or removing lines are what actually determine the cost.
Key takeaways
- Business prices are quoted ex VAT as well as inc VAT.
- Data can be pooled by aggregation or by a single shared bundle.
- Each connection carries its own 24 month term.
- Roaming rates differ by network and matter for travelling teams.
Ex VAT pricing
Business and mobile broadband cards on this site show the ex VAT figure alongside the inc VAT price, because that is how most businesses budget and how VAT-registered companies experience the cost.
Pooling data across the team
You can either aggregate — every connection contributes its allowance to one account pool — or use a sharer model where lines have a low monthly charges and all data comes from a single shared bundle from 25GB to 5TB. The two models can't be combined on the same account.
Terms, adds and removals
Each connection carries its own minimum term. Moving a connection onto a new tariff restarts a fresh 24 month period for that subscription, and leaving early triggers the early termination fee on the remaining monthly charges.
Promotional tariffs are for new customers, so internal ports and renewals may not qualify.
Travelling teams
If staff travel, price roaming into the decision: O2 includes EU roaming with worldwide at £4.00 a day, Vodafone is £1.60 EU and £4.26 worldwide, and EE is £1.50 EU with a £5.00 a day business roaming rate and £9.00 a day world roaming.
Frequently asked questions
Are business prices shown ex VAT?
Both. Business and mobile broadband cards show the inc VAT headline price and the ex VAT figure underneath.
Can we add lines later?
Yes. Each new connection takes its own minimum term, and on a sharer account the shared bundle can be increased to cover extra demand.
What happens if an employee leaves mid-term?
Ceasing the connection before the end of its minimum term triggers the early termination fee for the remaining monthly charges, including any notice period.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
Are business prices shown ex VAT?
Yes. Every price is shown ex VAT first, with the inc VAT price underneath.
Can we add lines later?
Yes. Each new connection takes its own minimum term, and on a sharer account the shared bundle can be increased to cover extra demand.
What happens if an employee leaves mid-term?
Cancelling the plan before the end of its minimum term triggers the early termination fee for the remaining monthly charges, including any notice period.
Deals mentioned in this guide
Prices are shown ex VAT first, with inc VAT alongside, and show the saving against the network’s own published price where a like-for-like plan exists.
O2 Unlimited
Unlimited streaming and tethering
£15/month inc VAT
Price per user. Starting price — rises by £1.50 each April during the contract
Compared against O2 direct, you save £192 over the 24 month term at starting prices
That’s £8/month less than their £23 price for the same allowance. Annual increases are excluded from this estimate.
Unlimited
Data
24 months
Contract
Vodafone Unlimited
Unlimited streaming and tethering
£17/month inc VAT
Price per user. Starting price — rises by £1.50 each April during the contract
Compared against Vodafone direct, you save £215.76 over the 24 month term at starting prices
That’s £8.99/month less than their £25.99 price for the same allowance. Annual increases are excluded from this estimate.
Unlimited
Data
24 months
Contract