If you assumed that the Vodafone Business Shop was the place to go for the lowest price on business phones, you could easily be wrong.
Should You Buy Business Mobiles Directly From Vodafone?
If your company is heading towards the end of its mobile phone contract, you’ll probably have been shopping around for a new deal. Naturally, you’ll want to ensure that you get the best service at the lowest price. It’s a common belief that going directly to the network will bring you the lowest price. After all, surely a business mobile dealer adds their own markup to the price?
Well, here’s how a mobile phone provider such as Simpatico can offer the same great phones that the networks provide, at a lower price. And with exceptional service, from nice people, too.
Should you buy direct from Vodafone Business or use a 3rd party like Simpatico?
There are two types of independent dealers here:
- Those who sell you a Vodafone Business plan, receive commission from Vodafone and then hand you over to the network for customer service, billing, etc.
- Those who operate their own network tariffs, control customer service and billing so that you never actually deal with the network directly – such as us at Simpatico.
Obviously we’d say it’s better to talk to us! But there are a lot of clear advantages to using an independent dealer for your business mobiles.
Benefits of Using an Independent Operator like Simpatico:
Lower Prices or Better Deals:
Independents like Simpatico can offer better pricing or more competitive deals, especially if they are bundling handsets with business contracts. They might also provide more flexibility in negotiating terms. Although some Vodafone salespeople are allowed to offer discounts, their pricing structure can be a lot more rigid.
More Flexibility in Mobile Business Contracts:
Independent dealers offer more flexible contract options, including shorter terms, rolling contracts, or custom deals, which can be advantageous for businesses that don’t want to commit to a long-term Vodafone contract.
Personalised Service:
Some (but not all!) independents can provide a more personalised, hands-on service, especially for smaller businesses. They often offer local support and might spend more time advising you on the best options for your specific business needs. For example, here at Simpatico we’re not tied to a particular network and we don’t have incentives to offer particular plans.
Multi-Network Options:
Simpatico offers packages from multiple networks (including Vodafone). This gives you the ability to compare Vodafone plans with other carriers like EE or O2 and choose the best value for your business, mixing networks to match the best signal for different employees.
Should You Use Vodafone Business At All?
By visiting this page and reading this far, it’s fair to assume that you’re very interested in Vodafone business contracts. But have you considered whether Vodafone is the right network for you? If you haven’t, here’s a few things you should have a think about.
Pros of Vodafone Business UK:
Wide Coverage:
Vodafone has extensive network coverage across the UK, particularly in urban areas. It has 99% population coverage for 4G services and is actively expanding its 5G network. That said, all the networks claim coverage of 99% of the population, but that doesn’t stop calls from sometimes dropping!
5G Availability:
Vodafone was one of the first providers to roll out 5G in the UK. It has a growing 5G network that offers faster speeds and lower latency in many cities. If you’re interested in the 5G signal where you are, you could try Vodafone’s Network Status Checker.
International Roaming (Global Roaming):
Vodafone offers a “Global Roaming” feature that allows users to use their UK plan abroad in 51 “Roam-free” destinations without extra charges, which is great for frequent travellers.
Business Plans and Enterprise Solutions:
Vodafone offers a range of business-specific plans, making it popular with corporate clients. Their strong enterprise solutions, like cloud and IoT services, are a major advantage for businesses who want to improve and streamline their operations.
Cons of Vodafone Business UK
Network Speeds in Rural Areas:
While Vodafone excels in urban areas, users in more rural or remote regions might experience slower speeds or weaker signals compared to competitors like EE. Here at our head office in Beverley, we sometimes experience a weak signal in the southern parts of the town.
Pricing:
Vodafone’s plans can be more expensive compared to some budget providers or MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Their premium pricing may not suit users looking for cost-effective business mobile plans.
Data Plans and Throttling:
Vodafone throttles speeds after reaching certain data usage thresholds, even on “unlimited” data plans. This can be frustrating for heavy data users. We do have a solution for heavy users though: there is no throttling on Simpatico’s bespoke Vodafone plans.
Customer Service Complaints:
Vodafone has historically received complaints about customer service, particularly regarding billing issues, long wait times, and difficulties in resolving problems. However, this is only when dealing direct with Vodafone Business – if you use a company like Simpatico, we control all of the billing and provide bespoke reports on usage, etc., and operate as your first and only point of contact. A lovely, smooth experience when you’re dealing with nice people.
Inconsistent 5G Coverage:
Although Vodafone UK is expanding its 5G network, coverage can still be patchy in many areas. Users in smaller towns or less populated regions may not yet benefit from 5G services.
What if you’ve decided Vodafone UK is the right network for your business?
You won’t be shocked to learn that we’re going to advise you to visit our online business mobile shop, where you can browse a range of the latest handsets: including flagship models like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, or Z Fold5 to more budget-friendly options such as the Samsung A04s and iPhone models that may not be the latest, but still perform amazingly well.
We have some great tariffs available for Vodafone, as well as the other major networks. We’re confident of securing you the very best deal for your next business mobile.
