In short
Small business SIM only gives a team of one to ten people airtime-only plans on a business account, using phones they already own. EE Business has plans for 1-10 employees, Three Business has SIM Only and Multibuy SIM plans, and business accounts add spend caps and keep numbers with the business. Ask us for a quote.
Get a quote for small business SIM only
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
Why SIM only suits small businesses
Small businesses often already own their phones, or buy them outright when they need them. A SIM only plan covers just the airtime, so the monthly cost reflects the service you use. We focus on getting that airtime cost down, and you keep the freedom to buy phones separately and refresh them when it suits the business.
The other reason is control. In a small team, the business mobile number is often the number customers use. Putting every line on a business account means the business owns the numbers, can see what each line costs and can set limits, rather than relying on staff using personal plans. Our guide to business SIM vs personal SIM explains why that matters when someone leaves.
Small business ranges on the networks we supply
Networks shape their small business plans around team size. Each is described here on its own terms.
EE Business
EE Business sells SIM-only plans for businesses with 1-10 employees, with a separate range for businesses with 11 or more. Its business accounts come with spend caps on data, calls and roaming. Forever Group's guide to EE Business for small businesses has more on the EE Business small business range, and our page on EE Business SIM only plans describes the plan types.
Three Business
Three Business sells business plans to business owners and the self-employed. Its SIM Only plans run on 1, 12 or 24-month terms with data from 3GB up to unlimited, and its Multibuy SIM plans are built for teams: up to 9 unlimited data SIMs, with optional inclusive roaming on the SIMs that need it. Unlimited usage is UK only, with fair use policies in Go Roam destinations. See Three Business SIM only.
O2 Business
We can also supply SIM only plans on the O2 Business network. O2 Business's shop lists SIM only on 12 or 24-month terms with spend caps. See O2 Business SIM only plans.
Vodafone Business
Vodafone Business has a small business range for businesses with 1-9 employees and defines small business customers as those with fewer than 10 connections on its network. It sells business SIM only on fixed terms and 30-day plans. We can also supply SIM only plans on the Vodafone Business network; see Vodafone Business SIM only.
Which suits you depends mainly on coverage where your team works and how your people use data, and we set out the plans, terms and prices for your team in a quote.
Sizing plans for a small team
In a small team, usage tends to vary a lot from person to person. The owner who works from a van and hotspots a laptop all day needs far more data than the colleague who is mostly on office Wi-Fi. Size each line on what that person actually uses, from recent bills or the usage view in your online account.
There are two ways to structure a small team's data. Individual allowances give each line its own data, which is simple and predictable. Multibuy or team plans put several SIMs on one plan, which keeps things simple when you are buying several lines at once. Some people need an unlimited data business SIM; many do not. Our guide to business SIM only plans explains the structures, and business SIM only deals shows how to compare them on total cost.
Is small business SIM only the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Keeping costs under control
- Spend caps: set limits on data, calls and roaming per line so one phone cannot run up an unexpected bill
- Roaming settings: turn roaming off for staff who do not travel, and check what is included for those who do
- Ex VAT pricing: business prices are shown excluding VAT, so compare like with like
- Annual price rises: networks publish how prices change each year; include them in the total cost
- Unused lines: end lines nobody uses at the right point in their term instead of carrying them forward
- Contract end dates: line them up where you can, so the whole team can move together next time
These are the same controls larger businesses use, and they matter just as much when the business owner is paying the bill.
Sole traders and new businesses
You do not need to be a limited company to get small business SIM only. Networks sell business plans to sole traders and partnerships as well as companies. Orders are subject to each network's status, credit and affordability checks. If you are just starting out, tell us and we can talk through the options that fit.
If you are moving from a personal plan, you can usually keep your number: our guide on how to get a business SIM card covers the steps.
Keeping your numbers when you switch
A small business can usually switch without losing a single number. Under Ofcom's switching rules, you text PAC to 65075 from the phone for a single number (or ask online or by phone); if there is more than one number on the account, you ask your current provider by phone or on its website. Ofcom says a PAC is valid for 30 days and the number should normally be ported within one working day once your new provider has it. Three Business lets you choose a switch date up to 30 days ahead, which helps when you want the whole team to move on one agreed date.
Our hub on how to keep your number covers PAC and STAC codes, and porting multiple mobile numbers is written for moving a team.
How we help small businesses
Small businesses rarely have time to work through four networks' plans, terms and price rises. We can do that work for you: look at your current bills, check coverage where you work, quote on EE Business and Three Business (and on O2 Business and Vodafone Business where they fit), and coordinate the move of your numbers. We can set out each option with its total cost over the term, and you decide.
Contact us with the number of people on your team and your current network, and ask us for a quote.
How Forever Communications helps with business SIM only
We help UK organisations choose, switch and run business SIM only plans, data SIMs and eSIMs for the phones and devices they already own.
- Start with what you have: we look at your current contracts, end dates, users, devices and how much data people really use before suggesting anything new
- More than one network: we supply SIM only plans on EE Business and Three Business, and we can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business, so you can choose by coverage where your people work
- Keep your numbers: we help you plan the move with PAC codes or STAC codes so existing business mobile numbers come with you
- SIMs for every device: voice SIMs, eSIM SIM only that works with your device management, business data only SIMs for tablets, routers and vehicles, and fleet SIM cards on one account
- Controls that suit a business: we can help you set up spend caps, bars and user changes through the network's own business tools
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group. Plans, terms and pricing are confirmed at quote, so contact us and we will set out the options that fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is small business SIM only?
Small business SIM only is an airtime-only mobile plan for a team of roughly one to ten people, held on a business account. You use phones you already own, the business owns the numbers and you get controls such as spend caps.
Which networks have small business SIM only plans?
We supply small business SIM only on EE Business and Three Business, and we can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business. Each network shapes its range in its own way: EE Business, for example, sells SIM-only plans for businesses with 1-10 employees, and our guide describes each network's small business range on its own terms.
Can a sole trader get small business SIM only?
Yes. Networks sell business plans to sole traders and partnerships as well as companies, subject to their status and credit checks.
Are multibuy SIMs worth it for a small business?
They suit teams that need several lines at once. Three Business Multibuy SIM plans take up to 9 unlimited data SIMs (UK only; fair use applies in Go Roam destinations), with optional inclusive roaming. We size each SIM to the person using it.
Can my small business keep its numbers when we switch?
Yes. Request a PAC code for each number: text PAC to 65075 for one number, or ask your current provider by phone or on its website if there are several numbers on the account. Ofcom says the number should normally be ported within one working day.
Still have a question about small business SIM only?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.
