What is the difference?
At FM Telecom, we are often asked why business mobile subscriptions seem more expensive than the consumer subscriptions that regularly appear on television with attractive promotions. The answer lies in the content, convenience and security that business telephony offers. In this blog, we clearly explain the differences between business and private mobile subscriptions, so that you can make a well-informed choice.
Fast and personal service vs. customer service
Business: Business subscriptions are taken out via a telecom partner, such as FM Telecom. This partner is set up to provide fast and personal service with permanent contact persons. Simple actions such as activating a SIM card can often be arranged within 1 to 2 minutes. You have access to a management portal in which you are in control. You receive SIM cards in stock and are relieved of your worries, so that you as a customer can do what you are good at.
Private: With private subscriptions, you are dependent on the provider's customer service. This service is often outsourced, which means that employees have little knowledge of the matter and show no personal involvement. Customer service is often seen as a cost item, which leads to cutbacks and automation. This means that simple requests, such as a new SIM card, can take days or even weeks. Before you get help, you must first go through a selection menu or a chatbot that often does not offer a solution.
One contract, one invoice
Business: All subscriptions are bundled under one contract and on one clear invoice. This greatly simplifies the administrative process. In addition, the contracts are uniform: all subscriptions have the same contract end date. New extensions are also added to the existing contract and automatically receive the same end date as the other subscriptions. This makes the whole thing clear and easy to manage.
Private: Every SIM card has its own contract with its own invoice. These are often only available via the app, must be downloaded and do not contain a VAT specification.
Coverage within the EU
Business: Calling from the Netherlands to other EU countries is included as standard in the subscription.
Private: With consumer subscriptions, calling from the Netherlands to the EU is usually not included. This can lead to unexpectedly high costs for international contact.
Limitation on number of subscriptions
Business: There is no limit to the number of subscriptions you can take out.
Consumer: Many providers impose a limit of a maximum of five subscriptions per address or contract.
Out-of-bundle costs and unexpected expenses
Business: Out-of-bundle costs are transparent and manageable. Limits can be set or warnings sent when exceeded. In addition, out-of-bundle rates for business subscriptions are often significantly lower, sometimes 3 to 4 times lower than for consumer subscriptions. Because business subscriptions often share data within a group or are equipped with automatic blocks and notifications, the chance of out-of-bundle usage is also much smaller.
Consumer: Out-of-bundle costs are often high and not always transparent. Calling abroad is often excluded, which can lead to significant additional costs. Without warning, subscriptions can be blocked or terminated, making employees unreachable. Subscriptions seem cheap, but rates can increase considerably outside the bundle.
Management and ease of use
Business: You have an overview and control over all subscriptions, users, settings and usage via a central management portal.
Consumer: Management is done via an app per user. There is no central access or management option.
Advantage bundles outside the EU
Business: Do you have employees who travel outside the EU? Then, as a business, you can activate various advantage bundles, tailored to the region and type of use. This allows you to maintain control over costs and prevent unexpectedly high bills. These bundles can often be easily activated via the management portal.
Consumer: For consumers, such bundles are limited or expensive. Outside the EU, costs can quickly escalate, and there is often no proactive warning or management option available.
Flexibility in contracts
Business: With business subscriptions, there is often the option to cancel telephone numbers within the contract free of charge, for example, if an employee leaves the company. Expansions are also seamlessly added to the existing contract. This offers flexibility and prevents unnecessary costs.
Consumer: With consumer subscriptions, you are tied to the contract duration. If a subscription is no longer needed, you must wait until the end of the contract or buy out the contract. This significantly limits your freedom of movement.
Conclusion
Although consumer subscriptions may seem cheaper at first glance, business mobile subscriptions offer significantly more convenience, security and manageability. Especially for companies, it is important that employees remain reachable, costs are predictable and administration remains clear. FM Telecom is happy to help you choose a solution that suits your organization.
