Should You Buy Business Mobile Phones for Your Team?

This is where work mobile phones come in. If you need to ask an employee where a file is while they're on the move, all you need to do is give them a ring or shoot them a Slack message, and they'll be able to help you without needing to set up a computer. However, buying a mobile phone for each employee (especially if you opt for the latest iPhone or Android) is an investment, so it's natural to feel wary about taking the plunge.

At Town & Country Communications, our mission is to help your business communicate the best it can. Below, we'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of providing your team with business mobiles, and help you decide if it's the right choice for your business.

What are the advantages of buying your team business mobile phones?

1. Improved employee happiness and work-life balance

Many employees might be hesitant to use their personal devices for work-related tasks, either due to concerns about privacy or a desire to maintain a clear boundary between their work and personal life. Encouraging them to use separate devices allows them to completely disconnect during personal time, reducing stress and promoting better work-life balance. It also gives them peace of mind that their personal data remains secure without the risk of mixing with their work-related information.

2. Access to business-specific apps

Certain industry-specific apps might be unavailable on personal phones due to security concerns. Giving employees company phones with these apps installed can help them work more efficiently, since they won't have to rely solely on their computers to access necessary data.

3. Strengthened security

Business phones may come with features like GPS tracking, emergency response numbers, and secure data encryption. These promote employee safety and protect sensitive company information. You can also manage device access, software updates, and security settings more effectively, minimising IT headaches and data security risks.

4. More professional image

Having dedicated business phones projects a professional image to clients and partners, making your company appear more trustworthy. This impression can be heightened by including company-branded phone cases and setting a company-branded wallpaper as the default background.

What are the disadvantages of buying your team business mobile phones?

1. Device and plan expenses

For small and medium teams, one of the major challenges with mobile phones is their cost. Buying and managing numerous devices along with their monthly plans can be a financial burden. However, business contracts often provide bulk discounts and flexible data plans, which can help reduce costs. There are also more affordable alternatives available (as mentioned in the section below).

2. Potential misuse

Improper use of work phones could lead to extra charges and potential security risks. To prevent this, you'll need to establish and enforce clear policies regarding acceptable use, data security, and protocols for lost or stolen devices. While this may take time and effort, it usually becomes easier with proper training and procedures in place.

What alternatives are there to business mobile phones?

If you're not sure whether investing in business mobiles is right for your company, there are a few alternatives you can consider:

• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Encouraging employees to use their personal devices is the cheapest option. However, it may not always be ideal due to concerns about security and work-life balance.
• Company-issued SIM cards for personal devices: Providing your team with work SIM cards allows them to make both personal and work calls on their own devices. It's more affordable than providing full business phones and enables employees to use devices they're already familiar with. However, it works best for small teams where dual-SIM phones are common.
• VoIP phones: These function like traditional landline systems, but offer more advanced features. VoIP handsets aren't tied to a specific location; you can simply plug them into any working router to connect. However, employees will need to carry the handset with them and find a router, which may be less convenient for those who travel frequently.

Bespoke mobile phone solutions for Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire businesses

For over 30 years, Town & Country Communications have helped businesses across Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire stay connected with reliable and affordable mobile phone solutions.

Thanks to our long-standing partnerships with top mobile carriers, we're able to provide some of the most competitively priced mobile contracts available. Whether you need a SIM-only package for a small team or a complex mobile solution to coordinate a large workforce, we make it easy to find the right fit.

After you get in touch with us, we'll walk you through all the options available to you, explain the pros and cons of each, and make sure you get maximum value from your investment. On top of this, our dedicated team are always here to provide support if your needs change over time.

If you're ready to get started, we're looking forward to hearing from you. Book a consultation online or call us on 01202 514444 today!