Spoiler alert… probably less than you think.
It’s one of the first questions we’re asked.
“How much broadband should my pub have?”
Some providers will tell you to buy the fastest connection available.
Others will recommend a speed without ever asking about your business.
The truth is, there’s no magic number.
The right broadband depends on how your pub operates, how many customers you serve and, just as importantly, how well your WiFi network has been designed.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
We’ve visited pubs with gigabit broadband where customers still struggle to get online.
We’ve also seen smaller pubs running perfectly on a fraction of that speed.
Why?
Because broadband is only one piece of the puzzle.
If your WiFi doesn’t reach every table, your access points are overloaded or your network isn’t properly configured, adding more broadband won’t solve the problem.
Think About Your Busiest Day
Don’t size your broadband for a quiet Tuesday afternoon.
Think about a packed Friday night.
Or the Six Nations.
Or a Premier League match.
Ask yourself:
- How many customers could be in the building?
- How many devices are likely to be connected?
- Are people streaming live sport?
- Are staff using handheld ordering devices?
- Are card machines, CCTV and music systems all online too?
These are the questions that determine your broadband requirements.
It’s Not Just the Guests
When calculating bandwidth, don’t forget everything happening behind the scenes.
Your connection may also be supporting:
- Card payment terminals
- EPOS systems
- Staff tablets
- CCTV
- Digital signage
- IPTV
- Cloud backups
- Smart heating controls
- Guest WiFi
Every connected device shares the same internet connection.
That’s why understanding your entire network is so important.
Typical Broadband Requirements
Every venue is different, but as a general guide:
Small Community Pub
Typically 100–200Mbps is more than enough when paired with professionally designed WiFi.
Busy Food-Led Pub
Around 300–500Mbps is often a sensible choice, particularly if you have lots of connected devices and busy lunch or evening services.
Large Sports Pub or Pub Group Venue
Gigabit connectivity may well be justified, especially where hundreds of customers are connected during major sporting events.
The important thing isn’t buying the biggest package.
It’s buying the right one.
Don’t Forget Resilience
Speed is important.
Reliability is even more important.
Ask yourself this:
What happens if your broadband fails?
Can you still:
- Take card payments?
- Process orders?
- Access cloud systems?
- Keep customers online?
Professional hospitality networks often include automatic failover using a secondary broadband connection or 4G/5G backup, keeping your business running even if your primary service goes offline.
The Lan-Lord’s Tip 🍺
Buying more broadband won’t fix poor WiFi.
Before upgrading your internet package, make sure your network is delivering every megabit you’re already paying for.
Final Pour
Broadband isn’t about chasing the biggest number.
It’s about choosing the right connection for your pub, your customers and your busiest trading periods.
Combined with professionally designed WiFi, the right broadband delivers fast, reliable connectivity that keeps customers happy, staff productive and tills ringing.
That’s a much better investment than paying for speed you’ll never use.
🍺 Not Sure If You’re Paying for the Right Broadband?
We’ll help you review your current connection, understand how your pub actually uses bandwidth and recommend the right solution for your business.
Tap Us Up and let’s make sure you’re getting every drop from your broadband.