The real cost of business mobile isn’t just the tariff. It’s devices, connectivity, bolt-ons, roaming, support, and the time spent managing all of it. If you don’t keep a grip on those moving parts, even a fleet under 100 connections can leak thousands a year.  

Are you getting the best deal on your mobile?  Most firms aren’t sure, here's how you can change that.

Get clear on where the cost comes from, check if you’re on the best commercials, use a savings calculator to expose the gaps and take back control. 

MOBILE COSTS, AT A GLANCE:

• The real cost is hardware + connectivity + bolt-ons + roaming + management. 

• Overspend typically comes from unused lines, unmanaged roaming, wrong-sized data pools. 

• eSIM, AI billing and better coverage options add flexibility, but only if you control them. 

• Even under 100 connections, savings can reach thousands a year with a clean plan. 

WHAT YOUR BILL IS REALLY PAYING FOR

Important: The figures below are market examples, not our prices. Intercity works to do better by providing greater value through strong carrier partnerships and smarter plan design.

1) Hardware

Devices drive a large share of total cost of ownership. 

• Flagship smartphones often sit between £900 and £1,300 per unit. 

• Mid-range enterprise models are commonly £250 to £700. 

• Accessories, cases, chargers and spares add £15 to £100 per device over the life of the fleet. 

• Refresh cycles of 24–36 months change the curve: faster refresh = higher cash out; slower refresh = growing support risk. 
  

2) Airtime

Data is the backbone of work. Plans vary. 

• Pooled data for SMEs commonly prices around £14–£18 per user for 5GB, 
  and £25–£30 for 10GB. 

• Static IPs (Internet Protocol addresses) and private APN (Access Point Name for secure connectivity) options add £1–£7 per line. 

• Out-of-bundle data can spike quickly if usage is unmanaged. 

3) Roaming 

Travel costs are predictable if you plan them. Painful if you don’t. 

• Typical daily passes for global roaming sit around £2–£5. 

• Unmanaged trips can trigger per-MB charges that dwarf day rates. 

• Fair-use caps vary by network and can throttle heavy users. 

4) Management and Security 

You need control and compliance. 

Why costs feel higher in 2026 

• Network investment: 5G rollout, indoor coverage improvements, and new service tiers. 
• Usage growth: video collaboration, field apps, and Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints. 
• Contract complexity: legacy deals with inflexible terms or dated bolt-ons. 
• Admin sprawl: lines added fast during projects, never reclaimed. 
• None of these are a reason to accept waste. They’re prompts to review. 

Future trends: Plan for these now so you aren’t locked into the wrong commercials later. 

• eSIM (embedded SIM): Faster provisioning and switching. Needs governance to avoid “SIM sprawl.” 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted billing insight: Predictive alerts on overspend. Strong for pooled data and roaming. 
• Embedded telco models and MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) choice: More flexible bundles, but only valuable if you negotiate the right terms. 
• Satellite and non-terrestrial add-ons: Niche today. Useful for remote teams tomorrow. 
• Indoor coverage solutions: Small cells and repeaters can save on data overage and staff downtime. 

What 100 connections could cost in 2026... 

Important: Figures below are market examples, not our prices. Intercity works to do better by providing greater value through strong carrier partnerships and smarter plan design 

• Devices:  
  • 60 mid-range smartphones at £350 = £21,000
  • 40 premium smartphones at £900 = £36,000
  • Total hardware: £57,000 over a 30-month cycle (~£1,900/month) 
• Connectivity:  100 pooled 10GB plans at £27 each = £2,700/month 
• Bolt-ons:  30 users with static IP or private APN at £3 each = £90/month 
• Roaming:  20 travellers using day passes, 6 days/month at £3 = £360/month
  

Estimated monthly run-rate:

Typical savings we see: 

• Retire unused lines: -£288/month 
• Rebalance pools: -£240/month 
• Enforce roaming controls: -£160/month 
• Device mix rationalisation: -£300/month 
• Likely saving: ~£988/month (~£11,850/year). 

ARE YOU GETTING THE BEST DEAL?

Ask yourself these questions: 

• Do we know the exact cost per role for devices, data and roaming? 
• Can we list every active line and why it still exists? 
• Are our data pools matched to usage patterns? 
• Do we have automated roaming bolt-ons that stop bill shock? 
• Are we confident our commercials would beat a fresh market tender today? 

If any answer is “not sure,” you’re leaving money on the table. 

Why the right partner changes the outcome 

You want value, not upsell. A well-connected partner can unlock better commercials and make the complexity manageable. 

• Intercity is partnered with all three major UK mobile providers. 
• That gives you choice, leverage, and one accountable team. 
• We design plans around roles and real usage, then negotiate the commercials to fit. 
• We deploy guardrails like automated roaming bolt-ons to eliminate bill shock. 
• We set up zero-touch enrolment so devices land ready for work.
• Result: lower total cost, simpler management, and fewer surprises. Not by cutting corners. By cutting waste. 

So... How Much Will Business Mobile Cost You in 2026? 

That all depends on you. The choices you make now – around devices, data, roaming, and management – will decide whether you lock in waste or unlock savings. 

If you want to free up budget without impacting operations, get in touch with our experts or visit our Mobile page. We’ll help you cut through complexity, find the most cost-effective options, and keep your teams connected without compromise.