Solutions

If I needed 5G for office broadband

When the office has slow copper or a long wait for fibre: how I would use 5G as the main business connection, and what makes the difference between fast and frustrating.

Nick Appleby October 13, 2026 2 min read

The short answer

I would survey the signal first, then use a business 5G router with an external MIMO antenna on the outside wall or roof, a business SIM with a proper data allowance, and a separate Wi-Fi system if the office is bigger than one room.

The problem

Plenty of offices, units and farm conversions are stuck on slow broadband or a long fibre lead time. 5G can beat what is available, but only when the router can actually see a good signal.

A 5G router on a desk in the middle of a steel-framed unit will disappoint. The same router with an external antenna can transform it.

Here is what I would do

  1. Survey first Measure each network at the building, ideally at roof or upper-wall height. Look at signal quality as well as strength.
  2. Mount the antenna outside An external 4×4 MIMO antenna pointed at the strongest mast is usually the single biggest improvement.
  3. Pick a business-grade router Firewall, VPN, VLANs and remote management matter once real staff depend on it.
  4. Sort the Wi-Fi separately Put the router where the antenna cable is shortest, and use proper access points for coverage around the building.
  5. Plan for downtime Dual SIM or a cheap fixed line as backup keeps everyone working if the mast has a bad day.

The kit I would use

  • RouterBusiness 5G router

    With firewall, VPN and remote management, and antenna connectors for an external antenna.

  • AntennaExternal 4×4 MIMO 5G antenna

    Directional or omni depending on how far away the mast is.

  • Wi-FiCeiling or wall access points

    For offices bigger than one room.

  • SIMBusiness data SIM

    With an allowance sized for the whole team, not one person.

V2865LAX-5G-KDrayTek Vigor V2865LAX-5G-K 5G Router with Wi-Fi 6 and Dual SIM Slots£647.00In stockDraytek Vigor 2927Lax-5G-K 5G Router with WiFi6Draytel Vigor 2927Lax-5G-K 5G Router with WiFi6£719.00In stockPanorama BATM4-6-60 4x4 mimo 5g antennaPanorama BATM4-6-60 Adhesive and screw mounted 4×4 MiMo 5G Antenna with optional WiFi and GPS£180.00In stockTAP200 WiFi5 Access Point from TeltonikaTeltonika TAP200 WiFi AP (WiFi5 Wireless Access Point)£39.00In stock

See the full range →

What I would avoid

  • Judging 5G on a phone speed test at the front door.
  • Running a long antenna cable to put the router in a comms cupboard. Move the router, not the antenna.

Not quite your job?

Every site is a little different. Tell us where it is, what needs connecting and what has already been tried, and we will tell you what we would do. Get in touch.

Questions people ask

Is 5G reliable enough to run an office on?

With a good signal, an external antenna and a business router, many businesses run on it full time. Adding a backup SIM or line covers the bad days.

Should I use a directional or omni antenna?

Directional antennas help when the mast is further away and in a known direction. Omni antennas are simpler and better when several masts are similar.

Can I get a static IP for remote access?

Yes, with a fixed public IP SIM, or by using a VPN service so you do not need one.