Business mobile contracts

A business mobile contract should reflect how your employees actually use their devices.

We can help you review:

• Call usage
• Data usage
• Number of users
• Device requirements
• Coverage
• Roaming
• Contract terms
• Shared allowances
• Upgrade cycles
• Support requirements
• Expected growth

This can help avoid paying for allowances employees do not use or choosing plans that regularly result in additional charges.

We also help you understand what is included, what costs extra and how long the organisation is committed.

SIM-only plans

Not every user needs a new handset.

A SIM-only plan may be suitable when:

• The existing device is still fit for purpose
• The business already owns the handset
• A user only needs voice and data
• You want greater device flexibility
• A tablet or router needs mobile data
• A temporary employee needs connectivity
• You want to separate device and airtime costs

SIM-only arrangements can reduce monthly costs, but the business still needs a plan for device ownership, security, support and replacement.

Learn more about Business SIM-Only Plans

Business smartphones and devices

The cheapest phone is not always the lowest-cost option.

A device should be selected based on:

• Employee role
• Required applications
• Camera or scanning needs
• Battery life
• Storage
• Screen size
• Durability
• Security support
• Operating-system updates
• Expected lifespan
• Accessories
• Repair and replacement options

A field-based employee may need a rugged device and strong battery life.

A manager may need dependable access to Teams, email and documents.

An occasional user may only need a simple device for calls and authentication.

We help you avoid over-specifying devices while ensuring employees have the tools needed to work effectively.

Mobile number porting

Employees and departments may already have mobile numbers that customers and suppliers know.

These numbers can often be transferred to a new business mobile service through number porting.

A successful transfer depends on accurate account information and careful timing.

Stratiis can help you:

• Identify every active number
• Confirm ownership
• Gather transfer details
• Coordinate the port
• Arrange replacement SIMs
• Plan user communication
• Test incoming and outgoing calls
• Avoid unnecessary service cancellation

Existing services should not be cancelled before the transfer is complete.

Shared data plans

Some businesses benefit from sharing a data allowance across several users.

This can reduce the risk of one employee paying for unused data while another regularly exceeds their allowance.

Shared plans may be useful where:

• Usage varies between employees
• Teams travel at different times
• Some users consume little data
• Several devices need occasional connectivity
• Costs need to be managed centrally

The total allowance still needs to be monitored.

A shared plan does not remove the need to understand unusual or excessive usage.

4G and 5G mobile connectivity

Modern mobile services can support more than telephone calls.

Employees may use 4G or 5G for:

• Microsoft Teams
• Cloud applications
• Email
• File access
• Video meetings
• Mobile hotspots
• Remote working
• Temporary office connectivity
• Backup internet
• Tablets and specialist devices

Coverage and performance vary by location, network, building and device.

We consider where your people actually work rather than recommending a network based only on national coverage claims.

International roaming

Employees travelling abroad can create unexpected costs if roaming is not planned properly.

A business mobile policy should consider:

• Countries visited
• Frequency of travel
• Call requirements
• Data usage
• Travel add-ons
• Fair-use limits
• Restricted destinations
• Local Wi-Fi risks
• Personal usage
• Reporting and approval

Employees should know what is included before travelling.

They should also understand how to protect business information while using hotels, airports and public networks.

Mobile usage monitoring

Mobile reporting can help you understand:

• Data consumption
• Call usage
• Roaming
• Out-of-bundle charges
• Unused SIMs
• Unusual activity
• High-cost users
• Services that are no longer needed

The aim is not to monitor employees unnecessarily.

It is to control cost, identify risk and ensure the business is paying for services that are still required.

Consolidated billing

Managing several mobile accounts and invoices can take time.

A more organised service can provide clearer billing across:

• Users
• Numbers
• Devices
• Data usage
• Additional charges
• Roaming
• Contract terms
• Departments
• Cost centres

This can make it easier to allocate costs and identify unexpected changes.

Mobile Device Management

A business mobile is not just a telephone.

It may hold company email, Teams messages, customer data, files, passwords and authentication applications.

Mobile Device Management, often called MDM, gives the organisation more control over how approved devices access company information.

Depending on the platform and configuration, MDM may allow you to:

• Enrol devices
• Apply security settings
• Require screen locks
• Enforce encryption
• Manage business applications
• Block unsupported devices
• Separate business and personal information
• Monitor compliance
• Remove company data
• Lock or wipe lost devices
• Restrict risky features
• Manage operating-system requirements

For organisations using Microsoft 365, Microsoft Intune may form part of the mobile-management approach.

The right design depends on whether devices are owned by the business, owned by employees or shared.

Learn more about Mobile Device Management

Business-owned and personal devices

There are several common ways organisations provide mobile access.

Business-owned devices

The organisation purchases and manages the device.

This can provide stronger control over:

• Security
• Applications
• Updates
• Replacement
• Support
• Data removal
• Ownership

It may also create higher device and management costs.

Bring Your Own Device

Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, allows employees to use personal devices for work.

This may reduce equipment costs and allow employees to use a device they already know.

However, it raises important questions:

• What business data can be accessed?
• Can company information be removed without deleting personal data?
• What happens when the employee leaves?
• Who supports the device?
• Which devices are acceptable?
• What privacy should the employee expect?
• How are lost devices handled?
• Is mobile access optional or required?

BYOD should be supported by a clear policy and appropriate technical controls.

Choose Your Own Device

Some organisations allow employees to select from a small approved list of business-owned devices.

This can balance employee choice with easier security, purchasing and support.

Corporate-owned, personally enabled devices

The business owns and manages the phone but allows reasonable personal use.

The policy should explain:

• Acceptable use
• Personal costs
• Application installation
• Privacy
• Monitoring
• International use
• Device return
• Damage and replacement

Stratiis can help you consider the practical technology requirements for each approach.

Mobile security

Mobile devices can create serious security risks because they travel outside the office and may contain access to several company systems.

Common risks include:

• Lost or stolen phones
• Weak screen locks
• Unsupported operating systems
• Malicious applications
• Phishing messages
• Public Wi-Fi
• SIM-swap fraud
• Unmanaged personal devices
• Stored company files
• Shared passwords
• Former employees retaining access
• Devices without encryption

A mobile-security approach may include:

• Multi-factor authentication
• Mobile Device Management
• Device encryption
• Strong screen locks
• Automatic locking
• Approved applications
• Conditional Access
• Remote locking and wiping
• Mobile threat protection
• Regular updates
• Restricted administrator access
• Joiner and leaver controls
• User awareness training

Mobile security should form part of your wider cybersecurity strategy rather than being left to the employee.

Learn more about Mobile Security

Lost or stolen business mobiles

A lost phone is not only a hardware problem.

It may provide access to:

• Email
• Microsoft Teams
• Customer records
• Cloud applications
• Company files
• Password-reset messages
• Authentication applications
• Contact information

Employees should know exactly what to do when a device is lost or stolen.

A response process may include:

• Report the device immediately
• Suspend or replace the SIM
• Lock the device
• Remove business data
• Reset exposed credentials
• Review account activity
• Inform the appropriate manager
• Assess whether personal data was exposed
• Provide a replacement device
• Document the incident

The sooner the business is told, the faster the risk can be reduced.

A clear process is more effective than relying on employees to work out what to do during a stressful situation.

Joiners, movers and leavers

Mobile services should be included in your employee lifecycle process.

When someone joins

The organisation may need to:

• Choose a device and plan
• Allocate a number
• Configure the handset
• Enrol it in device management
• Install approved applications
• Apply security policies
• Provide accessories
• Record the asset
• Explain acceptable use

When someone changes role

Their mobile requirements may change.

You may need to review:

• Data allowance
• International use
• Applications
• Access permissions
• Device type
• Department billing
• Shared numbers

When someone leaves

You should:

• Recover the device
• Suspend or transfer the number
• Remove company access
• Wipe business data
• Remove the user from device management
• Check accessories
• Reassign or securely dispose of the device
• Review outstanding contracts
• Redirect important calls where required

A mobile number may belong to the organisation even when it has been used by one employee for several years.

The business should retain control of customer-facing numbers.

Business mobiles and Microsoft 365

Business mobile devices are often used to access Microsoft 365 services, including:

• Outlook
• Microsoft Teams
• OneDrive
• SharePoint
• Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft 365 applications
• Company contacts
• Calendars

This can improve productivity, but access should be controlled.

Microsoft technologies such as Entra ID, Conditional Access and Intune can help determine:

• Who can sign in
• Which devices are permitted
• Whether the device meets security requirements
• Whether multi-factor authentication is required
• Which applications can access company data
• What happens when the user leaves

Because Stratiis supports Microsoft 365, devices, cybersecurity and mobile services, we can consider the entire user experience rather than treating the SIM contract separately.

Business mobiles and Unified Communications

Mobile services can form part of a wider Unified Communications strategy.

Employees may use one device for:

• Mobile network calls
• Hosted Voice applications
• Microsoft Teams Phone
• Video meetings
• Instant messaging
• Business contacts
• Voicemail
• Customer applications

This can help mobile employees remain connected to the same communication environment as office-based staff.

For example, an employee may answer the main business number through a Hosted Voice or Teams application while still using the mobile network for personal or direct business calls.

Learn more about Unified Communications

Business mobiles and Hosted Voice

A Hosted Voice mobile application can allow employees to make and receive calls using the business telephone system.

This can provide:

• Business number presentation
• Access to company contacts
• Call transfers
• Voicemail
• Call history
• Department call groups
• Reduced use of personal numbers

The application still depends on suitable Wi-Fi or mobile data.

The mobile contract, device and Hosted Voice platform should therefore be planned together.

Explore Hosted Voice

Mobile services for field-based teams

Field employees may rely heavily on mobiles to complete their work.

They may use them for:

• Job scheduling
• Navigation
• Photographs
• Customer signatures
• Stock systems
• Time recording
• Lone-worker applications
• Video calls
• Site communication
• Access to documents
• Reporting issues
• Multi-factor authentication

These users may need:

• More durable devices
• Protective cases
• Better battery life
• Vehicle chargers
• Larger data allowances
• Reliable regional coverage
• Replacement processes
• Remote support
• Mobile Device Management

The device should fit the working environment.

A standard consumer handset may not be suitable for construction sites, warehouses or demanding outdoor work.

Mobile services for hybrid workers

Hybrid employees may use their mobile to:

• Join Teams calls
• Check email
• Approve authentication requests
• Access calendars
• Contact customers
• Receive business calls
• Use mobile hotspots
• Access company files

This makes the mobile device part of the employee’s daily IT setup.

It should be included in:

• User onboarding
• Security policies
• Technical support
• Asset management
• Business continuity
• Employee offboarding

Mobile connectivity as internet backup

4G or 5G can sometimes provide backup connectivity for an office, temporary location or individual employee.

It may be used for:

• Router failover
• Temporary office setup
• New-site connectivity
• Home-working backup
• Emergency access
• Events
• Construction sites
• Mobile teams

The suitability depends on:

• Local signal
• Network coverage
• Building construction
• Data allowance
• Number of users
• Applications
• Hardware
• Antenna placement

A mobile backup service should be tested before it is needed.

Learn more about Internet Failover