Guides · Business

Does your business need a static IP or an SLA?

Static IPs and uptime SLAs are two of the biggest reasons to pay for business internet. Here's who actually needs them — and who's fine without.

Jean Gilles · Founder & editor
Published Jul 9, 2026 · Updated Jul 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Business networking gear being cabled up in a small office. Click to edit this caption.
The short answer

You need a static IP if you host anything reachable from outside — a server, VPN, security cameras or a POS that requires it. You want an SLA if downtime directly costs you money. Neither is necessary for a business that just browses, emails and takes card payments over a standard connection.

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Founder & editor

Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and builds the site’s rankings from the availability data providers file with the FCC rather than from provider marketing.

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