What type of internet connection is best for businesses

4 Different Types of Internet Connections Available for Your Business

If you did not know, broadband is a general term referring to just about any business or residential Internet connection type that is faster than the old, slow dial-up connections. In most cases, you are connected to a broadband service via a complex set of cables – called wireline. However, there is also wireless broadband – mostly thanks to stations orbiting the earth.

Picking the best type of Internet service involves looking at each connection type, its benefits, and flaws. Below are the major Internet connections so you can find one that is right for your small business.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

DSL is a low-tech but high-speed fixed wireline broadband Internet connection that travels along copper telephone lines. Two-wire technology allows the connection to provide you with broadband Internet without any interference from your phone service.

Your premises is connected to the service through a DSL modem, which you connect office devices to via wireless or wired local area networks (LAN).

DSL is right for your business if you will be carrying out light to moderate web browsing, cloud backups, and file sharing. This connection can also support video conferencing and audio streaming and features fast download speeds. If you want to know how fast your download speeds are right now go to Speedcheck.org and take a test.

Cable Internet

The same connection that allows people to flip from the National Geographic to ESPN for several years can also bring broadband Internet connectivity to your business. Cable broadband is usually available through coaxial cables, but new technologies now use hybrid-fiber coaxial (HFC) connections.

Cable Internet is right for your business if you do moderate file sharing, web browsing, and online backups. It’s also an efficient connection type when you have to use VoIP services and HD audio streaming, and features moderate upload speeds and fast downloads.

Fiber Internet

Fiber-optic Internet connectivity is one of the new entrants in the broadband world. This technology offers you incredibly fast speeds and small businesses can solidly rely on it for their day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, this technology is available in a few areas throughout the United States.

Fiber-optic is the right Internet solution for your business if you are frequently into heavy web browsing, online backups and constantly sharing files like Heroku logs and others. In addition, this is the best Internet connection type for frequent HD audio streaming, VOIP services, hosting servers and complex cloud-based services.

Satellite

If your business is located in a remote or rural area that does not have access to landline Internet services like cable, fiber, or DSL, satellite Internet saves the day. In most cases, your ISP will install a receiver dish pointing towards the southern skies. The dish gets data from orbiting stations in space in the form of radio frequencies, which are then translated to Internet signals by a modem in your office.

Unfortunately, the current satellite Internet technology cannot offer speeds as fast as cable or DSL, or anywhere near what fiber brings. This is because the stations are around 22,300 miles away from earth, which is a massive trip for data to travel. On the other hand, satellite offers you nationwide coverage without having to access a landline Internet service.

The Takeaway

There is no single way of determining the clear winner between these different types of Internet connections. After all, it all depends on what your individual business demands.

For faster speeds, you should be considering fiber; but if your budget is tight, consider the low-cost DSL solution. If you are working in an office in some remote location, satellite Internet connection is the best alternatives. At the end of the day, the connection you choose should offer you a balance between costs, speeds and service requirements.

Which Type of Internet Connection is Right for You?

Internet connection options vary by Internet Service Provider and by region. Customers should consider some of the following factors before selecting an Internet package and Internet connection type: connection speed or bandwidth, cost, availability, reliability and convenience. In order to determine what Internet plan is right for you, we recommend you review the different types of Internet connections and connection speeds available on the market today.

Understanding The Differences Between Internet Connections

When determining which type of Internet speed and Internet connection type is right for you or your family, it’s important to understand the distinction between each connection. In today’s age, there are numerous ways to connect laptops, desktops, mobile phones, gaming consoles, e-readers and tablets to the Internet. Some of the most widely used Internet connections are described below.

Mobile

Many cell phone and smartphone providers offer voice plans with Internet access. Mobile Internet connections provide good speeds and allow you to access the Internet.

WiFi Hotspots

Wifi Hotspots are sites that offer Internet access over a wireless local area network (WLAN) by way of a router that then connects to an Internet service provider. Hotspots utilize WiFi technology, which allows electronic devices to connect to the Internet or exchange data wirelessly through radio waves. Hotspots can be phone-based or free-standing, commercial or free to the public.

Dial-Up

Dial-up connections require users to link their phone line to a computer in order to access the Internet. This particular type of connection—also referred to as analog—does not permit users to make or receive phone calls through their home phone service while using the Internet. Now more outdated, a dial-up connection used to be among the most common Internet connection type.

Broadband

This high-speed Internet connection is provided through either cable or telephone companies. One of the fastest options available, broadband Internet uses multiple data channels to send large quantities of information. The term broadband is shorthand for broad bandwidth. Broadband Internet connections such as DSL and cable are considered high-bandwidth connections. Although many DSL connections can be considered broadband, not all broadband connections are DSL.

DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, uses existing 2-wire copper telephone line connected to one’s home so service is delivered at the same time as landline telephone service. Customers can still place calls while surfing the Internet.

Cable

Cable Internet connection is a form of broadband access. Through use of a cable modem, users can access the Internet over cable TV lines. Cable modems can provide extremely fast access to the Internet, making a cable connection a viable option for many.

Satellite

In certain areas where broadband connection is not yet offered, a satellite Internet option may be available. Similar to wireless access, satellite connection utilizes a modem.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) allows users to send data, voice and video content over digital telephone lines or standard telephone wires. The installation of an ISDN adapter is required at both ends of the transmission—on the part of the user as well as the Internet access provider.

There are quite a few other Internet connection options available, including T-1 lines, T-3 lines, OC (Optical Carrier) and other DSL technologies.

As you decide what Internet connection is the best fit for your needs, you may wish to narrow down your selection based on your preferred download and upload speeds, or based on deals and pricing options. Reliably fast speeds and comprehensive coverage make it easier than ever to stream your favorite TV shows and movies, share photos, chat with friends and play games online.

Xfinity is proud to support the Federal Government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, a temporary subsidy program available for all tiers of Xfinity Internet service, including Internet Essentials. Learn more about the ACP Program to see if you qualify.

Choosing the Right Type of Internet Connection for Your Business

Satellite Internet

Available virtually everywhere, satellite internet can be a smart choice for businesses operating in rural or remote areas. While the speed and reliability of satellite internet vary by provider, this type of service is more often chosen by residential than business customers. Trees, wind, rain, snow, terrain and sunspots can interfere with satellite signals, resulting in slow speeds and downtime. If your business relies heavily on communication, you may find faster and more cost-effective options in an alternative business internet connection type.

Fiber Internet

Most communications providers offer fiber internet service in select locations. The service offers tremendously high speeds and reliability of 1 Gbps or higher, transmitting data in the form of light across thin glass fibers. Fiber-optic internet is steadily becoming more available as well as affordable and is the fastest among the various internet connection types, but may not be available in some locations.

Cable Internet

DSL Internet

An acronym for «digital subscriber line,» DSL internet services are delivered through your business’s telephone line and can be bundled with your phone service. DSL speeds vary depending on your distance from your provider’s nearest facility. Rural and suburban areas may see speeds of 3 to 12 Mbps, while urban areas may reach or exceed 100 Mbps. While DSL may not offer an advantage with video streaming and conferencing (depending on how far you are from the nearest facility), it is sufficient for less data-intensive tasks such as sending emails, browsing the web, and downloading small files.

Downloadable Guide

Get an overview of the various types of business internet connections with our easy-to-read downloadable guide from Sparklight Business. Download now.

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To learn more about the types of internet connections available for your business, call your local Sparklight Business representative today.

Types of Internet Connections for Business

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Business Internet Connection Options

The world of Internet access can be a confusing one with many different types of Internet connections for business. It is easy to just look at a providers package speed or cost, and assume everything else is the same. That is where many people are mistaken and end up going with a business Internet service that does not address their needs. The end result is usually poor application performance, downtime, and unneeded headaches.

Basically there are two types of networks used for business Internet connections, shared and dedicated networks. There are many differences between these two networks types, applications they support, and the value offered.

Shared Networks

This is the most common type of business Internet connection due to its low cost, high download speeds, and general availability. These types of Internet connections are typically used by small businesses, retail establishments, or as backup connectivity for larger organizations. The difference between these connections and a home Internet service is minimal. It is basically the same exact service with the word “business” added to it.

Being a shared network, you share the bandwidth of a common network connection at the providers local node/box with other users in the area. Because this bandwidth is shared, speeds will fluctuate with the overall connection load by users. Also, the network performance will vary as well for latency, packet loss, and jitter.

This is a major downside to these types of business Internet services, since they can affect many critical applications like VOIP, video, and cloud apps. These types of business Internet connections are usually asymmetrical, meaning a high download but slow upload speeds. Sending large emails, files, streaming, data backup, can all be severely impacted or nearly impossible to do.

Then there is the issue of reliability and downtime. Shared networks are not engineered to the same level of performance as dedicated networks. The result is that these networks are susceptible to outages, which can last hours to days. Service providers also do not prioritize shared network service outages like dedicated networks, so repair times are extended as well. This is why this type of business Internet connection is also known as a “best effort” service, due to no performance or reliability guarantees (aka SLA).

Here are the most common types of shared network connections:

Dedicated Networks

These are highly reliable networks, that are not shared, and offer great performance and bandwidth speeds. Dedicated Internet connections are engineered and delivered to your site so that bandwidth is fixed and performance guaranteed, also called a Service Level Agreement (SLA). Bandwidth speeds are symmetrical and do not fluctuate, whether it is uploading or downloading data. This ensures consistent performance along with low latency, packet loss, and jitter, no matter the time or day.

This type of Internet connection for business is used by larger organizations with mission critical applications that require high QoS or reliability. Applications like VOIP, video, and cloud are all well supported by this connection type. Service provider support is also prioritized for these customers so that mean time to repair is guaranteed to be 4hrs or less.

The only major downside to dedicated networks are the business Internet connection costs. If the building is not already fiber lit, the cost can be high. Most businesses view the higher cost as similar to paying for an insurance policy. The SLA included with dedicated service provides for credits on any outage lasting more than a few minutes a month. This provides additional peace of mind that any extended outage will have financial consequences to the provider. Downtime and lost productivity of employees for just an hour will probably cost you much more than the money saved going with a shared network service.

Dedicated Internet is available in a few types of access options:

Comparing Business Internet Services

What Type of Business Internet Connection Should I Get?

In order to determine the right type of business Internet connection needed you have to look at a few factors. First would be your budget, if cost is the only concern and it is limited, then a shared network connection is really your only choice. If business use is limited to Internet browsing, emails, basic applications, and you can tolerate the occasional downtime and performance issues, then a shared service would be fine as well.

On the other hand if you have applications like VOIP, video, cloud, or other mission critical apps, you have to look at more than cost. Then you add issues related to downtime and performance, and the choice is clear. A dedicated connection is the only viable option that will address those needs and concerns. Budget, applications, desired performance, are all major factors when choosing the right type of Internet connection for business.

Cable vs. DSL vs. Fiber vs. Satellite Internet – Know the Difference

There are several options for small businesses when it comes to internet services and connections. The question is which type of internet connection is the best for your business? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. Why? Because there are multiple options when it comes to internet connections, and each one has its own benefits, flaws, and limitations.

Do you have the right internet connection for your business? Well, you might have one of the following connections at your office: Cable, DSL, Fiber, or Satellite Internet. You might be thinking what’s the difference between these and which one of these is the winner.

Different Types of High-Speed Internet Connections for Your Small Business

Are you thinking about upgrading your internet connection for your business? If yes, then read this post before investing your money in any network. We are going to tell you about the difference between four popular internet connections – Cable, DSL, Fiber, and Satellite. Before going into details, let’s look at a brief overview:

Cable Internet

Cable internet is widely used in homes and offices due to its accessibility as it uses coaxial cables for transmission. Using this internet, you install a cable modem to the wall of your office that connects your devices’ through Wi-Fi router or traditional Ethernet cables. It also allows you to set up a wide-area network (WAN) and a local-area network (LAN).

A huge disadvantage of cable connection is that copper and coaxial cables can easily get damaged by heat and electrical surges. There are options like HFC Cables and DOCSIS 3.0 cables that are not as prone to electrical and heat damages, but the danger still exists. Here are the important statistics:

DSL Internet

DSL means Digital Subscriber Line, it is a fixed wired broadband internet that uses copper telephone cables to travel along and deliver the connectivity. It is one of the oldest widely available internet dating back to the late 1990s. A DSL modem gives you a wireless internet connection for your devices, but it is too slow for heavy files. Here are some important statistics:

If you have a DSL connection but don’t want to change it to another source, we have a perfect solution for you. Currently, many DSL service providers use a combination of fiber-optic with DSL to increase your connection speed as compared to the traditional DSL. So, make sure to consult your local fiber optic companies in Dubai to enjoy a fast speed DSL internet at your business.

Satellite Internet

If you are living (working) in a rural or remote area without access to connections like fiber, cable, or DSL, you can opt for a satellite internet connection. For this type of network, you will need to install a dish which will directly receive data from orbiting satellites operated by your IPS.

Its internet speed is not as fast as the DSL or cable and is nowhere near fiber-optic. Why? Because these satellite stations are thousands of miles away, which limits your bandwidth and there are also some latency issues. Let’s look at the statistics:

Fiber Internet

We have kept the best for last! The fiber-optic network is somewhat a newer technology in the internet and broadband world, but it is quickly being taken up by most businesses. Fiber-optic can provide some freaking fast internet speed and high reliability for companies.

Fiber-optic uses glass and plastic fiber cables to transmit signals. One great feature of fiber optic that makes it more durable is that it uses light beams for transmission instead of electricity! It means that your internet cables can now carry a higher bandwidth and provide you with a super-fast internet connection with equal upload and download speed. Let’s look at the statistics:

One of the most significant advantages of fiber-optic for businesses is that there is no latency. It is not prone to damages or interference from frequencies, heavy equipment, and heat. But do note that your internet speed will depend upon the exact type of fiber network you have. Make sure to contact fiber optic companies in Dubai, such as Tarkeeb.ae, before purchasing your connection.

Fiber Optic – Best Choice for Your Internet Connection!

These are some of the most common high-speed internet connections in the world. As you can tell, Fiber-optic is the best option for businesses due to its fast internet speed and high reliability. Therefore, if your business is related to IT or cannot afford delays and latency, then fiber is the safest option. It will not only increase your overall productivity but ensure that you have a 24/7 access to a fast, and delay-free internet. So, choose wisely!