If you are a small business owner or need to work at home — away from your cubicle — here’s what you need to know about the Internet for a home office or a small business.
Dynamism
As small businesses improve their customers’ experiences through digital operations, it is important that business owners stay up-to-date on the new products and services offered by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Many small businesses end up suffering from poor connectivity because they choose the wrong service. There could be other reasons for slow internet speeds as well, which is why it is crucial that you do your research before you settle on the right provider. That is why, when considering a small business Internet service provider, spend some time researching what the best Internet Service Provider is for your needs.
With these guidelines in mind, you can dive deep into all offers of business internet providers you come across, customizing your search to fit the unique needs of your company.
Shopping around
In nearly every city and town, there are between two and five providers that are able to offer business-grade Internet, usually offering a variety of network types for business owners to choose from. If there is an affordable fiber-to-the-premises commercial Internet line available in your area, most providers provide robust, always-on services at blistering speeds up to 10Gbps.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the number of options available around you. When shopping around, just try to keep a few tips for planning a wireless network in mind. Among other things, it can include prioritizing bandwidth-intensive applications, selecting the right router, and setting up proper network security. When you have a clear idea of what you or your business needs, you wouldn’t feel confused with the enormous number of choices thrown around you.
Your options
Fiber-optic Internet — Fiber-optic service connections use a fiber-optic cable running directly from your internet service provider to the location of the business. High-speed internet allows businesses to connect to the Internet at speeds that are far faster than a standard dial-up connection. With high-speed Internet connectivity, businesses are able to provide customers with faster, more reliable services.
Cable is a widely available Internet service which uses Coaxial Cable lines (the same ones used for delivering cable TV) to deliver broadband Internet connectivity for your business. Many broadband providers offer features such as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), which can help businesses save on their traditional telephone service. The range of services needed can also vary over time, and some providers offer bundled services for business phones and internet, which simplify your telecommunications — and billing — needs to one provider.
What to look for
A good business wifi solution offers speeds as fast as 100Mbps, and, as would be expected, offers discounts to businesses who sign long-term contracts. Business owners looking for the fastest speeds with the most cutting-edge features can choose from one of its dedicated internet service packages, which provide customers up to 400Mbps of internet speeds.
Serving 39 states nationwide, one of the best service providers stands out from the crowd by offering some of the highest speeds you will find, with their 1 gig (1,000 Mbps) plans.
A good service provider naturally ranks as one of the best overall business ISP thanks to its symmetrical download/upload speeds up to 940 Mbps, award-winning customer service, and rock-solid internet connections.
Infographic created by Converge IoT, Premium Cradlepoint Distributor Unlocking the Power of 5G and LTE
Final breakdown
Business Internet generally includes faster download and upload speeds, symmetrical bandwidth, robust fiber infrastructure, guaranteed capacity, network no-oversubscription, strong customer service, tech support, and other features that will help your business run more efficiently. Before going ahead with scheduling an installation appointment, you should research your local providers and determine which kind of internet is best suited to your company’s needs.
When choosing your router, take into account ideal Internet speeds, number of users, office space, and security needs. If your company has a true IT requirement and/or many users focused on productivity, then investing in Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) via fiber might make sense.