Which Business Internet Option is Right for You?

Posted on: May 2, 2017

For any company, selecting the right Internet provider is a make-or-break choice. Depending on business model, having a responsive, efficient network is the key to running a profitable organization. Without sufficient speed or resources, the business lags.

But there are various options out there. How do you know which option is best for your company? To help you find the optimal choice, this article will briefly guide you through key points to consider before investing in a new net service.

Determining Business Needs
Before moving ahead with a service, you want to know what your goals are as a company and how Internet options can help you achieve them. Do you use the Net to perform essential business functions, run social media accounts, or host websites? If so, consider these factors:

• Your overall bandwidth needs (fast vs. slow)
• Your location (geographically accessible for wired connections or only wireless?)
• Do you intend to expand to different sites, and can your ISP (Internet service provider) accommodate this expansion?
• What are your support demands for potential connection errors? (immediate assessment vs. can afford to wait)

These questions are essential when understanding what the best Net option is. Once defined, you can choose the right kind of connection service.

Primarily, there are two categories for Internet service: private and public. They each come with their own advantages. Typically, it’s recommended to utilize private Internet whenever possible, but public options still exist.

With public Internet, connection types are as follows:

• Wireless Internet, wherein connections are made via signal without the need for physical cabling
• Satellite Internet, wherein connections are made based on signals sent from satellites, often suited for areas that cannot use physical connections
• Cable Internet, which relies on cable modems for broadband Internet connections

Then you have private models, which are more expansive:

• Dial-up, wherein connections are made through phone jack and dial modems (Note: the speeds are extremely slow)
• DSL (digital signals sent over phone lines), connections that are cheaper and can provide essential functions
• T1 Dedicated Line, an Internet connection utilized only by the company, meaning no bandwidth is shared
• Fiber optic, the fastest available Internet, where light signals carry information, recommended where available
• Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), a network type that determines the network path and boosts performance

No matter the type, Internet is an essential service. It’s mandatory for most forms of communication and even if it’s not used to host services, a majority of the world relies on Internet-based communication in some way to conduct business.

With the options listed, you should have a solid idea of where to go. If you need unlimited access, for example, a dedicated T1 connection is the perfect solution. If you need the fastest possible speeds, fiber is there. If you’re in an area where many ISPs haven’t established themselves, satellite is a convenient option.

Don’t let yourself get left behind in the digital dust. There’s a lot lost by not having some form of online presence, and as technology rapidly evolves, so do the companies utilizing it.

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