By: John Shepler
Slow internet can manifest in many ways, such as buffering videos, unclear VoIP calls, slow website loading, long file downloads, choppy video conferencing, and delayed responses from cloud services. These are all signs of a poor connection.
Ideally, internet connectivity should be invisible, just like other utilities. For instance, you expect lights to turn on when you flip a switch and water to flow when you turn the faucet. These utilities typically work seamlessly unless there’s a major issue. So why do we tolerate subpar internet connections?
Not So Great Expectations
Perhaps our low expectations stem from witnessing the internet’s evolution from a niche tool for academics to the primary mode of communication and business operation. Alternatively, it could be because the technology is still developing, especially in mobile and remote settings where bandwidth remains a limited resource in terms of both speed and accessibility.
Despite these challenges, it’s possible to make network operations invisible to business users. With the right setup, connected devices can function like appliances: always on and consistently working. This way, nothing disrupts your workflow or creates the impression of a “broken” connection.
What to Know
Understanding the key performance characteristics of your network is crucial. While I assume you’ve already optimized your local area network (LAN), the true vulnerability often lies in external connections: the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and the Wide Area Network (WAN).
The primary factor is bandwidth, often referred to as having “big pipes”. Ideally, these conduits should always exceed your data transmission rate. When circuits can’t handle the traffic volume, they become congested, much like a highway with too many cars, leading to slowdowns.
Networks, including the internet, prioritize data integrity over maintaining top speed during congestion. This leads to buffers filling up as each node waits its turn, potentially causing delays in packet transmission. The situation resembles a crowded airport during a snowstorm.
How Much BW is Enough?
You might think the solution is simple: order enough bandwidth for your present and future needs. While this seems obvious, there are many ways to find yourself lacking sufficient bandwidth.
One common issue is gradually increasing application demand. Those T1 lines you ordered a decade ago might have been sufficient until recently. While your carrier claims they’re functioning correctly, adding employees, migrating applications to the cloud, and increased reliance on the internet can overload the lines, necessitating more bandwidth.
Upgrading to a high-speed satellite link with ten times your previous bandwidth may solve file transfer issues, but what if you experience delays in phone conversations or slower cloud applications? The issue might not be bandwidth alone.
The Latency Speed Bump
In cases of noticeable delays, the culprit might be latency, not bandwidth. Latency refers to the delay between the source and destination of data. While the speed of electrons through wires and photons through fiber within a local network is practically instantaneous, connections relying on satellite links, with signals traveling thousands of miles, can introduce noticeable delays. Network congestion can exacerbate latency, but even an uncongested network can suffer from latency issues depending on the distance and buffering delays from equipment.
Other Sources of Network Congestion
Congestion can also occur due to competition for resources with other companies sharing the MAN or WAN. Even if you have ample bandwidth, the network might be insufficient for everyone’s needs. This issue is common with the internet and mobile cell towers, where numerous users accessing limited resources simultaneously can lead to slowdowns.
To address this, prioritize keeping your internal communications on dedicated private lines or an MPLS network that guarantees performance. Opt for symmetric services with equal upload and download bandwidth unless you’re certain your needs are asymmetrical.
For internet connections, consider a dedicated connection to bypass the “information slow lane” issues. This option offers the best performance in terms of bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss. While the core of the internet is generally efficient, the last-mile connections, especially those shared with other users on services like DSL, Cable, and cellular, are prone to overload.
How to Choose
Ultimately, it comes down to balancing cost and performance. Cable broadband suits residential and small office use and can work for businesses without critical requirements. However, most medium and larger businesses require private lines and dedicated internet connections for seamless, invisible connectivity.
If you desire more reliable connectivity, explore high-performance MAN and WAN bandwidth solutions tailored for businesses like yours.
