By: John Shepler

Are you unhappy with how the internet performs for your business? Do you think it’s more for entertainment and casual use than for getting work done quickly and efficiently? You need the internet to function, though. Your customers and suppliers, along with important information, are online. Even your software and communication tools might be cloud-based. What you likely need is a business-grade broadband connection with better performance.

What’s Wrong With My Internet Service? Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be delivering exactly what you signed up for. The problem could be that your current internet plan isn’t sufficient for your needs, especially if you require more than the average user. Important factors to consider are bandwidth, symmetry, dedication, latency, jitter, and packet loss. Let’s break down why these matter.

Bandwidth Imagine firefighters trying to extinguish a massive fire with a garden hose. It wouldn’t work because a small hose can’t deliver the necessary volume of water. Bandwidth is similar. A low bandwidth connection might be enough for emails, online payments, browsing, and some streaming, but it can’t handle numerous employees working simultaneously. When the connection gets overloaded, you experience congestion, leading to delays.

You need adequate bandwidth to avoid this. DSL, T1 lines, budget cable, 3G, and even 4G wireless might not be enough. Opt for fiber optic if possible, or consider Ethernet over Copper. Depending on your needs, 100 Mbps to 1000 Gbps DOCSIS cable could suffice.

Symmetry Not all broadband is equal, especially regarding upload and download speeds. Symmetry refers to how similar these speeds are. Cable, satellite, DSL, and other consumer-grade connections are often asymmetrical, meaning download speeds are much faster than upload speeds.

This matters because businesses frequently transfer large files, upload to servers, and use software that exchanges data constantly. Offsite backups also rely heavily on upload speeds. If you can stream videos effortlessly but struggle with backups, you have a symmetry issue.

Dedication Dedicated bandwidth is crucial for businesses. Budget broadband services usually offer shared bandwidth, meaning you share the connection with numerous users. This leads to slowdowns when everyone needs it simultaneously, especially during peak hours, impacting productivity and deadlines.

Dedicated bandwidth is exclusive to you. While internet backbones are shared, the connection between you and your provider should be dedicated for consistent performance.

Latency Latency is the delay between a request and a response. All circuits have some latency, but the key is to minimize it. Long distances, multiple network devices, and satellite connections contribute to latency. While minimal latency (around 10 milliseconds) is usually fine, anything more becomes noticeable, and delays of half a second or more are highly disruptive. Real-time services like VoIP and video conferencing are significantly impacted.

Jitter and Packet Loss Jitter is inconsistent packet arrival times, often caused by congestion, and it disrupts real-time communication. Packet loss, where data packets fail to reach their destination, is worse. While data transfer protocols re-request lost packets, voice and video experience gaps and distortion. Severe packet loss, often due to poor connections, can cripple website performance and backups.

Dedicated Symmetric Internet Connections Dedicated symmetric connections are the top choice for businesses. Direct connections between offices or to cloud services, bypassing the public internet, are even better. However, if you’re using the internet, prioritize performance. Opt for dedicated symmetric internet access with a service level agreement from your provider. Expect a higher cost, but view it as an investment in productivity and customer satisfaction.