By: John Shepler
As more business operations transition to the cloud and remote work becomes increasingly common, the demand for robust Wide Area Network (WAN) bandwidth has surged. Fortunately, providers offer excellent solutions for establishing high-bandwidth connections between locations and to the internet.
Fiber Optic Ethernet WAN
Fiber optic connectivity has become the leading choice for business bandwidth. Businesses still relying on older technologies like T1 lines, ISDN PRI, or DS3 bandwidth may be facing limitations and nearing obsolescence. As many carriers phase out copper-based services due to high maintenance and waning demand, upgrading is crucial.
However, not all fiber optic solutions are equal. The outdated SONET technology, introduced by telephone companies decades ago, is also becoming less relevant. The emerging standard is Carrier Ethernet or Ethernet WAN.
Fiber Optic Ethernet WAN builds upon the switched Ethernet standard prevalent in Local Area Networks. This technology simplifies LAN-to-WAN connections, eliminating the need for intermediate protocol conversions by maintaining an end-to-end Ethernet framework. This widely adopted standard is embraced by most service providers, including traditional telephone companies that have integrated it into their networks.
Fiber Ethernet WAN offers several advantages, including easy bandwidth scaling without hardware changes. Upgrading from an initial 10-50 Mbps service to 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps can often be done online or with a phone call, usually without requiring on-site visits.
Pricing is also compelling. Businesses can start with lower bandwidth services (10 Mbps to 100 Mbps) often at or below the cost of their existing copper-based services. This means getting more bandwidth for the same price or paying less for the equivalent bandwidth.
Cost savings become even more pronounced at higher bandwidths. The cost per Mbps or Gbps compared to legacy solutions decreases as speed increases. Technological advancements, carrier fiber deployments, and competition have also contributed to declining costs over time. Businesses with older contracts can likely reduce expenses by switching to a newer service.
Multi-Gigabit Solutions
Just a few years ago, 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) broadband or private line service represented the pinnacle of connectivity. This is no longer the case. Fiber is no longer a rarity but is now widely available in metropolitan business districts, with multiple competing providers often leading to favorable pricing.
As demand for higher bandwidth grows and cell towers are upgraded to accommodate millimeter-wave 5G cellular service, fiber deployments are increasing.
1 Gigabit bandwidth has become commonplace for businesses, with more demanding applications transitioning to 10 Gigabit service. The next step is 100 Gbps Fiber Optic Ethernet WAN. While this might seem excessive for smaller businesses, it’s reasonable for large hospital campuses, medical centers with multiple imaging facilities, universities, research labs, government agencies, video production companies, architectural firms, and manufacturers. With 5G wireless offering bandwidth exceeding 1 Gbps and cable companies providing comparable speeds to consumers, 10 Gbps is practical for highly automated, digitally transformed businesses, making 100 Gbps a natural progression.
Dark Fiber and Fixed Wireless Access
While lit fiber optic WAN will likely remain the dominant technology for businesses in the near future, there are specific scenarios where alternative solutions are more suitable.
Dark Fiber is an option for businesses seeking greater control over their connections, similar to owning the infrastructure. Network providers often have spare, unlit fiber strands within their cables intended for future expansion. These strands or wavelengths can be leased. Availability depends on the desired locations. Advantages of dark fiber include the flexibility to run any protocol and enhanced security from being the sole user.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) uses microwave frequencies to transmit data instead of physical fiber. Many cellular companies utilize FWA to connect remote towers, eliminating the need for lengthy, isolated fiber runs. Bandwidth can range from Gigabits to 10 Gigabits and can provide dedicated private line service or internet connectivity. FWA acts as a “fiberless” alternative to fiber, utilizing an antenna on the building. A key benefit is the rapid deployment time, measured in days rather than months required for trenching fiber.
Are you ready to upgrade from older copper services or costly SONET fiber? Fiber Optic Ethernet WAN, Dark Fiber, and Fixed Wireless Access might offer the ideal solution at more competitive prices than ever.
