By: John Shepler

In today’s business world, internet access is crucial, regardless of whether you operate solely online or have a physical store. The need for more bandwidth never seems to end. Now is a good time to think about upgrading your broadband connection to ensure it can handle your needs and help you work efficiently. You might be surprised by the affordability.

What Bandwidth Speed Do You Need? Smaller businesses, like home offices, individual professional offices, or small retail stores, might find 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet service sufficient. You could even manage with less, for the time being. For all other situations, you should aim for a bandwidth speed that’s fast enough to be unnoticeable. This means there’s always enough bandwidth available so your work is never slowed down. This usually means speeds in the gigabit range. Consider options like Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GigE).

Why such high speeds compared to the past? Today’s business landscape is different. Content often involves high-consumption video, rather than just emails. Images are much larger now, even if not in physical size, then in terms of the Mbps they require. Databases are massive; there’s a reason they use the term “big data.” Moreover, most processing is moving to, or already on, the cloud. Those high-speed Ethernet cables you used within your office now need to be replicated for the connection between you and your cloud provider.

Availability of High-Speed Connections The good news is the networking industry is evolving to meet these demands. Increased business needs, the rise of 4G and 5G wireless, and the trend of consumers opting out of cable have all pushed providers to expand their networks and make bandwidth more affordable. You likely have several choices for obtaining the bandwidth you need at a reasonable cost.

It’s worth noting that Internet Service Provider (ISP) bandwidth comes in various forms, each with its own pricing and features. There’s a reason why they’re not all priced equally. One reason is competition among providers. The more choices available in an area, the more competitive the pricing becomes, especially for higher-end business connections.

Another factor is whether shared bandwidth is acceptable or if you require dedicated bandwidth. Less expensive options, primarily cable internet, share bandwidth among multiple users. You’ll notice your bandwidth is often advertised as “up to 1 Gbps,” not guaranteed at that speed constantly. This approach assumes not everyone uses the connection at full capacity simultaneously, which is unlikely. So, while you’re reading online, someone else might be downloading a large file, and vice versa.

If you host a server or depend on business-critical cloud software that needs to run as smoothly as possible, you’ll need at least Dedicated Internet Access (DIA). You might even need a direct connection between you and your cloud provider for optimal performance. This setup bypasses the public internet and its inconsistencies. DIA keeps you on the internet, but your “last mile” bandwidth, often the most congested part of the connection, is not shared.

Another factor to consider is whether you need symmetrical bandwidth. Most internet services offering shared bandwidth also have asymmetrical speeds. This means download speeds are significantly faster, often 10 times faster, than upload speeds. It makes sense if you mostly browse websites or download videos, like many consumers. However, if you utilize cloud services where you upload as much as you download or if you perform frequent large backups to remote storage, you’ll need symmetrical bandwidth.

Your Options for ISP Bandwidth So, what options are available? Cable broadband, using DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 standards, typically provides 100 to 1000 Mbps of shared bandwidth, often with asymmetrical speeds. It’s generally reliable nowadays, and the price is competitive.

If cable internet isn’t available in your area, you might consider 4G or 5G wireless broadband. It’s the same technology used by your smartphone but utilized with a specialized modem to connect your office network. Another option is satellite business broadband, which works virtually anywhere and offers decent bandwidth. Latency can be a drawback, particularly for VoIP calls and video conferencing, but otherwise, it can be a viable solution. Keep in mind that both wireless options might have data caps.

Fiber optic bandwidth is currently the top choice. It’s becoming increasingly accessible, and you can often get as much bandwidth as you need. Fiber optic is where you’ll find DIA and symmetrical bandwidth options. It’s also the technology used for dedicated connections directly to your cloud provider or other business sites.

Fixed Wireless Access used to be restricted to major metropolitan areas. However, its availability has expanded, and it can often provide speeds comparable to fiber optic, but without the need for physical fiber lines. This can be beneficial if fiber installation is expensive in your area or if you need service quickly.

Should you upgrade your internet service to GigE, 10 GigE, or even 100 GigE? If your current internet service is limiting your business, you can’t afford not to upgrade. Check high-speed business internet and direct connection prices and availability now to see the options for your business locations.