By: John Shepler

The Internet has transitioned from a novelty to a necessity, as indispensable as electricity or heat. However, its unreliability can be a source of frustration, especially given its immense potential for businesses. Let’s explore how to enhance Internet stability and dependability.

Internet vs Internet

Internet experiences are not universal, despite discussions about net neutrality claiming otherwise. While some enjoy superior performance, others face limitations. How is this possible?

The Internet backbone, a global network of fiber optic cables, offers optimal performance with high bandwidth and low latency. This is where true neutrality exists.

However, the connection to this backbone, often referred to as “the last mile,” varies significantly. While net neutrality prevents prioritization of one company’s traffic over another’s, it doesn’t guarantee equal bandwidth allocation. Therefore, not all internet connections are created equal.

Cost vs Performance In The Last Mile

“The Last Mile” connects you to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), not directly to the internet backbone. Only Tier 1 networks have direct connections and peering arrangements for cost-free traffic exchange. Other ISPs pay for access, and this cost, along with infrastructure expenses, is reflected in your internet bill. Consequently, last-mile connections exhibit significant price and performance variations.

What Affects Connection Performance?

Several factors influence last-mile performance. The type of connection, including DSL, coaxial cable, fiber optic, satellite, microwave, or cellular, each has limitations.

Copper-based infrastructure limits bandwidth over distance, while wireless technologies have inherent bandwidth constraints. Satellite connections suffer from high latency due to signal travel time.

Furthermore, connections can be dedicated for exclusive use or shared among multiple users, impacting performance.

The Most Important Key to Better Internet Performance

While the shared nature of the internet backbone might make dedicated connections seem insignificant, they offer the best performance when bypassing the internet entirely. This is ideal for direct connections between locations like cloud providers or data centers.

For connections requiring internet access, a balance between cost and performance is crucial. While dedicated connections offer superior performance, shared connections provide affordability by distributing the cost of a dedicated line among multiple users.

Businesses face a choice. Low-cost shared connections, such as cable broadband, may suffice for basic internet usage like email and web browsing. However, businesses with high-bandwidth demands and time-sensitive operations benefit from dedicated connections.

Should You Go Dedicated?

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) strikes a balance between cost and performance. DIA minimizes last-mile limitations and is particularly advantageous when connected through a Tier 1 or Tier 2 ISP. T1 lines are suitable for rural areas, Ethernet over Copper offers higher bandwidth in urban locations, while fiber optic provides the best performance.

Choosing the optimal Private Line or Internet Access for your business necessitates evaluating prices and performance from various providers. Expert consultation can guide you in making the right decision.