In today’s competitive scenario, business enterprises cannot survive without an internet connection. Whether it is connecting with suppliers and vendors or communicating with colleagues and seniors or providing after-sales support to customers, online communication is as vital as offline communication. The digital market is expanding across boundaries, and for enterprises to make full use of it, they need to stay active and available in the online market 24*7.
From small startup business to an enterprise spans various nations; internet connectivity is an integral part of the business system. With more than 90% of the enterprises using cloud services, the need for reliable network connection has doubled. While there are many ways to connect to the internet, enterprises need to find a service provider who is capable of handling a large volume of usage.
The Internet for personal use or home services is different from the internet for business. Enterprises need high-speed, low latency, the symmetric speed with nearly unlimited bandwidth and an option to expand the network as and when required. All these have to be offered at an affordable price. And since most enterprises prefer to have long term contracts with service providers, it is essential to find the right internet provider.
The following are some of the key factors to consider before choosing business internet providers.
DSL Vs Copper Cable Vs Fiber Optics
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a telephone line that is used to connect to the internet. It is one of the oldest and cheapest forms of connecting to the internet. Highly susceptible to changing weather conditions, DSL neither has speed nor the ability to transmit huge amounts of data.
Copper cables came after DSL. They are costlier but have better bandwidth and can transmit data faster than DSL. Copper cables have been used for years and are still being used for residential purposes. Still, copper cables are also not weatherproof cannot sustain during rough climatic conditions.
Fiber optics is one of the best options available in the market. Made using optical fibers, the network is capable of high-speed data transmission. It is the costliest of services but offers a range of long-term benefits. Fiber optic cables are the best option to connect to the cloud. They are weatherproof and can share large quantities of data over long distances without compromising on the quality. Choose a service provider who has a fiber-optic network for the business internet.
Voice Services (Cloud-based Phone System)
Small, medium and large scale enterprises are increasing depending on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to communicate within and outside the enterprise. Instead of relying on traditional telephone lines to make calls, the same internet network is used to route calls by setting up an IP-based phone system.
Internet service providers offer cloud-based phone services so that the systems can be integrated and clubbed together. This allows enterprises to use a single network system rather than use multiple ones.
Technical Support
Enterprises prefer to outsource technical services to service providers. It has become the responsibility of the internet provider to manage, maintain, and upgrade the network. The support staff has to be available 24*7 via telephone or email to assist enterprises in identifying and removing the glitches from the system. The sooner the service provider responds and solves the problem, the effective the services, and the network.
Data Centers and Backup Services
Many of the business internet providers these days offer cloud backup services or data center services for enterprises to save their vast amounts of information in a secure and private location. This allows enterprises to use a secure and reliable network to access their confidential data at any point in time. In the case of natural calamities, enterprises can be assured that their data is safe and can be retrieved in no time. It is an effective way of managing disaster control.
VPN Network
You can also consider a virtual private network if you need high security for your personal data and files. A VPN service hides the original IP address, effectively hides online identity, protecting your data from hackers, and allows the bypass of geo-blocks. VPN hides your private information, escapes data-throttling & bandwidth-throttling, access region-blocked services like Netflix à l’étranger or any other streaming service, avoid censorship when traveling outside, and offers cheaper international telephone charges.
Scalability
Businesses expand and venture into newer markets and adjacent industries over time. The internet service provider should support the increased demands of network services for growing enterprises. Rather than get a new network connection, the existing network can be expanded to handle the increasing business needs.
Bandwidth Availability
Enterprises should first determine the bandwidth they need for daily operations. Then, they have to find a service provider who can offer the required speed. This also depends on the location of the service provider and the enterprise. The quality of services also depends on whether the network is dedicated or shared.
The reputation of the service provider also plays a major role. Enterprises should identify well-known internet service providers in the market and compare their services before finalizing one of the companies for business internet services. Contact each service provider for a quote and see who can offer quality services for affordable pricess
