Bandwidth Budgeting: Choosing an Internet Plan that Fits Your Business Like a Glove

Whether you are a mom ‘n pop store or a savvy tech operation, you need a fast and reliable internet connection to be able to run your business. However, you might get overwhelmed because of all the tech jargon and numbers.

The key is finding the sweet spot where you get the kind of internet speed and bandwidth your business demands without breaking the bank. What that sweet spot is for you majorly depends on the size and type of your business. 

For small business owners, it is tempting to operate on a residential package, however, it is recommended to invest in a business plan for a faster connection, reliability, and added features like a static IP address, a wider range of in-bound and out-bound data, running servers with fewer restrictions, self-hosting websites, unblocked ports, improved tech support and scheduling, elevated number of email inboxes, antivirus, and collaboration options.

Large businesses generally prefer dedicated internet access (DIA) with a high reliability factor because of a direct line to the ISP. With a 99.9% reliability factor and non-existent oversubscription issues, DIA also offers immediate customer support and repairs. 

The Three Main Types of Internet

If you are in the market for an internet plan for your business, you might be familiar with the three major types of providers. If you don’t, here is a quick play-by-play. 

1. DSL

DSL or digital subscriber line is one popular option that business owners go for. It provides service using pre-existing telephone connections. While it is fast, the health of your connection is subject to your telephone line. You may lose service if the line is damaged or if you experience a power outage.

2. Fiber Optic

Fiber optic offers razor-sharp internet service with the lowest latency, ideal for businesses that typically send large files and hold frequent video conferencing calls. An added benefit that DSL does not offer is equal upload and download speeds. This type of internet provision known as fiber internet for business is made possible with the help of fiber optic cables made of fine strands of glass transmitting digital code through light signals. The only drawback with fiber optic is that it is only available to 25% of the population and is a more reliable but expensive option than DSL.

Check out Fidium Internet to find out about their internet plans. 

3. Satellite Internet

Here is the dish on satellite internet service; it is restricted by technical limitations like high latency because of the distance between your devices and the satellite providing the service. Satellite internet is a good bet if your business operates out of a rural area. 

Why Do You Need a Reliable Business Connection?

The benefits of subscribing to an internet plan offered specifically to businesses are insurmountable.

• Higher productivity with faster response rate and payment processing.
• Improved customer communications
• Better digital presence and customer experience.
• Swift upgrades for tools, software, and antiviruses.
• Higher employee engagement
• Voice over IP
• Bundled phone/internet service
• Virtual Private Networking (VPN)

Which Internet Plan Should I Subscribe to?

The short answer is rooted in the purpose you use your internet for at your business and your budget. Based on the business size, number of employees, and requirements, there are several plans you can consider. Important considerations are if you are anticipating growth in your business in the next five years, distance with your ISP, etc. You also do not want to over/undersubscribe. 

Refer to the section below to gain insight into which plan could be ideal for your business. 

• For a business that spans over a couple of employees using web browsing, email and light file transfer, a speed of 15-25 Mbps is ideal.
• For up to 5 employees with large file transfers, sale activities, and some video conferencing requirements 25-50 Mbps is a good fit.
• More than 7 employees requiring online collaboration and a lack of glitches, 50-75 Mbps is considered a viable option with added advantages of data backup and transfer stability.
• If your company strength falls in the lower end of the double digits, 75-100 Mpbs is a sweet-spot bandwidth offering more stable audio and video communication along with heavily shared Wi-Fi.
• For a business with personnel falling in higher double digits, 100-150 Mbps proves to be adequate. This is good for businesses that offer web hosting and operate on e-commerce with higher data usage.
• The most luxurious plan would be 150-500 Mbps offering the virtues of all of the above and more. This kind of bandwidth also makes your business future-proof in case you scale and expand.

What to Ask While Looking for an ISP?

Speed is not the only factor you should be concerning yourself with. There are several other factors you should take into account while choosing an ISP. Here are some questions you should be asking while shopping for one.

• Do they offer 24/7 customer support?
• What is their yearly down-time on average?
• Are there any data caps?
• What is your length of obligation with this ISP?
• Do they offer net neutrality?

Last but not least, look out for the fine print. 

Wrapping Up

Your head must be buzzing with complex information yet to be processed. Take a minute to make this decision for it is an important one. By making the right decision in this area, you can not only save a buck or two (probably more), you can invest in other business needs.