These days, there are a plethora of internet service providers (ISPs) that offer endless internet service options. While selecting an appropriate residential internet service is typically straightforward, it becomes more complicated when a business is looking for the perfect fit.
Keep reading as we deep-dive into business internet services.
What Is Business Internet?
Business internet must be able to meet data connectivity needs.
When looking for a business internet plan, it’s helpful to rate possible options on the following:
- Reliability
- Support
- Scalability
- Security
When evaluating a business ISP, ensure you know what services ISPs should always include and what additional services you can have for an extra fee.
A high-quality and reliable business internet plan should include the following:
Broadband Internet
Broadband internet is necessary for the high-speed transmission (high-speed internet) of wide-bandwidth data. This service is perfect for employees who regularly upload and/or download large files or use services like VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol).
Wide Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the maximum volume of data (measured in bits/bytes) a device can upload or download each second. A wide bandwidth helps eliminate lagging, buffering, and long loading times (latency).
Secure bandwidth
Secure bandwidth ensures no data caps (bandwidth limits) and that a business’s data is appropriately allocated for more essential applications.
An ISP may charge a higher rate for extra data usage or throttle (reduce) the bandwidth if a business exceeds the data limit.
Guaranteed Uptimes
Uptime is the annual amount of time a business’s internet connection is accessible. 100% guaranteed uptime is rare. However, most business ISPs offer five nines availability (99.999% uptime).
The guaranteed uptime should be included in the service-level agreement (SLA). Always ask ISP what the highest guaranteed uptime is.
Dedicated Connection
A dedicated internet connection (DIA) is the opposite of shared lines. It is a private network connection explicitly reserved for your company rather than sharing a network connection and bandwidth with neighboring companies.
Dedicated connections reduce the lag time as employees stream, video chat, and upload/download files. Thus, creating a more efficient workplace that justifies the extra cost of choosing a plan with DIA.
Residential internet connections are typically asymmetrical. However, most business ISPs will sell plans with a symmetrical dedicated connection.
Symmetrical Dedicated Connection
Symmetrical dedicated internet connections provide equally high data upload and download, which is perfect for businesses that naturally receive and send significant amounts of data.
However, an asymmetrical internet connection provides fast data download speeds and slow data upload speeds, which are better suited for residential internet services.
Overall, symmetrical dedicated connections provide consistent, high-speed internet and a more reliable connection.
Equipment
All ISPs will require some hardware on your business’s premises. Typically, customers may rent the equipment by the month, or they can purchase it outright. Equipment includes technology such as:
- Modems,
- Routers,
- Etc.
If you’re planning to stick with a business ISP long-term, purchasing the equipment is cheaper than paying a monthly fee.
Security
You should always confirm that the plan you’re considering offers any security that entails software options like:
- Anti-spam,
- Antivirus,
- Anti-spyware,
- And anti-malware.
Some ISPs may also provide backup service protection (wireless internet backup).
24/7 Customer Service
The best business internet service provides reliable customer service 24/7, 365 days a year, for any network or equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, etc., that must be addressed as quickly as possible.
Always ask an ISP about its customer service and technician availability.
SLAs
A service-level agreement is a contract enforceable in a court of law. ISPs use these contracts to state the guaranteed level of services and standards that they must deliver to the customer.
For business internet services, these agreements typically guarantee:
- Low latency,
- 24/7 customer support,
- Near-perfect uptimes,
- And more.
The SLA ensures that the ISP will compensate the customer (e.g., bill credits, discounts, early contract termination, etc.) if the ISP cannot deliver on the agreed-upon guarantees.
Extra Services
Business internet services may also allow customers to choose extra services to add to their plan (at an additional cost).
Some of these services include:
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
VPNs create secure, encrypted connections (“tunnels”) between the VPN server and a user’s computer.
When a business uses a VPN, the “tunnel” places employees into their business’s secure network. A business VPN also allows remote employees access to their business’s secure network as if they are in the office.
Static (Permanent) IP (Internet Protocol) Addresses
IP addresses allow computers to find each other through the web and communicate.
Static IP addresses are excellent investments for businesses that host servers, VPNs, and external access, which requires extra security and stability.
You can find ISPs that offer VPN services. However, many reliable and independent VPN services are available on the market.
Cloud Services
Cloud Services are various models that allow for shared, at-will access to data storage, software, and processing (remotely or in-office).
ISPs that offer cloud services work with XaaS (Anything as a Service) partners who provide reliable, secure connectivity in cloud environments as businesses utilize one or more cloud services (models), like:
- SaaS – Software as a Service
- PaaS – Platform as a Service
- Private PaaS – private Platform as a Service
- DCaaS – Data Center as a Service
All these models are:
- Customizable,
- Scalable,
- And cost-effective.
If your business already has an existing traditional infrastructure, ensure your ISP is capable of simultaneously maximizing the benefits of cloud services and current investments in the traditional infrastructure.
SD-WAN ensures that a business’s network runs proficiently while employees use cloud services to access, send, or store data securely.
For more information on SD-WAN, please view our previous blog post, “What Is SD-WAN and What Are Its Benefits?”
Email Services
Typically, ISPs offer around ten individual email accounts at a base price and introduce added fees for:
- Any additional accounts
- And a custom domain name that represents your business’s website (e.g., [email protected]).
Connect Your Business for Success with CC3 Solutions
At CC3 Solutions, our mission is to alleviate any stress that comes with finding a business ISP and maintaining the services a contract promises.
Use as many of our various solutions as your business requires to create a business internet plan that fits your business’s needs to a T.
Our solutions include, but are not limited to:
- Security – please get in touch with us to learn more
We also offer 24/7 customer support between your business and your service provider. Think of us as your middleman to seamlessly keep your business connected to its network while handling all the nitty and gritty details of maintaining business internet services.
Contact CC3 Solutions today to get your business connected for success!