Choosing the right internet connection for your business might look like a simple task, right? Well, there is a lot to consider than you can imagine. With all the technical terms and broadband jargon, it is quite easy to feel overwhelmed. You might come across dozens of business internet service providers in your area and while everyone offers the same thing, you can be in a difficult situation.
In this article, we will explain every aspect of a business internet connection and then help you decide the best internet according to your requirement.
What is Internet Speed, Anyway?
Whenever we talk about internet speeds, we refer to a combination of download and upload speed. Knowing what speed you are getting is crucial before signing up for a plan.
The download speed refers to the amount of data you can download at a given time. If the download speeds are high, you can easily get work done. If you have slower download speeds, it will take ages to complete the simplest of tasks.
The upload speed refers to the strength of your internet. The amount of data you can send on the web with the help of the internet. Usually, download speeds are higher than the upload because a common consumer spends more time downloading than uploading. However, for a business, this rule doesn’t apply since business operations involve a lot of data transfer.
The internet industry measures these speeds in megabits per second or Mbps. The greater the megabits per second, the faster your internet is.
What is the Internet Speed that Your Business Needs?
Every business differs, so their internet requirements are different. No matter how big or small your business is, it equally crucial to get the right internet speed as other tasks like fostering employee productivity and engagement, deploying a good customer service, and getting the work done quickly depends on it.
However, if you have a large employee base, you will need a higher download speed. A higher download speed results in higher bandwidth allocation among employees so multiple people can download data at a higher speed simultaneously.
For example, if you have more than 30 employees in your office, you will have to pull out the big guns and opt for a gigabit or a higher plan. Conversely, if you have a small startup in your very own garage with a couple of friends, an internet plan as low as 50 Mbps can do the job. Luckily Spectrum offers internet for residential and business purposes, and that too in an affordable price range. You can get speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 940 Mbps.
Nevertheless, if you go for a residential sector internet, it may cause you a lot of trouble. Business internet connections have a wide variety of benefits. You get a reliable connection, better speed, and static IP. Therefore, every single penny invested on business internet is worth it in the longer run.
To help you understand this concept, the below table shows various internet speeds and how they can benefit your very own organization.
| Download Speed | Number of users | Activities you can perform |
| 25 Mbps | 3 | Business communication and basic downloading |
| 75 Mbps | 5 to 10 | Video streaming and file sharing |
| 150 Mbps | Up to 15 | Frequent cloud computing and video conferencing |
| 200 Mbps | Up to 20 | Seamless video conferencing and server hosting |
| 500 Mbps | Up to 30 | Multiple server hosting, cloud-based computing, and data backups |
| 1000 Mbps | 40+ | Blazing-fast operating speed with seamless connectivity |
Why should you get a Static IP for your Business?
Whenever our computers and devices are connected, each device is assigned a unique IP address to identify other devices and enable communication. There are two types of IP addresses, dynamic and static. Dynamic IP addresses change when your device is restarted or your network is turned off. To an average user, this change in the IP address is not a big problem and goes unnoticed. If you have a static IP address, THE IP remains constant no matter what happens.
Static IP is crucial for any business. Here is why:
- Static IPs ensure a smoother data exchange. You can connect devices and share large files over your network. This is an important feature for any business that requires a large transfer of data occasionally.
- The problem with dynamic IPs is that they are always changing. This means that your server needs to do more work to refresh itself and update the IPs. Conversely, static IPs are more stable. Since there is less load on the network, you have lower chances of downtime.
- Static IP lets you have remote access to your computer without any geographical restrictions. This is quite handy in a pandemic.
Final Verdict
Take several factors such as the workforce size, usage requirements, and budget in mind while signing up for a business internet connection. However, it is better to invest in a faster internet than you require to ensure smooth and seamless connectivity throughout.
