If your company uses cloud-based technological services, meeting your revenue goals and running your daily operations relies on having a reliable internet connection. Packages for broadband internet service that are specifically designed for businesses can offer the extra features, higher security, and committed support that businesses require to run smoothly and accomplish their objectives.
Many of the top internet service providers in the US offer business broadband packages at different pricing points and speeds, depending on where your place of business is located. We'll break down all you need to know before you sign a contract to help you in your hunt for the best high-speed internet service plan for your business.
What is business broadband?
High-speed internet access for usage in offices and other workspaces is known as business broadband. Consider it a business-grade internet package with supplementary features and committed customer service, frequently supported by a robust service-level agreement (SLA).
Most of the time, reliability is guaranteed, with uptimes exceeding 99 percent. Due to its widespread availability, cable internet services are most frequently associated with the phrase "broadband internet." However, alternative business-grade broadband connections, such as fiber, dedicated internet, and enterprise-grade 5G, are also included in this category.
Most of the time, reliability is guaranteed, with uptimes exceeding 99 percent. Due to its widespread availability, cable internet services are most frequently associated with the phrase "broadband internet." However, alternative business-grade broadband connections, such as fiber, dedicated internet, and enterprise-grade 5G, are also included in this category.
It's important to keep in mind that the Federal Communications Commission defined "broadband" in 2015 as an internet connection with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 3 Mbps. Keep this in mind when you look for broadband internet.
These upload and download speeds are usually regarded as being too slow for small company use and probably not suitable for use in an enterprise environment by today's standards. The bandwidth requirements of today will be difficult for you to meet if you access the internet via a digital subscriber line (DSL) connected to a phone line.
These upload and download speeds are usually regarded as being too slow for small company use and probably not suitable for use in an enterprise environment by today's standards. The bandwidth requirements of today will be difficult for you to meet if you access the internet via a digital subscriber line (DSL) connected to a phone line.
Benefits of business broadband vs. other solutions
When comparing home and corporate internet, for instance, the primary distinction between the two is not the speed that is claimed, but rather the additional services, customer support, ease of customization, and higher cost.
Different traffic types or the essential apps you use most frequently can be prioritized in business strategy. High-definition (HD) video conferencing and webinars, for instance, can take precedence over other programs, like system backups, when it comes to network traffic. During peak hours, your service provider might also be able to give your business traffic priority over any competing domestic traffic, ensuring you have the bandwidth you require.
Different traffic types or the essential apps you use most frequently can be prioritized in business strategy. High-definition (HD) video conferencing and webinars, for instance, can take precedence over other programs, like system backups, when it comes to network traffic. During peak hours, your service provider might also be able to give your business traffic priority over any competing domestic traffic, ensuring you have the bandwidth you require.
Thus, even though the speeds offered by residential and business plans could appear similar at first, they frequently diverge significantly when you take into account the extra features that corporate consumers have access to and the throttling that domestic users experience.
The main business broadband service providers also offer additional services that are generally available, such as firewalls and cloud-based distributed denial-of-service prevention, to safeguard your client data. Additional features include a static IP address.
Compared to residential consumers, most business clients will have far more customization options for their plans. However, the two solutions differ due to the SLAs and customer support. Due to these strict SLAs, which are contractual responsibilities for performance, corporate clients are given precedence when it comes to receiving customer support over the phone or in-person when needed. Many SLAs include explicit compensation mechanisms in case the desired service level is not fulfilled, and they frequently guarantee internet uptimes of more than 99 percent.
Qualities:
Prioritizing traffic and applications, varying speed options, cloud-based security, round-the-clock monitoring and reporting, robust service level agreements, wireless backup, managed SD-WAN, managed network services, and, contingent on the kind of connection and length of contract, one- to ten-year price guarantees.
100 Mbps for wireless broadband, 5 Gbps for business fiber, and up to 1 Tbps for dedicated internet
To learn more, go here: This is the most recent review of Cox Business.
What types of business broadband are available?
Regrettably, location frequently determines the kinds of internet service available to businesses. True business broadband might not be a possibility if your business is located in a rural area of the nation. If so, your options may be limited to using DSL or choosing between satellite internet and a mobile hotspot. However, dedicated internet, fiber, and cable or DSL internet are all workable options if your company is situated in a densely populated location.
Cable
Where it is available, cable should be regarded as the bare minimum in terms of technology for enterprises. High-speed, dependable cable internet is commonly accessible outside of rural areas.
If small businesses do not heavily depend on cloud-based services, a cable internet subscription with a speed greater than 100 Mbps can be sufficient. In order to ensure seamless HD video conferencing and continuous connection with their cloud-based software, larger enterprises or companies that significantly depend on cloud-based systems should consider upgrading their internet speeds.
If small businesses do not heavily depend on cloud-based services, a cable internet subscription with a speed greater than 100 Mbps can be sufficient. In order to ensure seamless HD video conferencing and continuous connection with their cloud-based software, larger enterprises or companies that significantly depend on cloud-based systems should consider upgrading their internet speeds.
Dedicated internet
A fixed-bandwidth connection that is exclusively used by your company is known as dedicated internet. You're not sharing bandwidth with other businesses or even establishments on different floors of the same building, thus speed fluctuations and outages are much less common.
For businesses that value security and privacy, this broadband connection is perfect. Midsize and enterprise-level businesses that employ demanding network applications in their daily operations also find it appealing.
For businesses that value security and privacy, this broadband connection is perfect. Midsize and enterprise-level businesses that employ demanding network applications in their daily operations also find it appealing.
Fiber
Fiber is something you should think about if it's accessible in your area if you want the fastest upload and download speeds. Compared to the greatest cable internet, fiber gigabit download and upload rates are frequently far faster.
Even though fiber cable infrastructure is still being installed across the country, most major cities and significant business districts have lightning-fast internet connectivity. Its deployment to less heavily populated areas, however, could be quite slow given that fiber cable installation costs an average of $60,000 to $80,000 per mile.
Even though fiber cable infrastructure is still being installed across the country, most major cities and significant business districts have lightning-fast internet connectivity. Its deployment to less heavily populated areas, however, could be quite slow given that fiber cable installation costs an average of $60,000 to $80,000 per mile.
Enterprise-grade 5G
Under the correct conditions, mobile devices running on 5G networks can be a workable alternative for organizations that require broadband connectivity outside the office.
Smartphones and dedicated hotspots can't match other internet options due to stringent data limitations and slower speeds, but they can provide HD video conferencing and a lot of capacity for email, chat, and web surfing when they're near a network tower.
Smartphones and dedicated hotspots can't match other internet options due to stringent data limitations and slower speeds, but they can provide HD video conferencing and a lot of capacity for email, chat, and web surfing when they're near a network tower.
How to choose a broadband provider
Use these five steps to help you select the best internet provider for your business.
1. Calculate how fast your connection needs to be.
Take into account the internet usage patterns of both you and your staff when choosing the optimal connection speed for your business.
Are several persons taking part in HD video conferences at the same time? Do you frequently upload big files to the cloud? Take a look at the number of users and their online activities when using the connection.
Are several persons taking part in HD video conferences at the same time? Do you frequently upload big files to the cloud? Take a look at the number of users and their online activities when using the connection.
2. Determine how important uptime is.
Internet outages will seriously affect your business if you depend on it for a variety of tasks like hosting your website, handling customer inquiries, accepting payments, and running marketing campaigns.
Give priority to ISPs with strong service level agreements and high uptime guarantees when you are shortlisting possible providers.
Give priority to ISPs with strong service level agreements and high uptime guarantees when you are shortlisting possible providers.
3. Search out ISPs in your area.
You should have a respectable selection of national and regional business ISPs if you reside in a city or town. Businesses in remote areas will provide a far smaller range of options.
With a fast Google search, you can locate suppliers. If a business claims to serve you, use the address search feature on their website to find out if you live in their service region.
With a fast Google search, you can locate suppliers. If a business claims to serve you, use the address search feature on their website to find out if you live in their service region.
4. Compare provider prices and plans.
Business broadband providers frequently include extras like static IP addresses, website building tools, and domain names in their packages. Many of the features will be paid add-ons, even if some will be part of the package. Choose what will be most helpful to you.
Inform possible suppliers of any unique needs you may have so they can present you with an accurate price. Do you manage security internally, or would you like assistance from your provider? Is it necessary to give customers' traffic priority during business hours? Examine the SLA to determine what might be changed to better meet the demands of your business.
Inform possible suppliers of any unique needs you may have so they can present you with an accurate price. Do you manage security internally, or would you like assistance from your provider? Is it necessary to give customers' traffic priority during business hours? Examine the SLA to determine what might be changed to better meet the demands of your business.
5. Find out what other users think.
ISP websites display the speed of their connections; nevertheless, the speed you see on their pages can be an estimate. You can visit other test sites to see if users in your area are receiving the claimed speeds.
Examining an ISP's internet evaluations is another technique to determine the caliber of service it provides. Prior to making a commitment, attempt to find out about the experiences of business customers as many providers cater to both residential and commercial clients.
Which providers offer business broadband?
Among the service providers offering business-focused broadband services are Verizon, AT&T, Google, Comcast, and Spectrum. Depending on where your business is located, you may be able to use cable or, for even quicker possibilities, fiber and dedicated internet. We'll concentrate on the best plans from each provider in terms of available speeds so that we can accurately compare these service plans to one another.
Consider their stated prices as a starting point with some wiggle space for your particular needs. When you get in touch with a possible service provider to discuss pricing, you can usually negotiate better terms with bundled packages or longer service agreements. To find out what is available for your specific company address, you will need to contact each service provider separately as not all plans or speeds are offered in every area.
Consider their stated prices as a starting point with some wiggle space for your particular needs. When you get in touch with a possible service provider to discuss pricing, you can usually negotiate better terms with bundled packages or longer service agreements. To find out what is available for your specific company address, you will need to contact each service provider separately as not all plans or speeds are offered in every area.
Verizon Business
Cost:
Fios Fiber Internet plans start at $69 a month; 5G and LTE internet options are also offered.
Quickness:
1,000 Mbps of upload and download speed
Fios Fiber Internet plans start at $69 a month; 5G and LTE internet options are also offered.
Quickness:
1,000 Mbps of upload and download speed
Qualities:
Prioritizing traffic and applications, varying speed options, cloud-based security, round-the-clock monitoring and reporting, robust service level agreements, wireless backup, managed SD-WAN, managed network services, and, contingent on the kind of connection and length of contract, one- to ten-year price guarantees.
To learn more, go here: Check out our review of Verizon Business.
AT&T Business
Cost:
The Business 50 Mbps Internet package starts at $75 per month, while the Wireless Broadband plan costs $70 (for dedicated internet, contact sales).
Quickness:
Quickness:
100 Mbps for wireless broadband, 5 Gbps for business fiber, and up to 1 Tbps for dedicated internet
Qualities:
symmetric/asymmetric fiber connections; business-focused customer assistance; McAfee software-as-a-service endpoint security; PC backup; online fax; unified invoicing for many locations; and dynamic/static IP.
To learn more, go here: View our comprehensive analysis of AT&T Business.
To learn more, go here: View our comprehensive analysis of AT&T Business.
Cox Business
Cost:
starts at $64 for a 50 Mbps Business Internet plan and goes up to $299 for a 940 Mbps plan each month.
Quickness:
840 Mbps of download speed and 35 Mbps of upload speed
Qualities:
Personalized plans, over 99 percent service uptime, round-the-clock assistance, access to business hotspot networks, guest and private Wi-Fi networks, and a full suite of cloud-based security tools.
starts at $64 for a 50 Mbps Business Internet plan and goes up to $299 for a 940 Mbps plan each month.
Quickness:
840 Mbps of download speed and 35 Mbps of upload speed
Qualities:
Personalized plans, over 99 percent service uptime, round-the-clock assistance, access to business hotspot networks, guest and private Wi-Fi networks, and a full suite of cloud-based security tools.
To learn more, go here: This is the most recent review of Cox Business.
Comcast Business
Cost:
Request a quote by contacting
Quickness:
50 Mbps to 1.25 Gbps with a 35 Mbps maximum upload speed
Qualities:
Border Gateway Protocol routing, variable speeds, constant priority support and monitoring, a static IP address, response time SLAs, cloud-based security with geographically distributed data centers, and round-the-clock security
To learn more, go here: Check out our Comcast Business Internet review.
Request a quote by contacting
Quickness:
50 Mbps to 1.25 Gbps with a 35 Mbps maximum upload speed
Qualities:
Border Gateway Protocol routing, variable speeds, constant priority support and monitoring, a static IP address, response time SLAs, cloud-based security with geographically distributed data centers, and round-the-clock security
To learn more, go here: Check out our Comcast Business Internet review.
Spectrum Business
Cost:
There are two packages: 600 Mbps for $59.99 and 1 Gbps for $109.99 per month.
Quickness:
Up to 1 Gbps download speed and 35 Mbps upload speed
There are two packages: 600 Mbps for $59.99 and 1 Gbps for $109.99 per month.
Quickness:
Up to 1 Gbps download speed and 35 Mbps upload speed
Qualities:
Static IP, business Wi-Fi, wireless internet backup, a 30-day money-back guarantee, round-the-clock U.S.-based support, and over 99.9 percent dependability
To learn more, go here: See our comprehensive review of Spectrum Internet.
Static IP, business Wi-Fi, wireless internet backup, a 30-day money-back guarantee, round-the-clock U.S.-based support, and over 99.9 percent dependability
To learn more, go here: See our comprehensive review of Spectrum Internet.
Google Fiber Business
Cost:
prices range from $70 for 1 Gbps to $150 for 8 Gbps per month.
Quickness:
symmetrical download and upload rates of up to 8 Gbps
Qualities:
Expert setup, round-the-clock customer service, a Network Box with built-in WiFi (or use your own device), a free 1 TB cloud storage space, and no annual or usage caps
prices range from $70 for 1 Gbps to $150 for 8 Gbps per month.
Quickness:
symmetrical download and upload rates of up to 8 Gbps
Qualities:
Expert setup, round-the-clock customer service, a Network Box with built-in WiFi (or use your own device), a free 1 TB cloud storage space, and no annual or usage caps
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