Broadband Internet has forever changed how businesses operate. Enabling an instantaneous exchange of ideas and information, businesses are now able to accomplish more; in less time. As broadband Internet has become more readily available, technologies have subsequently evolved around the Internet. However, while we all connect to the same Internet, there are different ways to get there.
Take Voice over IP as an example. Voice over IP operates using a standard broadband connection. Not only does this save businesses money, it also permits reliable phone options and features which were previously impossible (or prohibitively expensive) with older technology. Since VoIP is an internet-based technology, you’ll want to consider your internet options carefully.
Here’s the menu:
Fiber Optic:
Fiber optic technology is capable of delivering the fastest Internet connections possible. All of the major Internet backbones run off of fiber optics. Additionally, thousands of miles of fiber optic cables run under the oceans and connect continents and countries.
Cable:
More common is Cable Internet technology. This system uses the same lines that go to your televisions in order to provide you with Internet access. Cable Internet is widely available, affordable and fast. The primary disadvantage is that the Internet connection is shared among other subscribers in your area. This can mean slower speeds during peak times. However, the cable operators tend to do a good job at regulating available bandwidth so that their customer’s connections aren’t detrimentally affected.
Ethernet over Copper:
A newer technology is Ethernet over Copper (EOC). This technology uses your existing telephone lines to carry Internet. This is great when your office is in a building where new wiring is not practical or not possible. A connection can be run over a single pair of wires. However, by using multiple pairs of wires, faster speeds can be achieved. The downside is, as with DSL, your distance from your telephone office will affect whether you can get EOC service and the speeds that you’ll experience.
Additional options:
Other Internet access technologies include DSL, Satellite and T-carrier connections. Satellite has too much latency (delay) to effectively handle VoIP. Most (but not all) DSL connections tend to have difficulty supporting VoIP service reliably. Finally, T-carrier connections usually have a very high cost to bandwidth ratio, so while they will work fine for VoIP, the cost generally makes such connections unappealing to most businesses. However, the reason that people sometimes go with T-carrier connections is because of the high degree of reliability that carriers promise.
Since every business has a unique set of needs, I can’t generalize to which type of Internet connection is best for your particular business. Of course, you’re encouraged to call us so that we may assess your Internet needs and provide you with our recommendation.
Find out more by calling us at: 212.290.2736