In 2023, businesses across the globe are more dependent than ever on a reliable internet connection. Amid the rise of remote work, IoT devices, edge computing, payment processing, SaaS, and AI-driven business processes, the success and scalability of your business hinges heavily on your internet connection.
Most upcoming startups and small businesses may still not be aware of the difference between dedicated Internet and broadband, aka a shared internet service. However, understanding these connections is essential, as they can play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and operations of your business, along with its scalability in the future.
Dedicated Internet Connection (DIA)
A dedicated Internet connection is a service where the internet service provider dedicates a specific amount of bandwidth for a connection. This bandwidth is private and is not shared with anyone else apart from the particular circuit users.
A dedicated internet connection, as its name implies, provides consistent and reliable performance. The rise of edge computing and AI-driven processes in business has increased the need for such high-bandwidth, reliable, and low-latency connections.
The right type of internet connection for your business depends on what your location can accommodate, available providers at your locations, and the specific needs of your operations. Each circuit type is priced differently according to bandwidth requirements, building requirements and, potentially, network build costs.
Broadband Internet Connection
Broadband connection is a shared network, where the network is divided among several users in a locality. The rise of 5G technology has significantly improved broadband speeds, making it a viable option for many businesses. However, it’s important to remember that these speeds can vary due to network traffic and congestion. Think about your network connection at home. Run a speed test at 6pm and you will surely get a different result than if you run it at 3am. The amount of bandwidth you receive is dependent on how many other uses are trying to use the internet at the same time. This is not just within your own home, but your neighbors as well.
Just like with dedicated internet, the quality of a broadband connection has become even more important with the increase in remote work and reliance on cloud services. Typical broadband Internet connection types include:
- Wireless 4G/5G
- DSL
- Cable
- Satellite
- Shared Fiber
Yes, even if your connection is Fiber based (think Fiber to the Home, FTTH, type connections), you could still be using a shared network.
The Difference –
DIA vs. Broadband
Knowing the difference in performance and consistency of both these internet connections is crucial. The right choice will depend on your business’s specific requirements. What does your daily business operation look like, and what will your employees use the Internet for? What happens to payment processing if the internet goes down? Are you hosting a business application or server from your office that requires reliable upload speeds? Do you need a service backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA)? Are you sharing your connection with Guest Wi-Fi?
Consistent Downloadand Upload Speeds
One of the main benefits of a dedicated internet connection over Broadband is guaranteed bandwidth. This is particularly important for businesses utilizing AI/ML and/or Cloud services such as AWS/Azure/GCP or SaaS applications such as SalesForce/Workday/Box in their operations, as these technologies require high-bandwidth and low-latency connections and cannot operate without an internet connection.
Better Throughout
With the rise of edge computing, data processing is being pushed closer to the source, making the reliability and speed of your internet connection even more critical. In addition to bandwidth speed, factors like network latency and packet loss are essential considerations for throughput and overall performance. This may require you to have a connection with an SLA.
Swift Troubleshooting
Even the best internet connection types may face issues. For both dedicated and shared connections, there are set response times to address various issues. These time frames for troubleshooting are laid out in the SLAs for a quicker resolution. For a dedicated connection, the average troubleshooting time is typically less than 4 hours with tickets being picked up by Network Operations support within 15 minutes. Broadband could be up to 3 days and has the lowest priority from an ISP’s field tech resources.
Consider the following:
- What happens if you undergo an extended outage?
- Would your employees still be able to operate?
- What would be the impact on business applications if the internet performance suffered?
- What would an internet outage Cost your company in productivity and revenue?
- In the modern digital landscape, a reliable connection also means a secure one. Cybersecurity measures such as advanced security protocols and secure VPNs for remote workers have become a necessity. As such, these aspects should be part of your considerations when deciding between a dedicated Internet vs. broadband Internet connection.
It may seem like we are “bashing” broadband, but broadband connections do have their place. The biggest benefit of broadband over DIA is price and install times. Broadband is great as a low-cost backup connection in conjunction with DIA. Many companies purchase a broadband connection and use it strictly for Guest Wi-Fi.
With newer technologies like SD-WAN, it is becoming much easier for smaller companies to implement backup solutions or prioritize the data traffic that is most critical to business operations and leaving things like general internet browsing to use whatever remaining bandwidth may be available so things like employees watching March Madness highlights or Instagram Reels don’t interfere with the real work being done.
Adoptionof
SD-WAN
The increasing adoption of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology in the business world is also noteworthy. SD-WAN allows businesses to build high-performance WANs using lower-cost and commercially available Internet access. This technology provides a cost-effective solution for businesses with multiple locations, thus becoming an integral part of the discussion around internet connectivity.
Conclusion
In 2023, the business landscape demands more than just an internet connection. It requires a combination of speed, reliability, security, and adaptability to emerging technologies like edge computing, AI, and cloud-based services. As such, it is vital to carefully consider your options when choosing between a dedicated Internet, broadband Internet, or maybe both in order to support your business. Ensuring you have the right connection not only supports your current operations but also sets the stage for future growth and technological adoption.