In the fast-paced world of business, there is truly no "one size fits all" approach to choosing the right internet connection - it's something that will come down to the organization. You’ll need to weigh important criteria like the number of internet users you have, the nature of your business and even security before you can pick the right one.

Equally important is making the right choice among the many different internet connection types that are available. Before you start to compare business broadband deals, you need to compare broadband technologies to get a better feel for the pros and cons of each one.

Broadband Comparisons

To compare broadband choices and pick the right broadband plan, you’ll need to understand your business’s current and future IT needs.

For starters, think about how you use the internet on a daily basis. For example, do you need to access email and browse the web only? Or, do you regularly download large files, participate in audio conferencing or stream video content? Do you need dedicated internet access? Also, if you don’t do any of these things now, will the situation potentially change in the next few years as your company grows?

DSL

According to Broadband.gov, one of the most common types of internet connections is DSL, or "Digital Subscriber Line." The major advantage of this technology is that it transmits data over the traditional copper telephone lines that are probably already installed in your business.

The disadvantage, however, is one of speed. While DSL is capable of speeds ranging from several hundred Kbps to Mbps, it is the slowest form of broadband available. Likewise, if your business no longer has traditional phone lines (for example if you've upgraded to VoIP), this will be unavailable to you anyway.

Cable

Cable internet uses coaxial cables - the same ones in use by cable television providers - to transmit internet signals at even higher speeds than DSL. It can provide transmission speeds of 1.5 Mbps or more, with the average speed in the US topping out at around 18 Mbps, according to fastmetrics.

Because these cables are being shared among many different providers and many different users in your area, however, speed, bandwidth and even latency will likely be issues. If there is a lot of activity happening across the network at one time, bandwidth will suffer - particularly in a work environment where more smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices are being connected all the time.

Fiber

If you really want to compare broadband plans, you need to think about the upper echelon of modern day internet service - fiber. How does traditional broadband compare to this relatively young technology? Fiber internet offers speeds that are far greater than traditional cable or DSL - to the tune of between 5 Mbps and 100 Gbps depending on your service.

Fiber also offers a much stronger signal (because it's not susceptible to noise or distance limitations), is more reliable (fiber is not susceptible to things like inclement weather conditions) and more. As you begin to compare broadband deals, you will notice that fiber-optic internet service traditionally requires a higher monthly cost than cable. When you consider the benefits, however, this expense may be worth it to your organization.

Learn About Cable ONE Business Internet Plans

These days, your internet connection is the spine of your business - it's what keeps you connected to the outside world and what keeps productivity at a maximum. You need something that you can trust and depend on, but also a solution that will support your current workflow and enable you to get your work done each day, no exceptions.

To find out more about the different types of broadband internet connection plans, check out our recent article, 5 Types of Broadband Internet Connection.

Download Infographic

Get a quick overview on how to compare broadband plans when you download this easy-to-read infographic from Cable ONE Business.

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Contact Cable ONE Business Today

At Cable ONE Business, our business broadband plans are scalable and customizable so that you can get the internet speeds you need at a price that's right for your company both today and tomorrow.

Give us a call today at 855.873.9596 and we’ll help you compare business broadband deals and find the right one for your business.