High speed broadband Internet access is becoming more widely available in homes which make it appear like it is a new technology. The reality is that many businesses have been using a high speed broadband connection for a number of years now and it is only recently that new technologies have made it possible to obtain a broadband connection in your home.
One of the reasons that businesses have been able to deploy broadband access is because they utilize T1 and T3 broadband connections to increase employee productivity. Up until recently broadband access was cost prohibitive for residential communities. Companies have used high speed broadband to improve task efficiency and increase productivity which eventually leads to profitability.
Different Types of Broadband for Business
There are different types of broadband connectivity for businesses which depend upon location and availability. Businesses typically use one of three types of connectivity which include cable, satellite, and DSL or Digital Subscriber Line. Here is an overview of how each type of high speed broadband connectivity serves different business needs.
- Cable: High speed broadband that is provided through cable lends efficiency to a number of business services. High speed broadband that is delivered via cable provides a connection that is “always on” meaning there is no need to take the time to log in. Instead you simply open your browser to establish connectivity to the Internet.
Some of the services that can be provided with a cable connection are reliable telephony that is delivered with state-of-the-art technology with solutions that are scalable and unique to meet the individual needs of every business. Cable connectivity can provide comprehensive services to businesses that include voice mail, conference calling, caller ID, call forwarding, and other telephony services.
High speed broadband that is delivered via cable also provides for reliable videoconferencing services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) which helps to streamline communications when it comes to project collaboration. Additionally, faster data transfer speeds allow for easier use of business class applications for information technology.
- Satellite: High speed broadband connectivity that is delivered via satellite is typically used by businesses that are located in an area where DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and cable is not available. Rather than settle for slow dial-up access businesses will opt to deploy a high speed satellite connection to increase business productivity and profitability.
Broadband for business that is delivered via satellite is comparable to a DSL or cable connection speed depending upon the provider that you choose. For locations such as construction sites and other places where field work is conducted a high data transfer rate is a must. In this instance, dial-up would cause a business to lose money and decreases productivity among the workers.
- DSL: When you deploy a Digital Subscriber Line connection the digital signals are transmitted over the telephone lines without disrupting your telephone service by taking advantage of the unused bandwidth that is present in telephone lines. Businesses also can opt to use a dedicated DSL connection that does not require the use of a telephone line. This ensures that the network and Internet connectivity functions at maximum speeds.
The typical package for a DSL subscription for business includes email services, file sharing, and the ability to connect more than one PC to a single line, Web hosting server space, security applications, uptime guarantee, online backup services, and other services that are customizable according to the individual needs of the business. DSL is also a cost effective connection for small businesses and business that are operated from a home office.
Benefits of Broadband for Business
Many businesses use a high speed broadband connection due to the many benefits that this type of connection can offer. One of the main benefits of broadband is that it helps companies to cut back on expenses associated with work-related travel and project collaboration.
Many businesses use skilled professionals that are located in different parts of the world. This can cost the business a lot of money in flights, accommodations, rental cars and anything else that applies to work related travel. Instead of paying all of these expenses to get a project completed the company can simply use the broadband connection for Web conferencing. A meeting that could have taken days to complete can be accomplished in a few hours with high speed broadband and without the added expenses.
Broadband for business also allows for more efficient collaboration for employees on site by providing applications that foster productive communication. For example, instead of emailing an employee and waiting for them to email the document you need, you can simply go on the network and get the document from their folder. You can also make revisions and share the document for collaboration online.
Broadband also provides businesses with the competitive advantage by providing a way for companies to stay up to date on what the competition is doing. Additionally, because high speed broadband increases productivity and profitability it helps businesses to maintain the competitive edge in their industry.