Businesses depend on internet connectivity for everything from accessing cloud services to enabling real-time collaboration and engaging with customers. However, with so many options available, understanding the terminology and differences between business internet technologies has become essential for making the right choice for your company.
In this guide, we’ll explain the most common business internet technologies for you to choose from, along with tips to help you find a solution that fits your organization's needs.
Business internet refers to commercial-grade internet service designed specifically for organizations. While consumer internet works great for individual activities like streaming videos or casual browsing, business internet is built to support multiple users, critical applications, and operations that require substantial bandwidth.
Typical features of business internet include:
Ultimately, business internet provides higher speeds, more reliability, and superior support compared to residential connections.
So, which internet technology does your business need? Let’s explore some of the most common options below:
Cable internet delivers broadband through coaxial cables, often the same ones used for television service. It's widely available and offers fast speeds, but typically gives you asymmetrical connections, which means faster downloads and slower uploads.
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses with moderate internet needs.
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Fiber is one of the fastest and most reliable options available to businesses. It sends data using light pulses through glass cables, giving you symmetrical speeds, meaning your uploads and downloads move at the same speed.
Best for: Businesses with heavy cloud usage, large file transfers, video conferencing, or remote workforces.
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This older technology uses copper phone lines to provide business internet through Ethernet connections. While not as fast as fiber or cable, EoC can be a budget-friendly option in areas lacking fiber infrastructure.
Best for: Small businesses with basic connectivity needs and limited budget.
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DSL works over traditional telephone lines. While it was once widely used, newer and more scalable technologies have largely replaced it.
Best for: Businesses in rural or underserved areas with light internet usage.
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Satellite connectivity works almost everywhere, making it a helpful fallback option for remote locations. However, the latency and cost make it less than ideal for most businesses.
Best for: Remote businesses with no other broadband access options.
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Fixed wireless delivers internet via radio signals from a nearby tower. A line-of-sight connection is needed between the antenna at your business and the transmitting tower.
Best for: Businesses in areas where wired connections are unavailable or too expensive.
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Selecting the best business internet solution involves more than just picking the fastest speed. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:
Internet downtime costs businesses money through lost productivity and missed opportunities. Look for a provider offering SLAs with guaranteed uptime – typically 99.9% or higher. You might also consider investing in redundant connections and automatic failover options if your operations simply can't tolerate interruptions.
Think about how your team uses the internet by answering questions like:
For businesses that depend on upload performance, symmetrical fiber internet is likely the way to go. If your needs are more modest, cable or EoC might suffice.
As your business grows, your internet should grow alongside it. Choose a provider and technology that lets you easily upgrade bandwidth without needing to completely overhaul your existing infrastructure.
If you’re transmitting sensitive data or working in a regulated industry, your internet connection should support encryption, secure access, and built-in firewall capabilities. Some internet technologies for business offer better baked-in security features than others. Fiber, for example, is much harder to tap or intercept than copper lines.
Price always matters, but the cheapest internet solution isn’t always the best. Consider what you’re getting for your money:
Investing in a robust solution now can prevent more expensive issues down the line – like outages, slow speeds, or compliance failures.
When choosing your business internet, consider what you need now and where you're headed tomorrow. Fiber might cost more upfront, but many businesses find it's worth every penny for the long haul. For others, cable or fixed wireless hits the sweet spot for their needs without breaking the bank.
At Fatbeam Fiber, we provide fast, reliable, and symmetrical business internet with quick quote times and a fantastic customer experience. Plus, our guaranteed SLAs and 99.99% uptime make our dedicated fiber solutions the best option for protecting your company’s sensitive data.
If you’re wondering which technology is right for your company, we’re here to help. Contact the Fatbeam team today to learn more about how our business internet services can keep your organization connected, secure, and efficient.