Running a business means relying on your internet connection for nearly everything. But with so many speed options and service types available, it can be tough to know what you actually need to keep your teams productive and your customers happy.
In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of business internet speeds and share tips to help you find a provider that offers the right fit for your bandwidth requirements.
Business internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) and refer to the rate at which data is uploaded or downloaded.
Download speed determines how quickly your business can receive data – loading websites, streaming video, downloading files, etc. Upload speed affects how fast you can send data, such as backing up to the cloud, uploading large files, or running video calls.
Many internet providers advertise the download speed, but for businesses, upload speed matters just as much – especially if you rely on cloud platforms, VoIP, or remote access tools.
No two companies are exactly the same when it comes to bandwidth needs, but here's a helpful starting point based on common business use cases:
The internet speed for small businesses should also allow for growth. You may only need 100 Mbps today, but if you add staff or shift more operations online, that number can quickly double. At Fatbeam, we design scalable solutions so your bandwidth keeps up with your business – without overpaying upfront.
There’s no definitive answer for this, since the right internet speed for your business will depend on a few different factors. But in general, a good internet speed for businesses starts at:
Keep in mind that your bandwidth needs can add up quickly if you run a point-of-sale system, frequently host video calls, or rely on cloud-based tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
The average internet speed in 2024 was 214 Mbps,1 which is higher than the FCC’s recommended 100 Mbps for fixed bandwidth internet.2 But while ISPs in urban areas tend to go beyond this by offering gigabit fiber speeds, shared cable networks may throttle speeds during peak usage. For businesses in rural areas, local service providers might still rely on DSL or wireless connections with lower throughput.
If you’re not sure whether your current speed is competitive, a speed test is a great place to start. However, raw numbers don't tell the whole story. What matters most is performance under your actual business workload, which means testing during your busiest hours when multiple people are online simultaneously.
Different industries have different business internet requirements based on how they use technology throughout the day.
Businesses in retail and hospitality depend on fast, secure POS systems and guest Wi-Fi. They typically require 100–300 Mbps, depending on customer traffic and the number of connected devices.
Healthcare
Healthcare organizations handle sensitive records while having to meet strict compliance regulations, which often means needing fiber-based connections of 1 Gbps or higher.
Schools and educational institutions need strong upload speeds and low latency for remote learning platforms, content delivery, and security systems.
Law firms, consulting groups, and other professional services tend to rely on video calls, cloud storage, and virtual desktops. These businesses usually need around 300–500 Mbps or more, depending on team size and how often they work with large files.
Most residential-style internet plans offer asymmetrical speeds – for example, 500 Mbps down but only 20 Mbps up. That may work for home browsing, but businesses need more balance.
Fatbeam delivers symmetrical internet, which means you get the same high speed for uploads as for downloads. This is critical for:
If you’ve been running into slow upload times or choppy video calls, your current provider may be giving you unbalanced speeds that don't support how modern businesses actually work.
The bandwidth you need for your business will depend on three main factors:
Here’s a rough estimate based on business size:
When in doubt, it’s better to size up than end up with slow speeds and frustrated employees. Still stuck? Fatbeam can help you right-size your plan based on actual usage trends and future projections.
Finding the right speed is only one part of the equation. Choosing the right partner is just as important. Look for:
Your needs will change as your business grows. Working with a provider that offers flexible bandwidth options like Fatbeam lets you upgrade without having to switch vendors or deal with major infrastructure changes.
For businesses in growth mode, bandwidth gaps can lead to lost productivity, unhappy employees, and frustrated customers.
At Fatbeam, we help businesses get connected with the speed, reliability, and flexibility they need to succeed. Our fiber internet solutions provide symmetrical speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps, backed by service level agreements that guarantee 99.99% uptime.
Contact us today to talk about your bandwidth needs. We’re here to help you get internet that works as hard as you do.
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