How to choose the best Internet plan for your business?

Having a reliable and fast internet connection is crucial for businesses. Regardless if you run a small, medium, or large company. After all, the internet enables most companies to operate these days – locally and globally. Whether you’re sending emails, communicating with customers or clients, or even just doing research, you need a good internet connection to do it effectively.

And with so many plans and providers out there, how do you know which option is best for you? The right Internet Service Provider is the one that provides you with an Internet plan which best fits your business needs.

While Internet speed is often considered a key factor to which provider to subscribe, other elements should also be considered. You should pay attention if the provider gives you flexibility when it comes to contracts’ length or scalability to support you if your business grows. Read on to find some helpful hints on how to choose the best internet plan for your business – be it a small, medium, or large one.

What types of connections are available for the business?

Depending on the area your company is located and operates you can either have access to all types of internet connections, or Internet connectivity may be limited to one or two options. The most popular broadband ISP connections available for businesses are:

• DSL

It is a broadband connection that uses phone lines to provide internet access and connect users. It’s usually cheaper than cable, but it also tends to be slower for download and upload speeds. The overall distance from your ISP’s exchange affects your speed connection.

DSL is the classic example of a technology that was once considered revolutionary but currently is holding a rather middle-ground status. Some name it the best option for small businesses as it is functional and affordable. A DSL connection can be perfectly functional and cost-effective for small shops with only a few employees on staff or just one customer at any given time.

Find out what Internet DSL Plans are available if you operate in Germany!

• Cable

A cable connection uses special cables to connect your business to the internet. The data is transmitted through coaxial cable TV lines widely available almost everywhere. This type of Internet connection is usually faster than DSL. However, it can be more expensive. The download and upload speeds you receive will depend on how close your business is to the cable company’s office.

Cable connections are most popular with medium-sized businesses that have a lot of traffic coming in and out throughout the day. The speeds offered can handle several people streaming video or downloading and uploading large files at the same time.

• Fiber

A fiber-optic connection uses light pulses through glass fibers to transmit data, making it one of the fastest Internet connections available. It’s also one of the most expensive options. Fiber optic Internet is swift, very efficient, and is considered the most reliable option. With the Fibre-optic connectivity you can have Internet speeds up to 3 Gb.

Fiber-optic connections are best for businesses with high-bandwidth activities such as online video conferencing, VoIP, or hosting servers. The speed and reliability offered by fiber optics are unmatched by any other type of connection, making it perfect for companies with a global reach.

• Satellite

That is an option for businesses located in rural or remote areas where cable and fiber connections aren’t available. Satellite connections use satellites to transmit data to and from your company. Satellite connections are the most expensive type of broadband internet, but they offer the same speeds as cable and fiber connections. The main downside is that they can be slow and inconsistent due to weather conditions. They’re best suited for businesses that don’t have any other options for a broadband connection.

When looking at the different Internet services, it is important to consider your business needs and requirements. Many factors go into making this decision as availability, performance, speed, reliability, and costs. They all may vary by provider, and you should research and evaluate these qualities before choosing any option.

What Internet speed does your business need?

Working with a slow Internet connection can be frustrating. It can also decrease the productivity of your team. For companies that operate in multiple offices, have high data usage, or handle sensitive customer information is vital that your Internet speed has sufficient bandwidth. The average small business needs about 25 Mbps of download speed and 3 Mbps of upload speed. If you have more than ten people working in your office or run many high-bandwidth activities, you’ll need more speed. Here are some examples of how much bandwidth different online activities use:

• VoIP calls: 1 Mbps per person
• Video conferencing: 2-4 Mbps per person
• Streaming video: 1.5 Mbps for standard definition, 3-4 Mbps for high definition
• Online gaming: 5-10 Mbps
• File sharing: 2-5 Mbps

To figure out how much speed you need, add up the bandwidth requirements for all the activities you do online and then multiply that number by the number of employees or devices you have. That’s the amount of download speed you’ll need. For upload speed, multiply the number of devices by .3 Mbps.

Do you need to have data uploaded and updated as fast as downloaded?

Medium to large businesses need fast upload speeds. Although many Internet providers emphasize their high-speed download speeds, sometimes that may not be enough. If the upload speed is too slow, this can be an issue for your business organization. For many modern companies dealing daily with data upload to the cloud or files transfer between different office locations, the upload speed plays a major role when looking for an Internet plan.

It depends on what your business needs are. For example, if you are a small business and you keep track of inventory levels and customer contact information, then you probably don’t need to have data updated so fast. However, if you are a large company and follow up all sales, data, and customer information in real-time, then you will need to have data updated very quickly.

What technical support does your ISP offer? 

Companies of any size rely on a reliable and consistent Internet connection for their daily business activities. So when choosing your Internet service provider, you should look out for the support they can provide. A good ISP should offer technical support 24/7 so that you can always reach someone in case of an issue. Furthermore, they should be able to provide you with help and advice on how to optimize your Internet connection and troubleshoot any problems you may have. 

Service Level Agreement

It’s important to review your ISP’s service level agreement and what areas it covers.

• Do they offer guidelines for security and uptime?
• Do they ensure resolving any technical problems that may occur for a certain time?
• Do they offer 24/7 technical support by phone, email, or chat in the local language
• Do they provide immediate contact with your account manager for handling administrative issues?

Discover our high-speed Internet connection plans – Fiber and DSL options for Belgium! With SLA up to a 24/7 availability!

Cyber security and Internet Backup options

The importance of security cannot be overemphasized. It is one of the most significant factors when selecting your internet provider. And you need to ensure that they have adequate backup protection for any type of situation – such as if there were network or system crashes. In those cases, it would allow access to business files on external drives while still preserving data integrity with cloud storage features offered by ISPs today.

ISPs offer different security requirements, but they all should include a firewall and anti-virus protection. Many ISPs now offer additional security features such as spyware and malware protection, data backup and recovery, and intrusion detection. Make sure you review the security features offered by your ISP and decide if they are adequate for your company’s needs.

Find out the Mixvoip Internet backup options to secure your business continuity in any circumstances!

Does your ISP offer flexibility and scalability?

As your organization grows and develops, telecommunications needs change constantly. If you expand location-wise and team-wise, you will need extra bandwidth to operate seamlessly. The ISP that you choose should be scalable and offer you the flexibility to add on more bandwidth if it is necessary.

With many companies embracing the hybrid work style as an HR strategy, it is good that your ISP provides you with flexible solutions for both office and remote employees. Also, flexibility may come in the form of no long-term contracts as the dynamics of the business environment today go beyond our expectations. At the same time, your chosen ISP should be available when you need them. That means having customer service reps who can help solve any issue quickly – without hours of waiting on the phone.

Other services provided by your ISP to help you future-proof your business  

Regardless of your company size – a small, medium, or large one, the additional services often provided by your local Internet vendors in Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany can bring much value. There are a variety of services that can help you stay ahead of the curve and are available by the right business Internet supplier:

Unified communications services 
Many business internet connection vendors can offer you a full stack of UC solutions. Business VoIP telephone systems, Collaboration tools – video conferencing apps, CRM integrations, or outsourced IT services.

Bundles
Internet plans can be combined with TV streaming applications, Mobile services, Cloud Storage systems, and Email services. All this allows you to optimize your communications costs significantly.

Static IP address
Static IP addresses are perfect for hosting servers, VPNs (virtual private networks), and external access. They provide greater security than dynamic ones as well because they don’t change every time your connection loses its address pipe!

VPN
 A VPN (a virtual private network) is a technique used to add security and privacy to private and public networks, like the Internet. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the VPN server, preventing anyone on the same network access point as you from seeing your traffic or intercepting it. 

Equipment
Some ISPs include modems, routers, and other necessary gear in the internet package you are subscribed to, allowing you to save on monthly rental fees. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, you need a trusted business Internet partner. They will not only provide you with a fast and reliable connection but also with the right tools to grow your business.   

Look out for an Internet supplier that can offer you state-of-the-art technology, including a wide range of VoIP features (voice, video, presence, chat, etc.), to help you improve your communications and collaboration. Choosing the right internet plan for your firm encompasses cost-efficient packages with fast Internet speeds, 24/7 customer support, scalability, flexibility, and security.

Mixvoip offers a variety of Internet plans for businesses of all sizes. Whether you need a simple Internet connection for your small business or a more robust plan for your large company, Mixvoip has you covered. With flexible plans that grow with your company, round-the-clock technical support, and an extensive range of security features, we make sure your business always has a reliable Internet connection.

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