By Alex Tipu
Most people sign up to speeds of between 1mbps (megabit per second) and 8mbps. The actual speed of a connection is usually slightly lower; thanks to a number of factors such as high numbers of users at ISP and exchange level or a bad connection.
What equipment do I need?
The basic equipment that you need is a broadband modem, a router and an installation disc. You will also require some technical skills to set up the connection for all users in the office, that is, if you want to share the connection with others.
Speed
In the early days of broadband, a typical connection speed was 512kbps. Now, the fastest advertised speed in the UK is usually 8mbps. A few companies offer 24mbps. If your business need is for a large number of people a higher connection speed will be better.
What are download limits?
Many broadband services cap how much you can download and upload each month. A limit of 250MB (low) or 50GB (high) might get you a cheaper deal. If your user numbers are high or if your business requires constant connectivity, you would be better off if you subscribe to an unlimited package.
Accessing the Internet
You must look at all the business applications that will benefit from broadband, or make a checklist of features that you will need after acquiring broadband.
In an office, the primary usage of Internet access is email. You will want to know what the policy of the provider is for email spam (unsolicited email). If the provider does not have a spam filter in place, you will get bombarded with the thousands junk mails that clog the email servers nowadays.
You may want to ask your potential provider the limit of file size that you are allowed to transfer. If you regularly sync databases with your other office, I suggest a no-limit provider.
If you are going to use an online web application, your requirement is for constant connectivity along with security. You should ask your provider as to what kind of VPN (Virtual Private Network) services they provide, or if you can establish a VPN connection by yourself.
For offices in need of constant connectivity with each other, who are also exchanging a lot of customer data with each other, security becomes more a question of compliance than choice. Ask your provider for what security measures are taken at their end.
Another feature you must look for is what kind of redundant connectivity the provider has, in case the primary line goes down. When and if the provider goes down, you will too, and all the internet requirements of your office come to a grinding halt, till the provider re-establishes his primary link.
You would want to look for how good their track record is with regards to customer support. A slow response in this will again cause you unnecessary downtime and hurt your productivity.
Check out more about business broadband here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alex_Tipu/487062
Most people sign up to speeds of between 1mbps (megabit per second) and 8mbps. The actual speed of a connection is usually slightly lower; thanks to a number of factors such as high numbers of users at ISP and exchange level or a bad connection.
What equipment do I need?
The basic equipment that you need is a broadband modem, a router and an installation disc. You will also require some technical skills to set up the connection for all users in the office, that is, if you want to share the connection with others.
Speed
In the early days of broadband, a typical connection speed was 512kbps. Now, the fastest advertised speed in the UK is usually 8mbps. A few companies offer 24mbps. If your business need is for a large number of people a higher connection speed will be better.
What are download limits?
Many broadband services cap how much you can download and upload each month. A limit of 250MB (low) or 50GB (high) might get you a cheaper deal. If your user numbers are high or if your business requires constant connectivity, you would be better off if you subscribe to an unlimited package.
Accessing the Internet
You must look at all the business applications that will benefit from broadband, or make a checklist of features that you will need after acquiring broadband.
In an office, the primary usage of Internet access is email. You will want to know what the policy of the provider is for email spam (unsolicited email). If the provider does not have a spam filter in place, you will get bombarded with the thousands junk mails that clog the email servers nowadays.
You may want to ask your potential provider the limit of file size that you are allowed to transfer. If you regularly sync databases with your other office, I suggest a no-limit provider.
If you are going to use an online web application, your requirement is for constant connectivity along with security. You should ask your provider as to what kind of VPN (Virtual Private Network) services they provide, or if you can establish a VPN connection by yourself.
For offices in need of constant connectivity with each other, who are also exchanging a lot of customer data with each other, security becomes more a question of compliance than choice. Ask your provider for what security measures are taken at their end.
Another feature you must look for is what kind of redundant connectivity the provider has, in case the primary line goes down. When and if the provider goes down, you will too, and all the internet requirements of your office come to a grinding halt, till the provider re-establishes his primary link.
You would want to look for how good their track record is with regards to customer support. A slow response in this will again cause you unnecessary downtime and hurt your productivity.
Check out more about business broadband here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alex_Tipu/487062