There are several options for small businesses when it comes to internet services and connections. The question is which type of internet connection is the best for your business? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. Why? Because there are multiple options when it comes to internet connections, and each one has its own benefits, flaws, and limitations.
Do you have the right internet connection for your business? Well, you might have one of the following connections at your office: Fiber, Cable, DSL, or Satellite Internet. You might be thinking what’s the difference between these and which one of these is the winner.
Cable vs. DSL vs. Fiber vs. Satellite Internet – Different Types of High-Speed Internet Connections
Are you thinking about upgrading your internet connection for your business? If yes, then read this post before investing your money in any network. We are going to tell you about the difference between four popular internet connections – Fiber, Cable, DSL, and Satellite. Before going into details, let’s look at a brief overview:
Internet Connection Type | Affordability | Speed |
Fiber | Medium to Low | Very High |
Cable | Medium | High |
DSL | Medium | Medium |
Satellite | Low | Low |
1. Fiber Internet
We have kept the best for last! The fiber-optic network is somewhat a newer technology in the internet and broadband world, but it is quickly being taken up by most businesses. Fiber-optic can provide some freaking fast internet speed and high reliability for companies.
Fiber-optic uses glass and plastic fiber cables to transmit signals. One great feature of fiber optic that makes it more durable is that it uses light beams for transmission instead of electricity! It means that your internet cables can now carry a higher bandwidth and provide you with a super-fast internet connection with equal upload and download speed. Let’s look at the statistics:
- Download speed: 25 Mbps – 1 Gbps
- Upload speed: 10 – 900 Mbps
- Price: $50 – $600/ month
One of the most significant advantages of fiber-optic for businesses is that there is no latency. It is not prone to damages or interference from frequencies, heavy equipment, and heat. But do note that your internet speed will depend upon the exact type of fiber network you have. Make sure to contact fiber optic companies in Dubai before purchasing your connection.
2. Cable Internet
Cable internet is widely used in homes and offices due to its accessibility as it uses coaxial cables for transmission. Using this internet, you install a cable modem to the wall of your office that connects your devices’ through Wi-Fi router or traditional Ethernet cables. It also allows you to set up a wide-area network (WAN) and a local-area network (LAN).
A huge disadvantage of cable connection is that copper and coaxial cables can easily get damaged by heat and electrical surges. There are options like HFC Cables and DOCSIS 3.0 cables that are not as prone to electrical and heat damages, but the danger still exists. Here are the important statistics:
- Download speed: 20 – 1,000 Mbps
- Upload Speed: 7-50 Mbps
- Price: $50 – $500/ month
3. DSL Internet
DSL means Digital Subscriber Line, it is a fixed wired broadband internet that uses copper telephone cables to travel along and deliver the connectivity. It is one of the oldest widely available internet dating back to the late 1990s. A DSL modem gives you a wireless internet connection for your devices, but it is too slow for heavy files. Here are some important statistics:
- Download speed: 1 to 500 Mbps
- Upload speed: 384 Kbps to 8 Mbps
- Price: $20 – $300/ month
If you have a DSL connection but don’t want to change it to another source, we have a perfect solution for you. Currently, many DSL service providers use a combination of fiber-optic with DSL to increase your connection speed as compared to the traditional DSL. So, make sure to consult with telecom services provider to enjoy a fast speed DSL internet at your business.
4. Satellite Internet
If you are living (working) in a rural or remote area without access to connections like fiber, cable, or DSL, you can opt for a satellite internet connection. For this type of network, you will need to install a dish which will directly receive data from orbiting satellites operated by your IPS.
Its internet speed is not as fast as the DSL or cable and is nowhere near fiber-optic. Why? Because these satellite stations are thousands of miles away, which limits your bandwidth and there are also some latency issues. Let’s look at the statistics:
- Download speed: 1 – 100 Mbps
- Upload speed: 1 – 4 Mbps
- Price: $50 – $500/ month
Fiber Optic Internet – Best Choice for Your Internet Connection!
These are some of the most common high-speed internet connections in the world. As you can tell, fiber optic is the best option for businesses due to its fast internet speed and high reliability. Therefore, if your business is related to IT or cannot afford delays and latency, then fiber optic internet is the safest option. It will not only increase your overall productivity but ensure that you have a 24/7 access to a fast, and delay-free internet. So, choose wisely!
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