| > | | | | be very costly from $5000+ due to the higher |
| Today in this technology and internet savvy world | | | | throughput and performance requirements. Costs |
| you may find out that you will have multiple | | | | for Ethernet Internet run from $400 for monthly |
| choices of Internet Access Providers to choose | | | | service and up depending on speed, delivery type |
| from. As technology and competition evolves, it is | | | | (EOC, Cat5, Cat6 and Fiber) and distance from |
| important to stay up to date with options and | | | | the ISP's equipment. |
| trends. For businesses this may be a very | | | | Fiber Optic: This consists of plastic or glass |
| important decision because today many | | | | threads to transmit information (data). Information |
| businesses depend on internet access for | | | | is transmitted digitally and has a much higher |
| communications and it can be quite a challenge | | | | bandwidth capacity which is virtually unlimited |
| when deciding which Internet provider offers the | | | | when comparing to metal cables. Fiber optics uses |
| best Internet service needed for your operations. | | | | newer technology and must be installed by |
| Although you can easily shop around online, how | | | | specialist technicians as bad connections will result |
| do you know for sure you are choosing the right | | | | in dropped packets (packet loss) and slower |
| Internet service provider? Do they have a | | | | bandwidth speeds due to installation errors. Fiber |
| professional technical support team? Will they | | | | Optics is not available in all areas as it requires |
| respond promptly when problems arise with your | | | | costly fiber installations, permits and equipment. |
| Internet service? These are important questions | | | | Like T1 & T3 & Ethernet, Fiber guarantees |
| to ask when searching for a local Internet service. | | | | quality, upload and download performance through |
| If you're searching for the right Internet service | | | | what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement) |
| provider, here are some important points to | | | | and includes static IP's. Providers may charge for |
| consider. | | | | additional static IP's and hardware. You should |
| Step 1 - Find out who the local Providers are. | | | | consult your provider as the hardware as this can |
| You can find a local internet service provider for | | | | be very costly from $10000+ due to the higher |
| your home or business by asking family | | | | throughput and performance requirements. Costs |
| members, neighbors or by searching online. The | | | | for business Fiber Internet run from $100+ for |
| key is finding a reliable service provider. If you | | | | monthly service and up depending on speed, |
| search online, you can browse through your local | | | | carrier and distance from providers POP. |
| Internet provider's website and see what type of | | | | Step 3 - Check the Providers SLA's (Service |
| Internet service they offer. If they are local they | | | | Level Agreements). |
| are more likely to have an increase in support | | | | A quality Internet Service Provider should be able |
| personnel and will more likely be able to respond | | | | to provide customers with a high level of |
| to issues if they arise much quicker. | | | | performance and reliability. If you are looking for a |
| Step 2 - Determine their Network Access Ability. | | | | reliable and fast internet connection it is a good |
| Before choosing an Internet provider, make sure | | | | idea to make it mandatory to require a SLA and |
| you ask about their Network Access Ability. Do | | | | avoid any company that does not offer an |
| they offer Cable, DSL, T1, T3, Ethernet or Fiber | | | | industry standard SLA because you could run the |
| Optic's? Here's a quick description of each. | | | | risk of experiencing slow speeds and frequent |
| Cable or DSL: A high-speed Internet service that | | | | outages. These day's businesses rely heavily on |
| operates over telephone lines or cable service. | | | | the internet for productivity and communications |
| Typically lower cost and reasonable download | | | | to sustain business and having downtime can cost |
| speeds, however is more suited towards | | | | you money. |
| residential customers who mostly download and | | | | Step 4 - Check to See If They Provide Online |
| can be limiting when trying to upload. Upload | | | | Tools. |
| speeds or sending information will be limited | | | | As more people are working and using the |
| depending on the connection method and distance | | | | Internet, companies are now utilizing online tools |
| from the ISP's POP (point of presence). DSL is | | | | to measure the internet performance. Any |
| distance sensitive, so the further you are away | | | | legitimate Internet provider will use the Internet |
| from the ISP's POP the slower the DSL speed will | | | | to help the consumer communicate with the |
| be. Cable and DSL are not available in all areas and | | | | provider and offer technology to help the user |
| certain areas can have patchy speeds and | | | | receive everything they can out of the service |
| performance so you should ask around for | | | | they provide. Common online tools are |
| recommendations. Cable & DSL require basic | | | | performance monitoring, web statistics, network |
| configuration and typically includes hardware | | | | ping systems, online ticketing systems and other |
| routers which can also be purchase from $50 or | | | | network or web statistics. |
| more at a local computer store. Cable & DSL | | | | Step 5 - Beware of Low Pricing. |
| commonly come with a dynamic IP (not static) so | | | | Often times many upstart Internet service |
| if you require a static IP, you may be required to | | | | providers will offer lower pricing than your local |
| purchase them. At this time, DSL & Cable do not | | | | Internet provider. Unfortunately, many of these |
| carry guarantees so you have to cross your | | | | fly-by-night competitors have folded due to bad |
| fingers with the performance and uptime. | | | | business practices. Remember, just because an |
| T1: Commonly used by USA businesses. T1 | | | | Internet provider advertises the cheapest prices |
| provides businesses with a very dependable | | | | in the industry doesn't mean they provide the |
| phone line and/or Internet connection. It is a | | | | best value. Many people have been swindled over |
| dedicated connection between your business and | | | | short-term bargains. The unfortunate consumer |
| the ISP's nearest POP (point of presence) and is | | | | discovers few months down the line that their |
| not shared by anyone else. It carries much faster | | | | Internet service actually cost them more money. |
| up/down speeds starting at 1.544Mbps and can | | | | It is better to choose a provider who has been in |
| be bonded with other T1's to provide more | | | | business for 5+ years, has a good and diverse list |
| uptime with speeds up to 10Mbps or if voice 24 | | | | of customers and offers competitive rates. At |
| trunks for each T1. One major benefit of T1 is | | | | least you're guaranteed quality Internet service. |
| that it carries a guarantee quality, upload and | | | | Step 6 - Check their References. |
| download speed through what is called an SLA | | | | Verify the Internet provider's references before |
| (Service Level Agreement). Equipment is typically | | | | making a commitment. A legitimate service |
| provided, however you should confirm this as | | | | provider will have no problem offering their |
| because of the higher throughput speeds T1 | | | | references to new customers. You can take it |
| requires higher performing routers and | | | | one step further and check the Better Business |
| configuration and T1 routers run from $800+. T1 | | | | Bureau online to see if the company has any |
| includes static IP's; however some provider's | | | | unresolved complaints from unsatisfied customers. |
| charge for additional static IP's so factor this into | | | | You can also do a quick Google search of the |
| the cost of the T1 when making a decision. T1 is | | | | Internet provider and see if there are any |
| available in all areas and costs run from | | | | customer complaints or negative reviews posted |
| $250-$800+ for monthly service on each T1 | | | | on the web. |
| depending on the circuit speed and geographical | | | | Step 7 - Find out if they Offer Professional |
| location. | | | | Customer Support? |
| T3: Commonly used by USA businesses. T1 | | | | Technical problems with an Internet service |
| provides businesses with a very dependable | | | | happen. Regardless of whether you have DSL, T1, |
| phone line and/or Internet connection. It is a | | | | T3, Ethernet or Fiber Optics, at some point in |
| dedicated connection between your business and | | | | time you may be required to contact technical |
| the ISP's nearest POP (point of presence) and is | | | | support. An Internet service provider should be |
| not shared by anyone else. It carries much faster | | | | able to offer their customers quality technical |
| up/down speeds starting at 1.544Mbps and can | | | | support for free. In addition, a provider should be |
| be bonded with other T1's to provide more | | | | able to offer their customers free email accounts |
| uptime with speeds up to 10Mbps or if voice 24 | | | | as well. Every Internet provider should offer their |
| trunks for each T1. One major benefit of T1 is | | | | customers a well-trained team of customer |
| that it carries a guarantee quality, upload and | | | | support representatives who are qualified to |
| download speed through what is called an SLA | | | | support the services the providers provide. |
| (Service Level Agreement). Equipment is typically | | | | Step 8 - Find out if they Provide Discounts and |
| provided, however you should confirm this as | | | | Special Promotions? |
| because of the higher throughput speeds T1 | | | | One benefit of being a new subscriber is that |
| requires higher performing routers and | | | | many local Internet access providers offer special |
| configuration and T1 routers run from $800+. T1 | | | | promotions and discounts for first-time |
| includes static IP's; however some provider's | | | | subscribers. Choose a couple of local Internet |
| charge for additional static IP's so factor this into | | | | providers and compare the services they offer |
| the cost of the T1 when making a decision. T1 is | | | | and see if they match with your needs. Then |
| available in all areas and costs run from | | | | compare their rates before making a final decision. |
| $250-$800+ for monthly service on each T1 | | | | In conclusion, a company that values their |
| depending on the circuit speed and geographical | | | | customers values their employees as well. They |
| location. | | | | will provide their employees with proper training in |
| Ethernet Internet: This type of network access | | | | order to handle customer inquiries in a professional |
| utilizes Ethernet LAN cards off the ISP's POP | | | | manner. When searching for an Internet access |
| switch. The cards have speeds up to 100 Mbps. | | | | provider, a good way to tell if you are choosing |
| However the speed is determined by network | | | | the right Internet company is to see if you have |
| type and distance from the ISP's Ethernet | | | | a good rapport with the representative when you |
| equipment. Speeds for businesses start at 3Mbps | | | | first contact the company by phone. |
| up to 100Mbps. The fastest Ethernet reaches | | | | The representative should not only be polite, they |
| Gbps. In speed, one Gbps is equal to 1000 Mbps. | | | | should also be able to answer your questions in a |
| Ethernet Internet is not available in all area's as it | | | | clear and concise manner. A sales team that is |
| requires a central office/POP to be Ethernet | | | | only interested in your sale and not willing to |
| equipped. Like T1 & T3, Ethernet guarantees | | | | answer any of your questions in a polite and |
| quality, upload and download performance through | | | | professional manner is an Internet service |
| what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement) | | | | provider you should stay far away from. |
| and includes static IP's. Providers may charge for | | | | As you can see, finding a good Internet Access |
| additional static IP's and hardware. You should | | | | Provider is not complicated after all. |
| consult your provider as the hardware as this can | | | | |