Quick Guide to Types of Business Broadband Services
Choose the Right Broadband Connection for Your Business
Business broadband comes in many forms and getting the right connection for your business depends on two things, your budget and availability.
ADSL2+
Business ADSL2+ is a low congestion, business grade broadband service that’s delivered over the existing copper network. It’s an asymmetrical service which means the download speed differs to the upload speed. Although the download speed is typically in the range of 12 to 18 Mbps, which may be acceptable for small businesses, the upload speed seldom reaches 800 kbps (0.8 Mbps). And that’s a significant restriction, especially when using cloud-based applications that require two-way traffic. Fast upload speeds are necessary for efficient and productive use of business apps like Office 365, One Drive, Drop Box, and a host of others.
SHDSL
SHDSL or Symmetrical High-Speed Digital Subscriber Line is a type of DSL service that delivers high speed broadband over the copper network. As the name suggests, it’s a symmetrical service where the download speed is the same as the upload speed, making it more suitable for cloud-based applications. Although the technology can deliver speeds of up to 80Mbps, it’s limited by the availability of copper lines. Most businesses that opt for SHDSL connect services with speeds of around 20Mbps, taking advantage of 1:1 contention (service not shared with other users) and the symmetrical speeds.
Mid Band Ethernet
MBE is the new age SHDSL with improved technology that also delivers high-speed internet over existing copper infrastructure. The service provides significantly greater speed and flexibility than traditional DSL connections, without the build costs and lead time of fibre. MBE achieves its higher speeds by bonding up to eight copper pairs into an inherently powerful and resilient broadband connection. Should one or more copper pairs fail the remaining pairs continue to provide connectivity, keeping your business online. MBE is also a symmetrical service and delivers equal upload and download speeds of up to 80 Mbps. The available speed is dependant on how far your business premises is from the local exchange and availability of copper lines.
Business Fibre
Business fibre uses 100% fibre optic cables to deliver the broadband service and by-passes the aging copper network. Apart from providing symmetrical speeds (same upload and download speed) and 1:1 contention (service not shared with other users), it’s capable of delivering ultra-fast speeds (currently up to 1,000 Mbps). The main limitation of fibre is availability and the cost of building the infrastructure.
Fixed Wireless Broadband
FWB uses microwave technology to deliver high-speed broadband and has similar specifications to business fibre i.e. symmetrical speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, 1:1 contention and low latency (time delay between an instruction to transfer data and the commencement of the transfer). This makes it an excellent alternative to fibre and suitable for all types of business applications including VPN and video conferencing. It's also cheaper to install and more portable.
NBN
Although there are several types of NBN services available to businesses, the most cost effective and one with the greatest availability is the standard NBN connection. NBN uses a fibre network to deliver broadband services but may also include the use of copper lines and wireless technology. Unlike most other business broadband services, it’s an asymmetrical service with different upload and download speeds. It also doesn’t come with 1:1 contention and it’s shared with other users in the local area. That means speeds may fluctuate depending on the number of users accessing the service at any given time. The most popular NBN service used by businesses is the NBN100 which delivers an average download speed of around 85Mbps, and an average upload speed of 30Mbps. In most cases, this is enough for businesses with up to 20 staff members.
To find out more about the type of business broadband services available at your premises, please contact our Business Consultants on 1300 000 300 or CLICK HERE to make an online enquiry.
