The real difference between broadband and dedicated internet

In today’s digital world, the internet service for your business is the entire foundation of your operations. It’s involved in essential communication across team members, the data you collect from your customers, the way you accept payments, your website, and much more. You not only need to consider speed but the security and capacity of your internet as well. In most cases, you have two options: dedicated internet access (DIA) and broadband internet access (BIA). Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences to help you make the best decision for your business.  

Two types of internet access 

Dedicated and broadband internet offer similar prices and services, but the differences between them vary. When you choose a fiber optic network, you can either share that network with neighboring businesses in your office building or have a dedicated line just for your company.  

When launching a new business, internet access may be a topic at hand, but you may not be aware of the complexities between them. Which one you choose will depend on your applications, budget, size of your business, and uptime requirements.  

What is a dedicated internet access? 

The basic understanding of DIA is that you have access to an internet tie that is solely connected to your business. There is more security capacity through your DIA connectivity because you are not sharing the connection with other companies or people using the same internet provider.  

The bandwidth that you have to work with is predetermined and guaranteed by your service provider. With DIA, you can expect to have the same amount of bandwidth no matter the time of day or how many people are connected to the internet. Therefore, your download and upload speed will remain consistent.  

Commercial customers can stream video calls and host webinars without fear that their internet connection will cut out. 

What is broadband? 

Where you can determine precisely how much bandwidth connectivity you’ll need with DIA, Broadband internet offers little guarantee in terms of connection speed, these are determined by the package available compared to the other users. Think of broadband as the type of internet you connect to when you work out of a coffee shop. If the shop is busy, the internet speed may be slower than the previous day when there were fewer people. 

The speed is determined by the ISP’s network traffic and congestion and will vary depending on the time of day and location. The bandwidth offered by broadband is asymmetrical, which is helpful for download speed, but not for upload times.

BIA is a great option for businesses that need more flexibility in their internet payments and connectivity. This is a more cost-effective option and is only shared among those connected to the telephone circuit used for internet access. You can determine how many megabits per second (Mbps) your network needs, and your internet provider can set up your service accordingly. 

How do DIA and broadband networking compare? 

Between both options, you still get high-speed internet access using multiple technologies such as fiber, wireless, cable, satellite, and DSL. The purpose for which your business uses the Internet will be the biggest consideration.

Quality of service 

Depending on the type of business you run, uptime and low latency might be the highest priority. In this case, DIA is the necessary option for your business. If at any time your internet connection does not meet the standards you’ve pre-determined for your business, then you are eligible for Service Level agreement credits. This ensures that the business you choose to work with will provide you with monetary compensation for not meeting the needs and guarantees you’ve been promised.  

Upload and download speed symmetry 

Large file uploads can slow down your internet speed and workflow if you’ve reached a busy time of day with BIA. If you're running voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and video conferencing, your business needs a consistent connection to get tasks done and land sales.

Monthly costs  

Broadband internet shines through the storm when you consider the costs associated with dedicated vs. shared bandwidth. For a small office or remote teams, broadband is the most cost-effective solution to meet your business’s needs.

Network security  

Putting your data and that of your customers at risk is non-negotiable if you want to maintain a good reputation in your industry. DIA can offer more security because the network is not a shared connection. However, you still need to add just as many proactive measures to protect your data as broadband.

Why a Telesystem networking solution is for you 

Whether you’re working from your home office or setting up a dedicated internet connection for your enterprise, Telesystem has the solutions you need to keep your business running optimally. With customizable communication solutions and a dedicated staff protecting your network connections, you can count on Telesystem’s professional network.

Our broadband solution options allow you to pick the right amount of bandwidth for your business. You won’t need to worry about signing up for any one-speed service, and you can scale up or down depending on your needs. 

With our dedicated connection, you can enjoy smooth, consistent, and private connections that can help you avoid jammed lines or painful downtimes. You won’t have to compete with other users for bandwidth or worry about your connection falling dead in the middle of an important call or before a tight deadline. DIA offers high availability and low latency. If for some reason these expectations are not met, our service-level agreement gives you the space for low tolerance in adverse conditions.

No matter which you choose, we always offer highly responsive customer service and 24/7 monitoring, so you’re never in the dark about your internet access. If you’re ready for nationwide coverage, scalability, and savings when you bundle with our other services, request a quote today.