The Pros and Cons of Business Broadband
Reliable Internet connectivity has become a must for businesses, both large and small, to conduct their daily operations in a smooth and effective manner in today’s digital business environment. Business broadband packages offered by several Internet service providers (ISPs) specifically cater to special requirements of the business community. That said, not all businesses may require dedicated business broadband services and can thrive quite well on home broadband services.
Does your business require business broadband? How exactly can it make a difference? Should you sign-up for the services? Check out the pros and cons of business broadband packages before you decide.
Pros of Business Broadband
There are several factors that work in favor of business broadband such as speed, reliability and support and service quality, primarily because business broadband user needs are prioritized.
Better Speeds
Business broadband traffic enjoys a higher priority and, hence, is smooth and speedy. Connection speeds are not affected by parallel usage of available resources even during peak hours. For instance, data-intensive tasks such as movie downloads will not slow down the speed of data transfer, as the number of users sharing the same broadband resources tend to be limited.
24×7 Customer Support
Broadband connectivity is the lifeline of many businesses that have gone digital. Getting immediate help to address connectivity issues is, therefore, mandatory to avoid loss of revenue, business prospects and also reputation. Business broadband subscribers usually receive prompt technical assistance from dedicated support teams that work round-the-clock to get back online. Select business broadband providers also offer service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee time-bound problem resolution, failing which they are liable to compensate for the losses.
Enhanced Security
Business data is important and sensitive, requiring high levels of security both when stored and transmitted. A business broadband network is safeguarded with high-end security software and a systematic backup and recovery process to ensure business continuity.
Permanent/Static IP
Business broadband deals enable your business to be hosted on a dedicated server identifiable using a permanent or static IP address. Some packages also include multiple static IPs that may prove valuable for a growing business. Static IPs enable you to host your websites, have your own mail servers, or even install and manage any software that you may use for daily business operations from a central location.
Download Limits
Inevitably, business transactions and operations tend to be more data-intensive when compared to casual Internet browsing in a home environment and cannot function on downloads limited to say a couple of gigabytes a month. Business broadband packages usually offer unlimited data downloads or relatively higher download limits than home broadband services. Deals may be priced differently based on specific data requirements.
There may be quite a few additional perks bundled along with business broadband services such as free access to Wi-Fi hotspots, business-specific email accounts, business routers and other accessories/features.
Cons of Business Broadband
Business broadband services do not have any glaring disadvantages in general, except for the costs involved. The broadband packages from individual ISPs may have a few drawbacks though.
The cost factor may not really prove an overhead if your business does need most of the features or benefits of business broadband packages. Business services definitely cost more than home broadband services, which definitely may not scale up to expectations in terms of customer support, reliability, speed, download limits and security – factors that are quite critical for the smooth functioning of a business. It is important to note that skimping on costs may lead to revenue loss and damage business reputation as well.
Based on the nature of the business and scale of operations, broadband requirements do tend to vary greatly. You may not require unlimited data, multiple or even one static IP, multiple email accounts or super-fast download speeds. But there is definitely no reason to compromise on features such as better security, customer support, and reliable connectivity that can make a huge difference to business operations.
Business broadband services definitely are different and better than home broadband services in several aspects. The cost concern can be addressed to some extent by comparing the business broadband packages offered by different ISPs in the country, to decide on a value-for-money deal that best meets business needs.
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