Get Better Internet

The amount of bandwidth your business needs doesn't solely depend on the number of employees but more on the tasks and activities they're involved in online.

However, a general guideline can be developed based on average usage per employee, keeping in mind that actual needs might vary. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you estimate:

1. Basic Internet Tasks:  - Email and web browsing: 0.5 – 1.5 Mbps per employee   - Cloud-based apps (e.g., Google Docs, CRM tools): 2 – 5 Mbps per employee   - Video conferencing (standard definition): 1 – 4 Mbps per user   - Video conferencing (high definition): 3 – 6 Mbps per user

2. Specialized Tasks: If your business involves heavy data tasks, adjust accordingly:   - Large file transfers: 10 – 50 Mbps (shared among users)   - Streaming or hosting videos: 10 – 25 Mbps (shared among users)   - Cloud backups or sync: 5 – 25 Mbps (shared among users)   - Servers hosting services for external clients: Bandwidth varies based on expected traffic.

3. Sum Up Bandwidth: Add up the bandwidth needed for basic tasks and specialized tasks:   - For example, a 10-person team that mainly uses cloud apps and occasionally engages in HD video conferencing might need: (10 employees x 5 Mbps for cloud apps) + (5 employees x 6 Mbps for HD video conferencing) = 80 Mbps.

4. Add a Buffer: Always account for future growth, occasional spikes in usage, and other unpredictable factors. Adding a buffer of 20-50% above the calculated bandwidth is generally a good idea.

5. Redundancy: If uninterrupted internet access is critical for your business, consider getting a redundant or backup connection. This doesn't directly impact the bandwidth calculation, but it ensures continuity in case of primary connection failures.

6. Re-Evaluate Regularly: As your business grows, the number of employees increases, or tasks change – you should re-evaluate your bandwidth needs. New applications or cloud services can also change your bandwidth requirements.

Lastly, talk to potential internet service providers (ISPs). They often have tools or experts that can help businesses assess their bandwidth needs more accurately.

When considering internet connectivity options for businesses, it's essential to understand the differences in speed, reliability, and cost among wireless, business cable, broadband fiber, dedicated fiber, and fixed RF (Radio Frequency).

Here's a breakdown:

LTE (Long-Term Evolution):
Speed: Typically offers speeds of 10-50 Mbps, but this can vary depending on the network congestion and signal strength.

Reliability: Relatively reliable, but it can be affected by factors such as physical obstructions, distance from the tower, and network congestion.

Cost: Monthly costs can be comparable to DSL or higher, especially if there are data caps. Overages can become costly.5G (Fifth Generation Wireless):Speed: 5G boasts much faster data download and upload speeds compared to 4G. While actual speeds can vary based on network and location, 5G can theoretically deliver speeds of up to 10 Gbps, although typical real-world speeds may fall between 50 Mbps to 1.5 Gbps in early deployments.

The eventual goal is for 5G to consistently deliver gigabit speeds to end-users.

Reliability: 5G aims to offer more reliable connections than its predecessor. Enhanced Massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) and beamforming capabilities allow for better signal direction, reducing interference and improving overall network reliability. Furthermore, with its low latency features, 5G is better suited for critical applications, like remote surgeries or real-time augmented reality.

Cost: As with any new technology, initial deployment and adoption can be expensive. The cost to consumers and businesses will depend on the service provider, the region, and the chosen plan. However, as the technology becomes more widespread and competition increases, prices are expected to become more competitive. It's also worth noting that businesses might need to invest in 5G-compatible devices to fully benefit from the new network.

Coverage: 5G uses a range of frequencies, including higher bands (millimeter wave) that have not been used for consumer mobile services before. These higher bands can deliver faster speeds but have a shorter range and can be affected by physical obstructions. This means that for full coverage, more base stations are needed, especially in urban areas. As a result, 5G will initially be more prevalent in urban and densely populated areas, with gradual expansion to suburban and rural areas.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line):

Speed: Offers speeds ranging from 1-100 Mbps, depending on the distance from the central office and the type of DSL.

Reliability: Fairly reliable but can degrade over long distances from the DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer).Cost: Often one of the more affordable options, especially in areas with multiple providers.

Business Cable Internet:

Speed: Speeds can range from a few Mbps to 1 Gbps. It's a shared medium, so speeds can decrease during peak usage.

Reliability: Generally reliable but susceptible to outages during severe weather or physical damage to cables.

Cost: Typically more affordable than dedicated fiber but more expensive than DSL for comparable speeds.

Broadband Fiber / GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network):

Speed: Speeds generally range from 100 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps downstream and 1.2 Gbps upstream.

Reliability: Highly reliable due to the nature of fiber optics. Cost: Initial setup can be costly if fiber infrastructure isn't already in place. Monthly costs are usually between business cable and dedicated fiber.

Dedicated Fiber:

Speed: Speeds can range from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps or more. Reliability: Highly reliable with consistent speeds and low latency.

Cost: Typically the most expensive option, especially if new fiber infrastructure needs to be installed. Fixed RF (Radio Frequency):Speed: Speeds can range from a few Mbps to over 1 Gbps, depending on technology and distance from the transmitter.

Reliability: Can be affected by severe weather, physical obstructions, and other RF interference.

Cost: Varies based on equipment and installation but is generally in between business cable and dedicated fiber.

In summary, while DSL and Wireless might be sufficient for smaller businesses or those with modest bandwidth needs, larger businesses or those requiring reliable, high-speed connections might lean towards GPON, dedicated fiber, or business cable. The best choice always depends on the specific requirements of the business, its location relative to available infrastructure, and its budget.

Yes and no.

LTE/5G - nope.

Business Cable & Broadband Fiber
Dedicated Fiber - usually up to 10-100 Gbps
Fixed RF - Depends on location, distance, line of sight, and equipment installed. Can be up to 10 Gbps

Broadband/Shared is best effort
Dedicated Fiber, Fixed RF has SLA on performance (speed, latency, packet loss, and jitter) as well as MTTR (mean time to repair/respond)

Depends on the circuit and location.

Network redundancy ensures continuous internet connectivity in case of circuit failures, which is critical for many businesses.

When planning for network redundancy for your internet circuits, consider the following steps:

1. Evaluate Business Needs:   - Determine the impact of downtime on your business operations.   - Assess the potential loss in revenue, productivity, or reputation if your primary internet connection fails.

2. Multiple ISPs:   - Utilize multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for redundancy. If one ISP faces an outage, the other can continue to provide connectivity.   - Consider ISPs with diverse infrastructures, meaning they don't share the same physical lines, paths, or facilities.

3. Diverse Physical Paths:   - Ensure that redundant circuits take diverse physical paths into your building or data center. If both circuits run through the same conduit or pole, a single physical incident can knock out both.

4. Different Connection Technologies:   - Consider a mix of connection technologies, such as fiber, cable, DSL, and wireless (like 4G/5G or fixed wireless). Different technologies have different vulnerabilities, so diversifying can enhance reliability.

5. Load Balancers & Failover Solutions:   - Use load balancers to distribute incoming and outgoing traffic across multiple connections.   - Implement automatic failover solutions to switch to a secondary connection instantly in the event the primary connection fails.

6. Consider Hybrid WAN or SD-WAN:   - Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) can be used to dynamically route traffic over multiple connections based on the current quality and availability of each link.   - SD-WAN solutions can also prioritize critical applications and ensure they always have bandwidth.

7. Regular Monitoring & Testing:   - Continuously monitor all connections to detect failures quickly.   - Regularly test failover processes to ensure they work as intended and staff are familiar with the procedures.

8. Backup Power Solutions:   - Redundant internet connections won't help if you lose power. Ensure that your networking equipment (routers, switches, firewalls) has backup power solutions, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators.

9. Cloud-Based Redundancy:   - Consider cloud-based redundancy solutions, especially if you host critical applications or data on-site. With cloud-based applications, users can still access essential services from other locations even if your primary site is down.

10. Plan for DNS Failover:   - If you host services that external parties access, consider DNS failover solutions. These can automatically update DNS records to point to a backup location or server if the primary one becomes unreachable.

11. Review and Update:   - Technology, business needs, and potential threats evolve. Regularly review and update your redundancy plans accordingly.

12. Documentation and Training:   - Document all redundancy plans and configurations. Ensure IT staff are trained and familiar with failover processes and restoration procedures.

By implementing a robust redundancy plan, you not only ensure continuous internet connectivity but also build resilience into your operations, minimizing potential disruptions and associated losses.

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When exploring internet access options, businesses should also inquire about any bundled services, promotional offers, or discounts that may be available to them.

For businesses that require private network connectivity, there are several options, including MPLS, VPLS, Point-to-Point, and Waves.

These options can differ in terms of architecture, functionality, scalability, and cost.

Let's dive into the details of each:

MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching):Function: MPLS is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses. It's used to create Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).Scalability: Good for large, complex networks with multiple locations.

Flexibility: Supports multiple types of access technologies and can carry multiple types of data (like IP, ATM, SONET).

Cost: Generally more expensive than public internet, but pricing may vary based on service providers and network complexity.

VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service):Function: VPLS is a way to provide Ethernet-based multipoint L2 (Layer-2) VPNs. Unlike MPLS, which connects specific locations, VPLS acts more like a virtual LAN that connects multiple locations.

Scalability: Suitable for businesses that require a unified, extended LAN across multiple locations.

Flexibility: Allows devices to communicate as if they were on the same LAN, irrespective of their geographic locations.

Cost: Similar to MPLS in terms of cost, but exact pricing varies based on providers and requirements.

Point-to-Point (or Leased Line):Function: Provides a direct, dedicated line of communication between two locations.

Scalability: Best for businesses that require a secure, reliable connection between two points (e.g., two offices or a data center and an office).

Reliability: Very reliable due to its dedicated nature.

Cost: Can be expensive, especially over long distances, as it requires dedicated infrastructure.

Waves (Wavelength-division multiplexing, WDM):

Function: Waves use WDM to split light into different wavelengths, allowing multiple signals to be sent over a single fiber-optic connection. It can further be categorized into DWDM (Dense WDM) and CWDM (Coarse WDM).

Scalability: Suitable for businesses with high bandwidth needs, especially over long distances.

Flexibility: Supports high bandwidth capacities, often used for data center interconnections or by ISPs and telcos.

Cost: The cost is typically higher due to the advanced equipment and technologies used. It's often justified for businesses or operations that need high-capacity, low-latency connections.

In conclusion, the choice among MPLS, VPLS, Point-to-Point, and Waves will depend on the business's specific needs, network topology, geographic spread, and budget. While MPLS and VPLS are more about connecting multiple locations in a flexible manner, Point-to-Point and Waves are about providing dedicated, high-capacity connections. Consulting with a network expert or solutions architect can provide clarity on the best option for a particular scenario.

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) technology can be classified based on different criteria, such as deployment model, architecture, or the approach to connectivity.

Here are some types or classifications of SD-WAN:

1. Based on Deployment Mode:  

- On-Premises SD-WAN: This involves deploying SD-WAN devices (physical or virtual) at each business location, managed either in-house or by a managed service provider. Configuration and policies are typically pushed to these devices from a central controller.   

- Cloud-Enabled SD-WAN: In this model, SD-WAN functionalities are combined with cloud capabilities. The SD-WAN devices at business locations connect to SD-WAN gateways located in the cloud, providing optimized routes to SaaS applications and other cloud resources.   

- Cloud-Native SD-WAN: This fully integrates SD-WAN functionalities into the cloud, with features like scalability, redundancy, and a multi-tenant architecture. Cloud-native SD-WAN can automatically adjust and adapt based on network conditions and traffic requirements.

2. Based on Architecture:   

- Overlay SD-WAN: SD-WAN operates as an overlay on top of existing network services (like MPLS, broadband, LTE). It uses software to abstract the underlying connectivity, allowing for easy setup, configuration, and management without altering the actual physical network.  

- Inlay SD-WAN: Instead of being an overlay, the SD-WAN functionality is integrated or inlaid into the network infrastructure itself. This is less common than the overlay model.

3. Based on Approach to Connectivity:   

- Hybrid WAN: This approach leverages both traditional MPLS circuits and broadband internet connections, with SD-WAN helping to determine the best path for each type of traffic.   

- Internet-only SD-WAN: All connectivity is provided via broadband internet or LTE/5G. SD-WAN ensures application performance, security, and reliability over these connections.

4. Based on Security Integration:  

- Basic SD-WAN: This focuses solely on WAN optimization, automation, and management. For security, it relies on other devices or solutions like standalone firewalls.   

- SD-WAN with Integrated Security: These solutions incorporate security features directly, such as next-generation firewalls, secure web gateways, or zero-trust network access capabilities. This approach is sometimes referred to as "Secure SD-WAN."

5. Based on Proprietary vs. Open Standards:  

- Proprietary SD-WAN: Solutions that use closed, proprietary software and may require specific hardware or software from a particular vendor to function.   

- Open SD-WAN: These solutions are built on open standards and are more flexible, allowing for integration with various vendors and platforms.

Different SD-WAN types or models cater to different business needs, sizes, and complexities. When selecting an SD-WAN solution, factors like existing infrastructure, scalability requirements, security needs, and budget considerations will influence the choice. It's essential to evaluate the specific needs of the business and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each SD-WAN type to make an informed decision.

Calculating the cost of an Internet outage for your business is crucial for understanding its potential impact and for justifying investments in redundancy or backup solutions.

The exact cost can vary based on various factors, including the nature of your business, duration of the outage, and other indirect repercussions.

Here's a step-by-step approach to help you calculate the cost:

1. Direct Productivity Loss:      

- Determine the number of employees affected by the outage.   

- Estimate the average hourly wage of the affected employees.   

- Calculate the direct wage loss: `Number of employees x hourly wage x outage duration`.

2. Operational Downtime:   

- Consider any machinery, equipment, or systems that rely on the Internet and were halted due to the outage.   

- Calculate the operational cost of these systems being down per hour and multiply by the outage duration.

3. Lost Sales & Revenue:   

- If you operate an online storefront or rely on online orders, calculate the average revenue generated per hour.   

- Multiply the average hourly revenue by the duration of the outage to estimate lost sales.

4. Contractual Penalties:   

- If you have SLAs (Service Level Agreements) with clients that guarantee uptime or response times, you might face penalties or refunds due to the outage. Estimate these potential costs.

5. Recovery Costs:   

- These can include the cost of IT professionals working overtime to restore services, potential hardware replacements, or costs associated with employing external experts or solutions.

6. Reputation & Brand Impact:   

- This is harder to quantify but very important. An outage can lead to unhappy customers, potentially resulting in lost future business.   

- Consider conducting surveys or studies post-outage to understand customer sentiment, or use historical data to estimate the potential long-term loss.

7. Opportunity Cost:  

- What opportunities did you miss during the outage? This could include missed leads, potential partnerships, or other business opportunities that were lost.

8. Compensation to Customers:   

- If you provided discounts, refunds, or other compensations to retain customer trust after the outage, factor these into your calculations.

9. Communication Costs:   

- This includes costs related to informing stakeholders about the outage, such as mass email notifications, SMS alerts, or even public relations efforts to manage the fallout.

10. Additional Costs:   

- Factor in any other costs unique to your business that might have been influenced by the outage.

After considering all the factors, you can sum up the individual costs:

Total Outage Cost = Direct Productivity Loss + Operational Downtime + Lost Sales & Revenue + Contractual Penalties + Recovery Costs + Reputation Impact (estimated) + Opportunity Cost + Compensation to Customers + Communication Costs + Additional Costs

This sum will provide you with a comprehensive estimate of the cost of an Internet outage for your business. It's worth noting that some costs, especially those related to reputation and future business, are more challenging to quantify but should not be overlooked.

When selecting a network provider for your business, there are various objections or concerns that might arise.

Here are 10 common objections:

Cost:

"The proposed solution is too expensive for our budget."
"There are cheaper alternatives available in the market."

Speed & Bandwidth:

"The bandwidth offered might not be sufficient for our current or future needs."
"We need faster upload speeds, not just download speeds."

Contract Terms & Length:

"The contract duration is too long; we want more flexibility."
"The early termination fees or penalties are too high."

Reliability & Uptime:

"What's the provider's history of outages or downtime?"
"The promised uptime does not meet our business continuity requirements."

Customer Support:

"We've heard that their customer service is not responsive or efficient."
"The provider doesn't offer 24/7 support, which we might need."

Coverage & Availability:

"The provider doesn't have service in all our locations."
"There are connectivity dead zones in areas critical to our operations."

Installation & Setup:

"The lead time for installation is too long."
"Setup or installation fees are unexpectedly high."

Security Concerns:

"The provider doesn't offer enough security measures or guarantees."
"We're concerned about vulnerabilities or potential data breaches."

Scalability:

"As we grow, can the provider scale with us?"
"We anticipate more bandwidth needs in the future, and we're unsure if this provider can accommodate."

Reputation & Reviews:

"Online reviews and feedback for this provider have been mixed or negative."
"We've heard from peers in our industry that they've had issues with this provider."

When evaluating a network provider, it's essential to address these objections thoroughly. Due diligence, asking the right questions, seeking out customer testimonials, and negotiating terms can help mitigate concerns and ensure you're making the best choice for your business needs.

Working with ITBroker.com when purchasing network services offers several advantages. Here are some reasons why partnering with us would be beneficial:

Expertise and Knowledge:

We have a deep understanding of the telecom industry, trends, and the latest technologies. We can offer expert guidance to help you choose the best solutions for your specific needs.

Wide Range of Options:

We have relationships with multiple service providers, granting you access to a broader range of options than if you were to approach providers directly.

Cost-Efficiency:

With our industry relationships and volume buying power, we can often negotiate better terms, prices, or packages than individual businesses can on their own.

Saves Time:

Researching, comparing, and negotiating with multiple providers can be time-consuming. We streamline this process, allowing you to focus on your core business operations.

Unbiased Recommendations:

We don't represent a single provider, so we give impartial advice and recommend solutions genuinely suited to your needs rather than pushing a particular product.

Support and Customer Service:

We offer ongoing support. If there's an issue with a service provider, we act as an advocate on your behalf, often resolving problems more quickly.

Single Point of Contact:

Instead of dealing with multiple representatives from different providers, you can work with one person, simplifying communication.

Customized Solutions:

We can tailor solutions that mix and match services from different providers, ensuring a better fit for your specific requirements.

Staying Updated:

The telecom industry is continually evolving. We keep up-to-date with these changes and can advise you on potential upgrades or new solutions that could benefit your business.

Order Management:

We offer order management services for installations or transitions, ensuring that processes run smoothly and disruptions are minimized.

Post-Sale Relationship:

We have a vested interest in maintaining a good relationship with you even after the sale is completed. We