Although the internet began as a simple means of communication, it has evolved much more in the modern era. Individual users can now access information, entertainment, healthcare counseling, online shopping, remote working, online gaming, as well as online schooling – thanks to the internet technology.
Because of its wide-ranging applications and prospective uses, internet service providers have drastically decreased the costs of this critical service, allowing every household in the United States to subscribe to an internet connection based on their financial circumstances.
Cox internet prices, for example, come off as reasonable to consumers of all income levels in the United States. This marks the beginning of the internet’s scalability, as we know it.
Hence, in order to function in today’s world, you need an internet facility that is stable, cost-effective, and swift enough to meet your company’s requirements. Moreover, excellent customer service that can quickly resolve difficulties so that your everyday activities are not disrupted, should also be included in its services.
In addition to this, viruses and hackers should not be a problem for your company if your internet provider has the capabilities to secure it. Furthermore, it should ideally possess a backup link to keep your online services running in the event of a server failure.
Thus keeping all these factors in mind, we have shortlisted the best internet service providers for your small business. Read this article to get your hands on the best ISPs in the market.
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Verizon Fios
If Verizon Fios is available in your location, it will provide you with an exceptional connection. It has symmetrical upload and download rates, thus helping your uploads and downloads to be in sync. If you are uploading huge documents to a distant server regularly, this is a crucial aspect to consider.
In general, Verizon Business is the second-most affordable gigabit package, trailing only Spectrum. Verizon’s fiber internet provides the same upload as well as download speeds as Spectrum’s cable internet. For transfer speed as well as dependability, we recommend fiber. Verizon also provides amazing bundle offers, which are ideal for exhibiting local channels, as well as deals that amalgamate cable TV, phone, and internet into a single low-cost package.
AT&T
In the annual customer satisfaction poll for residential internet, AT&T came in second place. From reliability to customer service, those high rankings guarantee exceptional internet encounters for your company.
For its fiber and DSL services, AT&T Business offers a stable IP address option. The price varies according to the plan, but it gives you the option of attaining a fixed internet address. There are other bundles present, such as including phone facility in the company’s ‘100 Mbps fiber’ plan.
Comcast
Comcast is among the country’s leading internet providers. Its top home internet speed is about 1,200 Mbps, thus we are amazed the corporate side cannot match that for the greater price. All options, however, offer local customer assistance 24 hours a day, speedy Wi-Fi as well as and accession with a public network that your customers may access.
For an added price, your company can get a steady IP address; much like AT&T. ‘Connection Pro’ adds an up to eight-hour backup ‘4G LTE’ connection.
Spectrum
The corporate internet side of Spectrum is essentially identical to the residential side. Combining a phone or Television facility can save you money, but no matter what you choose, the promotional rate is only good for 12 months.
However, you should consider the business plans over the residential plans because they are compatible with extra services.
Viasat
Small businesses in areas where landlines are unavailable can consider Viasat Business. The issue with satellite internet, especially Viasat Business, is that it costs more per megabit than a landline connection. On plans with unlimited data, you will also be subject to soft data limitations, which slow down your speeds once you hit a certain download limit.
A two-year contract is required for all plans. In contrast to the other internet providers on our list, you get three free static IP addresses with each subscription. You will also get 24-hour customer assistance and the opportunity to add VoIP service.
Specifications and characteristics of the internet for small businesses
For a small firm, speed is not always a good thing. After all, your business might not require more than 50 megabits per second. Instead, the finest internet service for small businesses should prioritize scalability, security, and support.
Static IP addresses and 4G LTE backup connections are nice extras. When it comes to picking an internet service for your business, there are a few more elements to think about.
Excellent client service
Business internet is usually accompanied by high-quality expert customer care that is available around the clock, 365 days a year. However, each internet provider is different, so before you buy, find out when customer service is available.
Dedicated internet connection
You will not have to share your internet connection with other businesses if you have a business internet package with a dedicated connection.
That is a big bonus since that means you and your colleagues can stream video chats, post documents, and download files without having to worry about other people using the internet. Dedicated lines, on the other hand, are typically far more expensive than shared lines. Your monthly costs might be in the thousands of dollars.
Assured service-level charters
SLAs (service-level agreements) is one approach to ensure that you receive what you pay for when it comes to corporate internet. Low latency or lag, no internet connection outages, 24-hour customer assistance, and more are common promises made by these companies. What if your service supplier fails to deliver? Those SLAs should, in theory, cover how you will be paid.
What factors should you consider while selecting a business internet plan?
Here are some ideas to assist you in determining the appropriate internet plan for your small business.
Prioritize your requirements
Your first step should be to determine how much your small business needs speed. Your answer will be determined by the number of employees who will use the internet at the same time and in what manner.
Inquire about the length of the contract
A one- or two-year contract may be required for business internet services. Consider whether this timeframe works for you. Will you have to pay additional fees if you need to update your plan before the contract expires?
Is the contract canceled if the internet provider fails to meet the SLAs’ promises? Some corporate internet services have no-contract choices, but they usually come at an additional fee. Even yet, if you run a seasonal business and only need internet access for a portion of the year, it might be a suitable fit.
Become intrigued about the typical amount of downtime
Nothing is more inconvenient than your company’s internet going down and your staff entering transaction information on paper and pen. That is why it is crucial to inquire about a provider’s annual downtime average.
Most companies will claim near-perfect uptime, but if they do not deliver, you will be left in the dark. This is a critical aspect to include in your SLAs, especially if no internet represents a significant loss for your company.
Final words
Hence if you have recently started your small setup and are confused about what internet service to choose in order to thrive your small business, do not worry at all. We have got you all covered. Go through this article and get an overview of the best providers in the market.
