We have already discussed the significant advances represented by the widespread transition from VDSL (and coaxial cable) to fiber optics in the context of a company’s connectivity. In this domain, choosing the appropriate internet speed can be crucial for productivity, communication, and overall company growth, regardless of its size.
Companies that utilize cloud services or host servers for their websites also have an increased need for fiber speed. Low latency and significant bandwidth ensure smooth operations and enhance the user experience. Thus, analyzing the volume of exchanged data and the applications used helps refine the choice of business fiber speed.
This article will enlighten you on the criteria to consider when selecting the most suitable internet speed for your organization, whether it is a small, medium, or large enterprise.
Why it matters
Investing in a perfectly tailored fiber speed for the business is strategic. It directly influences operational efficiency and team cohesion. Before fiber optics (56k, ADSL, VDSL), we were limited by speeds. Today, they have almost no boundaries.
In team collaboration, fiber optics play a crucial role. It facilitates communication and online collaboration. Collaborative tools (like the Microsoft 365 suite) require significant bandwidth to function effectively. Thus, good speed ensures that these applications run without interruption, allowing teams to work together in real-time, even remotely.
The impact on employee satisfaction should not be underestimated. A fast and reliable connection avoids frustrations related to recurring technical issues.
How to Measure Data Consumption
To assess your company’s data consumption, start by examining internet usage reports. These documents reveal the volume of data consumed over a given period. They are essential for understanding your speed and bandwidth needs, a topic we have already addressed in another article.
Next, analyze the type of internet usage in your company. Differentiate between professional usage and less intensive usage, such as simple web browsing. This will help determine if the current speed is adequate or if an adjustment is necessary. Furthermore, consider the expected evolution of your digital needs. An increase in staff or the introduction of new online applications can significantly increase your data consumption.
It is also wise to conduct speed tests at different times of the day. This will help identify any inconsistencies in the performance of your internet connection. Significant drops may indicate that the current speed is no longer sufficient to meet demand.
Finally, consider consulting an expert for a thorough analysis: they can help map your speed, bandwidth, and Wi-Fi coverage needs. They will interpret your data correctly and recommend the best solution tailored to your specific needs.
Choosing the Right Fiber Speed for Your Business
Choosing the right speed and anticipating the future requires a methodical approach when faced with a B2B fiber optic offer with numerous speed options:
- Start, as we have seen, by listing your bandwidth requirements. This includes the volume of data exchanged, the frequency of heavy downloads, and the use of real-time applications.
- Then compare the available B2B fiber optic offers, but do not limit yourself to the price: also examine included services, such as maintenance or technical support.
- An SLA is essential in case of outage: it concerns the continuity of your operations. For example, Belcenter is a B2B operator that compensates you in case of downtime.
- Consider the scalability of your fiber optic solution. Your company may grow, and with it, its internet needs. Opt for a package that allows you to easily adjust the speed according to your future needs without exorbitant fees.
For Small Businesses (TPE): Efficiency on a Small Scale
For small businesses, often comprising a handful of employees (such as shops, studies, offices, medical or care practices, home offices), bandwidth needs are generally moderate. Common activities include sending emails, web browsing, and using a few online applications. An asymmetric speed of 100 Mbps is often more than sufficient, allowing for efficient downloads and uploads without interruption. This ensures smooth communication with clients and partners, without overly investing in unused capacities.
For Small and Medium Enterprises : Balancing Performance and Cost
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a workforce often consisting of several employees, have more significant requirements due to increased use of online services, remote collaboration, and management of larger data volumes. For these companies, an asymmetric internet speed ranging from 350 Mbps to 500 Mbps is recommended. This range supports high-quality video conferences, rapid transfer of large files, and simultaneous use of multiple applications without compromising performance.
If available, for larger structures, the flexibility of a symmetrical connection is also advantageous, facilitating effective collaboration both internally and externally.
For Large Enterprises: Maximizing Capacity
Large enterprises have larger networks, a greater number of employees, and a critical dependence on technology. They require advanced connectivity solutions. Speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps are suitable, supporting operations such as server hosting, large-scale Cloud Computing (Collaboration, Security), and artificial intelligence.
The availability of symmetrical speeds is crucial to ensure consistent performance for all operations, especially those requiring significant uploads such as data backup and enterprise-wide video collaboration.
My Business Has Multiple Locations : Why Choose Layer 2 Connectivity
For businesses spanning multiple sites, the consistency and reliability of network connectivity between these locations are paramount. Layer 2 connectivity (Metropolitan Ethernet) emerges as an ideal solution for these structures. This type of connectivity enables the creation of an extended virtual local area network (LAN) beyond the physical boundaries of a site, providing a seamless and homogeneous network experience across all company locations.
Adding new sites or increasing required capacity is done with ease.
Opting for Layer 2 connectivity brings several significant advantages:
- Low latency and high connection speeds between sites, crucial for latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and real-time collaboration applications.
- Simplified network management, as all sites can be administered as if they were part of a single local network, thereby reducing the complexity and operational costs associated with managing multiple separate networks.
- Implementation of uniform security policies across all sites, strengthening the company’s overall security posture. It also facilitates disaster recovery and business continuity by enabling rapid and efficient data synchronization between sites.
