Many businesses today rely heavily on robust internet connectivity for their daily operations, especially with the increasing adoption of cloud applications. When evaluating internet service, it’s crucial to compare different options not just on speed, but also on resilience and cost. Let’s delve into a comparison of internet connection strategies for businesses seeking reliable and affordable solutions.
One advantageous setup involves utilizing diverse broadband connections. This approach leverages different physical infrastructures and service providers, creating a more resilient environment. This inherent diversity can be surprisingly cost-effective, offering redundancy without significantly increasing expenses. For companies prioritizing resilience and access to essential cloud services, this type of configuration can be ideal. Even if one connection exhibits occasional instability, implementing a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) device can aggregate multiple connections. SD-WAN intelligently routes traffic, effectively working around any intermittent disruptions and enhancing overall network stability.
It’s important to understand that fiber optic connections, while often perceived as inherently more resilient, primarily offer stronger Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for repair times. In scenarios where both connection types experience outages, it’s often due to geographically close infrastructure failures, such as a fiber cut near the office. In such cases, both fiber and other wired connections in the vicinity are likely to be affected simultaneously, regardless of the underlying technology.
Therefore, if a current internet setup with diverse connections is functioning effectively, incurring additional expenses for perceived resilience may not be necessary. It’s prudent to postpone long-term, costly contracts until a clear and demonstrable need arises. Exploring alternative fiber solutions like AT&T Shared Fiber (ABF) could be a worthwhile consideration. ABF can potentially offer a fiber-based product similar to FiOS at a more competitive price point compared to traditional cable internet services.
Ultimately, the best strategy involves a careful comparison of internet options, considering both resilience and cost-effectiveness. Prioritizing a setup that meets current needs without unnecessary expenditure is often the most sensible approach for businesses seeking reliable internet connectivity.
