Business Internet Access
11 Sep 2008, 5:05 pmIn this article I will discuss 5 different types of internet connections that are available for business use in Australia and the benefits with each.
1. ADSL – This is the most common of business internet access. The A in ADSL stands for asemetric meaning that the connection is unbalance giving the end user faster speeds for downloading than the speed for uploading data. Speed for ADSL can be achieved up to 8 mega bits per second (mbps) with downloads speeds maxing out at 384 kilo bits per second (kbps).
ADSL can be run over a traditional PSTN line and now over naked DSL from some companies.
2. ADSL 2+ This connection is also faster for downloading data than the upload speed. ADSL 2+ can reach download speeds of 24mbps and maximum upload speeds of 1mbps. A powerful business internet access medium.
Both ADSL and ADSL 2+ are predominant in the residential and business market. Carriers will offer residential packages to business which they take up due to the low pricing available. The downfall with this is that the contention ratios are high and in the event of a fault the company is essentially on best effort technology with no SLA’s in place. In some cases this can leave a business without an internet connection for days or even weeks.
3. SHDSL – Stands for Synchronies Highbit DSL which means that you get the same speeds for upload and downloading data. This for of connection is a highly efficient form of business internet access. Speeds on SHDSL can reach up to 2mbps/2mbps with a low but variable contention ratio. SHDSL is wholly and solely a business grade access. Most carriers will offer a 4 hour SLA for faults on this type of internet access.
4. Ethernet is the purest form of business internet access that there is available in the Australian market place. This can be delivered to businesses via fiber optical cable, multiple ULL’s or even wirelessly. Speeds on ethernet start from 1mbps/1mpbs up to 1Gbps/1Gbps. Carriers offer 4 hour SLA’s on ethernet too. Ethernet is a pure 1;1 connection between the business and the main data core. There are no other companies or individuals sharing this internet connection which means there is no contention ratio.
5. Last of all is the newest of all the business internet access products which is wireless data though the mobile towers that can be accessed with a usb stick with a sim card in it. Speeds on the 3G network are set to reach 7.5mbps download before the end of 2008. The wireless products are usually only useful within cities and the speeds can vary depending on where you are located, but the beauty of them is that you can use it where ever you get a signal. Pricing has come down over time to be affordable and more recently with the introduction of iPhone surfing the web on your mobile has never been easier.
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