The IP Detective
Corporate Internet Service Technologies
Internet service for businesses has gotten quite complicated. Technology has changed and the options have grown broader. However, the discussion is still basically around three topics: speed, capacity and location. How much data can be moved, how fast, from where? Some corporations have mobile workforces that are accessing their proprietary network from client locations across the globe and neighborhood coffee shops, as well as corporate headquarters. Hovering above the complexity of choices and simplicity of the issues is always price. Let's cover speed first.
Speed is usually expressed in some number of bytes per second of data throughput. So, at 64Kbps or you are moving 64 thousand bytes per second. A 3 page word processing document with quality, but economical graphics is about 458K. That would take about 7 or 8 seconds to move at that speed. With the ease of emailing attachments and the proliferation of content on the worldwide web, most files are typically larger. Streaming video, high quality graphic images, sound and text-dense content, such as e-books and manuals demand faster speeds. While they can be moved across slower connections, the pace of commerce usually won't bear it. Let's look at the common options in these terms.
64 Kbps (kilobytes per second) to 128 Kbps is considered slow by today's standards and was a "high speed" alternative when most residential internet connectivity was achieved through dial-up access using modems that delivered lower data throughput. In fact, ISDN is connected very much like standard dial-up versus "always on" connections like cable or DSL. Where higher speed options are simply not available, ISDN may be a viable, if pokey alternative. A more updated solution for businesses in remote locations is IoS or Internet Over Satellite. You would install a satellite signal receiver set at your location with a dish pointed at the satellite. Speed with this technology can reach a healthy 8Mbps. Of course, there are atmospheric and other conditions that can interrupt or slow connection speeds.
Many people are used to hearing about DSL for residential internet service. However, it is typical among the major carriers to offer commercial DSL, too. ADSL is the most common in the United States. It handles 1.5 up to 9 Mbps downstream, which means when it is receiving, and 16 up to 640Kbps upstream, or when it is sending. ADSL+2 is found in large metropolitan areas and can offer faster download rates. However, subscribers need to be relatively close to service providers' central offices. VDSL, can reach downstream speeds of 50Mbps. Not all types of DSL are available in all areas. Where the provider has the capacity and technology in a geographic area, they can offer that level of services.
Just as for residential service, you can have your local cable company provide internet service. Offerings typically range from 6Mbps downstream and 1Mbps upstream, all the way up to 50Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream. Currently, there is limited availability in a handful of U.S. cities. However, cable's reach is growing. Both DSL and Cable services are usually bundled with phone to be competitive in terms of price.
Wireless internet access can be accomplished easily using any other type of internet access that comes into a particular location and a wireless modem. For example, if you have DSL service coming into your location, a wireless modem can "distribute" that access to computers with a wireless card installed. If your staff is small, and you are in an office building using shared services, there is a good chance that wireless internet access is available. There is usually a service fee attached you are sharing the "pipe" with everyone else in the building. This solution may only work if your business does not require high capacity internet access in order to function.
For businesses that move a lot of data, dedicated leased lines called T1s have been the industry standard. With speeds up to 1.544 Mbps and no need to share the pipeline, it has been a good and cost effective solution in larger organizations. Higher capacity T1 type access is offered through bonded T1, essentially 2 T1s stuck together, and T3, which offers 43.232 Mbps. They are relatively expensive and not easy to downsize once a contract for services is in place.
Digital signals carried over SONET, (Synchronous Optical Networking or fiber optic networks) provide Optical Carrier access or OC1 and OC3. Throughput on OC1 is a bit better than T3 at 51.84 Mbps. OC3 offers 155.52 Mbps. Fiber optic networks are not exactly everywhere, but like cable are being proliferated.
Be sure to consider how you are using internet service today, how you might be using it more wisely and how your needs might change in the coming years. Looking at your services in these terms will help you make the best decision.
Speed is usually expressed in some number of bytes per second of data throughput. So, at 64Kbps or you are moving 64 thousand bytes per second. A 3 page word processing document with quality, but economical graphics is about 458K. That would take about 7 or 8 seconds to move at that speed. With the ease of emailing attachments and the proliferation of content on the worldwide web, most files are typically larger. Streaming video, high quality graphic images, sound and text-dense content, such as e-books and manuals demand faster speeds. While they can be moved across slower connections, the pace of commerce usually won't bear it. Let's look at the common options in these terms.
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
64 Kbps (kilobytes per second) to 128 Kbps is considered slow by today's standards and was a "high speed" alternative when most residential internet connectivity was achieved through dial-up access using modems that delivered lower data throughput. In fact, ISDN is connected very much like standard dial-up versus "always on" connections like cable or DSL. Where higher speed options are simply not available, ISDN may be a viable, if pokey alternative. A more updated solution for businesses in remote locations is IoS or Internet Over Satellite. You would install a satellite signal receiver set at your location with a dish pointed at the satellite. Speed with this technology can reach a healthy 8Mbps. Of course, there are atmospheric and other conditions that can interrupt or slow connection speeds.
DSL (xDSL) - Digital Subscriber Lines
Many people are used to hearing about DSL for residential internet service. However, it is typical among the major carriers to offer commercial DSL, too. ADSL is the most common in the United States. It handles 1.5 up to 9 Mbps downstream, which means when it is receiving, and 16 up to 640Kbps upstream, or when it is sending. ADSL+2 is found in large metropolitan areas and can offer faster download rates. However, subscribers need to be relatively close to service providers' central offices. VDSL, can reach downstream speeds of 50Mbps. Not all types of DSL are available in all areas. Where the provider has the capacity and technology in a geographic area, they can offer that level of services.
Cable
Just as for residential service, you can have your local cable company provide internet service. Offerings typically range from 6Mbps downstream and 1Mbps upstream, all the way up to 50Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream. Currently, there is limited availability in a handful of U.S. cities. However, cable's reach is growing. Both DSL and Cable services are usually bundled with phone to be competitive in terms of price.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet access can be accomplished easily using any other type of internet access that comes into a particular location and a wireless modem. For example, if you have DSL service coming into your location, a wireless modem can "distribute" that access to computers with a wireless card installed. If your staff is small, and you are in an office building using shared services, there is a good chance that wireless internet access is available. There is usually a service fee attached you are sharing the "pipe" with everyone else in the building. This solution may only work if your business does not require high capacity internet access in order to function.
T1 / Bonded T1 / T3 - Dedicated Leased Line
For businesses that move a lot of data, dedicated leased lines called T1s have been the industry standard. With speeds up to 1.544 Mbps and no need to share the pipeline, it has been a good and cost effective solution in larger organizations. Higher capacity T1 type access is offered through bonded T1, essentially 2 T1s stuck together, and T3, which offers 43.232 Mbps. They are relatively expensive and not easy to downsize once a contract for services is in place.
OC1 / OC3 - Optical Carrier Level 3
Digital signals carried over SONET, (Synchronous Optical Networking or fiber optic networks) provide Optical Carrier access or OC1 and OC3. Throughput on OC1 is a bit better than T3 at 51.84 Mbps. OC3 offers 155.52 Mbps. Fiber optic networks are not exactly everywhere, but like cable are being proliferated.
Be sure to consider how you are using internet service today, how you might be using it more wisely and how your needs might change in the coming years. Looking at your services in these terms will help you make the best decision.
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