To some, it might seem as though all phone and internet services are the same. However, upon closer inspection, chances are you’ll notice some key differences—and not just in the cost of services. Indeed, there are significant differences between the connections and services provided by most companies on the scene. If you’re a small or midsize business owner, this guide can help you to choose the service provider than best suits your needs.
Phone Services
Most business owners are surprised when they learn that they may still need to install a phone system. Even in a world where tablets, smartphones, and portable computers are the norm, some business owners may still require phone services. These may include:
- Landlines
- Mobile phones
- Self-hosted VoIP
- Cloud-based VoIP
- Virtual Phone Service
Each option has various strengths and weaknesses. You can choose a system by asking yourself the following questions:
- How many calls do you normally field on a given day? Is that amount likely to change?
- Is your internet connection fast and reliable enough to host a VoIP system?
- Do you want to make use of existing hardware, such as telecoms and landlines, and will they be compatible with software?
- Do you conduct business in more than one office?
- Do you or members of your team often work remotely?
Often, the amount of time you spend away from the office and your landline phone is a significant factor. Though landlines are great when it comes to reliability and high-quality, low-cost calls, they simply lack an element of flexibility that you’ll need if you’re out of the office on a regular basis.
Some businesses choose to switch to IP telephony, which uses the internet and a local area network (LAN) with a private branch exchange (PBX) to send and receive calls. If you’re looking for flexibility, opt for this option.
Internet Services
When it comes to choosing an internet service provider, pay careful attention to the type of connection offered.
- DSL. DSL is frequently the cheapest type of connection, with business plans ranging between $30-90 per month. DSL uses traditional phone lines, but it isn’t like dial-up in that it doesn’t prevent you from receiving voice calls and sending data at the same time. Speeds depend on how far you are from your internet service provider’s exchange, and may reach up to 15 mbps for downloads and 1 mbps for uploads, potentially supporting about ten casual users simultaneously.
- Cable. Cable is a popular and affordable connection type, with plans costing between $60-300 per month for businesses. Cable speeds range from 50-100 mbps for downloads and 2-10 mbps for uploads—fast enough to support a couple dozen users. Cable connections tend to slow down during peak hours since bandwidth is shared with users in the vicinity.
- Fiber. This new addition to the market offers superior performance and speed. Telecommunications companies have been using fiber-optic connections for some time now, with more and more companies offering the option to their users. Fiber-optic connections allow speeds of 15-150 mbps for downloads and 5-35 mbps for uploads. It’s still costly compared to other options, though, with average monthly plans ranging from $70-200. Since the bandwidth is high, though, fiber connections can easily share connections for television, phone, and internet for many users.