A strong and dependable business internet connection isn’t just a luxury for businesses, it’s a lifeline. Whether you’re running a small enterprise or responsible for a large corporation, slow speeds, downtime, and connection issues can be costly for businesses.
Fast broadband is great (and necessary). But it is reliable and always-on connectivity with built-in redundancy that truly keeps your business moving without missing a beat.
Fast Internet Isn’t Enough
Even the quickest internet connection can falter, with outages often attributed to business ISP issues, hardware malfunctions, or problems with local infrastructure.
Relying on a single internet connection leaves your business incredibly vulnerable. Think of it as having only one road to your premises – if it is blocked, everything grinds to a halt causing frustration and delays.
For businesses operating in an increasingly online world, this disruption can lead to significant financial losses, hinder productivity, and damage your reputation.
Connectivity Options for a Resilient Business Network
In today’s always-on digital landscape, businesses can’t afford a single point of failure – especially when it comes to connectivity. That’s why building a resilient network means more than just choosing a fast internet provider. It’s about strategically layering multiple technologies to ensure both peak performance and bulletproof redundancy.
Redundancy is your fail-safe: a backup system that kicks in the moment your primary connection drops, keeping your operations online without a hitch. This often involves a second line – ideally from a different provider or medium – along with dual routers, automatic failover systems, and backup power to guard against unexpected outages. The goal is simple: zero, downtime, no excuses.
- Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) Business Broadband delivers fibre to a local cabinet, then uses copper to reach your premises, offering a cost-effective speed boost. However, performance can dip due to the distance from the cabinet.
- Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) provides full fibre directly to your site, offering ultra-fast, reliable speeds. This option is ideal for high-bandwidth businesses, with availability steadily growing.
- Leased Lines for Business offers a dedicated, high-speed fibre connection with guaranteed performance and strong SLAs. Recommended for businesses needing reliable, top-tier connectivity.
- Business Microwave Leased Lines use radio waves to create a dedicated data link, offering high bandwidth and reliability for remote areas or cable-challenged locations.
- 4G/5G Business Broadband leverages mobile network to ensure quick deployment and flexible connectivity with sufficient speeds for various business needs. Independent from fixed-line infrastructure makes it optimal for internet failover solutions.
- Starlink for Business provides crucial connectivity for companies in remote areas with limited wired options, though latency and a clear sky view should be considered.
The Strategic Mix for Redundancy
Robust redundancy isn’t just about adding backup connections – it’s about creating a network with diverse pathways and technologies. For example, combining a fibre leased line with a 4G/5G failover or using microwave leased lines with Starlink in remote areas offers true resilience.
But be careful: two fibre lines on the same infrastructure aren’t redundant if they share the same ducts – one cut could take them both down. Tailoring redundancy to your location, operations, and risk tolerance is key, and experienced providers can help design the right solution for your business.
And like with any other system, you must plan, test and maintain it regularly to ensure it is adequate to support your current business needs, should you ever need it.
The Power of SLAs
A strong Service Level Agreement (SLA) is your safety net. It guarantees uptime and quick response times, ensuring minimal disruption when things do go wrong. Look for those that commit to business-critical support, so you can focus on what matters most.
Redundancy = Resilience
- Minimal Downtime: Prevents costly interruptions
- Ensures Continuity: No matter the setback, operations continue
- Boosts Productivity: Keeps your teams working
- Improves Customer Satisfaction: Consistent service means happier clients
- Protects Revenue: Guards against the financial hit of outages
- Provides Peace of Mind: Relives stress for your team
- Ensures Steady Phone Connection: Provides clear calls and voice clarity for your business phone system.
At Midland Computers, we understand that every business has unique connectivity needs. That’s why we offer everything from fibre and leased lines to mobile and satellite solutions.
Get in touch today for a no-obligatory consultation – let’s find the best way to build a reliable and resilient internet setup for your business.