Get Internet Access Prices 1. How many people will be using Internet simultaneously? Choose... 0-50 50-100 100-200 200-500 500+ 2. What is the five digit ZIP code for your office location?

• Compare Internet Access Providers • Read our Purchasing Advice • View Listings of Leading Suppliers

Internet Access Basics

The Internet is a critical component of your business so your Internet access needs to be fast and reliable. The most popular option for business connections - integrated t1 lines - offers reliable, always-on connectivity. Integrated t1 features 24 individual channels which allow you to share voice and data on the same lines.

High speed t1 lines offers download and upload speeds that are 30 times faster than traditional dial-up. This allows you and your staff to efficiently communicate and exchange data with colleagues and clients from anywhere in the world. You can also use business t1 for web hosting, streaming video, voice over IP (VoIP), video conferencing, and virtual private networking (VPN).

T1 internet provides you with dedicated access - you can use all of your available bandwidth at once. With dedicated t1, you can support hundreds of different users on a single line. If you have a large company with 100 or more employees, you may want to invest in a high speed t3 line. Dedicated t3 lines combine the power of 28 individual t1 lines to provide the fastest speeds, but also costs considerably more than t1.

If the cost of t1 Internet seems overwhelming, providers can offer fractional t1 or fractional t3 service. This means you use only a portion of your total bandwidth. With fractional service, you still get access to fast download and upload speeds, but could experience a backlog if others sharing the bandwidth are using the Web at the same time. Make sure to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of dedicated t1 or t3 vs. fractional lines to figure out what works best for your business.

With a business t1 line, reliability is at a premium. Vendors provide service level agreements (SLAs) ensuring that your high speed data line will remain up and running 99.99% of the time. This guarantee protects your business and can prove costly to ISPs if your service drops below that level.

Other Internet Access terminology

As you shop for internet access for your business, you may come across several different words and phrases that may not seem familiar. Among these terms:

• Frame Relay: A method for exchanging data at t1 speeds. Since the equipment and maintenance is expensive, it's typically only an option for large businesses.
• DSL: Primarily a high-speed service for home users or very small businesses, DSL provides faster speeds than dial-up, but can only support basic Internet and email applications for up to 20 employees.
• Cable: Another consumer-based service, this Internet runs over the same connection as cable television service but doesn't handle robust applications as well as t1 or t3.
• Satellite: This rare option for connecting to the Web is primarily for businesses at sea or in very remote locations. The service is sensitive to bad weather and may not work in all locations.

Points to consider:

• What will you predominantly use your Internet connection for (Internet access, voice, data, etc.?)
• Do you currently have some sort of Internet access in place?
• How many users will be accessing the Internet at one time?
• Is this Internet access for one location or multiple locations?
• Do you want DSL, T1, T3, or frame relay access?
• Do you need more than one line?

Leading suppliers:

• Covad
• National Communications Group
• Netcomp
• Megapath
• Reallinx
• Speakeasy
• Telecom Optimizer
• Verizon

Related articles - December 2008