Businesses of all sizes and in all industries depend on a robust internet connection with reliable speeds. There are a wide variety of internet plans available – let’s dive into how to make the best choice for your business.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is also referred to as your internet speed. Bandwidth is a measurement of how much data can be transferred over your internet connection in a specific amount of time. Higher bandwidths mean a faster connection that allows your team to transfer data smoothly and efficiently.
How much bandwidth do you need?
The type of work you do and the applications you use determine the amount of bandwidth you need. Reading emails, browsing the internet or using basic office productivity software usually require minimal bandwidth. Activities like uploading large files, using video conferencing or a using cloud-based applications can require significantly more bandwidth.
Here are some standard tasks your team may perform and the bandwidth typically recommended:
- Web browsing and e-mail 5 – 10 Mbps
- Video conferencing 10 – 25 Mbps (per participant)
- Cloud-based applications 10 – 50 Mbps
- Uploading large files 10 – 100 Mpbs
Additional items that impact bandwidth needs
The type of work your team performs is a key factor in determining your bandwidth needs, but there are a few other factors to assess as well:
- How many users do you have working at the same time?
- What are your data usage patterns?
- How reliable is your internet service provider (ISP)?
If you have multiple users, you want to be sure to provide enough bandwidth for everyone on your team. If you upload or download large files, is that a daily occurrence or just once in a while? If you transmit large files regularly, you will need higher speeds. No matter what internet plan you choose, consistent and reliable performance is a function of your ISP’s infrastructure so you’ll want to select a reliable provider.
Choosing the right internet service plan
Now that you have an idea what bandwidth you need, research ISPs that service your area and compare pricing. While researching providers, you can track your business’s internet usage to assess your peak bandwidth needs and ensure you select a package that provides the right amount. Be sure to think about the future – do you have plans to expand or add new staff? You’ll want to choose a package that will be sufficient for future growth.
When you don’t have the right internet plan for your business, your team can experience performance lags or connection drops. Contact expertIT for help with selecting the best internet service plan for your business to ensure your network is quick and efficient.