Business Internet Services

Fiber internet, utilizing fiber-optic cables, offers superior speed, reliability, and performance, making it a better choice for high-demand internet users, though its availability may be limited. Coaxial cable internet, using copper cables like those for cable TV, while not as fast or reliable as fiber, provides a widely available and reliable internet service for general use. When comparing fiber and coax cable internet, the key differences lie in their technology, speed, reliability, and overall performance:  

• Technology: Fiber-optic internet uses thin strands of glass or plastic fibers to transmit data as light signals, offering a purely digital connection. Coaxial cable internet, on the other hand, relies on copper cables (like those used for cable TV) to transmit data using electrical signals.  

• Speed: Fiber internet provides faster speeds for both downloading and uploading data, often reaching up to 1 Gbps or higher. Coaxial cable internet typically offers good download speeds but significantly slower upload speeds due to its asymmetrical design.  

• Reliability and Performance: Fiber internet is less susceptible to interference and signal degradation over long distances, making it more reliable, especially for activities requiring high bandwidth. Coax cable internet can be more prone to congestion and signal loss, particularly over longer distances and during peak usage times.  

• Availability: Coax cable internet is widely available due to the extensive infrastructure of cable TV networks. Fiber internet, while growing rapidly, is still less available in comparison, primarily in urban and suburban areas.  

The choice between fiber and coax depends on your specific needs, availability in your area, and budget.  

Learn more about understanding the differences and what business leaders need to consider choosing between them.

There’s also the question of the implementation cost as to whether your business implements 4G/5G with private Wi-Fi providers or regular networks. Based on the carrier data, the average monthly fee for 5G is around $89.99 per month compared to $68 for 4G.

The difference in average cost between the 5G and 4G unlimited plans ranges from $5 to $72 per month. If you are looking for heavy cloud app usage, streaming media, and advanced devices and robotics you could be looking at up to $200 per month.

The rate will vary depending on where your business is located, what internet service providers are available in your local area, number of users, what types of internet you can buy from those providers and what level of connection speed (bandwidth) you need. The range can be anywhere from $65.00 – $500.00 for a small business and $300 – $5,000 per month for a large business.

Static and dynamic IP addresses differ in their assignment and consistency.

A static IP address is a permanent, fixed numerical address assigned to a device on a network. It stays the same every time the device connects to the internet, making it ideal for services that require consistent access, like hosting websites or remote servers.  

A dynamic IP address is a temporary numerical address assigned to a device each time it connects to the internet. It can change with each session, which helps manage the distribution of addresses efficiently and is commonly used for everyday internet activities. 

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a technique used in advanced telecommunications networks to make data travel faster and more efficiently. Instead of using long network addresses to route data, MPLS assigns short labels to data packets. These labels help the network quickly decide the best path for the data to take, bypassing complex lookups and speeding up traffic.

• Label Switching: MPLS uses simple labels to guide data, which is quicker and easier than looking at long addresses for each packet.
• Speed: By simplifying the routing process, MPLS helps data move through the network faster, reducing delays.
• Quality of Service (QoS): This technology can prioritize certain types of data, like voice or video, to ensure smooth delivery without interruptions.
• Versatility: MPLS works well with various technologies, including IP, ATM, and Ethernet, making it adaptable to different network setups.
• Traffic Management: MPLS enables better control over network traffic, allowing for efficient data routing and less congestion.
• Secure VPNs: It can also be used to create secure virtual private networks (VPNs), which protect sensitive information as it travels across the network.

In summary, MPLS enhances data transfer speed, improves network reliability, and offers flexibility and security, making it essential for modern, high-performance networks.

OTT, or Over-the-Top, refers to the delivery of media content and communication services directly to users via the internet, bypassing traditional distribution methods like cable or satellite television. This includes streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, as well as internet-based communication services like VoIP (Voice over IP) and messaging apps.

OTT services do not require users to subscribe to traditional cable or satellite packages, providing more flexibility and often lower costs for accessing content and communication tools. 

By following these tips, you can significantly improve your business’s internet performance, leading to better productivity and smoother operations:

• Evaluate your current plan: Does your current business internet plan meet our company’s needs? As businesses grow, internet requirements often increase. For example, increasing your bandwidth can provide faster speeds, support more simultaneous users & devices, and improve overall network performance.
• Implement Quality of Service (QoS) Settings: Configure your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize critical traffic (like video calls or important business apps) to ensure they receive the necessary bandwidth.
• Upgrade & Optimize Network Hardware: like routers, modems, and switches (models that support faster speed and better coverage). Ensuring devices are up-to-date and correctly configured can further boost performance and reliability.
• Set Up a Separate Guest Network: Create a separate Wi-Fi network for guests and non-essential devices to prevent them from slowing down your core business network.
• Optimize Your Network Infrastructure: Ensure your office’s network cabling is up to date and professionally installed to support high-speed connections. Ensure it is appropriate for the bandwidth you need (e.g. CAT6 to workstations, and fiber between switches).
• Check for Viruses and Malware: Ensure all devices are free from malware, which can slow down your internet. Use antivirus software to scan and remove any threats.
• Conduct Regular Speed Tests: Perform regular speed tests at various times of the day to check your internet performance and find recurring issues.
• Contact your ISP (Internet service provider): or Universal Connectivity for help. We will provide insights into your internet performance and guide you with a solution that works for your business. (internet page)

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is a technology that simplifies the management and operation of a wide area network (WAN) by separating the network’s hardware from its control mechanisms. Essentially, it uses software to manage and route traffic across different types of internet connections—such as broadband, LTE, and MPLS—more efficiently. This allows businesses to improve the performance of their applications, especially those hosted in the cloud, while also increasing flexibility and reducing costs. 

Here’s what SD-WAN does: 

1. It makes your internet faster and more reliable by using multiple connection types at once. 

2. It automatically chooses the best path for your data to travel, like picking the fastest route on a map. 

3. It helps keep your network secure by building in protection features. 

4. It makes it easier to manage your network from one central place, saving time and effort. 

SD-WAN can be a great solution for businesses that want to modernize their network, improve internet performance, and prepare for future growth. 

You might need SD-WAN if: 

1. Your business has multiple locations that need to stay connected. 
2. You use a lot of cloud-based services or applications. 
3. You want to reduce your network costs while improving performance. 
4. You need better control and visibility over your network traffic. 
5. You’re looking to simplify your network management. 

NPS (Net Promoter Score) is a customer satisfaction metric based on feedback received from surveys given to customers based on one key question:

“On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend our product and service to a friend or colleague?”

The NPS score ranges from -100 to +100 and is calculated based on responses to this question. Customers are categorized as:

• Promoters (9-10): Loyal enthusiasts who will keep buying and refer others.
• Passives (7-8): Satisfied but unenthusiastic customers who are vulnerable to competitive offers.
• Detractors (0-6): Unhappy customers who may not recommend the service and could deter others.

We are very proud that Universal Connectivity’s Net Promoter Score is 83, significantly surpassing the industry average of 31.. 

Quality of Service (QoS) is a technology that helps ensure your internet connection runs smoothly, especially when multiple devices are using it simultaneously. It manages and prioritizes different types of network traffic, ensuring that important applications get the bandwidth and performance they need. Businesses use QoS to prioritize critical data—such as VoIP (internet phone calls), video conferences, or other latency and jitter sensitive applications—over less critical or latency and jitter sensitive data, like file downloads. This helps reduce delays and improve performance for the activities that matter most. 

Quality of Service (QoS) is particularly useful if your business runs multiple services on the same network, especially when some are more important or time-sensitive than others. It helps prevent disruptions and ensures that key services (VoIP or video conferencing) run smoothly, even when the network is congested. If your business has plenty of bandwidth and doesn’t rely on these types of services, QoS might not be as necessary. However, for many companies, it’s a vital tool to keep communications and operations running effectively.

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network): This technology enhances the management and operation of a wide area network by separating the network’s hardware from its control functions. It uses software to manage and route traffic across various internet connections, such as broadband, LTE, and MPLS, improving the performance of cloud applications, increasing flexibility, and reducing costs. This makes SD-WAN a great choice for businesses with multiple locations or complex networking needs. 

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge): SASE integrates network management with strong security features, all delivered through the cloud. It provides employees with secure access to applications and data, regardless of their location. SASE is ideal for businesses with remote workers or those heavily reliant on cloud services, as it ensures both security and efficient network performance. 

In short, SD-WAN focuses on optimizing network connections across various locations, while SASE adds an extra layer of security, making it more suitable for businesses with remote teams or high security needs. 

Do you ever wonder why some video calls lag, even on high-speed internet? 

It’s not just about bandwidth – there’s also latency to consider.  

Bandwidth is the maximum data you can send/receive per second. 

Latency is how quickly one piece of goes out to the internet and returns to your device.  

Think of it like a water pipe in a loop. The diameter of the pipe is like the bandwidth, with a bigger pipe, the more water can flow at a given time. Latency is how long it takes for a single drop of the water to start at the beginning of the loop and return. 

High latency is usually what causes the stuttering of live video and voice calls. High latency is usually a result of your local network rather than how much bandwidth you pay for.  

What can I do? 

1. Distance matters. Make sure your devices are either on a wired connection or are close to your WiFi network radio. 
2. Look for data hogs. When devices are sending and receiving a lot of data, it can congest your local network & increase latency. Most modern firewalls/routers have dashboards that can display data consumption broken down by host.
3. Tweak your setup. Look for “Quality of Service” or QOS settings on your networking equipment and modify those to prioritize the traffic that is most important for your setup. 

A second circuit can be valuable if your business relies heavily on internet connectivity for essential operations. It provides redundancy, so if your primary connection goes down, the backup keeps your business running with minimal disruption. This is crucial for companies with high uptime needs, such as those using cloud applications, remote work, or constant client communication. Additionally, a second circuit can help with load balancing, improving overall network performance. As your business grows, your internet needs might increase, and a second circuit can handle this growth without slowing things down. If network reliability and consistent performance are top priorities, then a second circuit is worth considering. 

Yes, wireless can be a good backup option, especially for businesses that need a cost-effective and flexible solution. Wireless backup, such as 4G or 5G, offers several benefits: 

• Redundancy with Separate Infrastructure: Wireless backup runs on a different network infrastructure than wired internet. If your primary connection goes down due to cable issues or ISP problems, the wireless backup can keep you connected. 

• Quick Activation: Wireless solutions are generally fast to set up, making them an ideal backup for businesses that need minimal downtime. 

• Cost-Effective: Wireless backup options are often more affordable than installing a second wired connection, especially if the backup is only used during outages. 

• Reliable Speeds: With advancements in 4G and 5G, wireless backup provides solid speeds that can handle essential tasks like email, VoIP, and cloud applications during short-term outages. 

• Flexible and Scalable: Wireless backup, especially with LTE or 5G, offers flexibility to easily adjust bandwidth based on business needs, deploy quickly in new locations, and support mobile or remote operations without the constraints of wired infrastructure. 

Wireless backup solutions provide reliable, cost-effective connectivity that supports business continuity with the added flexibility to adapt as your needs change. 

Restricting internet access to business-critical technologies reduces your attack surface, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access, malware infections, and data breaches. By limiting exposure to potential cyber threats from the internet, you protect sensitive data and critical systems.

This practice aligns with compliance frameworks like NIST CSF and CIS Controls, which emphasize controlling internet-facing services as a key strategy to reduce cyber risks.

Symmetrical and asymmetrical internet speeds differ significantly in their upload and download capabilities. Symmetrical internet provides equal download and upload speeds, which is ideal for businesses that rely on video conferencing, cloud services, and transferring large files. On the other hand, asymmetrical internet has higher download speeds than upload speeds, often at a lower cost, but it might struggle with tasks that require substantial uploading.

Business Fiber, also known as Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), is a fiber connection that reserves bandwidth exclusively for one business location rather than sharing it with neighboring businesses. It includes guaranteed symmetrical speeds and a service level agreement (SLA).

Fixed Wireless uses a point-to-point radio link between a nearby tower and a receiver installed at your location. 4G/5G runs over the public cellular network instead, which means it doesn’t require line of sight to a tower and can be deployed almost anywhere there is cellular coverage.

Both Fixed Wireless and 4G/5G are commonly used as backup connections, since both install quickly and run independently of a primary fiber or cable line. 4G/5G additionally continues functioning if a physical line, such as fiber or cable, is cut or damaged, since it does not rely on wired infrastructure at all.