What Broadband Speed Does My Business Need?

Businesses generally need broadband speeds between 30 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps, depending on the size of the company.

But how much internet speed does your business really need? In this article, we provide useful tips regarding business internet speeds to help you determine the ideal speed for your business!

Understanding the Different Types of Broadband Speeds

Internet speed is typically measured in Mbps (megabits per second). You may have heard of the terms standard, superfast, and ultrafast broadband, but what do they actually mean?

Standard broadband speed

Standard or ‘normal’ broadband typically has a maximum speed of 30 Mbps. While this may be suitable for small offices, it is not usually sufficient for large companies.

Superfast broadband speed

Superfast broadband is a great choice for medium-sized companies, offering speeds of up to approximately 100 Mbps.

Ultrafast broadband speed

Most large companies opt for ultrafast broadband, which provides speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

What Are the Different Types of Business Broadbands?

There are a few different types of internet connections available when choosing your broadband package. Different packages provide various minimum and maximum speeds.

Fibre

Fibre optic cables provide one of the most popular and fastest types of business broadband available. Fibre internet offers speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, depending on the broadband provider. Unfortunately, fibre internet is typically only available in urban settings (for now).

DSL

DSL (digital subscriber line) uses telephone lines’ voice frequency to send and receive internet data. This type of internet connection is not as popular as it used to be as it only offers speeds of up to around 20 Mbps.

Satellite

Satellite internet, which sends and receives data via satellites, is often used by businesses in rural settings, where fibre is not always available. Typically, satellite internet offers speeds between 25 Mbps and 150 Mbps.

Cable

Popular amongst small businesses, cable internet uses the same infrastructure as cable television. While upload speeds typically only reach around 50 Mbps, you can expect impressive download speeds of roughly 500 Mbps.

Determining the Business Internet Speed You Need

Consider the following factors to help you get a realistic idea of the business broadband speed you require.

Number of devices connected to the internet

The more devices you have connected to the internet simultaneously, the slower your internet speed will become.

Most routers come with a QoS setting that helps minimise this issue and prioritises certain internet activities over others. However, if you are a large company with many employees, it is well worth investing in top-speed internet to streamline your operations.

Traditional phone systems are cumbersome because they require additional onsite hardware and equipment. If your space is limited, you will benefit immensely from switching to a mobile device connected to the cloud.

What do you use the internet for?

The type of online activities you use the internet for is one of the biggest factors to consider when determining your internet speed requirements. While things like emails and basic web browsing don’t require ultrafast broadband, things like video conferencing do.

The online activities that require fast internet speeds include:

• Video calls

• Video streaming

• Downloading and uploading large files

If you and your employees participate in any of the above activities regularly, you’ll need a faster connection. Many companies have rules in place which bar employees from playing online games and streaming videos unnecessarily to ensure internet speeds aren’t slowed down.

Do you foresee rapid business growth within the next few years? One of the best things about cloud-based phone systems is that they’re completely scalable. These systems can easily grow with your business, and services can be modified to meet your changing needs.

The layout of your business

If you have large, sprawling business premises, you will likely need boosters to extend the signal of your internet. Keep in mind that you will experience the fastest speeds when you are plugged directly into the router.

When you are just a few rooms away from the router, you can expect to experience around a third of the internet speed that you would if you were plugged in.

Your budget

In most cases, the faster your business broadband speed, the more expensive your internet package is. While businesses should avoid spending more than they need to on utilities (including connectivity), internet speed is not something you want to compromise.

No matter your budget, find a business broadband package that aligns with your needs. Just be wary of opting for the cheapest option as it’s unlikely that it will give you the speed you need unless you are a very small business.

What Are the Benefits of Faster Broadband Speeds

Are fast business broadband speeds really that important? Let’s have a look at a few of the major benefits so you can decide for yourself.

Streamlined business processes

You’ll find that the vast majority of your business’s day-to-day tasks require an internet connection. With good broadband speed, you can use the internet with ease and won’t need to wait for pages to load and videos to buffer. This can save your employees time and streamline your operations.

Better-quality video calls

These days, most modern businesses use video conferencing on a weekly – if not daily – basis. If you want to enjoy enhanced video and sound quality during your calls, you will need a decent internet package.

Upload and download large files with ease

No matter what industry you’re in, your business will need to download and upload files from time to time. There is nothing more annoying than having to wait hours to receive and/or send files because of slow internet speeds.

Are You Ready to Enjoy Faster Broadband Speeds?

A fast broadband speed is essential if you want to keep up with your competitors and enjoy streamlined business processes. Here at MID Digital Solutions, we offer a variety of business broadband packages that allow you to enjoy higher speeds. Get in touch today to learn more about our extensive broadband services.

FAQs

What is the difference between upload speed and download speed?

Download speed refers to the rate at which information is transferred from the internet to your PC. Upload speed refers to the rate at which information is transferred from your digital devices to the internet.

How do I test my broadband speed?

You can conduct a broadband speed test by using a free online speed checker. Plenty of websites provide this tool, including Google. If your broadband speed is lower than it should be, you should get in touch with your internet provider.

What is the average speed of broadband in the UK?

The average download speed of broadband in the UK is roughly 70 Mbps. However, average internet speeds are increasing at a rate of around 17% per year.

Final Thoughts

By now, you should have a clearer idea about internet speeds and what sort of broadband connection you require. If you’re still unsure about what broadband package is best suited to your business, it’s a good idea to speak to internet experts who can offer their professional advice.

If you find that you’re constantly dealing with connectivity issues and slow broadband speed, it may be time to upgrade your package or switch broadband providers.