How to Choose the Right Internet Plan for Your Company
Introduction
The Internet is currently one of the main pillars of any company's operation. Cloud systems, customer service, online sales, internal communication, and even payment methods depend directly on a stable and efficient connection. Choosing the wrong Internet plan can lead to slowness, frequent outages, and operational losses. Therefore, this decision must be strategic.
Understand the Company's Real Needs
The first step is to map out how the Internet is used daily:
- How many employees use the connection simultaneously?
- Does the company use cloud systems, ERPs, or CRMs?
- Is there frequent use of video conferences (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet)?
- Is there a frequent exchange of large files or cloud backups?
- Are there critical services, such as servers, VPNs, or IP cameras?
The greater the dependence on the Internet for the operation, the higher the quality and reliability of the contracted plan should be.
Speed Isn't Just About Download
Many companies choose a plan by looking only at the download speed, but this is a common mistake. In corporate environments, upload is just as important as download.
- Video conferences require good upload speeds.
- Sending files, backups, and remote access depend directly on it.
- Cloud systems use constant back-and-forth communication.
Give preference to plans with symmetric speeds (equal download and upload), especially if your company works with the cloud or remote access.
The Type of Connection Makes a Difference
Not all Internet is equal. Evaluate the available options:
- Business Fiber Optics: The best option in terms of stability, speed, and low latency.
- Dedicated Internet (Dedicated Link): Ideal for companies that cannot afford to go offline. It features guaranteed bandwidth and an SLA.
- Radio or 4G/5G: Can be an alternative in locations without fiber, but usually less stable.
For businesses, whenever possible, avoid residential plans.
Check the SLA and Technical Support
SLA (Service Level Agreement) defines response times and connection availability. For corporate environments, this is fundamental.
Evaluate:
- Maximum time for failure resolution.
- 24/7 support versus business hours only.
- Direct channel with specialized technical support.
A cheap plan without an SLA can be costly in the event of downtime.
Static IP and Additional Features
Depending on the type of business, some features are indispensable:
- Static IP: Necessary for servers, VPNs, remote access, and security systems.
- Firewall and Security: Protection against attacks and unauthorized access.
- Redundancy: Two Internet links from different providers to avoid downtime.
These items increase the reliability of the operation.
Think About Company Growth
Choose a plan that allows for scalability. If the company grows, hires new employees, or adopts new systems, the Internet needs to keep up with this evolution without the need for an immediate contract change.
Compare Cost-Benefit, Not Just Price
The cheapest plan is not always the best. Evaluate the whole package:
- Stability.
- Real delivered speed.
- Quality of support.
- SLA.
- Included features.
Corporate Internet is an investment, not a cost.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Internet plan for your company is a strategic decision that directly impacts productivity, security, and the quality of services provided. Evaluating real needs, understanding the connection type, demanding an SLA, and planning for business growth are essential steps to making the right choice.