When you own a business, the internet is an essential component. Unlike years past, businesses depend on the web to buy and sell items, perform customer service tasks, communicate with clients, and much more. Therefore, connecting your business to the fiber optics network will help you to better serve your customers.
Choose the Right Company
Before you can connect your business to the fiber optics network, you should spend some time researching companies. Find one that is both affordable and reliable, and make sure the customer service team is available to help when you have issues. Check consumer reviews and ask around to learn which companies other business owners trust.
Dedicated or Shared Fiber Internet
Before you connect your business to the fiber optics network, you must decide if you want dedicated fiber or shared fiber. While dedicated is more expensive, you will be the only business using the network. Dedicated networks often include service level guarantees.
Shared fiber internet is just as it sounds. Your business will share a connection with other businesses in your building or surrounding areas of your city. Although you will still enjoy the high speeds that you would expect from fiber optic internet, you may experience lower levels during peak hours. However, the cost of a shared network is much cheaper than paying for dedicated service.
Installation
If you opt for a shared network, there likely won’t be much along the lines of installation, because the cables will already be in place. However, if there are no nearby networks, you will need to have the cables buried. This process takes a specific type of technology called microtrenching. Professionals will utilize microtrenching equipment to dig trenches that are so small they do not cause excessive disruption to their surroundings. This also ensures the cables are buried deep enough to prevent them from resurfacing and causing damage to surrounding roads and other structures.
Equipment
Once you have chosen your company and network type, you will need to decide whether you prefer to rent or buy the equipment such as routers and modems. Renting will provide a cheaper up-front cost, but you will pay more over time. This is because you will owe a certain amount each month for using the equipment, but you will not be allowed to keep it once your relationship with the company ends.
Buying, on the other hand, will require an upfront deposit to pay for the equipment, but you will not be paying a monthly rental fee. Additionally, when your relationship with the company ceases, you get to keep the equipment, and you will be free to do with it as you please.
Fiber optic networks offer the highest internet speeds available. Before you can connect your business to a network, however, there are some things you must do and choices you must make. Once that is finished, you will be on your way to improving your business and better serving your customers.