Let's start by stating the obvious: the internet has transformed how we do business. Just think how many daily tasks rely on the internet – especially with the rise of cloud services.

All businesses need an internet connection robust enough to support what they do. But there's a lot of variation in those needs, and an almost overwhelming array of choice. So today, I intend to demystify this essential technology. First, let's look at why your choice matters.

Getting the right connection

Every business is different. First and foremost, there's your budget to consider. Different connections vary significantly in price. Second, there's the question of what you do, and the bandwidth and speeds that demands.

There are two pitfalls here. On the one hand, you could overpay for far more spec than you need. This is the equivalent of doing the school run in a Lamborghini. At the other extreme, you could end up with a connection that doesn't support what you do. This is like taking a Robin Reliant around Goodwood.

Neither option is good. If your connection's too slow, the inefficiency counteracts any cost savings you made on the connection. Meanwhile, paying too much for specs you don't need is just a waste.

It's easy to end up at one of these extremes, and many businesses do. Why? Either they rush in and make a choice without expert advice, or the advice they get isn't up to scratch.

This is a sector that's awash with jargon, and there are so many options available. It's easy to get overwhelmed, and I like to see businesses get it right! With that in mind, I'll explain five of the most common methods of connectivity. But first, let's bust a few key bits of jargon!

A quick jargon-buster

PSTN: PSTN lines are copper cables provided by networks like BT. They used to make up the bulk of Britain's telecoms and internet infrastructure, but BT is phasing them out. There should be none left by 2025.

Fibre: Fibreoptic cables are the replacement for PSTN. You'll no doubt have seen countless ads for fibre broadband. BT and other networks are rolling these out across the country. They send data much faster than PSTN.

Contended/Uncontended Connections: With a contended connection, you are sharing a line with other properties. This can choke your speeds at peak times. An uncontended connection is all yours, so bandwidth is shared between users on your business network. This means speeds are less likely to drop.

Five common connections and how they work

ADSL: ADSL is a low-cost, basic broadband connection that requires a PSTN line. It's a contended connection, so it will slow down at peak times. The plus side is that it's inexpensive. But it's not futureproof, since PSTN lines are being decommissioned.

FTTC: FTTC stands for fibre to the cabinet. A fibreoptic cable runs from the exchange to the cabinet (those green roadside boxes you see every day!) Then, it's PSTN from there to your business. This is a contended connection, but the fibre cable makes it a big upgrade on ADSL. However, as with ADSL, the PSTN line means it isn't futureproof.

SoGEA: This stands for "single order generic ethernet access". It's essentially a replacement for FTTC as PSTN is phased out. With SoGEA, there's no phone line. This means it tends to cost less than FTTC. You can get both contended and uncontended services with SoGEA.

FTTP: This stands for fibre-to-the-premises, and it's a step up from FTTC. Why? Because it's a full-fibre connection, with no copper PSTN lines at all. Although it's a contended connection, this makes top speeds much faster than FTTC. It's not currently available everywhere.

Leased line: This is pretty much the peak. Leased lines are private Ethernet connections. They are uncontended, so they won't slow down at peak times. You get guaranteed speeds and bandwidths, and a highly secure connection. Leased lines are expensive – but there's just about nothing better for data-hungry businesses.

Final thoughts

Choosing an internet connection is so important to get right, and so easy to get wrong. I hope this is a useful overview, but if I have one take-home it's this: your provider makes all the difference.

At Pure Cloud, we take pride in finding the best solution for every single customer. And as a Midlands business, we know the area and what's available. If you want a better connection for your business, get in touch.

By Jamie Lake, CEO, Pure Cloud Solutions

https://www.purecloudsolutions.co.uk/contact-us/