Today, no business in the US can operate without internet connectivity. It is not just used to communicate with customers, vendors and partners. Most companies also use the cloud to access both data and software, so it is no exaggeration to say that business would grind to a halt without access to the internet.
In other words, reliable and consistent internet service is just as important as other basic utilities like water and electricity from a business continuity perspective. There are more than 200 internet service providers across the US.
Choosing the right one is not just a matter of balancing cost against speed, important though both of these factors are. But there are other considerations that come into play, too. Let’s find out more.
Geographic restrictions in the choice of US ISPs.
Some ISPs are only available in certain parts of the US. For example, Xfinity is one of the top five ISPs in the US but is only available to 35 percent of Americans. So as the map in the link shows, if your business is based in, for example, Miami or Chicago, Xfinity will almost certainly be on your shortlist. But if you are in Fargo or Oklahoma City, you will have to consider other options.
It is also worth noting that your location dictates the type of internet that is available. In the example we gave above, fiber internet is gradually rolling out, and is currently available to about two percent of the US population.
Price is always an important factor
Every purchasing decision needs to take cost into account. So while no business should simply opt for the cheapest option out of hand, the cost will certainly be an influencing factor when choosing between ISPs.
For large established businesses, a few dollars here or there on the monthly tariff are unlikely to be material. But for a small business or a startup, every dollar can count.
If you operate a small business with only a handful of people and devices demanding connectivity, it might be more cost-effective to take out a residential plan. You can always upgrade it to a business plan later if your needs increase.
Internet speed directly influences productivity and morale
Since the earliest days of dial-up internet, connectivity speed has been a critical measure. As speed has increased over the years, so our needs and expectations have also gone up as we do more online, from running remote servers to conducting multiple video conferences at the same time.
A slow internet connection will directly affect your business’s ability to perform. It can constrain productivity, reduce communication and affect access to applications. As well as damaging productivity, it frustrates employees who only want to do a good job. Conversely, fast internet reduces stress and opens up opportunities to work better and more efficiently.
As we saw on the map earlier, internet speed can vary significantly according to where you are in the US and whether you use cable or fiber. Understanding what is a “good” internet speed is also a challenge, as it varies according to each business. It is also a metric that tends to change over time as our digital demands increase, with our growing reliance on AI applications and services.
But duly caveated, Business.com’s Stella Morrison wrote last year that the average business needs a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 3 Mbps. This is to conduct basic everyday tasks such as emailing, videoconferencing, using cloud-based services and exchanging files, so is a good start point to work from.
Reliability and consistency are key
When looking at those internet speeds, it is important to check the wording. Look at average speeds and be cautious of vague phrases such as “up to”, which could mean anything. Assessing the reliability and consistency of the ISP means using traditional methods.
Speak to other business owners to get recommendations and check the online reviews. Always look at third party sites, such as Google and TrustPilot, where you can be more confident that the reviews are genuine.
Last but not least, take data security seriously
A data security breach is even more serious than a physical break in. Customers and stakeholders tend to be less forgiving when a business is hit by a cybersecurity attack, and the damage to reputation can be significant. Just look at the Target breach, which people are still talking about today, even though it happened more than 10 years ago. Equifax is another example of a business that lost a lot of public trust through a data breach in 2017.
Data from the Identity Theft Resource Center reveals that almost three quarters of US small businesses experience some kind of cyber-attack, so the risk is real. Make sure the ISP you choose takes security deadly seriously and focuses first and foremost on security. This will ensure you have a good baseline, and you can then cover any business specific vulnerabilities with your own cybersecurity measures.
