Today’s modern successful businesses require a high-speed, dedicated Internet connection. Depending on the size of your office, that can range from a standard T1 connection up to a Bonded T3 or Ethernet connection.
As far as Internet access goes, Direct Internet Access (DIA) connections are hands-down the best and most reliable options available. The name itself says everything you need to know about the service – it’s a dedicated line designed to serve your office’s communications needs without having to rely on sub-par performance delivered by DSL or wireless broadband. This is because you’re connected directly to your ISP’s core network infrastructure, ensuring that you receive only the best in terms of performance and bandwidth scalability that you can get for your money.
T1 connections are ideal for smaller and start-up businesses. T1 lines provide 24 channels for voice and data, and offer transmission speeds of 1.54MB per second. If you’re company depends on mild Internet surfing and less than 24 phone lines to get by, a standard T1 connection will work; however, if you’re looking for an even faster connection, go beyond a T1 with an NxT1 option.
For the heavy hitters that rely profoundly on the Internet, a DS-3 dedicated connection provides speeds of 45Mb per second. Higher speed requirements will mean that you need to get a synchronous optical networking (SONET) line, reaching speeds of up to 2488Mb per second.
You can also have an Ethernet system installed. These DIA solutions offer speeds similar to a digitally multiplexed system, and can be equally dependable. You can choose from a standard Ethernet connection, up to a 10 Gigabit Ethernet system that will let you channel record speeds of 1000Mb per second.
Do you need a DIA?
Here are several things you should ask yourself before looking through the available DIA products:
- Are you running a business that relies heavily on streaming media?
- Do you host your own unique servers?
- Would you like to streamline your inner and outer office transmissions?
- Do you rely on internal communication applications such as e-mail and web-based programs?
- Are you interested in creating a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
- Does your business deal in e-commerce services?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you will likely benefit from a DIA setup. Take a look around, you’re sure to find the best service for your business.
