The global market size for broadband services accounted for $330 billion last year. Growth in this industry is expected to skyrocket in the foreseeable future as industries continue to rely on broadband services for their day-to-day operations.
The growing demand for business phone and internet services is largely due to the expanding online commerce market. Increasing e-government initiatives and digitalization of medical records further contribute to the need for reliable internet and phone services.
Thankfully, there has been a proliferation of business phone and internet providers to meet the exploding demand for these services. Of course, not all of these service providers are equal. Forward-thinking businesses need to identify a service provider that meets their unique needs.
So, what should you be looking for in a business phone and internet service provider? What are your best options for business phone and internet providers?
If you are asking yourself these questions, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more.
How to Pick Phone and Internet Provider
What separates a great phone and internet services for business from the rest? Check for these qualities for top telecoms and ISPs.
Availability
Availability is the most important factor when your business is located in rural areas. Even if a provider is renowned for blazing-speed fiber connection or cable, they will do you no good if they don’t service your area. That is why you need to find out whether your potential phone and internet service provider is available in your region before working with them.
Speed
In today’s fast-paced marketplace, it is vital that your phone and internet service provider guarantee high-speed connection, so there is no disruption of your daily use. It is the reason why, for many clients, speed is the deciding factor when choosing an ISP. You want the fastest internet connection you can get in the area.
Cost
Before choosing a phone and internet service provider for you, it is essential to balance between the speed you need and the price your ISP will charge for it. If you own a small business that you run out of your home office, then paying a thousand dollars every month for a dedicated fiber connection may not make sense.
For larger businesses with dozens of employees, the price isn’t an issue as long as speed and reliability are guaranteed.
Type of Connection
The connection type you use has a huge influence on how fast or slow your internet seems. Generally, satellite internet seems slow because of the distance it travels out to space and back to you. Other connections, including fiber and 4G-LTE, have much more latency. 5G is now a major consideration as well.
Reliability
Reliability is a massive factor when choosing your phone and internet service provider. For instance, if you are getting a free 800 number, it is vital that the number work perfectly at all times. Any issues with your phone and internet can be counterproductive and stressful.
To avoid risking phone and internet interruptions, insist on a service level agreement (SLA) from your ISP. An SLA specifically states how reliable your internet connection should be.
Top Business Phone and Internet Providers
Now that we have seen what factors you need to prioritize when choosing a phone and internet service providers for your company, it is time to highlight a few options worth checking out.
Verizon
Verizon is arguably among the best high-speed internet services for businesses at the moment. The service provider does have several business DSL plans. However, it is Verizon’s fiber plans that are truly unbeatable. These plans, which go by the name Fios, provide near-gigabit internet connections.
Fios can offer you download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. Upload speeds go up to an impressive 900 Mbps. These speeds are lightning-fast by the current standards.
Another quality that sets Verizon apart from other ISPs is their exceptional customer service. The internet service provider has, in the past, been rated as the top ISP in terms of customer satisfaction among SMEs.
Frontier
For businesses interested in budget-friendly phone and internet plans, Frontier is among the best picks out there. This internet service provider offers you a suite of fast business internet plans that won’t break the bank.
Recently, Frontier purchased certain Fios networks from Verizon. This move gives Frontier the ability to offer high-speed fiber plans across the country. Frontier also has a DSL plan for those interested.
Frontier’s VoIP service, AnyWhere, provides an integrated voice system solution for companies that don’t want landline connections. The service provider offers a flat rate fee for all its high-speed plans. The fiber plans include free installation, which saves you some of the upfront costs.
But just be careful with the financial stability of Frontier due to the recent bankruptcy issues.
AT&T
If your top concern is pure speed, then AT&T is your best option. This ISP offers gigabit upload and download speeds in its fiber plans, which few ISPs can beat.
AT&T DSL plans are also unbelievably fast. You can get a DSL plan with a staggering 500 Mbps download speed, which is more than enough if you run a small business. If there isn’t fiber in your area, you can still enjoy a top-speed plan with AT&T’s DSL.
Of course, this pure internet speed comes at a cost. Expect to pay at least $650 monthly for its premium plan.
Comcast
Few ISPs can come close to Comcast in terms of reliability. This high-speed business internet service provider offers an uptime guarantee of 99.998 percent.
Why should you care for such a guarantee? Because high uptime means low downtime. Once you choose Comcast, you can be sure that your internet will remain up and running almost 100% of the time all year round.
Comcast offers Gigabit speed plans that are competitively priced. It also comes with free installation, and there is a trial period of up to 30 days.
Choose the Best Phone and Internet Provider for You
When it comes to the phone and internet connectivity of your home, it is vital to choose a service provider you can trust. Always look for business phone and internet providers who are available, reliable, and affordable.
Also look into additional top options like Charter Spectrum, Cox, Telus, and Centurylink if you need other choices for leading local business phone and internet providers.
Would you like to read more about the best phone and internet services for your business? Please keep visiting our blog for more telecom tips and internet insights.
