A Checklist For Dedicated Internet Access
Dedicated internet access is an internet connection delivered to a customer via Ethernet. It is a private connection in that the customer does not share with others. Though it comes at premium charges, its high speed and business-grade features make the costs worth compared to shared internet connections. It is best for companies that handle large data volumes or requires constant and uninterrupted web connections.
If you are thinking of installing dedicated internet access for your business, you must consider a few factors. Here is a precise checklist of the things to consider when choosing your internet provider.
Things to Consider When Choosing Internet Provider
1. Your Bandwidth Requirements
It would help if you defined your bandwidth needs before going into the market to source for the internet. Knowing what you need enables you to avoid overestimation or underestimation, as both cases can be costly. Dedicated internet access offers speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 1000Mbps. The bandwidths determine the dedicated internet pricing.
Overestimating
It occurs when you buy a larger bandwidth than you need; for instance, paying for 1Gbps when all you need is 500Mbps. In this case, your business ends up paying unnecessary costs for the internet you do not use.
Underestimating
Your internet costs can increase due to business inefficiencies from a clogged network. If you underestimate and realize the mistake post-installation, you will need to upgrade your bandwidth with your provider, which comes at an additional cost.
2. Service Level Agreement Requirements
SLA contract with your internet service provider guarantees 99% plus uptime and your circuit connection quality. It also indicates the mean time to respond in case of a problem. Please note that no matter how high your SLA % will be, internet downtime is inevitable at some point. It would be best to go for a provider that offers compensation in case SLA is broken, resulting in internet downtime. The compensation comes in terms of internet credits, a significant distinguishing factor among dedicated internet access providers.
3. Any Additional Features
Each internet device has an individual IP address. Many business applications require static IP addresses in blocks (dash 28 or /280. The name corresponds to the number of usable IPs in the block. Before starting a discussion with your provider, you need to know the number of usable IPs you require for your business. Also, some carriers need justification for /27 or a more significant request.
4. The Contract Length
Dedicated internet access services come in annual or multi-annual contracts; all have monthly billing, with 36 months being standard. Knowing the contract length, you are comfortable with before applying for DIA is crucial. Generally, the longer the contract term, the better the monthly billing. Many carrier charges reduce as you increase your contract up to 60 months.
Therefore, if you are a new business, starting with a three-year term would be best as you go higher with time. It will help you avoid unnecessary contract cancellation in case your startup does not last up to five years.
5. The Time of Installation
Before approaching a DIA provider, you must know when you want them to install your internet, knowing that install interval slips are common. On-net DIA circuit has a standard installation interval of 15 to 45 days. The installation interval for off-net circuits is 60 to 120 days. The off-net interval is sometimes unpredictable as most carriers are not doing due diligence on what the installation will take after signing the order. You can have a faster installation, but it might cost you an expedite fee.
After knowing what you want with your dedicated internet access, you have to filter the multiple providers and choose the best. It helps to shop around and compare prices before settling for any provider.
To Wrap Up
Dedicated internet access comes in handy for both businesses as well as individuals. The above factors will act as a road map if you are considering having one.
