When you click on your computer and access the internet, it is often done without thinking about the connection or the connection speed. Most business owners look to their managed service providers to help make these decisions, however it is still important that you know the different types of connections and what makes them better than other choices.

 Dial Up Service

Dial up uses standard telephone lines and conventional modems. In a residential setting, dial up is one of the most common types of service; however it is very slow and may not be adequate in a business setting. Because it has been relegated to basically those who do not have other options for faster internet connections, it tends to be the lowest cost. Advantages: It is a common and easy to use technology and available in most areas. Disadvantages: It is slow and does not support information that requires higher connection speeds, including some music files and videos.

T1, T2, T3 and T4 Lines

 Large corporations have been using these types of high speed lines by renting them from the telephone companies.

Advantages: These lines do support digital communications, do not require conventional modems and allow for high capacity. A T1 line, for example, can be up to 26 times as fast as a conventional modem.

Disadvantages: These are expensive, even in the commercial setting.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

 DSL uses the existing telephone lines to provide high speed connections. The most widely used DSL is the asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL).

Advantages: DSL is common and does not require additional equipment or complicated configurations. It is a lower cost option for high speed connection.

Disadvantages: It is not always available in all areas of the country.

Cable Modems

Cable modems use existing television cables to provide high speed connections that are comparable in speed to the T1 or the DSL connection, however these allow for a much lower cost. Typically used in residential settings, these are a common connection type with nearly 90% of the homes in America having at least one cable provider offered to them.

Advantages: Common connection type with high speeds and lowered costs. Disadvantages: Typically used in residential rather than commercial settings! May not be offered in all situations, with some cable companies not support the modems.

 Satellite/ Air Connection Services

Not quite as fast as DSL or others, but not quite as slow as a dial up connection, satellite connections were once limited to one direction only (downlink), but have since improved to provide two way service.

Advantages: Faster than a dial up connection with about seven times as much speed. Disadvantages: Slower than DSL and cable modem connections. May not be reliable for business use.

 Cellular Service

For many businesses, the ability to continue doing work on the run is important. Once upon a time, a business person had to bring along a laptop to continue working outside of the office, but with the 3G cellular networks, the work can be accomplished with the appropriately enabled devices including smart phones and others.

Advantages: Able to continue working from small, hand-held devices without having to stop and look for Wi-Fi areas.

Disadvantages: Limited coverage, especially for certain networks. Some phones have faster speeds simply because they have higher memories installed in them. Download time is much faster than upload time (700 Kbps vs. 50 Kbps). The data plan for these smart phones and other devices can be very expensive and is in addition to voice plans in nearly all cases.