Let’s face it, the Internet is absolutely everywhere, and most likely contributes to your success. That means it is important that your business’ Internet connection meets the requirements of your operations, starting with its bandwidth. Let’s go over what bandwidth actually is, and how to make the most of your Internet service.
Bandwidth is, In Essence, a Network’s Speed Limit
Your network’s entire function is to send and receive data, both to and from external sources and between internal hardware. Bandwidth is simply the measure of how much data can be sent at once—the more bandwidth you have, the more data can be transferred at once, which translates to a faster connection.
This is measured in seconds, which is why internet service providers will describe bandwidth in terms of megabits per second, or Mbps.
A quick word of caution: megabits (Mb) and megabytes (MB) can be easily confused, even though they measure different quantities and therefore don’t align perfectly. A transfer of one MB/s equals approximately 8 Mbps. This can be confusing, so remember that it is more helpful to seek out Mbps rather than MB.
Luckily, most ISPs use megabits to advertise their available Internet packages, but on the flip side, megabits aren’t the be-all, end-all measurement that will determine your bandwidth. Other variables contribute, too, including your location and the location of your ISP’s data centers, the kind of connection you’re using, and the hardware you have to build up your network. You can evaluate how much speed your connection provides using online speed testers. Google provides one, but we’ll often recommend visiting speedtest.net and using the one there.
Why You Need to Pay Attention to Your Bandwidth Limits
Depending on your business’ processes, down to each user’s role, your bandwidth needs can vary wildly. Most users will need relatively little. Simple applications and web browsers don’t take up much, generally speaking. However, streaming media or pulling intensive cloud resources can easily eat up bandwidth and impact an SMB’s ability to operate.
This is why we always recommend opting for an enterprise-grade option to avoid hitting the ceiling in all but the most turbulent times.
If you’re currently reaching your max and want to upgrade, there are a few routes you can take. Purchasing a new router and/or changing its location in your office, electing to use wired connections, and the like can help your business to an extent. At some point, however, your best option will be to either upgrade or switch your ISP to secure higher network speeds. We can help.
For any necessary adjustments to your business technology, Lantek is here for you! Our fully managed IT support services are available to the organizations of Pennsylvania. Give us a call at (610) 683-6883 to learn more about what these services offer.