Having a fit-for-purpose internet connection has become one of the most important elements for any modern business — whether it’s a small business running from home or a multinational company in the CBD.
There are several different options available for businesses to choose from when it comes to connectivity. Business fibre and fixed wireless/microwave can both be reasonable choices – but that heavily depends on your requirements. LTE/mobile wireless connections are not good options for businesses, but we’ll still cover those below. It can be overwhelming seeing all of these different types of internet connections and having to decide which one your business will take on board.
Not to worry though, in this article, we will compare the three options and help you determine which one is right for your business. Whichever option you choose, Centracom is your perfect connectivity partner, and here’s why.
Business Fibre
Business fibre is the most reliable and high-performance option for businesses. Fibre optic cables are made of glass or plastic and transmit data through light signals, making them immune to electromagnetic interference and capable of providing faster speeds and higher capacity than other options.
Fibre also offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, low latency, and guaranteed service uptime and reliability through SLAs. With dedicated support and maintenance teams, fibre providers ensure that any issues are quickly resolved.
Business fibre might still be relatively new to the market, but it has quickly become one of the most popular options for all businesses. Nevertheless, there are still some downsides to business fibre.
The initial cost of installation for business fibre can be higher than other connectivity options, especially if fibre cabling needs to be laid to connect your business.
Here’s a quick tip: Fibre can be pricey, but if you use Centracom’s Pindrop tool you can find the best readily available business fibre deals for you. All you need to do is enter your address, and one of our 50 network partners can give you an excellent deal.
Additionally, fibre networks may not be as widely available in some areas, which could limit your options or require additional infrastructure investments to be made. In South Africa specifically, some outlying areas are still waiting for fibre infrastructure to be installed — once again, our Pindrop tool helps businesses to assess whether fibre is available in their area.
Fixed Wireless/Microwave
Fixed wireless/microwave uses radio waves to transmit data between two fixed points, such as a business and a tower. This option is ideal for businesses located in rural areas where fibre optic cables are not available.
This also makes the fixed wireless/microwave option more affordable than the fibre optic option. There is no need for additional infrastructure to be installed or pricey equipment to be rented from the ISP.
However, fixed wireless/microwave is susceptible to interference from weather conditions, foliage, and other obstacles, which can lead to slower speeds, reduced capacity, and intermittent connectivity. It also typically has limited upload speeds, higher latency, and fewer guarantees on service uptime and reliability.
LTE/Mobile Wireless
LTE/mobile wireless uses cellular networks to transmit data to mobile devices or hotspots. This option is not ideal for any businesses, but it can be effective for those that require mobile connectivity or have employees who work remotely. For example if you have a team that installs WiFi routers in residential areas. An internet connection is needed, but the employees need to take the internet with them to an installation in this scenario.
This internet connection should only be considered if you don’t have a fixed office and need to move around often. It can be cheaper than the other two options and it’s also more flexible without having to be installed in a specific area.
The downside of LTE/mobile wireless typically offers much slower speeds, lower capacity, and higher latency than fixed options. It also has limited coverage in some areas, and the performance can be affected by network congestion.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, business fibre is the most reliable and high-performance option for businesses. While fixed wireless/microwave and LTE/mobile wireless can be useful in certain situations, they have inherent technical downsides compared to reliable, future-proof fibre. If your business requires a stable and fast internet connection, it’s important to consider business fibre. Whichever option your business is considering, Centracom’s expertise, Pindrop tool, and extensive network of partners can help you to find the connectivity solution that best fits your business needs.
