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Insights for Business VoIP – Cable Internet Speed and Reliability
I believe one of the foundations for a successful implementation with Business VoIP is reliable internet service. Each business has several different choices for internet service which have positives and negatives associated to each one. Over the next several blog posts, let’s review the choices for internet services while highlighting speed and reliability. This post will review cable companies and their offerings.
Cable – These are high-speed options provided by the local cable company. Cable companies typically provide these options both with a coax (the same black cable in your house) or fiber product directly built to your building.
Speeds – Coax speeds can reach up to a 100 Meg and Fiber speeds can reach 1 Gig.
Reliability – With the coax products you get two different speeds (upload and download) for your internet service. You also get a “best effort” contract which means they will do everything possible to provide you the best internet service possible. (Basically no refund for downtime) With the cable company’s fiber products you get the same bi-directional speeds (both upload and download) which are guaranteed at 99.999% uptime. (You can ask for a refund)
Positives – The coax products offer clients low cost internet and free speed upgrades. The cable company’s fiber product is highly competitive to the traditional CLEC or phone companies T-1 service. If your business needs high-speed low cost internet service (streaming, downloading, VoIP) the coax products are a potentially good choice for you.
Insights for Business VoIP – Ethernet (Metro E) Internet Service
In this post we continue our foundation series for successful implementation of Business VoIP. We will review Ethernet (Metro Ethernet, Ethernet over Copper) internet services provided from competitive phone companies. We will also review internet speed and reliability with a focus on implementing an IP Phone system.
Ethernet – (Metro E) is a high-speed internet service which is delivered into a business as an MPLS Ethernet connection over copper services. This dedicated internet service is a two-way bi-directional (upload and download) equal Internet services.
Speeds – Ethernet (Metro E) internet speeds start at 10 Meg through 100 Meg. Some carriers are touting they can provide speeds up to 1 Gig. (Differs by Carrier)
Reliability – Ethernet (Metro E) internet service seems to be very reliable. With this type of internet service your business is provided a contract which guarantees you a refund if the service is down for a period of time. (99.999%)
Positives – Reliability and speed. With this transport it allows the pricing for dedicated internet (same up and down speeds) to decrease on a per Meg basis.
Negatives – Price and Availability. Just like any dedicated internet product, this is a higher priced product for business customers. Also since this product is only offered in certain areas, it is not available in all areas yet.
Insights for Business VoIP – CLEC Internet Service options
In this post we continue our foundation series for successful implementation of Business VoIP. We will review T-1 services provided from competitive local exchange phone companies. We will also review internet speed and reliability with a focus on implementing an IP Phone system.
T1 – T1 internet is a dedicated service provided to businesses from the traditional and competitive phone companies. This is a bi-directional service (same speeds for upload and download) which brings in 1.5 Meg of internet service for each T-1 implemented.
Speeds – T1 speeds are implemented in speeds of 1.5 Meg. The traditional T-1 speeds utilized are up to 9 Meg.
Reliability – T-1 service is a very reliable service for internet. With this type of internet service you are provided a contract which guarantees you a refund if the service is down for longer than a period of time.
Positives – Reliability, plain and simple. For many years T-1 internet service has been the staple of the business community. You can feel pretty confident your T1 service will be reliable and working internet.
Negatives – Price and Speed. Each T-1 has a top speed of 1.5 Meg so you are basically capped out with this transport medium. Since T1s are delivered over traditional phone company infrastructure, they are going also to be costly on a per Meg basis against cable products.
Cisco SPA 500 Series IP Phones for small businesses
The SPA 500 Series is a portfolio of affordably priced, reliable, stylish, easy-to-use IP phones for small business. More info – http://www.cisco.com/go/500phones
How to Use VoIP for Audio Conferencing
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or digital voice or broadband phone, offers an easy form of communication using only your cable Internet connection. The service allows you to keep your current phone and phone number–or create your own toll-free number–to conference call with business employees or clients.
Instructions:
- Sign up for VoIP service. You must have high-speed broadband Internet to use VoIP phone service, but you can keep your old corded or cordless phones.
- Set up your VoIP service. Connect the adapter, which you should receive from the service provider, to your cable modem. Plug your phone cord into the adapter to link the phone receiver to the Internet.
- Set up a toll free number so people can call you no matter where they are. Your VoIP long distance calls are free, but those calling you from a conventional telephone service pay extra for calls out of their area codes. Continue reading