Posted on 02.04.2019

Fiber Optic Internet: A Big Benefit for Small Businesses

When small businesses are choosing an Internet Provider, there are many things to consider. How do you choose a trustworthy vendor? Does the vendor own their own network? Is the bandwidth dedicated to my business or shared with others? Is a fiber optic infrastructure the best for my business?

The benefits of fiber optic vs. copper cable are extensive, but the qualities and capabilities often overwhelm or can seem unnecessary for small business decision makers. However, companies with the need for Internet to complete day-to-day office tasks, medical offices, retail and restaurant establishments, actually have the same core needs as large corporations. Speed, reliability, scalability and security are valid for every business of every size and industry. Fiber optic Internet services provide these core elements, and small businesses benefit greatly from fiber optic Internet solutions over copper cable services.

• Speed: A slow Internet connection creates diminished productivity, poor employee morale and lost profits. A Sandisk survey revealed that these costly delays equate to one week per year per employee waiting on the company’s network to respond. When reviewing Internet solutions, it’s important to understand that Internet speed is often referred to by download speed, unless otherwise indicated, and upload speed could be much slower. However, service providers offering fiber optic infrastructure have the ability to offer symmetric speed to ensure upload and download speeds and can handle the demands of multitasking simultaneously.
• Reliability: Fiber optic cable is resilient, strong and more reliable than copper cable and is more resistant to the corrosive elements that attack copper. While fiber optic cable is glass at the core, the surrounding engineering provides protection against moisture, dirt and other environmental factors. Small businesses depend on Internet for reaching patient files, point-of-sale systems, and more. This makes reliability of the highest importance.
• Security: We already know that cyber security is more than buzzwords, with DDoS attacks being reported more often than ever before. This concern may not be top of mind for small business owners, as the assumption is that breaches are reserved for large organizations, such as government entities or school districts. However, according to a recent CISCO report, 53% of responders to a recent survey of 1,800 businesses indicated they experienced a cyber-attack, proving that businesses of every size and industry are susceptible. The majority of cyber-attacks cost small businesses an average of $500,000 in lost revenue, customers, and commercial opportunities and out of pocket expenses.
• Scalability: An enormous advantage of fiber. The overall unlimited bandwidth potential, and the opportunity to be flexible as a company grows and changes is not a feat easily executed with copper cable based infrastructure.

Many businesses have reported that utilizing a fiber optic connection produces a higher ROI than a copper cable connection. A 100% fiber optic based network has proven to be the best solution when it comes to Internet connectivity, improving overall activity and performance. DQE Communications has four tiers of 100% fiber optic Internet Service, providing businesses the speed, reliability, security and scalability required to successfully run your office, no matter the size or industry.

References: ECMag & Wired

Tags: fiber, Fiber Optic, Internet, Small Business