Business Internet: A Guide and Comparison with Residential Internet

Whether you manage a team across the country or work from your home, a day without internet access or even an extremely poor internet connection can result in lower productivity and, worse, revenue loss.

Finding a reliable internet is thus crucial, yet it’s not exactly a walk in the park – so many options, such little time – super overwhelming!

And, you also have to decide whether to go for a residential internet or a business internet. Most internet service providers (ISPs) offer business internet plans that are somewhat more expensive than the residential internet but come with additional perks along with faster speeds, no data limitations, and even no throttling.

But do you need business internet? To get an answer to this question, let’s take a look at the difference between the two.

Business Internet vs. Residential Internet

When looking for an internet provider for your business, you might notice that there are some key differences and similarities between the two. Both also have their own set of advantages.

For instance, residential internet plans are usually much cheaper than business internet subscriptions. On the other hand, business internet gives you a much faster speed than a residential plan.

Here’s our breakdown of business internet vs. residential internet:

Internet Speed

• Residential internet speeds range from 10 to 5,000 Mbps
• Business internet speeds go up to 10,000 Mbps

Service Level Agreements (SLA)

• Residential internet does not come with an SLA.
• Business internet has transparency in SLAs and customers can be reimbursed if the provider comes up short.

Price

• Residential internet is much cheaper and the price ranges from $19.00/mo. - $245/mo.
• Business internet is more expensive and costs anywhere from $49.99/mo. - $395.00/mo.

Internet Protocol

• Residential internet has a dynamic IP address – less secure and stable
• Business internet has a static IP address – more secure and stable

Technical Assistance

• The technical support for residential internet is rarely up to the mark
• The technical support staff is more robust for business internet

So, now you might be wondering ‘Can I get a business internet for home?’

The short answer is – yes, you can.

But the real question is, should you?

Should I Get Business Internet at Home?

In the following scenarios, you should definitely go for business internet at home:

• When your work is largely dependent on the internet
• When paying for business internet costs less than the potential overage charges with home internet
• When your employer is paying for it

How to Get Business Internet at Home?

While some internet providers do not require any paperwork regarding your business, some might ask for it. If you run a home office or work remotely, you can claim a business internet upgrade without much effort.

In some cases, the internet provider might ask for the following documentation:

• A copy of your business license
• A copy of your business registration form
• A copy of your Federal Tax ID or EIN

However, since, remote work and home offices have become a new norm – your provider might not get into all this hassle.

How to Find the Best Business Internet for Your Home

Follow these steps to get your hands on the best business internet deals for your home:

• Go to www.buyinternetdeals.com
• Put in your zip code
• Get the best internet deals available in your area

Having said that, while there are advantages to getting a business internet provider at home, it is essential to keep an eye on the crucial factors that can help you get a reliable provider for your business.

To answer your pressing query, we have put together a few key determinants that can help you land a great deal.

Factors to Look out for in a Business Internet Provider

It is always a good idea to develop a list of must-have characteristics in a business internet provider before you start searching around for one near you.

• The key determinants of your online capabilities are your internet speed and connection strength.
• A business internet service's consistency and reliability ensure that your business activities work smoothly at all times.
• Before signing up with any business internet service, look for industry and consumer reviews and ratings.
• Because a company is only as strong as its weakest link, be sure your internet provider has excellent security software.
• Another important consideration when subscribing to a business ISP is a dedicated connection, as you would not want to share your connection signals with your neighbors or face lag during busy hours.
• Go for an >unlimited data connection so you do not have to worry about data limits, internet throttling, and overage fees.
• When it comes to business, customer service is even more important, so choose a service provider that extends 24/7 technical assistance and knowledgeable customer care.

Recommended Speeds for Your Business – An FYI

Before signing up with an ISP, you must be aware of the internet speed you require. For this, you need to evaluate your internet usage to avoid ending up with a little-to-no-good speed or having to pay extra.

Here is a table that shares insight into a good internet speed for your typical business operations:

Best Routers for Business Internet

On the whole, business internet delivers dependable speed, but connecting it with a router can amp it up significantly. Routers are crucial for routing traffic and connecting various networks in a quick, reliable, and efficient way, regardless of what type of business you run (a coffee shop or an audit firm).

Many dual and triple-band routers generate numerous networks and have grown in quality in recent years. They also come in handy if you run a business where clients and teams need to connect to different networks simultaneously.

While there are a lot of choices available in the market, here’s our rundown of top routers for business internet:

1. Netgear Nighthawk X10

The Netgear Nighthawk X10 is among the most dependable routers on the market today. It is a triple-band router with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 60GHz channels for maximum flexibility for network devices, employees, and customers.

Furthermore, the wireless router's 60GHz band can deliver up to 4600 Mbps, as long as your ISP can provide those rates. With the finest router for Gigabit internet, you will have the best internet speeds available for all of your business and consumer demands.

2. Netgear Orbi RBS850

The Netgear Orbi RBS850 is a mesh router that offers a commendable range and coverage, making it ideal for large offices or shops that require a Wi-Fi connection in every corner.

To give equal coverage across your entire space, the Orbi system employs a principal router and several satellite routers. Another advantage is that the Orbi RBS850 works well with Wi-Fi 6, which ensures that all devices receive extremely high rates.

3. Asus BRT-AC828

Because of its business-specific features and functionality, the Asus BRT-AC828 is among the most efficient wireless routers for businesses.

To begin with, this router allows you to quickly construct promotional and welcome web pages that your clients will view when they attempt to join your Wi-Fi network. This allows you to promote your services, products, and discounts without having to pay extra for costly marketing efforts.

What’s more, you will receive a slew of administration options to further configure your network for consumer use.

4. Netgear Orbi SRK60

The Netgear Orbi SRK60, sometimes known as Orbi Pro, is a mesh router that employs a chief unit to link to a number of satellite units to generate a complete network coverage of up to 5,000 sq. ft. This makes it ideal for huge offices and/or retail locations where connectivity is required in every nook.

It is also user-friendly and simple to set up. The Orbi system uses a mobile app to walk you through the setup process, but it is not as simple as other routers, particularly when it comes to tech requirements.

5. Synology RT2600AC

The Synology RT2600AC prioritizes network customization over everything else, but that does not mean it cannot keep up with other top routers. Even over extended distances, you will get fast speeds and consistent signal strength, making it ideal for usage in offices or shops.

The device is compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels. However, the Synology RT2600AC goes above and beyond by allowing you to set up a dual WAN connection. This means that the router can send signals from two distinct ISP plans. In this manner, you may give your clients and staff a unique experience.

Why Choose a Business Internet?

Business internet connectivity becomes a necessity as your company expands and you employ more sophisticated technologies. Working with customer data requires a high level of data security, and as such, business internet connections pose more security.

But, you can also get it for your home. The only thing you need to take into account is that it is a bit more expensive than residential internet. While the benefits of a business internet connection are appealing, the fees may be burdensome for a small business owner or someone working from home alone.

If you are thinking of switching to a business internet connection, evaluate your company's requirements first, including the speed you will need, and then equip yourself with the right router to amplify the network’s reliability and performance.

For any more information, call us at any time of the day or night at (855) 573-1435.