Most businesses rely on internet connections from their chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP), which could be fibre, fixed wireless (microwave), or LTE (wireless). Each connection type offers different levels of reliability and experience.
Types of Internet Connections:
- Fibre: A fixed wired connection to the business location, either underground or overhead via poles.
- Fixed Wireless: A wireless solution using a roof-mounted receiver (dish) pointing toward a transmitter.
- LTE: A SIM card-based wireless solution that connects to the mobile network tower.
Challenges with Business Connectivity: The environment in which ISPs operate is prone to power failures, equipment failures, human error, vandalism, and theft. These factors significantly increase the risk of downtime, which can take days to recover from. The reliability and stability of a business’s internet connection can vary:
- Fibre: The most reliable but takes longer to restore if damaged.
- Fixed Wireless: Reliability depends on whether the provider’s spectrum is licensed or unlicensed. Unlicensed services using mobile towers can face similar issues as LTE.
- Wireless LTE: Stability fluctuates based on the number of users using the same mobile tower.
Limitations of Common Solutions: Common solutions like buying more bandwidth do not protect a business from failure-related downtime. It’s like adding more cars to a road blocked by a massive sinkhole. Upgrading to costly connections with ISP service level agreements (SLAs) may not be effective either, as severe outages can prevent ISPs from meeting SLA commitments. Some ISPs suggest buying both fibre and wireless connections from the same provider, but this still puts all your eggs in one basket.
Achieving Seamless Connectivity: To stay connected without downtime, businesses need to use multiple connections from different ISPs using different infrastructures, such as fibre in the ground and fixed wireless in the air. Essentially have alternative paths to the internet should one path get blocked. Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is a new approach that helps businesses achieve enterprise-grade connectivity using multiple low-cost broadband connections together. Not dropping a team’s session when on a call and a failure occurs.
Fusion’s SD-WAN Solution: Fusion has revolutionized SD-WAN for small to medium businesses by making it easier and more affordable. By plugging in a Fusion Edge Node, businesses can connect to any ISP, use all connections together, enjoy clear voice calls, improved security, and control their bandwidth usage through a portal. Fusion gives businesses control over their connectivity, ensuring they are not at the mercy of their connection provider.
Financial Justification: Stable 100% uptime is now critical for businesses, as many critical systems are hosted in the cloud and VoIP has replaced traditional telephone lines. The financial impact of unreliable connectivity includes downtime, loss of productivity, inability to communicate, and loss of sales revenue. An SD-WAN solution is justified when the cost of installation is lower than the financial impact of unreliable connectivity. For businesses that value their time, security, and seamless connectivity (is not dropping your team’s session when on a call and a failure occurs), Fusion’s SD-WAN solution is a cost-effective choice. info@fusionbroadband.co.za
