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Broadband is, according to a recent telecoms glossary, 'a descriptive term for evolving digital technologies that provides consumers with a signal-switched facility offering integrated access to voice, high-speed data service, video-demand services, and interactive delivery services.' OK?
For most small businesses this type of jargon is off-putting. In practice, broadband is a high bandwidth Internet connection that can transmit or download information up to 40 times faster than a standard telephone and modem. So whatever business you work for, broadband is a key benefit that can save you time and money, improve your efficiency and win new business.
Broadband is a very fast connection to the Internet. But unlike some other connections, it comes at a fixed price per month, so it's a controlled cost whatever your business. And unlike many dial-up options which tie-up your phone line, it doesn't impinge on your phone usage. For the many small businesses which depend on telephone calls 24/7, broadband is not an either/or choice. If you use broadband with your existing phone service, the technology simply splits the line so that you can send and receive telephone calls while surfing the Web, sending email or using any of the many online services.
Broadband services work by using a technology called ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), which simply involves splitting standard home or office telephone lines into separate channels for voice and data. This means that you may not need special lines or kits installed and, unlike leased line services, there is little delay in getting your small business online. More broadband services for businesses are also becoming available, including digital office solutions that allow small offices to share one broadband connection to the Internet, making their broadband investment more economical.
Broadband never sleeps. Unlike the various dial-up products available, your broadband connection is on all the time - so no more wasted hours listening to modems connect and waiting for connections from your service provider. For many broadband users, it's this 'always-on' connectivity which is the transforming feature of broadband. The Internet becomes a convenient information store and effective means of communication with suppliers and customers alike. It also accelerates internal communication and allows for rapid and cheap movement of all types of information, creating massive labour and time efficiencies for everyone, even very small businesses.
Another key difference is that broadband is 'delivery neutral.' This means that you can have broadband connectivity provided over single telephone lines, cables, modems or wireless networks. No costly equipment is necessary. Installation is easy and maintenance is negligible, while training and support are readily available.
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