Telecom & Connectivity

Dedicated internet access (DIA) is a private, fixed-bandwidth internet connection that offers symmetric upload/download speeds and is typically backed by service level agreements (SLA) for uptime and other circuit performance metrics. [Read more here]

A dedicated internet line can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000+ per month, depending on bandwidth, construction requirements, location, Type 1 vs. Type 2, and more. [Read more here]

Yes, if your small business relies on stable, high-speed internet for critical tasks like video calls or cloud apps, DIA is worth considering. [Read more here]

Shared internet splits bandwidth among users, causing slowdowns during periods of peak traffic. This is typical with broadband or best effort connections. Dedicated internet access provides private bandwidth, ensuring consistent bandwidth at all times. [Read more here]

DIA offers private, symmetrical speeds with SLAs. Broadband is shared, often slower during peak times, typically doesn’t offer symmetrical bandwidth, and usually lacks performance guarantees. [Read more here]

Broadband is an internet connection type that transmits data over copper or fiber infrastructure, typically offers asymmetric bandwidth (more download than upload), has shared bandwidth amongst users, and is often quicker to install / cheaper than dedicated internet access. [Read more here]

Broadband works by transmitting data over cable or fiber wireline infrastructure, provisioned for shared bandwidth amongst users, enabling simultaneous use of voice, video, and internet services. [Read more here]

Broadband speed refers to how fast data is uploaded or downloaded over the internet, typically measured in Mbps (megabits per second). [Read more here]

Options include satellite internet, fixed wireless, 4G/5G hotspots, and in some cases, long-range Wi-Fi or fiber if infrastructure allows. [Read more here]

Yes, satellite internet can connect nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky, making it ideal for remote or rural areas. [Read more here]

Yes, fixed wireless can be secure when encrypted and properly configured, though it’s important to use firewalls and up-to-date security protocols. [Read more here]

Yes, heavy rain, snow, or fog can interfere with signal strength and may cause slower speeds or temporary outages. [Read more here]

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is a software-based architecture that acts as a virtual overlay to an underlying hardware-based network. It provides a centralized control function to efficiently steer traffic across a WAN based on an enterprise’s business needs. [Read more here]

SD-WAN uses the public internet to route traffic intelligently and affordably. MPLS is a private, fixed-path network offering low latency but at higher cost and less flexibility. [Read more here]

SD-WAN offers cost savings, better performance, easier management, increased security, and flexibility by using multiple internet connections intelligently. [Read more here]

VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) is a VPN technology that allows multiple sites to connect to a single Ethernet broadcast domain over a WAN. It enables the creation of a virtual LAN across a wide area network, providing a flexible and scalable solution for connecting geographically dispersed locations. [Read more here]

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a private network routing method that directs data along predetermined paths, offering reliable performance and low latency, but at a higher cost than alternative connections and reduced network flexibility. [Read more here]

VPLS provides LAN-like connectivity across locations, supports real-time apps, simplifies management, and ensures low-latency, secure communication. [Read more here]

MPLS offers high reliability, low latency, strong QoS, and predictable routing — ideal for VoIP, video, and critical enterprise applications. [Read more here]

A leased line, also known as a point-to-point connection or ethernet private line, is a private connection rented from a provider, offering dedicated bandwidth from an A location to a Z location. [Read more here]

Ethernet Private Lines (EPL), also known as point-to-point ethernet, provide a dedicated point-to-point Layer 2 connection between two sites, offering high-speed, secure data transport. [Read more here]

Ethernet Virtual Private Lines (EVPL) offer point-to-multipoint Layer 2 connections, allowing multiple locations to connect through a shared, logical path. [Read more here]

Wavelength services deliver high-speed data transport over dedicated optical wavelengths, typically using Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) to provide dedicated, secure connectivity between two sites. [Read more here]

Wavelength services offer ultra-high bandwidth, low latency, strong security, and dedicated optical capacity for mission-critical or data-heavy applications. [Read more here]

Dark fiber is unused fiber-optic cable that customers can lease and “light” with their own equipment to create a private, high-capacity network. [Read more here]

Dark fiber is unlit and must be leased and then lit for customer use, while lit fiber is lit and managed by a provider, who controls the equipment and services over the connection. [Read more here]

With dark fiber, the customer installs their own equipment to send data over the unused fiber strands, giving them full control over bandwidth and routing. [Read more here]

UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) is a cloud-delivered platform that integrates messaging, voice, video, and collaboration tools into one solution. [Read more here]

UCaaS offers scalability, reduced costs, easy remote collaboration, centralized management, and seamless integration across communication channels. [Read more here]

UCaaS unifies internal communications. CCaaS offers contact center solution and customer-service tooling. CPaaS lets developers embed comms (like SMS or voice) into apps using APIs. [Read more here]

As a guideline, allocate approximately 2-3 Mbps per user for standard video calls and up to 10 Mbps per user for high-definition video conferencing. [Read more here]

CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) is a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to manage customer interactions across channels like voice, chat, and email. [Read more here]

CCaaS runs in the cloud and routes customer communications through software tools, using automation, AI, and analytics to improve service and efficiency. [Read more here]

CCaaS improves customer experience, lowers IT overhead, supports remote agents, scales easily, and provides insights through analytics and reporting. [Read more here]

SIP trunking provides an application layer protocol that uses the internet to deliver voice services, replacing traditional phone lines by connecting a business phone system to the public phone network via VoIP. [Read more here]

SIP trunking reduces costs, scales easily, supports remote work, improves call quality, and eliminates the need for physical phone lines. [Read more here]

SIP uses internet-based VoIP; PRI is a physical circuit (23 voice channels) over copper. SIP is more flexible and cost-effective, while PRI is legacy tech. [Read more here]

PRI (Primary Rate Interface) Trunking is a legacy voice service that uses a dedicated T1 line to carry up to 23 simultaneous voice calls over copper. [Read more here]

POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) is a traditional analog phone line used for basic voice calls over copper wires. [Read more here]

POTS lines are used for voice calls, fax machines, security systems, elevators, and other analog devices. [Read more here]

Yes, POTS lines are being phased out as the FCC has mandated that carriers move to digital and VoIP solutions; many businesses are transitioning to modern alternatives. [Read more here]

Colocation is when a business rents space in a third-party data center to house its own servers and hardware, benefiting from power, cooling, and security. [Read more here]

A colocation data center is a facility where businesses can place their physical servers and IT equipment, sharing infrastructure like power and cooling. [Read more here]

Colocation services include rack space, power, cooling, network connectivity, and physical security for a customer's own IT hardware in a third-party facility. [Read more here]

In colocation, you own and manage the hardware. In the cloud, the provider owns and manages the infrastructure, and you rent virtual resources. [Read more here]

DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service) is a cloud-based solution that replicates and hosts your IT systems, enabling fast recovery after a disaster or outage. [Read more here]