When it comes to choosing a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your business, two giants stand out: AT&T Business and Verizon Business. Both companies offer a range of services designed to meet the needs of enterprises of all sizes.
In this article, we'll compare AT&T Business and Verizon Business to help you determine which ISP is better suited for your specific requirements. From internet speed to customer support, we'll cover all the essential aspects to guide your decision-making process.
Overview of AT&T Business
AT&T Business, founded in 1885, has been a cornerstone in the telecommunications industry for over 140 years. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company employs around 150,000 people and ranks 32nd on the Fortune 500 list. Their extensive reach spans 46 countries, making them a global leader in business connectivity.
One of the unique aspects of AT&T Business is their commitment to innovation. They offer hyper-gig internet with built-in 5G backup and comprehensive cybersecurity solutions through AT&T Dynamic Defense. Additionally, their AT&T Guarantee ensures reliable connectivity and service, setting them apart in the industry.
Overview of Verizon Business
Verizon Business, founded in 2000, has been a key player in the telecommunications industry for 24 years. Headquartered in New York, New York, the company employs around 105,000 people and ranks 31st on the Fortune 500 list. Their services extend to 39 countries, making them a significant global presence.
One of the unique aspects of Verizon Business is their commitment to innovation, particularly in 5G technology. They have leveraged this technology to support various industries, including remotely driven electric vehicles and private networks for construction efficiency. This focus on cutting-edge solutions sets them apart in the competitive landscape.
ISP Products
DIA
AT&T Dedicated Internet (ADI) offers a wide range of speeds, from 10 Mbps to a staggering bonded 100 Gbps up to 1 Tbps, making it highly versatile for businesses of all sizes. With an uptime SLA of 99.95% and 1,100,000 fiber route miles, ADI ensures robust and reliable connectivity. Additionally, AT&T provides a comprehensive suite of add-on services, including DDoS Mitigation, Managed Security, and Cloud Connect, to enhance network performance and security.
Verizon Dedicated Internet Access also delivers a variety of speed options, ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, catering to diverse business needs. It boasts a slightly higher uptime SLA of 99.99% and 900,000 fiber route miles, ensuring dependable service. Verizon's add-on services are equally extensive, featuring options like Secure Web Gateway, Network Performance Monitoring, and Wireless Backup, which help businesses maintain optimal network functionality and security.
Wireless
AT&T Business offers a comprehensive wireless product lineup, including Internet Air - Standard and Internet Air - Premium, which cater to both fixed and mobile 5G/LTE services. Their wireless broadband plans are subject to availability, and they are transitioning from Line of Sight (LOS) fixed wireless to 5G. Additionally, AT&T provides a high-level SLA through their Wireless Service Agreement, ensuring reliable service for businesses.
Verizon Business also provides robust wireless solutions with their 5G Business Internet and LTE Business Internet products. Similar to AT&T, Verizon is moving away from LOS fixed wireless in favor of 5G technology. However, unlike AT&T, Verizon does not offer a specific SLA for their wireless services, which might be a consideration for businesses seeking guaranteed service levels.
Security
AT&T Business offers a robust suite of security products designed to protect enterprises from a wide range of cyber threats. AT&T Dynamic Defense proactively blocks 97% of cyber threats, providing a high level of protection. Additionally, AT&T Active Armor offers 24/7 proactive internet security, included with AT&T Business Fiber®, to help block malicious threats before they reach your devices. For businesses requiring secure remote access, Secure Service Active Edge ensures network security right to the edge.
Verizon Business also provides a comprehensive range of security solutions tailored to meet diverse business needs. Zero Trust Dynamic Access serves as both the first and last line of defense against cyber threats, leveraging an innovative cloud-based solution. Their SASE Management offers a unified network and security management service, focusing on identity-centric security. Additionally, DDoS Shield provides peace of mind by maintaining operations even during distributed denial-of-service attacks.
Broadband
AT&T Business Fiber offers a range of symmetrical speeds, from 300 Mbps to a robust 5 GIG, catering to various business needs. While the service areas are extensive, specific uptime SLA details are not readily available. However, the unlimited utilization caps ensure that businesses can operate without worrying about data limits.
Verizon Business's Fios Internet also provides symmetrical speeds, ranging from 200 Mbps to 2 GIG, making it a competitive option. One notable advantage is the 99.99% uptime guarantee, which offers businesses peace of mind regarding service reliability. Like AT&T, Verizon's Fios Internet features unlimited utilization caps, allowing for unrestricted data usage.
Ethernet
AT&T Business Fiber offers a range of symmetrical speeds, from 300 Mbps to a robust 5 GIG, catering to various business needs. The service is delivered via fiber, ensuring high-speed and reliable connectivity with unlimited utilization caps. However, specific uptime SLA details are not readily available, which might be a consideration for businesses requiring guaranteed service levels.
Verizon Business provides Ethernet solutions through their E-Line and E-LAN products, offering a variety of port speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps. These products are designed for high point-to-point performance and path efficiency, with options for predefined and failover paths to ensure consistent application performance. Additionally, Verizon's ELAN product allows for scalable connectivity, making it suitable for dispersed offices and regional networks.
POTS Replacement
AT&T Business offers a comprehensive POTS replacement solution with their AT&T Phone for Business – Advanced. This product allows businesses to convert analog phone and specialty data lines, such as voice, fax, and point-of-sale terminals, to the cloud. It uses existing public internet connectivity and includes optional wireless (LTE) failover and a 24-hour internal battery backup. Additionally, it supports specialty lines like security and fire alarms, elevators, and emergency boxes, and provides unlimited domestic local and long-distance calling.
In contrast, Verizon Business does not have a dedicated POTS replacement product. Instead, they refer customers to partners like CSG or MarketSpark for solutions that handle fax, alarm, and elevator lines. This means that businesses looking for a POTS replacement through Verizon will need to rely on third-party providers for their needs. Unlike AT&T, Verizon's approach does not offer a unified solution with built-in features like wireless failover or internal battery backup.
Other Key Features
Geographic Coverage
AT&T Business covers 46 countries, offering reliable services worldwide. Their extensive reach ensures businesses can stay connected, no matter where they operate.
Verizon Business serves 39 countries, providing reliable services across the globe. Their extensive coverage ensures businesses can stay connected, no matter where they are located.
SLA
AT&T Business offers an uptime SLA of 99.95%, meaning their services are designed to be available almost all the time. This high reliability ensures that businesses experience minimal downtime.
Verizon Business, on the other hand, provides a slightly higher uptime SLA of 99.99%. This means their services are even more reliable, with very little chance of outages.
For customers, these uptime guarantees mean fewer interruptions and more consistent service, which is crucial for daily operations and productivity.
Transport Types Available
AT&T Business offers speeds from 10 Mbps to 1 Tbps, making it versatile for streaming, gaming, and business use. Their 1,100,000 fiber route miles ensure wide coverage and reliable service.
Verizon Business provides speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, suitable for various needs. With 900,000 fiber route miles, they offer dependable connectivity for all types of users.
Both companies use fiber technology, ensuring fast and stable internet for different activities, from casual streaming to critical business operations.
Customer Support
AT&T Business offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring help is always available. Their support team is known for being responsive and helpful, making it easy to resolve issues quickly.
Verizon Business also provides round-the-clock customer support. They have a reputation for being reliable and efficient, helping businesses get back on track without much delay.
Both companies prioritize customer satisfaction, but AT&T's slightly more personalized approach might give them an edge for some users.
Final Verdict
AT&T Business excels in offering a wide range of speeds and comprehensive security solutions, making it ideal for enterprises that prioritize robust cybersecurity and high-speed connectivity. Their extensive global reach and personalized customer support further enhance their appeal.
Verizon Business stands out with its slightly higher uptime SLA and innovative 5G technology, making it a strong choice for businesses that require ultra-reliable service and cutting-edge solutions. Their focus on network performance and scalability is particularly beneficial for tech-driven industries.
For businesses seeking a unified POTS replacement solution, AT&T's integrated approach offers more convenience and reliability. On the other hand, Verizon's partnerships for POTS replacement might suit those who prefer specialized third-party solutions.
Ultimately, the choice between AT&T Business and Verizon Business depends on specific needs. Enterprises prioritizing security and global reach may lean towards AT&T, while those valuing uptime and 5G innovation might find Verizon more suitable.
Get Started with the Right ISP Today
Ultimately, the choice between AT&T Business and Verizon Business depends on specific needs. Enterprises prioritizing security and global reach may lean towards AT&T, while those valuing uptime and 5G innovation might find Verizon more suitable. Evaluate your business requirements carefully to determine which ISP aligns best with your goals.
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