If you don’t have DSL, you may want get it, especially if your company uses dial-up for connecting to the Internet.
“DSL lines are much faster than dial-ups,” says David Palan, director of marketing for Sprint Business DSL. “And they are also faster on downloads than T-1 lines.”
However, if your main concern is uploading files as quickly as possible, T-1s are the way to go.
Choosing a DSL line positions your company to take advantage of future technology, since dial-up service will not accommodate these technologies, says Palan.
“New technologies in the pipeline are built using IP platforms over broadband-based connections,” says Palan. “These include voice command recognition systems and PDAs.”
If you already have DSL, are you getting the most for your money? If a slow connection is bogging down your e-mail system or you’re not getting business-quality service from your provider, you may not be getting all you could be from your DSL connection.
“There are four issues companies should look for in choosing a DSL provider: a dedicated business line, guaranteed network availability, and dedicated customer and technical service,” says Palan.
Some providers offer businesses the same line as residential customers, which could be a problem.
“That’s not an issue until about 3 p.m. when the kids get home and start sending streaming videos and other large files to each other,” he says.
And some providers offer business customers the same representatives as residential customers, which can slow response time and productivity while employees wait for a connection.
In addition, business customers should ask potential providers what they guarantee in network availability, as this can vary from company to company. How to reach: Sprint Business DSL, 866-806-3278 or www.sprintbusinessdsl.com
