The progression continues. Data communications through phone lines started at 300 baud which was replaced by 1200, then 2400 eventually ending up at 57600. Modems were used primarily to connect from home to the office or from office to office using programs like pcAnywhere or CarbonCopy.
When the internet burst on the scene, the demand for higher speeds escalated at an exponential pace. Smaller companies had the opportunity to look just like their larger counterparts with email addresses and websites all based on their own unique domain name. Digital Subscriber Line or DSL, which uses standard copper phone lines within a limited distance of the phone company’s central office, offered small businesses the speed and static IP addressing necessary for in-house email systems and shared access across all PC’s. Initial speeds of 192 kbps were often priced in the neighborhood of $200/month. Currently, businesses can download at speeds of up to 6 Mbps using a static IP address for under $80/month.
The cable companies weren’t about to be left out of the internet access marketplace. With the cable infrastructure of coaxial cable already able to transmit scores of television channels simultaneously with bandwidth to spare, cable internet access is generally considered to be faster than DSL. Some cable companies offer download speeds as high as 15 Mbps. While cable has the reputation for being faster than DSL, it also is considered to be pricier.
With a mature marketplace established, Verizon, the phone company – not the wireless company is turning up the Mbps again. Instead of using the traditional copper lines, Verizon is moving data at the speed of light. By extending the fiber optic lines past the phone company’s backbone and directly to the small business client, Verizon can offer its customers speeds unheard of in the past. Packages start at $35/month for a “slower” 5 Mbps FIOS connection. At the higher end of the spectrum, a blazing 50 Mbps connection is available at $159/month in some areas while only $89/month for other more competitive markets.
With any new technology, there are some issues slowing adoption. First and foremost, the fiber line has to be run into the building. That usually means digging a new line and replacing wiring inside. Naturally, the infrastructure has to be in place for the phone company’s central office. In addition, there can be a long backlog for installation when a new technology hits the scene and demand is greater than expected.
As far as local service providers offering FIOS connections in the Chicagoland area, there is no specific news or dates to report. Once information on the new service becomes available, your Responsive consultant will be able to let you know if your business will benefit from the higher speeds offered by an FIOS connection.
