Pricing and Costs of Broadband Internet

Find the broadband Internet access plan that best suits your business budget

Broadband Internet can make your online business transactions move faster, but at what cost? The cost/benefit aspects of business Internet access should take not just dollars into account, but other business assets like mobility, speed, and network stability, as well.

The pricing and costs of broadband Internet depend, more than anything else, on what kind of Internet access you're shopping for. There are several main categories of broadband Internet access that may be useful for your business, each with their own advantages and disadvantages:

1. Satellite broadband Internet offers Internet access in areas where it otherwise might not be possible, but can be disrupted by physical obstructions or severe weather.

2. Wireless broadband Internet plans offer cable- and wire-free connectivity, but you have to purchase or lease expensive equipment for each computer to be connected.

3. Cable, DSL and T1 or greater lines offer fast, often inexpensive connections, but sacrifice mobility.

 

Hook up with satellite broadband Internet providers

Satellite Internet is suitable in situations where you have a clear view of the southern sky (if you can't see the southern sky, the satellite probably won't be able to see you--and, thus, won't consistently send information). While it tends to cost more than other broadband Internet services, satellite makes Internet access possible in areas that aren't connected to other access methods, like cable or telephone lines.
Try: You'll find satellite Internet plans from providers like WildBlue and Hughes Net. Prices start at a low of $40 per month and top out at about $400; you may also be required to pay a monthly equipment lease fee, usually in the $10 to $20 range per month.

Connect to the wireless broad band

Whether you're an on-the-go business traveler or just need to move around the office without cables getting in your way, wireless broadband Internet offers a nice compromise between versatility and economy.
Try: Clearwire and Verizon offer the optimum in mobility: wireless broadband Internet. Just plug a PC card, Express Card or USB modem into your computer and you're automatically wired in, anywhere in your service provider's covered area. Expect to pay a minimum of $40 to $60 per month for single-user service, and to either lease the PC card (budget in the neighborhood of $10 per month) or purchase your own at a cost of $200 to $300.

Wire into a land-bound broadband Internet service

Cable, DSL, T1 and other wired Internet options are fast and well-established, stable technologies capable of serving a large office at relatively low prices. These also offer the option of being bundled with other services, such as telephone lines, to save money on services that your business needs anyway.
Try: Land-bound providers like Speakeasy and Internet Express offer a variety of services including cable, DSL and T1 or greater fiber lines. Expect to pay anywhere from $400 to over $1,000 per month for a dedicated T1 or greater line; cable and DSL costs tend to be comparable and start at about $40 monthly, ranging into the hundreds of dollars for faster connections.

 

• You can sometimes secure a better rate for business broadband Internet access if you are willing to sign up for a commitment/service plan that guarantees you'll be purchasing services for an extended time, usually from one to three years. The downside of this is that there may be extra fees associated with canceling or changing your service plan or provider before the contract period is up.

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