Technology is playing a huge part in changing how small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate. One of the technologies doing this is fibre. Fibre technology allows businesses to operate online applications, connects employees and allows customers to stay connected while in the store. The only thing SMEs need to figure out is which fibre is best for them.
Fibre is an optic Internet connection which sends data at high speeds using fibre optic cables. The cables are installed by a fibre optics installer and companies which provide fibre infrastructure are called fibre infrastructure providers (FSPs).
Fibre infrastructure is also ideal for helping support remote teams in small businesses. The technology helps teams share files quickly from any location and enables the use of cloud-based tools.
In this article, we look at how to decide which fibre is best for your SME. This will help guide you in your choice to find the right fibre.
Fibre to the Business (FTTB) vs Fibre to the Home (FTTH)
Understanding the difference between these two concepts is important in your fibre journey. While both have great core benefits, they are tailored to meet different needs.
Fibre to the Business is designed to meet the intense demands of business operations. FTTB offers direct connections to your premises, for faster speeds and reliable service. FTTB also can support a large number of concurrent users.
For SMEs, FTTB is best if you need heavy Internet usage throughout the day. It also features enhanced security features, dedicated business support and constant uptime for increased reliability.
Fibre to the Home is more optimised for residential areas and use. It is more cost-effective but made for lower usage levels. FTTH is typically suited for homes but can also be for home offices or small teams with lower Internet requirements.
In this case, FTTB is better for SMEs because it can support your growth easily. Additionally, because of its low contention ratio, FTTB allows many users to share the same data capacity.
Pricing and Coverage
Another aspect to consider is pricing and coverage. Business fibre packages typically are priced according to the provider, the package speed and the service level included (to install the fibre). Before you pick your fibre provider, go through the prices and speed to see if it will work for you and your business.
Coverage is also an important factor to consider when looking at fibre. Although many companies offer fibre installation, some areas are not yet covered. Check with multiple fibre providers to see what kind of coverage they have for your business location. This will help you see if the fibre will be fast enough and if it fits your business needs.
Choosing the Right Provider
Finding the right fibre provider is more than just choosing the cheapest offer, but rather choosing a provider who understands your needs. The ideal fibre provider offers good coverage, fast-speed Internet, competitive pricing and dedicated support which align with your business needs.
The best fibre providers offer the following:
- Uncapped data.
- A free router.
- Free uncapped voice for phone calls.
- Free installation.
- Stable fibre connectivity.
- Sometimes a free domain registration.
- Anti-virus software.
- Dedicated support for any issues.
- Website backups.
- Access to website stats.
- High Internet speeds.
These features should be on your list when it comes to choosing a fibre provider. A good provider will tick most of the boxes if not all of them.
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Fibre Providers for SMEs
Now that we have seen what you need to look at when choosing the right fibre for your business, let’s look at the top providers for SMEs.
Vox Broadband Fibre
Vox offers a variety of business packages designed to provide fast and reliable connections for SMEs. The company’s fibre line is managed by its internal team. The business packages best for SMEs are:
Vox Business Fibre – Broadband-only services and uncapped Internet. Costs begin at R 799 per month, up to R 3 399 per month.
Vox Premium Business Fibre – Broadband services with 1:1 QoS VLAN options and uncapped Internet. Costs begin at R 949 per month, up to R 7 499 per month.
Vox Dedicated Fibre – For uncontended connectivity to any destination + uncapped Internet. Costs begin at R2 198 per month, up to R 16 999 per month.
Note: All Vox 12-month packages have a once-off set-up fee.
Telkom
Telkom has a range of business solutions for SMEs including Biz Voice and Telkom Broadband Fibre. It also has a dual package which integrates fibre and LTE solutions called Telkom BizBundles.
Telkom broadband business fibre packages are:
Telkom Business Easy Connect Fibre – 20-40 Mbps, uncapped data from R 315 p/m
Telkom Business Core Fibre – 50-100 Mbps, uncapped data from R 619 p/m
Frogfoot Telkom Uncapped – 60-400 Mbps, uncapped data from R 679 p/m
Telkom Business Endless Fibre – 50-500 Mbps, uncapped data from R 715 p/m
Telkom Business Fusion – this package ranges from 50- 250 Mbps, with uncapped data from R 739 p/m to R 1 725 p/m
Note: Not all packages come with a 12-month duration.
These are just some of the more affordable fibre providers available on the market. Other providers such as Afrihost and WebAfrica also have fibre packages for businesses.
Getting comprehensive fibre can help your business operate more seamlessly, especially if you offer Internet-based services and have remote employees. Use all this information to find the right fibre provider for you today!
For more information on fibre for small businesses, take a look at the top fibre providers. Head over to SME Advice to speak to one of our experts for more actionable business advice.
