Business internet, unlike residential internet services, requires expensive enterprise internet hardware, static IP addresses, dedicated connections, faster speeds, utmost reliability and uptime especially for internet businesses which run almost all their operations online. Business broadband is required for internet browsing, emails, file transfer, business VoIP, teleconferencing and other business functions.
Broadband Internet is very essential for every business, however, finding the best and most affordable business internet service for your company can be a herculean task, this article lists the top ten best business broadband internet service providers (ISP) based on user reviews, the list is arranged in no particular order.
A good business internet service must be fast, secure, reliable, offer competitive pricing and provide additional internet services like VoIP, teleconferencing, IP TV and more.
1. RCN Business
RCN has been consistently ranked among the best business broadband service providers, the company provides fast, affordable and reliable internet and VoIP solutions and boasts of the only fully owned locally managed fiber rich network.
RCN Business boasts of top notch customer service and issue resolution, it is suitable for small, midsize and large enterprises. RCN offers internet TV and phone service as extra services at an extra cost. RCN Business plans range from 10Mbps to 75Mbps download speeds and offer unlimited data plans.
2. Verizon FiOS
Verizon FiOS is a very fast internet service with up to 500Mbps download speed making it the fastest ISP in the industry, its upload speed is 65Mbps. Verizon FiOS pricing is a bit more costly than average but the speed is superb. Verizon also provides WiFi hotspot access across the country.
FiOS however lacks managed networks, static IP and business level security features. Verizon FiOS provides premium tech support and works best for small and medium sized businesses.
3. Charter Communications
Charter Communications offers high speed broadband internet solutions at affordable prices. Users can choose 30Mbps, 50Mbps or 100Mbps download speeds.
Charter also provides business bundle deals which provide internet phone and internet television services in addition to internet service. Charter is suitable for all sizes of businesses and is rated top notch by its users.
4. Mediacom
Mediacom provides a wide range of broadband internet packages for small, medium and large businesses. Plans start from 5Mbps to 10Mbps for small businesses and as high as 105Mbps for big businesses.
Users can also add interne TV, phone and music services to their internet plan for an additional price. Mediacom’s services are quite pricey but are of good quality.
5. AT&T Internet
AT&T is one of the oldest and biggest players in the broadband internet industry, it provides cheaper business internet services compared to most of its competitors and is very reliable. AT&T’s speed is a bit slower (45 Mbps top download speed) than the higher priced options and require a one year upfront payment on all plans.
AT&T provides several bundle deals with additional phone calling, data backup, remote tech support and other services. AT &T business internet is best for small businesses with low internet needs. The company also provides Wi-Fi hotspots at most locations across the country allowing you use your broadband internet everywhere.
6. CenturyLink
CenturyLink offers a range of business broadband internet plans and services, it is best suited for small companies as it has a 50Mbps download speed and 12 maximum accounts on one connection. CenturyLink provides DSL connectivity and phone packages with unlimited nationwide and long distance calls.
It also provides web hosting, web design, teleconferencing, and other services. CenturyLinkdoes not provide managed network functionality, managed cloud or content sharing services, it also provides limited security features.
7. Charter Spectrum
Charter Spectrum provides business internet services at up to 60Mbps download speed, it is best suited to small and midsize businesses and offers customizable packages. Telephone and TV packages can also be purchased from the company as additional services.
Charter Spectrum offers a fiber optic cable installation service which can boost your bandwidth to up to 10GBps at additional cost, it also provides enterprise grade security features such as managed security, firewall, intrusion detection and more. VPN, Remote VPN, Cloud backup and Managed Network services are also provided by the ISP.
8. EarthLink
EarthLink is a business broadband internet service provider which offers flexible and scalable plans for small, medium and large businesses. It offers cable, DSL and satellite connectivity options and provides download speeds ranging from 15Mbps to 1Gbps.
EarthLink provides managed business internet service which enables companies set up networks without the need for in-house IT support staff. It also provides cloud backup, technical support, disaster recovery services but lacks security services, third party security integration is allowed though. Earthlink is a very good choice for your business internet needs.
9. Frontier
Frontier is a small business internet service provider with data plans ranging from 7Mbps up to 40Mbps download speeds and a maximum of 10 employees, it offers custom Ethernet and private data line services also.
Frontier does not provide security, managed networks, VPM and tech support services. Its custom internet plans provide bandwidth of up to 1Gbps and require on-premise cable installation, it also provides dedicated internet access with up to 10Gbps download speeds.
10. Level 3 Communications
Level 3 provides business internet, VoIP, managed office and other solutions to small, medium and large businesses, it also offers free Microsoft Office access and up to 100Mbps download speeds. It uses a cable internet connection and offers managed internet services.
Level 3 offers top notch business internet security features such as firewalls, DDos migration, managed security and more. It requires long term contracts with a minimum 12 month plan.