Lost in connectivity phrases

The internet is one of the best and most cost effective ways to grow your small business. Know the terms used to describe internet connectivity.

Find following an overview on internet terms and what they actually mean to you and your business, so that you do not get bogged down by the jargon that flies around connectivity.

Wireless Router (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What does it mean to you and for your business?

• ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. This is a business that sells internet connectivity and services related to it.
• ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL gives you high speed 24 hour internet access using your current landline telephone.
• VDSL (Very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line) is faster than ADSL, but it is more expensive and suited to slightly larger businesses, so it is a good term to know for when your small business gets there.
• Bandwidth is the amount of information or data that can be transferred on your ADSL line in a set amount of time. The more information you can transfer in that time, the faster your internet connection.
• Capped ADSL means that there is a fixed limit on the amount of data you can download each month and once you reach that limit you can no longer access the internet. This is particularly useful for a small business with a limited budget that only checks their emails and social media and does the occasional internet browsing.
• A shaped account means that the network gives priority to everyday online activities, such as emails and browsing and is a more affordable option; this is absolutely fine for an average small business that also prioritises those activities.
• 3G uses cellular networks, which means that you can get internet access anywhere there is a mobile network, which can be particularly useful if your business requires you to be away from your office often. 3G can be unreliable and very expensive though, and should only be used when no other option is available to you.
• Wi-Fi uses a wireless network and connects using radio waves and has a relatively short range. Where there is ADSL there is the potential for Wi-Fi, you simply need to connect a wireless router to your modem and set up your network allowing your mobile phone, tablet or laptop to be able to connect to it at no extra cost.

Read even more details on the above in the article on connectivity options.