Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology is quickly becoming a top choice for growing businesses looking for high-speed, cost-effective Internet connections. Operating 25 to 100 times faster than a standard 56K modem, DSL provides the bandwidth needed to operate sophisticated Internet business solutions such as hosted applications, virtual private networks (VPNs), and Internet telephony. DSL is easier to install and maintain than T1 lines and other high-speed connections, and costs less for comparable performance and quality.
DSL operates over existing telephone lines, using digital coding techniques to squeeze up to 99 percent more capacity out of them without interfering with regular phone service. This means that you can get simultaneous Internet and voice/fax capabilities from a single line. In addition, your DSL connection is always available—just like the dial tone on your phone—so there is no need to dial in when you want to access the Internet.
Some DSL service providers are offering business-class DSL solutions. These packages, which are designed to support high-powered Internet applications, provide quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees with regard to transmission rates, error rates, security, scalability, and reliability. They are more robust than most residential DSL offerings, which are designed primarily for faster Web surfing. The flexibility and reliability of business DSL also make it ideal for companies that need high-speed Internet connections today, and will require value-added services such as VPNs and videoconferencing in the future.
Benefits of DSL include:
- Enhanced access to productivity tools - DSL lets companies get past bandwidth bottlenecks so they can take full advantage of Internet tools that can help them operate more efficiently. DSL speed is required for hosted business applications such as enterprise resource planning and sales force automation. Furthermore, because business DSL can guarantee QoS, it can be used by your company to link with branch offices over a VPN, host an electronic commerce server, or run an online videoconference.
- Simplified billing and costs - DSL is usually priced at a monthly flat rate for always-on service. This setup eliminates the possibility of per-minute or hourly charges typically associated with ISDN or dialup services. In addition, monthly business DSL costs are usually about 25 percent of the price of comparable T1 lines, and do not incur the local-loop charges levied by phone companies on T1 service.
- Improved efficiency - The high speed of DSL reduces the amount of time employees spend waiting for Web pages to download. Large e-mail files—such as graphics-rich presentations or CAD drawings—can be sent and received in seconds instead of minutes. A 2-MB graphics file that would take about 8 minutes to download using a 56K modem can be received in about 70 seconds with standard DSL.
- Easy implementation - Business-class DSL service is fairly easy to establish. In most cases, no separate lines need to be installed because DSL operates over the phone lines that already run into your office. It often requires only a DSL router, related software, and a contract with a DSL service provider. The scalability of business DSL makes it easy to upgrade your connection speed when your needs change; often all that is required is a call to your service provider.