CA1 Researching CA1 Researching Broadband Internet Broadband Internet Services available Services available to SME’s in Irelandto SME’s in Ireland

By Suzanne Roy N00082614By Suzanne Roy N00082614

IntroductionIntroductionI am operating a small arts management I am operating a small arts management company from my home.company from my home.

I am going to examine the different companies I am going to examine the different companies that are providing broadband access in my area that are providing broadband access in my area (Loughlinstown).(Loughlinstown).

I will explore the different types of business I will explore the different types of business broadband packages that each company offers.broadband packages that each company offers.

I will compare each of the different options, I will compare each of the different options, taking into account a number of factors such as taking into account a number of factors such as cost, upload and down load speeds and draw a cost, upload and down load speeds and draw a conclusion from this as to which will be best for conclusion from this as to which will be best for my company and why.my company and why.

But first! What is But first! What is Broadband?Broadband?

““Broadband refers to telecommunication in Broadband refers to telecommunication in which a wide band of frequencies is available which a wide band of frequencies is available to transit information. Because a wide band of to transit information. Because a wide band of frequencies is available, information can be frequencies is available, information can be multiplexed and sent on many different multiplexed and sent on many different frequencies or channels within the band frequencies or channels within the band concurrently allowing more information to be concurrently allowing more information to be transmitted in a given amount of time (much transmitted in a given amount of time (much as more lanes on a highway allow more cars as more lanes on a highway allow more cars to travel on it at the same time). “ – Search to travel on it at the same time). “ – Search TelecomTelecom

Type of Communications Company:

•Mobile•Broadband•Mobile Broadband•Fixed Phone Lines

Medium of which these services are provided:

•Wireless•DSL•Mobile

Vodafone provides a number of bundles for businesses depending on size. I am going to examine the one aimed at small businesses, Essential Vodafone Office

Essential Essential Vodafone OfficeVodafone Office

Download Speed up to 8MbpsDownload Speed up to 8Mbps

Upload Speed up to 512 KbUpload Speed up to 512 Kb

Single fixed phone line Single fixed phone line

Free call to local, national and Vodafone Free call to local, national and Vodafone mobilesmobiles

€€49.9949.99

Usage limited 40GBUsage limited 40GB

Type of Communications Company:

•Television•Broadband•Landline

Medium of which these are provided:

•Fibre Power•DSL•Ethernet

UPC provides a number of bundles specifically aimed at SME (Small to Medium Enterprises) There are 5 in total and there price is determined by their speed. I will look at the Basic option.

BasicBasicReliable service and securityReliable service and security

Download speed 10MbDownload speed 10Mb

Upload speed 1.5MbUpload speed 1.5Mb

€€49 per month49 per month

€€80 set up and install fee80 set up and install fee

2 voice lines – no charge2 voice lines – no charge

Type of Communications Company:

•Television•Broadband•Landline

Medium of which these are provided:

•Fibre Power•DSL•Wireless•Mobile

Eircom determines your availability for a certain type of broadband package based on your area. I found out I was eligible for three different packages so chose to look at the least expensive, Business Lite Next Generation.

Business Lite Business Lite Next GenerationNext Generation

Download Speed 8MbDownload Speed 8Mb

Upload Speed 512kbpsUpload Speed 512kbps

€€20.65 per month20.65 per month

Line rental not includedLine rental not included

1 IP allocated static/dynamic1 IP allocated static/dynamic

Download allowance - 10GBDownload allowance - 10GB

Free WiFi ModemFree WiFi Modem

Type of Communications Company:

•Web Hosting•Broadband•Landline

Medium of which these are provided:

•Fibre Power•DSL•Private IP Addresses •Ethernet•Satellite

Digiweb provides 3 different types of broadband and within that several different packages. They are DSL Business Broadband, Metro Business Broadband and Satellite Business Broadband. I have chosen to look at the DSL Business Broadband and Satellite Business Broadband.

DSL Advance DSL Advance &Talk&Talk

Download Speed 3MBDownload Speed 3MB

Upload Speed 384kbpsUpload Speed 384kbps

€€49.95per month49.95per month

1 phone line included1 phone line included

Free WiFi ModemFree WiFi Modem

Satellite Business Satellite Business Broadband – Broadband –

Value6Value6Download Speed 6MbDownload Speed 6Mb

Upload Speed 1MbUpload Speed 1Mb

€€32.95 per month32.95 per month

Line rental not includedLine rental not included

1 IP allocated 1 IP allocated

Once off equipment and installation Once off equipment and installation costs of €219.95costs of €219.95

So how does it all So how does it all compare?compare?

Company

Download Speed

Upload Speed

Bundle Cost(per month)

8 MB 512 kb Yes €49.99

10 MB 1.5 MB Yes €49

8 MB 512 kb N0 €20.65

3MB 384 kb Yes €49.95

I have chosen to go with Eircom’s I have chosen to go with Eircom’s Business Lite Next GenerationBusiness Lite Next Generation..

The reasons I have chosen this option are as follows:The reasons I have chosen this option are as follows:

It is designed specifically for SMEsIt is designed specifically for SMEs

As I am a small business from a home office I do need a provider As I am a small business from a home office I do need a provider that understands my needs as a business and I feel if I need that understands my needs as a business and I feel if I need assistance Eircom would be able to provide it assistance Eircom would be able to provide it

The download and upload speeds of 8MB/512KbThe download and upload speeds of 8MB/512Kb

While this speed is the same as Vodafone’s While this speed is the same as Vodafone’s Essential Vodafone Essential Vodafone Office Office and Eircom doesn’t provide a phone line in a bundle ,right and Eircom doesn’t provide a phone line in a bundle ,right now I am just looking for broadband so economically Eircom is a now I am just looking for broadband so economically Eircom is a better optionbetter option

The small price of just €20.65 per month as I am running a small The small price of just €20.65 per month as I am running a small business it essential to keep costs down where possiblebusiness it essential to keep costs down where possible

Speed TestSpeed TestThis is just a screenshot of a speed test of upload and download speeds that I took on UPC’s website

ConclusionConclusionIn conclusion I have found that when it In conclusion I have found that when it comes to looking for broadband providers comes to looking for broadband providers for small businesses there is a lot of options for small businesses there is a lot of options available. However it does take time to look available. However it does take time to look at all the different options, whether its DSL, at all the different options, whether its DSL, mobile broadband, WiFi or fibre optic mobile broadband, WiFi or fibre optic broadband. So it is essential to know exactly broadband. So it is essential to know exactly what you are looking for in terms of cost, what you are looking for in terms of cost, speed and if you require any extras as part speed and if you require any extras as part of a bundle such as line rental. I feel that my of a bundle such as line rental. I feel that my choice of Eircom as my broadband provider choice of Eircom as my broadband provider is the right one as it suits my needs as a is the right one as it suits my needs as a small business in the arts sector perfectly.small business in the arts sector perfectly.

BibliographyBibliography

Digiweb. (2011). Digiweb. (2011). Digiweb Business BroadbandDigiweb Business Broadband. Retrieved 2011, from Digiweb: . Retrieved 2011, from Digiweb: http://www.digiweb.ie/business/productshttp://www.digiweb.ie/business/products

Eircom. (2011). Eircom. (2011). Eircom Broadband and Busines bundlesEircom Broadband and Busines bundles. Retrieved 2011, from . Retrieved 2011, from Eircom Business: http://business.eircom.net/broadband/products/?Eircom Business: http://business.eircom.net/broadband/products/?view=Eircomnet&lineSpeed=10240&ngb=1#ngbview=Eircomnet&lineSpeed=10240&ngb=1#ngb

Search Telecom. (2011). Search Telecom. (2011). Search Telecom Tech TargetSearch Telecom Tech Target. Retrieved 2011, from . Retrieved 2011, from Search Telecom: http://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/broadbandSearch Telecom: http://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/broadband

UPC. (2011). UPC. (2011). Communication Solutions SMECommunication Solutions SME. Retrieved 2011, from UPC Business: . Retrieved 2011, from UPC Business:

http://business.upc.ie/your_business/small_to_medium_enterprises/http://business.upc.ie/your_business/small_to_medium_enterprises/

UPC. (2011). UPC. (2011). Speed TestSpeed Test. Retrieved 2011, from UPC: . Retrieved 2011, from UPC: http://business.upc.ie/customerservice/speedtesthttp://business.upc.ie/customerservice/speedtest

Vodafone. (2011). Vodafone. (2011). Single Phone Line and Broadband for BusinessSingle Phone Line and Broadband for Business. Retrieved . Retrieved 2011, from Vodafone Website: 2011, from Vodafone Website: http://www.vodafone.ie/businessbroadband/fixed/office/http://www.vodafone.ie/businessbroadband/fixed/office/