The internet has become a requirement for businesses of all sizes. From relationship management databases to data analytics to point-of-sale purchasing, cloud-based solutions using internet connectivity have helped businesses do more with less.

But for many businesses, determining the right internet speed can be confusing. How fast does the connectivity need to be? It’s an important consideration since today, the speed of your internet essentially determines the productivity of your business.

Business Internet Speed National Averages

This year, the average speed of a business-class internet connection was nearly 120 Mbps. Just five years earlier, the average speed was only 1.75 Mbps, which shows not only how much faster connectivity has become but also how much more we rely on it.

Internet speed (or bandwidth) includes download and upload speeds, that is, the speed you can either download a file from the cloud or upload a file to the cloud. These can vary according to your service (for instance, your download speed can be faster than your upload speed) and according to peak usage times in your area.

Speed can also be impacted by the type of internet connection you purchase for your business. Traditional cable internet uses copper cables, which is a widespread but less efficient way to transmit data compared to fiber. Currently, many fiber internet providers offer symmetrical upload and download speeds of 1 to 2 Gbps, and researchers suggest that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re wondering how your connectivity compares, you can do a quick speed test of your current service by visiting this link.

Internet Speeds Required for Standard Business Activities

So, how much speed does your business need? It depends on how you’re using your connectivity. Here’s a quick list from Business.org detailing what bandwidth you need for different activities.

How Does Internet Speed Impact Call Quality?

If you use a cloud phone (a phone system that uses Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) rather than a traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN), low internet speeds can drastically affect call quality and even cause dropped calls.

3 Ways Employees Benefit from Faster Internet Speeds

Because productivity is so tied to internet usage, faster internet speeds help employees work more efficiently. Let’s look quickly at three ways faster connectivity benefits employees.

One-on-One Calls

Today, most meetings happen online. Regardless of what platform employees use (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) video conferencing is the most common way to collaborate, even if it’s just one on one. Faster internet speeds deliver a better experience, ensuring everyone can communicate and participate.

Accessing Cloud Storage

Cloud storage has gone mainstream due to significant cost savings and an increase in remote work. Faster bandwidth means workers can upload and download files to the cloud more quickly and easily. 

Using Multiple Devices

Faster connectivity also means employees can use any device that helps them be productive without worrying about connectivity issues. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and desktops, workers can use the devices they want with confidence.

Our Recommended Internet Speeds for Small Businesses

So, how much speed does your small business need? Here are some guidelines from Frontier’s SMB team:

How Can Frontier Help?

Frontier offers a variety of business-grade connectivity at speeds to support your business.

• Business Fiber Secure – 500 Mbps Ideal for email, web browsing and point-of-sale transactions
• Fiber Gig Secure – Up to 940 Mbps Best for e-commerce, livestreams and multi-device uploads
• Fiber 2 Gig Secure – Up To 2,100 Mbps Great for larger teams, extensive cloud data and website hosting

Learn more at frontierbundles.com/business/internet.