SME: 3 tips for choosing the right internet connection

Several factors can influence the performance of your Wi-Fi network. Certain materials used at the time of your building’s construction, such as brick and concrete, can weaken the strength of your signal. The number of buildings in close proximity can also impact the quality of your Wi-Fi signal.

Finally, the size of the files that you share with your partners can also influence your Internet connection. However, there are things you can do to make sure your connection is performing at its peak.

Although the current trend is to opt for an Internet service with the capacity to calculate in gigabytes, very few companies actually use their Internet access to the max. Why choose and pay for such an access if it isn’t necessary?

Ask a trusted customer service representative to help you evaluate your needs. The first thing to consider is the number of devices that will be simultaneously connected to the Internet, as well as the number of access points required to cover all your locations.

Next, decide whether or not you want to offer your customers the chance to connect to Wi-Fi when they are visiting your place of business. And finally, sit down and budget exactly how much you are willing to invest in your Internet connection.

Costs to consider

Some industry players allow their customers to purchase equipment at a high cost, in exchange for lower monthly rates. This is known as capital expenditure, or money used to acquire assets likely to create value for the business in the long run. In other words, these assets are amortized and devalued over the course of their life. And in some cases, they require financing.

Inversely, other industry players offer solutions that do not require the purchase of equipment, but that have higher monthly rates. This is known as operational expenditure, or the ongoing costs of running a business. Tax-deductible, these expenses do not weigh down a company’s financial statements.

Here’s an example demonstrating the difference between capital and operational expenditure: In order to be able to offer a wireless connection to employees, an entrepreneur could decide to opt for a solution requiring the purchase of basic equipment at a higher cost, while a competitor could instead decide to simply pay the fees for equipment, installation, and service on a monthly basis. Such is the case for Videotron’s business-grade Wi-Fi.

Either way, the important thing is to evaluate your Internet needs and respect your budget. In some cases, an SME might want to maintain their financial flexibility, so opting for a free router rental could be the way to go!

When it comes to choosing a telecommunications service provider, the options are plentiful! Any player, big or small, can offer Internet service. But beware! The reliability of the service chosen needs to be considered. Compromising on performance just to save a few bucks isn’t worth it!

Evidently, you’re looking for reliable technological solutions to help grow your SME. The chosen provider should offer a customized service adapted to the needs of your company. And, should a technical issue arise, the support team available to you and your employees needs to be up to par.

After all, not being able to count on a reliable connection can negatively impact your SME. Imagine how frustrating it would be for your employees if your Internet connection crashed every 20 minutes, just as they were trying to do an urgent update of your online store...

With the rise in teleworking, your employees’ Internet connection is undoubtedly being put to the test. Your team needs to be able to connect remotely; videoconferences and the sharing of large files should be feasible at all times. If your Internet connection isn’t reliable, you’ll quickly notice a decrease in productivity, which in turn means a decrease in profitability. To prevent such a situation from occurring, opt for teleworking solutions that offer business-grade Internet in your employees’ homes. That way, all your teams will be able to benefit from a reliable, high-performance connection at all times.

Given the current context, it’s vital that you have a reliable network that can help ensure your business continuity. If your SME is at the mercy of your network, you need to be prepared for any and all potential crisis that may arise as a result of a power outage.

This means you need to have a backup solution to help ensure your business continuity. What does your service provider offer in the event of a service interruption? What you need is to have access to a mobile backup network, such as Videotron’s Guaranteed Internet!

This type of service, which offers the performance and reliability of a hybrid fibre connection AND a backup connection via mobile network, is essential for any company that counts on their Internet connection to survive.

In any case, as an entrepreneur, you should choose to do business with a service provider that understands your company’s reality and everyday challenges. And bundling all your business telecommunication services under one roof could allow you to optimize your equipment and benefit from substantial savings, both in terms of money AND time.