SMES IN SOUTH DUBLIN 2011

N EW MED IA TECHN OLOGYD L242 - K IMBERLEY EVA N S – N 00080732

BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICES

Introduction: Broadband for SMES 2011

• Creating a new business in Rathfarnham, South Dublin

• Needs of SMES:

- Fast broadband access in order for the business to run at its full

capacity

- Email, Skype, Social networking sites for advertising purposes such

as Facebook and Twitter as well as access to variety of other

websites.

• Compare 5 different forms of Broadband Internet

• Access all forms and choose best fit for business

• Review examples of each form of Broadband, considering type,

speed, cost etc.

Definition of Broadband:

Broadband refers to telecommunications in which a wide band of frequencies are available to transmit information (http://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/broadband). Broadband is high-speed and pass data through a single medium, which can carry a large amount of data at once. The most common types of Internet broadband connections are cable modems and DSL modems (http://www.techterms.com/definition/broadband)

Glossary of Terms

Coaxial Cable:A cable consisting of a conducting outer metal tube that encloses and is insulated from a central conducting core, used primarily for the transmission of high-frequency signals(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/coaxial+cable)

Constantly on: Broadband internet connection is constantly on, therefore it is

accessible at all times. It is not necessary to re-start your internet connection every time you need to use it

Internet Service Provider:A company that provides a telecommunications connection to the internet that allows the customer to go ‘online’ and have full use of the internet(http://operationstech.about.com/od/glossary/g/ISP.htm)

Glossary of Terms

Download Capacity:- Downloading music, files, videos etc. - Measured in Gigabytes - Unlimited download policy therefore there is no constraints on how many gigabytes are downloading(http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/guide/) - Limits on download capacity E.g. Vodafone – 350GB (http://www.broadbandireland.ie/)

Download Speed:- Measured in Kilobytes- Download speed is how quickly a file can be obtained onto your computer, typically from the internet. Download speed is measured by how much of the file is transferred to your computer over a certain amount of time. (http://www.ehow.com/facts_5003611_definition-download-speed.html)

Glossary of Terms

Upload Speed:- Measured in Kilobytes- Upload speed is how quickly a file can be put onto your computer or the internet. Upload speed is measured by how much of the file is transferred to your computer/Internet over a certain amount of time (http://www.ehow.com/facts_5003611_definition-download-speed.html)

- E.g. Uploading a video file onto YouTube

Connection Ratio: - The maximum amount of people you are sharing the connection infrastructure with- E.g. 50:1 would suggest that you are sharing with a maximum of 49 people- If each person is downloading, this can slow the connection of your broadband therefore it is better to get a ratio of 20:1(http://www.broadbandwatchdog.co.uk/contention.php)

Different Forms of Broadband

1. ADSL (Landline)

2. Mobile

3. Satellite

4. Wireless

5. Cable Providers

ADSL (Landline)

• ADSL also known as, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, is a technology for transmitting digital information at a high bandwidth on existing phone lines to homes and businesses (http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/ADSL)

Advantages Disadvantages

Enables you to talk on the phone while simultaneously being on the internet

DSL line works better the closer you are to telephone therefore connection varies in certain point of the property

Use of existing telephone infrastructure

Connection is faster to download than to upload

The connection is always on Not available in all areas

Connection speed is much higher than the old dial-up connection

Must have telephone line in place

Mobile

Mobile broadband, also known as Wireless Wide Area Network, is high-speed Internet access from mobile providers to a portable device. Mobile broadband services can provide wireless Internet access to laptops etc or using built-in mobile broadband network cards or other portable network devices, like USB modems or portable Wi-Fi mobile hotspots. This is on-the-go fast Internet service. (http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/glossary/g/mobile-broadband.htm)

Advantages Disadvantages

Portable use of the Internet Certain location where you can’t access the internet

Do not need landline to access internet

Internet speed can be reduced due to the amount using it at one time

Can use anywhere e.g. Park, house etc.

Download/Upload constraints

Poor reception means slow internet

Satellite

Satellite Broadband gives two-way internet access via satellites. A computer broadcasts requests to a satellite dish on top of your business, from a satellite modem. The dish sends and receives signals from satellites 22,000 miles from the earth (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/satellite_broadband.html) Advantages Disadvantages

Can receive Broadband anywhere on the earth

Delay in connection because it has to travel 22,000 miles to reach satellite

Can use while travelling e.g. On ship or train

Usually more expensive than other forms of Broadband

Can communicate with people who usually would not be able to access the internet

Satellite may be affected in extreme weather conditions therefore hindering internet connection

Wireless

A high-speed internet service technology for computers which eliminates the need for modem cables or routers. The broadband modem has the ability to receive the service and then transmit radio waves which gives computers with wireless capabilities, the ability to pick up signals and use the internet (http://www.hudsonhorizons.com/Our-Company/Internet-Glossary/Wireless-Broadband.htm) Advantages Disadvantages

Can use the internet from anywhere in your building

People can use your internet if it is not secure

Can connect a number of different commuters to one router

Signal weakens the futhur you are away from the router

The number of users does not interfere with connection/speed

Signal can weaken if it has to go through thick walls

Can connect other devices such as phones and net books

Cable

Cable Broadband provides high speed Internet access through a cable line and gives the customer high speed data without using a telephone line.(http://www.bitpipe.com/tlist/Broadband-Cable.html) Advantages Disadvantages

High connection speed Higher cost than DSL

Always connected to internet High security risk if not protected

Doesn’t affect phone line Speed is affected by number of people using the internet

Connection is not affected by distance

Main Broadband Providers

VODAFONE

UPC

EIRCOM

WIMAX

o2

Vodafone – Home Phone and Broadband

€40 PER MONTH- 40 GB (Usage allowance), 8MB (Download speed),

Free calls (off peak) €45 PER MONTH - 40 GB (Usage allowance), 8MB (Download speed),

Free calls (anytime) €52 PER MONTH - 300 GB (Usage allowance), 8MB (Download speed),

Free calls (anytime) €59 PER MONTH- 350 GB (Usage allowance), 24MB (Download speed),

Free calls (anytime)

Vodafone: Mobile Broadband

Stick Modem

Vodafone Micro SIM

Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi

Sharing Doc PLUS Modem

SIM only

Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi

PAY AS YOU GO - Cost:- €3 a day- Device cost is €69- 500MB – 5GB (Usage allowance) 30 DAY PLAN- €4.99 per month- Device costs €69- 300MB 18 MONTH PLAN- €19.90 per month- Device costs €19- 10GB (Usage allowance) (http://www.vodafone.ie/)

UPC - Fibre Power Broadband

Speeds up to 100MB. UPC can offer upload speeds of up to 7Mb with the 100Mb pack.

20MB Package- €25 per month- Upload speed of 2MB25MB Package - €35 per month - Upload speed of 2.5MB- Free wireless modem

UPC - Fibre Power Broadband

50MB Package - €45 per month - Upload speeds of 5MB- Free wireless modem100MB Package - - €55 per month - Upload Speeds of 7MB- Free wireless modem(http://www.upc.ie/)

Eircom – Business Broadband

Value Business Plan 3Mb Bundle- Line rental included- Up to 3MB- Unlimited local & national calls - €45 per month for first 6 months- Standard Price: €52.99 per month 12Mb/ 1.1Mb Uncongested Broadband- Up to 12MB / 1.1MB- Upgrade: 2 months free - Free self-install connection - Free Wi-Fi modem - Consistent Broadband speed - €40 per month

Eircom – Business Broadband

8MB Broadband- Upgrade: 1 month free- 10GB download allowance - Free self installation - Consistent Broadband speed- €20.65 per month (http://business.eircom.net/broadband/)

Imagine WiMax

1MB WiMax- €25 per month - 1MB download- 256KB Upload- Unlimited use- Free phone line3MB WiMax- €30 per month - 3MB Download- 256KB Upload- Unlimited Use- Free phone line

Imagine WiMax

7MB WiMax- €35 per month - 7MB download- 512KB Upload- Unlimited use- Free phone line 10MB WiMax- €45 per month - 10MB download- 512KB Upload- Unlimited use- Free phone line(http://www.imagine.ie/wimax_broadband.html)

O2 Business Broadband – Landline and Broadband

8MB package - €49.99 per month - 40BG of download allowance - Includes line rental - 500 minutes of calls to 02- 1500 minutes to local, national + UK landlines12MB Package- €59.99 per month - Download allowance is unlimited- Includes line rental - 500 minutes of calls to 02- 1500 minutes to local, national + UK landlines

O2 Business Broadband – Landline and Broadband

24MB Package- €79.99 per month - Download allowance is unlimited- Includes line rental - 500 minutes of calls to 02- 1500 minutes to local, national + UK landlines 18MB Package- €79.99 per month - Download allowance is unlimited- Includes line rental - 500 minutes of calls to 02- 1500 minutes to local, national + UK landlines(http://www.o2online.ie/o2/business/sme/index.php?cid=96)

My Choice of Broadband package

O2 Business Broadband – Landline and Broadband 18MB PackageReasons for choosing this package: - Download allowance is unlimited- Includes line rental - 500 minutes to 02 Customers- 1500 minutes to local, national + UK landlines These factors are extremely important for my business as we will deal

with customers and partners all over Ireland and also in the UK. All employees will be on an o2 plan therefore 500 minutes will be used

for business contacts. Another important factor is that there is unlimited downloading therefore

the company will not be charged if limit is crossed. O2 are also a reputable and reliable company. It is also a reliable source of broadband. Good technology.

References

http://searchtelecom.techtarget.com/definition/broadband http://www.thefreedictionary.com/coaxial+cable http://operationstech.about.com/od/glossary/g/ISP.htm http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/guide/ http://www.broadbandireland.ie/ http://www.ehow.com/facts_5003611_definition-download-spe

ed.html http://www.ehow.com/facts_5003611_definition-download-spe

ed.html http://www.broadbandwatchdog.co.uk/contention.php http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/ADSL http://freepressreleases.eu/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-

adsl-technology/

References

http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/glossary/g/mobile-broadband.htm

http://www.internetspeedzoom.com/655/mobile-broadband-advantages-and-disadvantages/

http://www.simplytoday.com/2010/09/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-mobile-broadband/

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/satellite_broadband.html http://www.ehow.com/list_6326558_advantages-disadvantages-br

oadband-satellite.html http://www.hudsonhorizons.com/Our-Company/Internet-Glossary/

Wireless-Broadband.htm http://ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-Broadband-Advantages-and-Dis

advantages&id=4646600 http://www.bitpipe.com/tlist/Broadband-Cable.html http://www.isp-reviews.org/cable.htm http://www.vodafone.ie/ http://www.upc.ie/ http://business.eircom.net/broadband/ http://www.imagine.ie/wimax_broadband.html http://www.o2online.ie/o2/business/sme/index.php?cid=96