Over the past decade, businesses have recognized the need for faster, more reliable internet to meet customer demands. As a result, many turned to fiber—yet not all business fiber internet is created equal. In this article, we’ll break down what Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is, how it compares to broadband fiber, and which dedicated internet providers businesses should consider when upgrading their service.
Sometimes sharing is great—whether it’s with friends, coworkers, or even a recipe at the grocery store.
However, when it comes to your business’s internet access, having your own connection is key. This is where DIA comes into play. But what is DIA?
DIA is a high-speed internet connection that is dedicated solely to your business.
Direct internet access is the best internet that your business can use to optimize its performance. Ample in the convenience that it supplies for businesses, here’s a list of the amazing benefits DIA service provides:
To simplify it, DIA service is like having your own private highway. You get to control the speed, flow of traffic, and it never gets congested because only your business uses it.
Understanding what DIA means is the first step in solving your business needs. The next step in the solution would be understanding how DIA works. In short, the answer is circuits.
DIA circuits are the physical cabling that carries the internet from your internet service provider (ISP) to your business. The most common material used for circuits is usually fiber or ethernet that’s installed from your dedicated ISP. Depending on the type of circuit your dedicated ISP uses, it can make a difference in factors like installation, latency (lagging), or even the levels of support you receive.
To summarize, DIA circuits ensure speed, reliability, and security for your direct internet service.
The pricing for DIA varies, but it isn’t cheap. There are many factors that impact the costs. Here are the primary factors:
There are two types of dedicated internet access: DIA Fiber and DIA Fixed Wireless.
DIA fiber is the gold standard for direct internet access. Because it uses physical fiber-optic cables that must be deployed underground by technicians, it is extremely reliable and less affected by weather conditions or other disruptions.
DIA fiber requires trenching, which means creating underground pathways for fiber-optic cables. This process involves:
Though more expensive to install and requiring a longer deployment window, DIA fiber delivers the fastest speeds, lowest latency, and highest bandwidth available on the market.
Now that you know what DIA fiber is, how does that differ from DIA fixed wireless? Unlike T-Mobile or Verizon which use 4G LTE/5G cell towers but label it as fixed wireless, true fixed wireless is a distinct internet technology that relies on a dedicated line-of-sight signal sent to an antenna, used exclusively by the business and its internet service provider (ISP).
Since fixed wireless operates on its own signal—not a shared 4G LTE/5G cellular network—businesses still benefit from guaranteed bandwidth, high reliability, symmetrical speeds, and advanced security, similar to fiber-optic internet.
Two major benefits that businesses gain from using fixed wireless over traditional fiber-optic internet are cost-effectiveness and rapid deployment. Unlike fiber, fixed wireless doesn’t require a long, expensive installation process. Since fiber installation involves engineers, technicians, and sometimes multiple companies to build the necessary infrastructure, the costs can add up quickly. In contrast, fixed wireless uses an antenna, making both installation and maintenance significantly faster and more affordable than fiber-optic service.
If DIA fiber is like having your own private highway, fixed wireless is like having your own private elevator. Because you’re the only person using it, you never have to stop on multiple floors to pick people up or deal with the lunchtime rush in the office.
We know how they are similar, let’s see how they differ:
Now that we’ve answered, “What is DIA?” and you understand how DIA works, the next question you have is surely, “What is broadband fiber?” Similar to DIA fiber, broadband fiber is a high-speed internet connection that has the capability to deliver information at extremely fast speeds. The major difference between DIA vs. broadband fiber is that broadband is shared amongst multiple users or businesses.
If direct internet access is a private highway, used solely for one business, broadband is the express lane on a public highway. It still gets you where you need to go in a hurry, but there’s a car in front of you, and behind you in the fast lane.
Different than DIA, broadband internet is typically less expensive, being the choice that most small- and medium-sized business select. If you’re just starting your business, either as a solo-entrepreneur or a small team, business broadband internet might be the choice for you.
Look at the chart below to get a better understanding of the differences between dedicated internet access and broadband internet access.
The necessity for DIA in businesses today is imperative. Due to the era we’re in, never before have businesses relied on large quantities of data, cloud storage, remote access, and even global collaboration. DIA isn’t anything to scoff at and here’s why:
There are few dedicated ISPs. The primary business internet providers in the space are EarthLink, AT&T, Lumen, Spectrum, and Cox. Look at the chart below to get a better understanding of how they compare.
In short, yes, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is often the best service for your company. However, it depends on your business’s needs. Before choosing DIA, consider these questions:
EarthLink Business is more than just an internet provider, we make sure your business is covered in every way. We offer everything from 24/7 U.S. based customer support, to a suite of digital marketing services, IT support, and even VoIP business phone systems.
Ready to make that leap to using dedicated internet? EarthLink Business is the partner for you. Contact us today at 844-356-5249 and get started.
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