Internet connection for business and events: expert tips

Choosing the right Internet connection is a fundamental decision that has far-reaching effects on the success of a network.

Regardless of whether it is a permanent installation or a temporary setup for events. Internet access forms the basis for all other network structures and applications. The challenge here is that we as users or operators have little control over the quality of the external Internet service. Careful and conscientious selection of the provider is essential, especially for Internet connections for business and events, in order to ensure a reliable and high-performance connection.

Contents

Internet connection for business and events
Redundancy
The connection types
DSL
cable
Satellite
Fiber optics
Mobile radio
Radio relay

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Internet connection for business and events: what you should look out for

In addition to the price and the advertised bandwidth, there are other important factors that should be considered when choosing an Internet provider.

Service quality: Reliable and quickly accessible customer service is crucial, especially in the event of breakdowns or technical problems.

Reliability: A provider with a high reliability rate and low downtimes is preferable when it comes to business-critical applications. It is worth looking for tests here, such as the one carried out by Connect-Professional 2023.

Flexibility: Pay attention to the contract terms, notice periods and possible costs in the event of early termination. Flexibility can be important, especially if you are planning temporary projects. Of course, you can also simply rent Internet access. Eventnet offers you a wide range of options.

Speed of provision: For time-critical projects in particular, it is important that the provider is able to provide the services quickly and efficiently.

Survey: Provider satisfaction among business customers

Source: https://www.connect.de/ratgeber/kundenbarometer-internet-b2b-2022-3202439.html

 

In a survey conducted by connect.de magazine, business customers in the DACH region were asked about their satisfaction with Internet connections for the business environment. Points could be awarded.

Redundancy

A network is a system made up of various components: Internet, local infrastructure, WiFi, network devices.

However, the Internet component is outside the company's control, as the connection is provided by external companies. If there is a technical problem, there are hardly any options for action.

In a professional environment, it is therefore always advisable to rely on redundancy. Specifically, this means using a second internet signal with a different technology.

There are two different options:

• Both signals are used simultaneously, which results in a higher bandwidth. In the event of a problem, the data flows seamlessly via the second line if the first line fails. This is useful if there are two lines with a flat rate.
• One line is used. In the event of a problem, the system switches seamlessly to the second line. This is useful if the second line is a tariff with a volume limit (e.g. mobile telephony) that should only be used in an emergency.

More on redundancy via signal bundling (bonding)

Overview of the technologies

DSL

 

Availability: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) uses existing copper telephone lines for data transmission. It is therefore widely available as the existing telephone infrastructure can be used.

Bandwidth: For DSL connections, bandwidths of 16 Mbit/s to 250 Mbit/s are offered for downloads. The upload speed is usually around 20% of the download speed (i.e. approx. 50 Mbit/s upload for a 250 Mbit/s download).

Latency: According to DSL statistics from Netzwelt, the average ping in Germany in January 2024 was around 51 milliseconds. In individual cases, latency is usually around 40 ms or even less.

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Cable Internet

 

Availability: Cable Internet uses the existing TV cable network for data transmission. It is therefore widely available. Cable TV connections are available everywhere, especially in urban areas. However, some providers also upgrade these easily.

Bandwidth: As a rule, download speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s are possible. The upload speed is usually around 10% of the download speed - but at a maximum of 50 Mbit/s.

Latency: In general, the latency of cable connections is around 22 milliseconds on average. However, there is a dependency on the distance to the distribution box and the load at the time.

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Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is mainly provided by two companies. The European company Eutelsat uses existing geostationary satellites to transmit data, while the US company Starlink has its own moving satellites in orbit.

 

Availability: Internet via satellite, whether Eutelsat or Starlink, is available practically everywhere where there is a line of sight to the sky. It can therefore be used almost anywhere in Europe.

Bandwidth: Eutelsat offers speeds of up to 50 Mbit/s download and approx. 10 Mbit/s upload, while Starlink achieves speeds of up to 250 Mbit/s download and approx. 20 - 30 Mbit/s upload. Both technologies divide the available bandwidth between the active users. With Starlink, however, the fluctuations are more noticeable than with Eutelsat.

ℹ️ The information is based on our experience with both systems and may therefore differ from the manufacturer's specifications.

Latency: For technical reasons, the latency of satellite connections is quite high. After all, the data has to travel a long way (once into space and back). However, as the satellites used by Eutelsat fly significantly higher (approx. 36,000 km) than those used by Starlink (approx. 550 km), the latencies differ greatly.

The latency time for Eutelsat is approx. 900 milliseconds, while for Starlink it is around 45 - 50 milliseconds.

More about satellite Internet

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Fiberglass

Availability: Fiber optic Internet uses optical fibers for data transmission. It is therefore generally only available in areas where fiber optic cables have been laid. Even though fiber optic expansion is currently being driven forward, nationwide availability is still a long way off.

Bandwidth: Download speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s are currently offered. However, it can be assumed that these will increase in the near future, as it is technically possible. The maximum upload speed is around 500 Mbit/s.

Fiber optics is also a shared bandwidth, where the available capacity is divided among all users. However, as it is easier to provide capacity via fiber than via cable, for example, it can be assumed that providers will tend to compensate for the risk of fluctuations.

Latency: The latency of fiber optic connections is usually around 2 to 10 milliseconds. From a latency time of 1 to 2 milliseconds, the term "real time" is already used, as people can no longer perceive any delay in this range.

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Mobile communications (LTE / 5G)

 

Availability: Mobile internet uses the existing LTE and 5G mobile network for data transmission. It is therefore generally available almost everywhere and immediately.

Bandwidth: The bandwidth of mobile internet depends on many factors, such as signal quality, the distance to the nearest mobile phone mast and network utilization. In practice, download speeds of up to 250 Mbit/s are possible - although some locations may have more. The upload speed is around 10% of the download speed.

With no other technology is the difference between the manufacturers' marketing claims and the real values as great as with mobile communications. Realistically, even in conurbations, you should expect a maximum of 100 Mbit/s download and 30 Mbit/s upload. Depending on the day and time, it can be considerably less or more. Especially when there are a lot of people in one place, the bandwidth can even drop to almost zero.

Even the introduction of 5G has not changed this. Read our article "5G - What will the new standard bring?".

Latency: The latency time for mobile Internet also depends heavily on the distance to the nearest cell tower and the network load. Latency is usually between 40 and 50 milliseconds. However, it can fluctuate greatly at any time for technical reasons.

ℹ️ Due to the fluctuations in LTE/5G, we at Eventnet always use this type of connection via bonding in a network. This involves combining several LTE/5G signals to compensate for fluctuations. Please also read our article "How does LTE bonding actually work?"

More about LTE/5G with signal bundling

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Radio relay

Availability: Radio relay connections require a transmitter within line of sight. This must therefore be located at a high point, such as a tower. In Berlin, for example, Eventnet offers radio relay, which is transmitted from the television tower. There is no general availability with microwave Internet, as this always has to be planned and set up on a project-by-project basis.

Bandwidth: The bandwidth for microwave connections is and can be set up to 10,000 Mbit/s for uploads and downloads. The bandwidth is absolutely reliable and there are hardly any fluctuations.

Latency: The latency of radio relay is typically low, which is an advantage for applications that require a fast response time. The latency is usually less than 20 milliseconds and is therefore roughly on a par with a fiber optic connection.

More about radio relay