Explaining Bandwidth and How It Affects Your Business

The Internet is right along with electricity as a completely essential part of doing business. Today, we take a look at the central metric of Internet usage: Bandwidth.

What is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over an Internet connection in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per second (bps). For businesses, this translates to how quickly employees and systems can access, send, and receive information online.

How Bandwidth Works

Think of bandwidth as a highway. The wider the highway (higher bandwidth), the more cars (data) can travel at the same time without causing traffic (bottlenecks). If the highway is narrow (lower bandwidth), too many cars will cause congestion, slowing everything down.

How Much Bandwidth Do I Need?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much bandwidth a business needs. It depends on many factors, like the number of employees, the types of devices you use, the services your business relies on, and how much you depend on the Internet for your daily operations.

Your network needs enough bandwidth to handle all your daily tasks efficiently, without slowdowns or interruptions. If you’re unsure, a professional network audit can help determine your needs.

Ways to Increase Your Bandwidth

If your network feels slow, there are a couple of ways to boost bandwidth. One option is upgrading your hardware. This could mean using better cables, switching from wireless to wired connections, or investing in more powerful equipment. Another way is to address inefficiencies in your network, like congestion or bottlenecks that slow down data transfer.

For a faster Internet connection specifically, you might need to contact your Internet service provider (ISP) to upgrade your plan. However, upgrading routers, switches, or other network devices can also make a big difference. If you’re unsure what to do, we’re here to help you figure out the best options for your setup.

At SMART Services, we know that technology decisions can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with all the options. That’s why we offer managed services to help businesses like yours make smart, informed choices. Call us today at 586 258-0650 to learn more about how we can help improve your technology and network performance.