When seeking internet connectivity in a remote location, a business should consider asking the following questions:
1. What is the available bandwidth?
The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time is crucial for businesses, especially for those that rely on high-speed internet for their operations.
A bonded router such as EMS iMO OptiBond improves internet bandwidth by combining multiple internet connections into a single, faster, and more reliable connection. Here’s how it works:
1. Increased Bandwidth:
Bonded broadband describes two or more links being bonded together to create a larger, single pipe to enable faster download and upload speeds. This effectively increases the total available bandwidth.
2. Load Balancing:
The data traveling is shared proportionately over each link¹. This distribution of network traffic across multiple connections ensures that no single connection is overwhelmed with traffic.
3. Failover Protection:
If one of the internet connections fails, a bonded router can automatically reroute traffic to the remaining connections.
4. Channel Bonding:
This process targets the traffic at the packet level and splits it among multiple connections. This makes it possible for you to stream movies requiring larger Mbps.
5. Packet Queuing Control:
Bonding systems are able to detect when packet queuing events start to occur and can regulate the speed of the specific ‘problem’ service(s) to keep latency under control.
Remember, the effectiveness of a bonded router can depend on various factors, including the quality and speed of your individual internet connections, and the capabilities of the bonded router itself.
2. What is the latency?
The delay in the transfer of data can impact real-time services like video conferencing. You can read more about reducing latency here.
3. Is there a data cap?
Some service providers limit the amount of data you can use in a month; however many services whether fixed line or cellular are now “unlimited”.
4. What is the reliability of the service?
Frequent downtime can severely impact business operations. Aggregating or load balancing over diverse communications technologies and vendors greatly mitigates this.
5. What type of support is available?
EMS provides remote support by telephone and e-mail during UK working hours. Self help resources are available from www.ems-imo.com
6. What is the cost of the service?
Businesses need to consider the cost-effectiveness of the service. Prices reflect a number of factors including the specification of the bonding router, the communications links in use, data requirements etc. Both outright purchase and monthly rental terms are offered. Costs are often very attractive when compared with leased line services – particularly where delivering the service entails “excess construction charges” for installation etc. Contact us for more details.
7. Is the service scalable?
As the business grows, the internet service should be able to grow with it. The deployment of i-MO OptiBond devices can be scaled more or less infinitely.
8. What are the security features?
The service provider should have robust security measures in place to protect the business’s data. We can support industry standard VPN arrangements. Bonding is also intrinsically secure as data is typically split at packet level across multiple communications links.
9. What is the installation process?
Understanding the timeline and requirements for installation can help the business plan accordingly. I-MO OptiBond units can typically be supplied in 2 – 3 working days. Devices arrive preconfigured to the customer’s requirements. Installation requires only the connection of 4G/5G aerials and your ethernet cable or wi-fi AP. Power on and connect.