Choosing a business internet provider for medium-sized companies

Midsize companies can now choose from multiple internet service providers to meet their technology needs. But with so many options available, you may wonder how to choose a business internet provider that best fits your needs.

From familiar broadband options to evolving solutions such as private 5G networks, network as a service (NaaS) and digital fleet management, there's no shortage of potential internet advantages. The challenge is selecting a medium business internet service provider (ISP) that can both meet current needs and deliver on future requirements.

Similar but distinct: Small vs. midsize business

While reliable internet is a priority for small businesses, the bandwidth required to handle simultaneous access across a midsize organization is typically higher than that of a small company. In addition, midsize businesses may need enhanced security and network solutions to help manage the technology requirements of hundreds of staff working a mix of remote, on-site and hybrid schedules.

For midsize businesses, knowing when it's time for a change in ISP can also be challenging. This is because your midsize business was once small, complete with small business bandwidth and network needs. However, what worked for 50 people and 10 clients may struggle to hold up for 500 staff and 1,000 clients.

Factors that could impact medium business internet needs

Several factors can impact midsize business internet needs, including:

Operational growth

Your internet needs may change as your business experiences client and workforce growth. For example, you may look to implement private 5G networks to help keep staff connected across larger physical office spaces, help with access management at a large facility or streamline data collection from production lines.

Data protection

Security is also a key concern for your midsize business, especially as you develop intellectual property and grow your digital reputation. ISPs that offer managed detection and response services and mobile device management (MDM) solutions can help your business stay secure.

Cost control

While your midsize businesses may have a larger IT budget than smaller-sized counterparts, cost management may be more complex regarding ISP selection due to the need for more complex network services and the suite of options available to serve those needs.

Customer service

More customers mean more revenue for your midsize business. No matter what size your business is, you need quality customer service. Companies need ISPs capable of providing both the bandwidth required for day-to-day operations and the ability to scale as necessary to meet the real-time/always-on expectations of today’s generation of consumers.

Six characteristics to consider when choosing an internet provider

Business internet providers come in many shapes and sizes. Some are smaller businesses looking to capitalize on growing market accessibility. Others are technology providers that have branched out into the ISP space, and still, others have spent decades in the digital and physical communications space.

When you start the process of choosing an internet provider, keep these six characteristics in mind:

• Reliability: How does the provider compare to similar ISPs for reliability? What is their reputation in the market?
• Bandwidth: Can your prospective ISP keep pace with your operational needs? What upload and download speeds do they offer? Do you share service with other companies, or is dedicated bandwidth an option? Can they help you implement smart networking solutions that enable secure & efficient use of that bandwidth while protecting critical data?
• Price: What is the total price of the service? Some ISPs may offer bundled packages if you purchase multiple services simultaneously, and others may provide add-on services at no additional cost. Before committing to any provider, get a detailed breakdown of monthly pricing, including service charges, additional features, taxes, fees, and additional costs.
• Scalability: What happens if you need more bandwidth, or need connectivity in a new location or to support an innovative use case? How quickly can the ISP scale, and what will it cost? Is there an upper limit for scalability?
• Support: How quickly can you expect support if something goes wrong? What types of support are offered, such as self-service knowledge bases, online ticketing systems, or direct phone calls? Does the support include monitoring for cybersecurity incidents or network outages?
• Reputation: How does the provider compare to others in the same category? What is the most common complaint? What do customers like best about the provider? Is the provider recognized in the marketplace for innovation, security, and network satisfaction?

In addition to these characteristics, look for an ISP that will be a technology partner and come up with creative solutions for intricate technology conundrums. With a market brimming with ISPs, the challenge isn't finding medium business internet options—it's choosing an internet provider that offers the right balance of cost, performance, reliability, support and innovation.

Learn more about how Verizon helps midsize businesses manage communications and adapt to challenges in near real time.

The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.