Residential vs. Business Internet – What’s the Difference?

In a world pinned down by a pandemic, the internet is what keeps everyone going. No matter which facet of life you belong to, you can rely on the internet to carry you through to the end and help you achieve your goals and purposes. You see, the internet opens the gateway to a World Wide Web, where you can look up any information you seek within seconds, entertain yourself by streaming your favorite show in HD, pay your overdue bills, take online classes, consult your physician virtually, order grocery from an e-marketplace, and even launch your brand. The sky is the limit!

It is also true that not all types of internet services are meant to complement all kinds of internet usages. For instance, if you require an internet connection to browse the web, play online games, stream Netflix here and there, or download a movie every weekend, then a high-speed internet service like RCN internet should be able to satisfy you. This type of internet is called residential internet.

On the other hand, if you are running a small business or even a large one, and you need an internet connection for powering your accounting software, customer service programs, and other operational suites, then you would go for something like a business internet, which is specially designed for enterprises.

Difference between residential internet and business internet

Looking for an internet solution to your connectivity problems? Stick with this post and learn the essential difference between residential internet and business internet, so you can make the right call for your unique cause. Stay tuned and read on Residential vs. Business Internet.

Residential vs. Business Internet – Speed

It’s all about speed, really. No one likes a connection that lags too much. It gets on the nerves. So, faster speed is always the preferred standard while considering any kind of internet service, whether residential or business. Yet, both have their unique differences based on the respective needs of the users.

Residential internet users don’t require lightning-fast speeds to get through the day, which is why such types of plans come with a 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps broadband tag.

On the other hand, business internet users can’t run their operations smoothly without a rocket-fast connection, which is why business internet plans run with a 25 Mbps to 10 Gbps speed range.

Residential vs. Business Internet – Symmetry

Residential users mostly need the internet to browse the web, stream their favorite shows on Netflix, scroll through social media, download files, or play multiplayer online games, etc. So, they download more data than they upload, which is why residential internet plans typically have more download speed than the upload speed. This is known as an asymmetrical connection.

Whereas, business internet users have to share large-sized data on the cloud, communicate with each other on video calls, and send important emails, which is why they need equal download and upload power. Therefore, business internet plans offer symmetrical speeds.

Residential vs. Business Internet – Line Sharing

People who have cable internet at their homes often experience speed slowdowns during peak traffic hours. Why is that? Because cable internet is a shared connected type, wherein bandwidth is distributed equally between all the neighbors in a community by an ISP.

In contrast to ‘shared’ residential lines, business internet plans provide a dedicated line to enterprises and small businesses. When you are running a business, even a single drop-in connectivity can cause a loss of lead and a reduction in revenue. This is why on a dedicated line, businesses can constantly stay online and take care of their customers 24/7.

Residential vs. Business Internet – Agreements

When you sign up for a residential internet plan, unless the provider is really top-of-the-line and ensures 99% signal reliability, you don’t get compensation for a signal outage from the provider. For instance, if the internet connectivity drops, you can’t do anything about it but wait for the provider to restore the bandwidth flow. This can lead to frustration, quite justifiably.

On the other hand, since businesses cannot bear to lose web access even for a second, business internet providers sign an agreement, known as SLA, with the enterprises. In this Service Level Agreement, the provider lays out internet performance expectations and promises to compensate with a money-back guarantee, gift cards, or discounts if such expectations are not met under any circumstance.

The Final Verdict

As seen in the aforementioned points, business internet stands out because of higher, symmetrical speeds, lag-free connectivity, and verified signal reliability. It also has more robust customer service and tech support for business users.

Yet, business internet plans cost significantly more than residential ones. Residential internet manages to satisfy an average American household with good enough speeds and promotional pricing. Now that you know about the difference between these two types of internet, you can wisely choose the one that suits your requirements.