Metro Ethernet (Metro-E) is a high capacity broadband service offered to businesses using a fiber optic cable for transit between the carrier network and the end-user. Metro refers to the fact that the fiber optic run spans from one remote location to another, and Ethernet refers to the type of IP involved at each end of the connection, but unlike copper-based services that are available just about everywhere, Metro-E is limited only to buildings in which fiber has been connected by a commercial internet service provider
Metro Fiber Ethernet?
Things to Look for Before Purchasing
- Upfront Fees – Unless your building is already lit, there is going to be some expense to build fiber into your building. The real question is: who is going to eat it? The answer: it depends. If you will commit to a higher speed (read: higher monthly spend), and a 3-year + term commitment, the amount a carrier is willing to swallow goes up. If you are looking for a 10MB connection on a 1-year term agreement, odds are the carrier is going to pass all of the construction costs on to you. But do not fear, if you can pool a group of companies in your building together, the carrier will see more revenue per month coming from your building and that could help justify a free build for you.
- Cross-Connection Fees – even if there is already fiber in a building, like data centers, a carrier can (and probably will) still charge you to plug-in to their network from your network. These fees typically aren’t very much, but don’t be shocked if you come across them.
- Term Commitments – every Metro Ethernet provider will ask you to commit to a 1, 2, 3, or even 5 year contract. There are some excellent discounts (on the order of 15-20% off) for you if sign longer term agreements. Second, customers who sign longer commitments are more likely to see the carrier swallow the entire construction cost (if construction is required).
- Upgrade-ability – the great thing about Metro Ethernet is that you can change (up or down) Expect to pay more for additional bandwidth, which can be upgraded in less than 24 hours from your request. Some carriers will let you ‘burst’ for a specified time and only charge you for the time your burst, keeping your bill nice and low.
- Installation – the Achilles heal of fiber is that construction can take a LONG time. Right-of-Entry permits, City permits, and construction crew schedules all have to align for you to get your fiber, assuming the building you are in is “dark”.
Cable
Starting off as a simple service to residential and small businesses to carry TV signals, cable internet, and cable internet providers have been able to evolve and service small to large enterprise businesses for more than just a TV need. Now serving a variety of different products to fit every customer’s need, Cable Internet Providers can offer internet access, internet transit and peering, domain name registration and hosting, voice services and phone features — and of course, the original TV need.
Fiber
Moving away from the standard coaxial service in a move to complexity, Cable Internet Providers have shifted their market focus from the signal transmitted cable to light pulsed fiber optic cables. Fiber can provide all the same capabilities of cable, with a faster speed over longer distances. Fiber Optics can give the customer symmetrical bandwidth with dramatically higher uptime than that of cable. Fiber download and upload speeds can range from 10M to 10G, whereas coaxial cable internet provides an asymmetrical speeds of 16/3M-150/20M on average. Fiber is a dedication connection, not dependent on users in your nearby area. Fiber will come with unparalleled service level agreements. Cable companies are rapidly expanding their fiber networks to markets all across the US – and internationally. The need for speed is the call to arms in the telecom industry and Internet Cable Providers and Master Agencies alike have heard the cry for more speed!
Business DSL
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a type of high speed internet access that uses the same copper phone wires that your telephone service uses. This also makes it available in many areas, since the infrastructure is already in place.
Advantages
- You have full access to both your internet and voice service
- There is a variety of providers, as many suppliers offer DSL service
- Customers can choose from a variety of different speeds, all of which are faster than dial-up
How Does It Work
A standard telephone line consists of a pair of copper wires that the phone company installs in a home or business. DSL uses these copper wires to transmit data. However, these copper wires can transmit much more data than what is needed to carry a phone conversation. DSL takes advantage of this extra capacity to transmit a higher speed, providing you with a faster internet connection. It also allows you to make regular telephone calls while you’re on the internet.
DSL is what the industry considers a “distance-limited technology”. The closer you are to the DSL providers central office, the higher the speed you will be able to receive. Likewise, the farther away from the central office you are, the more the signal decreases and the connection speed goes down.
