Which Internet Type Is Right for Your Business?
My second case study on Flashnet presents four connectivity options and how to select one.
Outline:
Introduction (343 words).
Understanding internet types (324 words).
Decision-making cheat code (441 words).
Conclusion (23 words).
I. Introduction
In our previous case study, we established the challenges Tanzanian businesses face with information technology (IT) infrastructure. It also made a compelling case for outsourcing IT needs to a managed service provider (MSP) like Flashnet.
In this installment, we will look deeper into Flashnet's "connectivity" solutions.
Why?
Everything in today's business world relies on an optimized internet infrastructure. From seamless internal communication to cloud services and online customer engagement.
Gone are the days when all you needed was a “simple” internet connection. Today, your business needs to stay adaptable to changing business models, such as distributed operations. Flashnet CEO Vinayan Benedict understands this. "People need help, but they do not know it," he says. The MSP provides a comprehensive suite of connectivity services to complement the realities of a varied Tanzanian market. Flashnet's internet service, in particular, is designed to serve critical businesses that cannot afford to be offline, even for a few hours, for whatever reason.
Benedict’s team can serve any modern, digitally-powered enterprise. So, if you work at one or are building one, keep reading because this case study is for you!
As an internet service provider (ISP), Flashnet addresses four key dimensions:
Accessibility: It ensures employees have secure, reliable access to company data and applications, regardless of whether they're in the office, working remotely, or on the move.
Adaptability: Scalable solutions are tailored to businesses, whether early-stage startups or large enterprises. Flashnet helps your connectivity effortlessly grow with you, whether that's more locations, new technologies, or a larger team.
Reliability: Flashnet minimizes downtime with seamless connectivity. Lost minutes on the web mean lost profits and opportunities. Its proactive monitoring and maintenance procedures track your connections in real time. Hence, the MSP can detect issues before they cause significant downtime.
Security: Flashnet builds security into its network design. Thus protecting businesses from data breaches and cyber threats that can hinder operations and cost companies dearly in time and reputation. Through built-in redundancy, the MSP plans for the unexpected. Failover systems ensure that internet-reliant applications remain online even during local network problems.
II. Understanding Your Options
A business in rural Dodoma faces a different geography than one in Dar's Kariakoo Business District, as one would expect. These two businesses rarely require the same internet and other IT infrastructure. That is why Flashnet offers a wide range of end-to-end business internet options in Tanzania. These include fiber-optic internet, 4G/5G solutions, and virtual private networks (VPNs). It's unlike traditional ISPs.
I'll break down the main connectivity options offered by Flashnet. And help you decide what best suits your needs. In addition, Mr. Benedict's team can help you determine the best mix of technologies and design a connectivity solution specifically optimized for your business's requirements and growth path. For example, “You can deploy SD-WAN if you have multiple branches and need redundant connectivity at all locations,” Benedict told me. (Don't worry, we'll go over the details shortly.)
Before deciding on the best business internet solution, consider your IT strategy and work policy. Alternatively, you can ask yourself the following questions:
How fast is fast enough? Think about the applications you use most. Is it just email and browsing, or do you rely on video calls, large file transfers, or cloud-based platforms?
Can I tolerate interruptions? Some industries deal with time-sensitive tasks, where an outage can mean lost revenue or client dissatisfaction. Are you one of them?
Do I need top-tier security? Financial institutions, medical fields, and other fields must safeguard data. Will basic protection suffice, or do you need more robust measures?
Do I have multiple locations? If you have branches, it adds complexity. How important is seamless communication between them?
Is budgeting a major concern? High-end options deliver greater uptime but come at a premium. You want the most you can comfortably afford.
How quickly do I anticipate growth? Your infrastructure should be able to handle more users, devices, and data as your company expands.
Do my staff work remotely or travel often? Secure network access from anywhere may be key to your work style.
III. Decision-making Cheat Code
Let us look at Flashnet’s five business internet solutions. We’ll also cover when to consider each.
You’re welcome!
1) DEDICATED INTERNET ACCESS
Technology: Assigns a dedicated, uncontended bandwidth to your business. Unlike shared broadband, you won't experience slowdowns during peak usage.
Benefits: guaranteed speeds and maximum reliability. Uninterrupted high data loads ensure mission-critical applications won't lag. This is essential if downtime significantly impacts operations.
Cons: More expensive than shared broadband.
Best for: businesses reliant on cloud services, online transactions, large file transfers, or real-time video (telehealth, broadcasting). It is also great for companies prioritizing maximum data security.
2) SD-WAN (SOFTWARE-DEFINED WIDE AREA NETWORK)
Technology: SD-WAN virtualizes network management, using a centralized software interface to control, secure, and optimize connections across multiple locations.
Benefits: A cost-effective solution for businesses with numerous branches. Allows centralized traffic management for performance optimization and security protocols (such as integrated firewalls).
Cons: higher implementation cost and complexity than simple broadband.
Best for: distributed businesses requiring secure connectivity between headquarters, field offices, and cloud services. Ideal for scenarios where IT staff may be based centrally.
3) VPN (VIRTUAL PROTECTED NETWORK)
Technology: It encrypts your network traffic, making it much harder for anyone to see what you're doing online.
Benefits: safeguarding confidential information. Facilitates secure access to your company network from branch offices or home offices.
Cons: May minimally impact speed if you require highly secure encryption.
Best for: Enterprises handling sensitive data or wanting more control over who can access your company system.
4) MPLS (MULTI-PROTOCOL LABEL SWITCHING)
Technology: creates dedicated, "private" network pathways optimized for speed and low latency (minimal data delay). Ideal for data-intensive and real-time applications.
Benefits: MPLS prioritizes sensitive data for seamless performance of voice calls (VoIP), video conferencing, and critical operational systems. Its reliable low latency is vital in some sectors.
Cons: Most expensive option. It is best suited to larger enterprises or where real-time communication is indispensable.
Best for: large or geographically dispersed businesses demanding secure, consistent connectivity across all branch locations. Often preferred in fields like finance or manufacturing, where split-second timing or continuous machine monitoring is essential.
IV. Conclusion
My next Atoms & Bits case study will uncover "managed IT" services by Flashnet. I'll explain how they can further simplify your business operations.