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Moving to or expanding your use of cloud systems means your business is sending all kinds of data over the internet. But how do you know if your existing broadband connection is sufficient? As you can imagine, there’s no clear-cut answer or single magic number for everyone because broadband needs vary according to a host of factors.
If you're left wondering, ‘What speed do I need to keep my comms uninterrupted?’, you’ve come to the right place. We at Babble understand that finding the right fit is unique to each business’s environment, and as a Solutions Specialist, I’ve helped plenty of businesses successfully integrate cloud telephony systems tailored to their needs.
This article will give you the essential considerations for assessing your broadband, explaining how factors like industry-specific data usage and business expansion impact your requirements. You'll gain the knowledge to evaluate your current setup and plan for future needs to ensure your cloud systems, including your phone system, have the reliable connection they need.
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What This Blog Covers:
- How Cloud Usage Impacts Your Broadband Needs (and Your PBX)
- Assessing Your Broadband Requirements for Cloud and On-Premises PBX
- Understanding Bandwidth and Speed
How Cloud Usage Impacts Your Broadband Needs (and Your PBX)
Before we jump into whether your broadband is up to scratch for a cloud phone system, let’s have a chat about the link between the two. This is particularly useful if you've got one of those on-premises PBXs that's dipping its toes in the cloud (for now).
Today, cloud computing is no longer a buzzword but a cornerstone of modern business. From devices to apps, almost everything is connected to the cloud (or is at least well on its way to doing so). Modern phone systems use the internet to send all kinds of data, like call logs and voicemails, to the cloud.
Beyond just phone features, other business operations are bandwidth-intensive, particularly in industries that send large files or are constantly uploading them to the cloud. This is where your upload speed comes into play: you need to ensure that your broadband has the speed to send all that data up there quickly and reliably – more on that in a minute.
In the previous article, I mentioned that when Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) was still in its early stages, the main reason why it didn’t quite work was that the system didn’t have enough bandwidth to handle both data and voice simultaneously. In these instances, there are some broadband providers, like us, that gives priority to voice over data on your connection. This means things like emails might take a few extra seconds, but your calls are crystal clear (no robot voices). It’s about putting voice first on the router.
Assessing Your Broadband Requirements for Cloud and On-Premises PBX
At this point, you're probably thinking, ‘That’s all good and well, but what speed do I need?’ or ‘How do I know whether my broadband is enough for a cloud system?’. Well, this all depends on your business’s operations. But here are some things to consider:
The Industry You’re in:
So, this is always determined on a case-by-case basis because something that works for one company might be a nightmare for another. For example, a printing or graphic design company might only have 5 users, but to print, they might send huge files that could slow things down. Compare this to a tiny bistro that focuses on honouring the family recipes more than adopting the Internet of Things (IoT). The latter wouldn’t need a broadband speed that moves at the speed of light.
Business Expansion
This would be when you need to upgrade your system: as your business grows and you get more staff making more phone calls at the same time, you're going to need more bandwidth. It's like having a dinner party: the more guests you invite, the more food you’re going to need. The more people you have using the cloud-based phone system, the less bandwidth there is to go around. We’re all forward-thinking here, so thinking about scalability from the outset is the way to go. If you're growing exponentially, then you certainly need to look at those bigger products like a lease line or splitting out voice and data onto separate circuits so that, essentially, one doesn't affect the other.
Understanding Bandwidth and Speed: What's the Difference and Why It Matters
Now, I’ve been mentioning speed a lot, and another common question I get asked is ‘What’s the difference between broadband speed and bandwidth?’. In a nutshell, bandwidth is more about the amount of data that can be chucked down the line, think of it like a wider pipe. Speed is how fast that data moves down the pipe.
In the context of your SMB’s phone system, when you're making calls using VoIP, your upload speeds are incredibly crucial. Why? Well, if your upload isn't decent, you're going to run into missed speech and dropped calls. And if it's really bad, the call will just cut off completely.
Determining the Right Broadband Speed and Bandwidth for Your Needs
Look, I know you’re probably after some magic number or ballpark you should aim for. If I had to give a rough guide, across most industries for a small business, I'd say you're looking at a minimum download speed of probably 50 megabytes per second and a minimum upload speed of maybe 7 to 10 megabytes.
But keep in mind, if you’ve got 50 users in your organisation, that broadband won’t cut it. But if you’ve got under 20 users, you would split the voice and data. And if you’ve got under 6 or seven users, you'd probably get away with one broadband for voice and data. So again, it's very fluid and unique to each business.
Remember to take this all with a pinch of salt, because the recommended bandwidth will always be higher than the absolute minimum. The minimum might just about keep you going, but the recommended will give you more breathing room for future growth – especially if you start using more cloud-based features, like video conferencing, that need more bandwidth.
Is Your Current Broadband Showing Signs of Being Insufficient?
Some telltale signs that your broadband is negatively affecting cloud-integrated PBX performance are:
- Missed speech and dropped calls due to insufficient upload speed.
- Calls cutting off completely due to poor upload speed.
- Annoying delays in speech (like you’re constantly going through a tunnel) due to low latency.
Ensuring Your Broadband Empowers Your Cloud and On-Premises PBX
While there isn't one universal speed or bandwidth figure that works for every single business, you can get a pretty good idea by looking at things like your industry, current usage, and growth plans. Having a little extra bandwidth than you currently need is a smart choice, especially as you adopt more cloud services.
In this case, your internet connection is the backbone of your business – especially as cloud systems, including your phone system, become integral to your operations. Insufficient broadband can lead to frustrating issues like calls cutting off, missed speech, or distracting delays, which, of course, affect business continuity and productivity.
Together, we’ve explored the vital link between your broadband capacity and the performance of your cloud systems. But this is just a starting point. (This can all get a lot more complicated – but that’s where people like me come in!).
Take the time now to review your business's unique needs based on the considerations discussed – look at your user count, the nature of your data usage, and where you expect to be in the near future. Pay attention to any warning signs, like poor call quality. If you're seeing these issues or planning significant growth, it's likely time to assess whether your current broadband can keep pace with your cloud ambitions.
