{"id":4898,"date":"2023-08-08T09:16:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T14:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/?p=4898"},"modified":"2026-07-13T05:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:00:12","slug":"how-to-select-the-best-wan-and-internet-connections-for-your-smb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/?p=4898","title":{"rendered":"How to Select the Best WAN and Internet Connections for your SMB"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-85bp3-f856194ef33e7bc72ec0d3bf98278fce\">\n.flex_column.av-85bp3-f856194ef33e7bc72ec0d3bf98278fce{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-85bp3-f856194ef33e7bc72ec0d3bf98278fce av_one_full  avia-builder-el-0  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><p><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-k0pon615-92ea21455f84089b14b66129c69212c2 '  ><div class='avia_textblock' ><h1>How to select the best WAN and Internet connections for your SMB<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-k0pop9td-bbcbe599b29853166e54fa81e9bef78a '  ><div class='avia_textblock' ><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Understanding the Wide Area Network (WAN) and Internet connectivity options available to small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) and selecting the best choice for connecting your organization to the Internet, cloud services and even directly to other locations and sites can prove confusing and complex. Unfortunately, the technology industry doesn\u2019t make the process any easier with its collection of corresponding acronyms, including MPLS, SD-WAN, WLAN and WWAN.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here&#8217;s a brief primer on the basic network and WAN technologies available to your SMB. This quick tutorial also presents fundamental questions your SMB should ask when seeking to confirm it employs the best telecommunications circuits for its specific needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Confirming a few fundamental networking facts may better assist SMB users, managers and owners in making sense of various telecommunications circuit options. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>LANs<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">Most <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">computers, printers and similar devices <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">are interconnected within <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">a<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> physical office by standard Ethernet cabling connected to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">a <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">network switch. Those networks<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">, which can include dozens of <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">such switches,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> are <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">frequently<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> referred to as local area networks, or LANs.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> While offering reliable, high-speed <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">connecti<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">ons<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> capable of supporting <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">considerable traffic when properly configured, LANs are typically limited in their geographic reach to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">a single location<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> or building.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> Category 6 cabling, one of the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">most deployed<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> solutions<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">enables communication<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\"> speeds up to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW81719421 BCX0\">10Gbps.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW81719421 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>WLANs<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW169619600 BCX0\">WiFi<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> networks are common additions to LANs. Wireless local area networks, or WLANs, enable connecting various devices to an organization\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> wired<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> LAN, which typically still requires back<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">&#8211;<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">office physical cabling and network switches to tie everything together<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">, but without <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">the need <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">for <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">physical Ethernet cable<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">A wireless access point is usually installed and physically connected to a site\u2019s LAN to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">permit<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> receiving the wireless radio signals from devices connected via <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW169619600 BCX0\">WiFi<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">. WLAN advantages include the ability to connect equipment without having to run physical cabling to each <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">device being connected, reliable <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">connectivity when using <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">business-grade <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">equipment <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">and speeds up to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">1.3Gbps using <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW169619600 BCX0\">WiFi<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> 5 or<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> 2-3G<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">bps <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">(in actual practicality) <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\">using <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW169619600 BCX0\">WiFi<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW169619600 BCX0\"> 6 technologies.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW169619600 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>WANs<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A WAN, on the other hand, refers to a telecom network outside the organization. WANs, in turn enable extending and interconnecting LANs regardless of their location. The LANs being connected by a WAN can be across town, in different states or even on different continents.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One fact that may help you better understand the differences between telecommunications circuits is to recognize WAN connections are not necessarily Internet connections. WAN circuits may connect an outlying site to a headquarters location, as opposed to the Internet. In other cases, WAN circuits, depending upon their configuration, may connect a site both to another site and to the Internet.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Numerous WAN types exist, including dedicated leased lines, digital subscriber lines (DSL), cable Internet, fiber Internet, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Wireless WAN (WWAN).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Circuits<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW33293740 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33293740 BCX0\">A telecommunications circuit is nothing more than a pathway between two terminals (usually in <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33293740 BCX0\">different locations<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33293740 BCX0\">) over which communications are transmitted and received. Circuits can host one or more channels, meaning multiple simultaneous communications\u2014including the transmission of voice, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33293740 BCX0\">video<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33293740 BCX0\"> and data signals\u2014can occur over a circuit to enable enhanced performance and capacity. The ability to simultaneously support multiple channels also presents the opportunity to better balance loads.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW33293740 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Dedicated Leased Line<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">A dedicated leased line<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">\u2014such as a T1 or T3 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">circuit<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> offering <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">1.5Mbps up to 44.7Mbps<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> of throughput<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">\u2014<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">just <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">as described<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">: a<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">n exclusive<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> physical connection between two sites that is always available for network communications. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW122566630 BCX0\">Typically<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> a more expensive <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">option<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">, this WAN type <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">offers reliable and consistent performance<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">, including symmetrical <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">speeds<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> (meaning downstream speeds match upstream performance)<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">.<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> Such circuits <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">almost always<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">include <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">that <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">defin<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">e specific performance<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">uptime<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> and reliability<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> characteristics. This combination of features <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">subsequently<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">makes<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\"> dedicated leased lines <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">safe bets for <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">SMBs needing to connect <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122566630 BCX0\">important production systems and applications.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW122566630 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>DSL<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">DSL circuits, which have seemingly lost popularity due to the rise of faster and competitively priced cable Internet services, use traditional copper telephone lines to transmit data. Often deployed within residential homes early in its adoption, small offices\u2014including chiropractors, dentists, law offices, manufacturers and retail stores\u2014also embraced the dedicated service that provides an exclusive (as in not shared with other customers) Internet connection.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When using DSL, customer sites must be located, however, within a reasonable distance (a couple miles) of the telephone provider\u2019s central office to provide quality service. DSL circuits can provide both asymmetrical or symmetrical upload and download speeds. Asymmetric DSL, known as ADSL, can provide up to 24Mbps download speeds and up to 3Mbps upstream. Very-High-Bit-Rate DSL, known as VDSL, can provide download speeds up to 100Mbps and upstream capacity of 10Mbps. But because cable Internet is capable of much faster speeds, many SMBs turn to that alternative, instead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Cable Internet<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cable Internet, in many cities and regions, provides a cost-effective co-axial (cable)-based WAN connection capable of providing high performance, both upstream and downstream. Unlike dedicated circuits, however, cable Internet circuits collect traffic from multiple customers on equipment at a centrally located facility before that traffic is passed to the broader Internet, an architecture that can occasionally introduce temporary performance hits.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although maximum speeds can vary depending upon peak usage, cable Internet service frequently offer downstream speeds up to 1Gbps and upstream capacity from 10Mbps to 50Mbps or more. Cable Internet providers have built out their networks resulting in service availability being widespread and competitively priced. When using cable Internet for Internet connectivity, organizations operating multiple sites need not use the same telecommunications provider in each market, although some advantages\u2014including cost savings, simplified support and administration and matching Service Level Agreements (uptime guarantees)\u2014can arise when doing so.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>MPLS<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">MPLS networks create dedicated, nonshared network connections between remote sites. The technology often works well connecting remote sites to headquarters offices or other branch locations, especially because such circuits almost always fulfill\u202fdemanding QoS requirements and can integrate virtual private networks (VPN) connectivity to improve security.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Because MPLS are dedicated connections, they offer several advantages, including robust performance, reliable connectivity, enhanced security and the ability to adjust bandwidth to accommodate more traffic, should a growing company require such flexibility later. MPLS circuits also offer flexible traffic routing and engineering features and include support for multiple technologies to enable optimizing network routing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Boasting such high-end capabilities\u2014including both asymmetrical and symmetrical configurations and WAN speeds from a few Mbps up to several Gbps\u2014it should come as no surprise that MPLS services are more expensive than many other WAN connections, though. They are also more complex to configure and administer and sometimes restrict an organization to working with the same telecom partner at each site where an MPLS connection is needed, although increasingly telecommunications carriers are offering interconnection capabilities not previously available.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>WWAN<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wireless WANs (WWANs) are cellular network solutions. Cellular providers have been aggressively building out their networks and one byproduct is faster, more widespread and increasingly reliable WWAN services are becoming available to connect remote offices and mobile users without having to deploy or maintain wired connections.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Performance is improving, too. WWAN speeds range from 10Kbps to a few hundred Kbps for 2G networks to 5Mbps to 100Mpbs for 4G LTE networks and up to 1Gpbs for 5G deployments.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Because WWAN connections are shared with other subscribers, however, performance capacities may vary and security concerns could arise. That said, WWAN traffic is typically encrypted to help secure communications. Carrier competition, meanwhile, is helping reduce the costs SMBs pay when deploying WWANs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">Broadband Internet<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW122938450 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122938450 BCX0\">Just what is broadband Internet? Whereas some may think of broadband Internet as Internet or WAN connectivity provided via a fast cable Internet provider, broadband Internet refers to DSL, fiber optic, cable Internet and other connection technologies capable of <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122938450 BCX0\">providing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW122938450 BCX0\"> upstream and downstream bandwidth of 25Mbps or faster.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW122938450 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>SD-WAN<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SD-WANs are a little trickier compared to many traditional WAN options but have grown in popularity with many businesses. These circuits use software to define and architect wide area network connections connecting remote sites and providing Internet connectivity. They typically cost less than traditional WAN solutions and can provide better performance by automatically optimizing network traffic, but they\u2019re also more complex to create and manage and, as can occur with MPLS circuits, may prove more complicated to administer when using different telecom providers, although provided management platforms assist managing SD-WAN configuration\u202fat different locations requiring such connectivity throughout an enterprise.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Note, some observers don\u2019t technically consider SD-WANs to be independent WAN connections because SD-WANs don\u2019t possess an actual physical network. Regardless of such semantics, SD-WANs are software-based solutions that optimize sending (and receiving) network traffic over a variety of different WAN solutions, such as an MPLS, broadband Internet circuit or even a cellular WWAN.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Speeds and performance vary widely for SD-WAN implementations. The type of WAN connection used, which can include MPLS circuits, broadband Internet services and 4G and 5G components, is a primary factor. And SD-WAN services can combine bandwidth from multiple providers and WAN connection types to provide improved capacity, which is another advantage the option provides SMBs. But because shared connections, such as those provided by some cable Internet and 5G providers might be employed, peak performance capabilities can vary.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Which WAN and Internet connections are best for your first?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are several factors to address when determining which WAN and Internet connections are most appropriate for your SMB. The answers to the following seven questions can help determine the best solutions:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are our SMB\u2019s specific bandwidth needs?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> If high performance capacity is the priority, cable Internet and other broadband Internet solutions may prove most appropriate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What WAN solutions are available in each area our SMB requires connectivity? <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If a specific WAN solution simply isn\u2019t available in a required location, the technology isn\u2019t a reasonable option for your SMB, so a second choice will likely prove necessary. Or, a WWAN implementation may make more sense if physical cable connections are an unreasonable proposition.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How critical is security?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Can the organization tolerate employing\u202fshared infrastructure solutions, such as cable Internet? Your SMB should carefully consider its security needs and determine its risk tolerance before signing any long-term contract.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What role does cost play in selecting a WAN solution? <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are security and reliability more important than cost management, or is cost containment a more pressing factor when selecting WAN solutions? Your SMB must prioritize its requirements, as demanding high performance, scalability, uptime and security typically runs counter to minimizing expenses.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How important is scalability?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> As organizations grow, add or reduce sites or accommodate varying seasonal demands, an SMB might need to more easily add or reduce capacity without having to re-architect networks or deploy new solutions. The SMB should seek a WAN solution that can accommodate scalability if such flexibility is an important factor for the organization.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How important is uptime?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> If reliability and the promise of rapidly restored services is a top priority, SMBs should favor a WAN solution possessing corresponding QoS and SLA guarantees.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are network management and monitoring capabilities important to our SMB?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> If your organization seeks to continually monitor its network connections, adjust traffic dynamically or configure more complex connectivity, a corresponding compatible solution (such as an MPLS or SD-WAN) may prove necessary.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Need help confirming the best WAN and Internet Connections for your SMB?<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The variety of WAN and Internet connection technologies, combined with needs and requirements unique to each organization, can make it difficult to understand which telecommunications technology is (or which technologies are) the best choice or choices for your SMB. Louisville Geek can help, as we\u2019ve been deploying, administering and supporting SMB WAN and Internet circuits\u2014often planning the architecture and design before ground is even broken for new sites but also frequently for existing offices requiring a telecom makeover\u2014for almost two decades.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can get started by securely uploading a copy of your telecommunications invoice on the Louisville Geek portal <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lg-staging.lougcloud.com\/it-services\/network-management\/telecom-bill-audit\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">using this link<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. As always, you can also reach a Louisville Geek technology expert by calling 502-897-7577 or emailing <\/span><a href=\"mailto:sales@lougeek.com\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">sales@lougeek.com<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, too.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4904,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[190],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4898","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-managed-it-services"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Choose the Best WAN &amp; Internet for Your SMB<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"SMBs should carefully consider their 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