Internet speed and connection reliability is something that is uncompromisable. At Minerva we partner with industry-leading vendors that prioritise innovative and ground-breaking technology to ensure that your businesses or organisation’s communications, connections or software solutions are never compromised, regardless of location, environment, or context.
Selecting A Broadband Connection: Wired and Wireless Networks
As a business, whether you are office-based or remote, a key consideration when deciding on your broadband connection is the pros and cons of each connection type. This brings to the table the question: what is the difference between wired and wireless networks?
When it comes to selecting the best internet connection for you, it’s important to consider your businesses needs, size and requirements. Wireless vs wired internet, ethernet vs Wi-Fi… the comparisons spark a lot of debate, and the answer depends on a range of features. These include required speed, level of reliability, latency, signal, risk of interference and number of devices.
Wireless Broadband Connections vs Wired Broadband Connections
Wireless Broadband Connections (Wi-Fi)
There are a range of advantages to selecting a wireless network for your business.
Utilising a wireless broadband connection enables fantastic flexibility and scalability abilities, with the capability to integrate Wi-Fi into locations and environments in which an ethernet cable would be unfeasible. As a result, wireless broadband connections therefore provide a wider scope of connectivity opportunities over wired at a rapid pace, reducing the need for civil work. This advantage reflects a flexible approach to working, removing the ability for fixed desks and computer set ups for individual employees or organisations as a whole and opening up the opportunity for flexible working: an ideal for communicating in a post-pandemic world.
As a result, Wi-Fi connections have enabled businesses to scale exponentially without the need for complicated wire connections and faults, but these benefits come with their limitations, too. Namely, the largest limitation of a wireless network is as a result of their multigigabit capacity, which means that a wireless networks smooth operation is not only dependent on the distance from the router, but their dependence on the RF environment and its status, too.
Wired Broadband Connections (Ethernet)
In response to this limitation, wired broadband connections, on the other hand, can be expended to multigigabit with low latency and high scalability, and with a wired network, you can achieve the same performance in different distances. Wired broadband connections also provide high-speed and reliable internet connection that ensures quality and efficient unified business communications when working at maximum capacity.
Whilst initially, limitations in terms of flexibility often forefront the decision and debate between a wireless internet connection and a wired one, wired broadband connections, also referred to as ethernet connections, require a router-to-desktop cable connection, which restricts businesses when it comes to scalability and flexibility.
An ethernet connection and wired network is a type of fixed network, which describes a network that requires device to be fixed in location. This requirement can require a larger amount of civil maintenance and therefore can become costly and is often a reason for businesses to choose to favour the deployment of wireless broadband connections.
Additionally, a wired network is also not easy to deploy, and depending on your location, lengthy permissions are required from a range of authorities, which is not always feasible, again adding to the costs of deployment, maintenance, and use. This often means that Identifying network faults can be a complex operation, again requiring civil maintenance.
With these disadvantages in consideration, it’s important to note the advantages of a wired network, particularly in terms of security. In terms of business requirements and security needs, it’s of paramount importance to consider that whilst wired network connections are often considered less convenient, wired connections are more stable, more secure, and therefore, more reliable.
What Is The Difference Between Wired and Wireless Networks?
Whilst wired broadband connections are often costly and require maintenance to ensure optimum performance, their security capabilities are unparalleled when compared to their wireless broadband counterpart. If your business requires flexibility and scalability, a wireless network connection should be considered.
To discuss your broadband needs: whether wireless or wired network, get in touch with one of our knowledgeable customer service experts here at Minerva. With a wide portfolio of trusted vendors and global reach, we can provide support in the guidance and selection of the perfect internet wired and wireless connection services for your network and business needs.