SEACOM’s business internet access: EIA vs BIA vs DIA

Reliable internet connectivity is a crucial component of business success. It has become a ubiquitous necessity in modern life, driving growth, sales and collaboration for both enterprises and small businesses. Internet access is a key consideration for companies that want to succeed in the fast-paced age of digital transformation.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to internet access; the ideal solution depends on the size and needs of each company. Some businesses just need internet access to send and receive emails or take part in video conferences, while others need it to process vast quantities of data or run an efficient e-commerce platform.

No matter your needs, SEACOM Business offers internet access services for enterprises and smaller businesses in South Africa. These include enterprise internet access (EIA), broadband internet access (BIA) and direct internet access (DIA). But how do these services differ and which one is best suited to your needs?

EIA vs BIA vs DIA

Our EIA service is specifically designed for a 1:1 uncontended service. It ensures high-speed, low-latency, unshaped fibre optic internet access to enterprises, backed by industry-leading service level agreements (SLAs). It is hosted on our award-winning global fibre network and delivers internet access directly to your offices using reliable last-mile fibre optic connectivity.

Secondly, our BIA service is designed for small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It’s a cost-effective internet access service that delivers high-speed connectivity through our same award-winning fibre network infrastructure. This service includes uncapped and unshaped connectivity that is robust and reliable.

Lastly, our DIA service provides customers with high-speed and low-latency access to the internet through multiple Global Tier 1 providers, a mesh of subsea and terrestrial routes, as well as optimised routing to many key African operators, service providers and CDN networks. This internet access service is backed by a 99.9% SLA with service line rates of up to 100Gbps on a single interface. We also offer burstable capacity on demand, which is ideal for growing businesses.

Impact of quality internet access

While the benefits of having reliable and fast internet are obvious to business owners, its impact on business growth and success cannot be overstated. Numerous studies have shown the massive positive impact that internet connectivity can have on revenue generation, customer experience and communications.

This positive impact not only unlocks opportunities for businesses but also for entire nations. According to a World Bank report, a 10% increase in broadband penetration can lead to a 1.4% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) growth in developing countries. Similarly, a study by Deloitte found that SMEs with a strong web presence and internet connectivity can grow revenue up to 22% faster than those without reliable connectivity.

In addition, a business is severely impacted when its internet connection fails – even for just a few minutes or hours. This not only affects employees’ ability to communicate with one another, conduct research or perform simple online tasks, but it also prevents the business from operating normally, which can impact the bottom line.

Tips for optimising internet access

To make the most out of your internet access, be sure to opt for a fibre optic connection as these are faster, more reliable and certainly more stable than other connectivity types. This means that you need to choose the right business internet access provider – one with a great reputation for service delivery and access to local infrastructure and data centres.

You should also consider implementing a redundancy plan to minimise the impact of possible downtime and to ensure continuous connectivity. These strategies and plans must also be able to grow with the business and include clauses for updating infrastructure when necessary.

Reliable internet access is a must for modern companies, no matter how big or small. By understanding the services available to you, you can make informed choices about your connectivity. For more information about our connectivity services or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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