The Importance Of Network Neutrality – The AT&T Monopoly Continues

AT&T has controlled U.S telephone service since acquiring Western Union in 1913. That’s nearly a century of regulated services.

During this time, AT&T invented and controlled the release of digital subscriber lines (DSL), fearing it might replace voice with faster communications.

Our CEO Andreas Glocker’s response to George Turin’s post on the importance of network neutrality;

Being a smaller provider, I have always struggled with network neutrality. The core issue from a technical prospective is really that the Internet Protocol (IP) was invented long ago. IP is lacking some key features we would all benefit from today.  

There are two measures by which IP works, similar to a water pipe. The volume of water and the speed of when the water arrives (i.e. pressure). Similarly in IP, we have bandwidth and latency.

What’s missing is the classification of traffic (hot or cold water). Classification would be useful to assure that folks don’t get disrupted on a relatively low bandwidth activity; stock trading, voice, or a larger example – say downloading a movie. To rectify this a network provider has to de-prioritize IP and replace with a better protocol.

George’s point on network neutrality makes wonderful sense, and I am a strong supporter of direct democracy. My new home country the United States, will eventually embrace a direct democracy if the Internet plays a major role in it.

Thus, I agree with George that network neutrality is going to be important to support. On the other hand, we will have to be open to what network neutrality is and it will have to be defined in a way such that new protocols may replace IP in the future, in an open manner.

Similar to our constitution which allows for adoption of new articles as we evolve as a country.

Andreas Glocker

CEO

Things You Should Know About DSL & aDSL2+

Many small businesses use DSL or aDSL2+ as their primary Internet service connection. DSL connections do offer good value to small business users.

Proceed with caution when any ISP guarantees the speed of an aDSL2+ or DSL connection, even after you are told your location qualifies.

aDSL2+ and DSL are distance sensitive Internet connections. Speed will depend on your location and your distance from the CO or Central Office.

For example, you find an aDSL2+ connection with advertised speeds of 15mbps / 1mbps. However, depending on distance, there may be up to a 1.5mbps variation on the 15mbps.

Your equipment (router) should be set up to receive the full 15mbps.  Confirm with your ISP that this is the case.

If you do need guaranteed speeds, go for a T1, bonded T1 or fiber. These Internet connections are more costly, but speed is symmetric, consistent and uptime is more reliable.

In a previous post, we looked at why your business might need reliable Internet service. See what fits your business requirements and budget. Always confirm expected speeds and factor in the above mentioned variation.

 

 

Dear New ISP – Our Internet Uptime, Speed & Tech Support Sucks.

Daily, we receive calls from businesses looking to switch ISPs. Some are so keen to switch that they break contracts early, (costing a hefty fee) as they can no longer deal with their current ‘service’ providers.

Most often callers are unhappy with their Internet uptime. They describe their Internet connection as “patchy” or unreliable. Other common concerns include; Internet speed not reaching advertised speed and technical support response. (Or lack thereof).

All of these issues are easily avoidable. All ISPs should provide an SLA (Service Level Agreement) with every service offering. The SLA should detail expected level of uptime and action / response if downtime does occur. Connection monitoring should also be standard in any SLA.

READ THE SLA before committing to any Internet service contract.

It will save your business time, effort and money looking for a new provider.

CJM

Why Does Your Business Need Reliable Internet Service?

Most businesses today need reliable internet service. Let’s look at some potential reasons why businesses might need reliable internet or broadband service.

1. Your business uses a VoIP phone system.
2. Your business relies heavily on e-mail for communications.
3. Your business uses an online CRM platform.
4. Your business develops or tests games / software / applications.
5. Your business has an e-commerce (online) store.
6. Your business uses an online customer chat or needs to reply to business inquiries, instantly.

If you are considering a new business ISP, ask to see the SLA or Service Level Agreement that comes with the service. This details expected uptime and the Service Provider’s response if downtime does occur.

Services such as fiber optic internet come with a high level of uptime. T1s and bonded T1s are also reliable, but do not offer as much speed as fiber internet. aDSL2+ broadband can provide great upload speed, whereas download speed is limited. Uptime is also not as high as fiber or T1 internet connections.

Of course there is the wireless option. This is easy to set up and can offer good speeds. However, speeds rarely reach advertised speeds and downloads can be limited. Reliability can be patchy, depending on the area.

When shopping for a new business internet service, consider your employee size. Do you have a small office of 1 – 10 people or a large organization you need to provide service for? Will you be using VoIP? Do any of the above 1 – 6 points apply?

For instance, you will need more internet speed if you have a large sales department using a CRM platform. On the other end of the scale, aDSL2+ is sufficient for supporting a small office LAN, web or email server.

Other important factors; is bandwidth unlimited or capped? (How much can you download before being charged a fee). Is hardware included or an extra cost? IPs included? Install fee? How long will install take?

These are common questions for businesses searching for a new provider. Of course, prices vary greatly and there are many different plans available.

Choose one that suits your business needs. If uptime is critical, get the most reliable service. If you download alot, look for a provider who has no data caps or unlimited bandwidth.

CJM

Data Usage Caps Boost Start Ups

Larger telecommunication carriers such as Comcast & AT&Ts policy to cap data usage for it’s wireless / mobile users has opened the door of opportunity for other smaller companies.

This is also the case for their internet connections. We at Fastmetrics do not consider ourselves a start up, but we do provide unlimited data usage for all our internet connections.

Image courtesy of Gizmodo

However, for emerging mobile companies such as Onavo Mobile Ltd. data limitations can be overcome. Onavo have just released a free app for Apple and Android devices which compresses mobile downloads, reducing data usage.

Read more about it here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/06/BUCE1NG46Q.DTL

CJM

Emergency Technical Support In Action – Pizza Business At Risk!

This afternoon at 3pm we received a call from non-customer Mozzarella Di Bufala Pizza restaurant, who’s XO phone system was down.

They have voiced their concerns with us before about their Internet & Phone service. They must have known in this case, we would deliver!

3:02pm: Fastmetrics Engineer Matt, configures 4 x Polycom Phones.

4:30pm: Phones hand delivered to Di Bufala & set up. Phone service back up and running.

4:31pm: Pizza order picked up. Return journey to Fastmetrics HQ for consumption. Delicious pizza!

A: Fastmetrics, Inc.
B: Mozzarella Di Bufala Pizza Restaurant

CJM

Data Centers & Rack Space San Francisco – 365 Main + 360 Spear Street

Fastmetrics manages presence in 2 x San Francisco Data Centers. Fully equipped SAS Certified Data Centers in the heart of San Francisco.

360 Spear Street San Francisco: cabinets, cages, rack space, dedicated servers & hosting on the main floor.
365 Main Street San Francisco: high speed point to point fiber optic internet access.
Data Center Power
- 110V/20A or 220V/20A power circuits fully backed up by generator
- Standard power allocations of 20 amps per cabinet
Data Center Rack Space
- Cabinets – 24″ x 36″ x 7′
- Cages – 6′ x 8′
Data Center Security
- Key card access
- 100% telecom, controlled access building
- Security cameras at all points of entry and exit
- Fully secured loading dock facilities

Data Center Fire Safety
- Pre-action, dry-pipe sprinkler system
- Heat / smoke detectors tied back to security desk & remote monitoring system

Data Center Routing
- HSRP Routing
- BGP4 Routing

Data Center Web Hosting
- Ensim Control Panel Hosting (Ensim)
- Linux Web Hosting
- NetApp Load Balancing

Our San Francisco Data Center Core:
- Capacity of 4 Gigabits from multiple transit providers.
- Our network core is multi-homed.
- Our backbone network load is managed to be well below 30% for burstable connectivity when needed.

For access to test servers, contact 1-800-724-7100.

CJM

Test Your Internet Speed – Fastmetrics Internet Speed Tester

Here it is: http://netspeedtest.fastmetrics.com/

How does your Internet connection test measure up?

CJM

fiberIVY – Fiber Optic Internet Service – Entry Level Cost

Our fiberIVY service allows Silicon Valley businesses access to high speed + high reliability fiber optic internet, at lower cost.

fiberIVY delivers much more reliable business-class bandwidth than traditional T1 or Bonded T1 service at a much lower cost. Our fully-managed solution is backed by an SLA that guarantees 99.99% uptime.

Fastmetrics has fiber presence in many buildings around San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara & more areas. See a complete list of addresses here: http://www.fastmetrics.com/fiberivy.php

Fastmetrics connects your business through existing fiber infrastructure to symmetrical fiber speeds of 10mbps x 10mbps, 20mbps x 20mbps or 50mbps x 50mbps fiber. Service includes hosted PRI or Analog phone lines + free calls (if requested). Installation is free also.

Pricing from $499 per month.

sales@fastmetrics.com or call: 1-800-724-7100

CJM