Symmetric Internet, why does Your business need It?

25 September 2023

Today’s post will be dedicated to one of the hottest topics in the world of business internet – symmetrical connections. If you’re wondering what that is, don’t worry! Everything will become clear shortly.

In simplest terms, symmetric Internet is one where the data download speed is exactly the same as the upload speed. Sounds simple, right? But why is there so much buzz about it, especially in the context of business Internet? The fact is, in today’s age where remote work, video conferencing, and cloud utilization have become the norm, having equal upload and download speeds is key to the smooth and efficient operation of many businesses.

Have you ever tried to send a massive file to a client or a colleague, waiting seemingly forever for it to upload? Or participated in a video conference where the image and sound quality left much to be desired? It’s in such moments that the advantages of symmetric Internet become apparent.

Before we delve into details, let’s consider together if symmetric Internet is the answer to your business needs. See you in the following paragraphs!

Symmetric Internet in Practice

You might be wondering, what’s it like to use symmetric Internet on a daily basis? Does it really differ much from a standard connection? How can you harness the full potential of such a connection in your business? We aim to answer these questions in this section.

Using symmetric Internet is like driving a luxury car on a highway – both lanes have the same conditions. This means that both when sending and receiving data, you can enjoy the same speed. Compared to traditional asymmetric connections, where one “lane” is often much slower, the difference is monumental.

Imagine a situation where you’re hosting a video conference with a key client while simultaneously sending them a presentation. With symmetric Internet, you don’t have to worry that one of these tasks will affect the quality of the other. This is a huge advantage, especially nowadays when exchanging large files and online communication are part of daily business.

But how does it work in practice? What about fiber optic technology that gives us access to such fast Internet? How does radio technology fit into the picture? We’ll address these questions in the subsequent sections.

Comparing Symmetric and Asymmetric Connections

When we hear about fast internet, we often don’t consider what’s truly behind that term. Many of us use traditional asymmetric connections without realizing their limitations, especially in a business context. Thus, it’s valuable to look at the differences between symmetric and asymmetric internet to understand why the former is so valued in the business realm.

First off, let’s remind ourselves of these two concepts:

Symmetric Internet – is one where the data download speed is equal to the data upload speed.

Asymmetric Internet – here, the data download speed is typically higher than the upload speed.

In business, where it’s vital not only to download data swiftly but also to upload it (e.g., large files, backups, client communication), symmetric connections have a massive advantage. With asymmetric connections, we might face issues when attempting to simultaneously transfer and download vast amounts of data. But how do the performance and costs of these two technologies compare?

Performance:

In a business setting where the flow of information must be seamless, delays in data transmission can lead to financial losses, client dissatisfaction, or data loss. Symmetric internet ensures a constant, guaranteed speed in both directions, resulting in efficient operations under any conditions.

For projects requiring continuous communication between teams, be it through video conferencing or the cloud, a symmetric connection ensures that there will be no bottleneck effect in bandwidth. What’s more, symmetric internet supports many modern business applications that operate online and need consistent internet speeds in both directions.

Cost:

Although at first, a symmetrical connection might seem more expensive, in the long run, its positive impact on efficiency and work quality can result in significant savings for a company. Indirect costs associated with downtime, delays, or the loss of customers due to the inefficiency of a regular asymmetrical connection can quickly exceed the initial price difference between the two solutions.

Asymmetrical connections, though cheaper, might generate additional costs in the form of delays or the need to invest in extra solutions. In the long term, investing in a symmetrical internet might prove to be more cost-effective than seemingly cheaper asymmetrical connections.

Understanding Symmetrical Internet Using the Example of a 100/100 Mbit/s Connection

When discussing various internet speeds, the numbers can be overwhelming. In the following paragraphs, we’d like to discuss the functioning of a symmetrical connection based on a sample speed of 100/100 Mbit/s. This is a speed that we provide at Geckonet using both fiber optics and dedicated radio lines. Let’s dive into the topic!

What does 100/100 Mbit/s mean:

When we talk about a 100/100 Mbit/s connection, we refer to a download and upload speed of 100 megabits per second. For clarity, a megabit is 1/8 of a megabyte, which means we can download and upload data at a speed of 12.5 megabytes per second. For a company using such a connection, this means lightning-fast transfer and downloading of large files, regardless of the direction of the data flow.

How it looks in practice:

Imagine a situation where your team needs to send a client a presentation of size 300 MB. With a symmetrical 100/100 Mbit/s connection, this operation takes less than half a minute! What if, at the same time, another team member needs to download a large file from a server? Thanks to the symmetrical connection, both operations don’t interfere with each other.

A symmetrical 100/100 Mbit/s connection also guarantees that multiple employees in your company can simultaneously use the Internet, send files, conduct video conferences, or use cloud applications without fearing speed drops or delays.

Backups, data storage, SaaS applications – all require an efficient connection. With the 100/100 Mbit/s symmetrical internet, uploading and downloading data from the cloud is equally fast, significantly streamlining work.

A symmetrical connection is an investment in efficiency, effectiveness, and smooth operations, whether your employees work in the office or perform their tasks remotely. It’s the real future of the Internet for business, tailored to dynamically changing needs and market requirements.

Smartphone in the cloud

Why choose Symmetrical Internet for your business?

In today’s dynamic business world, companies face the challenge of ensuring a rapid and effective flow of information. Many traditional solutions no longer meet these requirements. That’s why the symmetrical internet has become one of the keys to success in modern business.

So why should symmetrical internet be on every entrepreneur’s priority list?

Transfer of large amounts of data:

Symmetrical internet ensures smooth transfer of large amounts of data in both directions. It’s key to effective team collaboration, hassle-free resource sharing, and professionally presenting offers to clients, regardless of location.

Meeting growing communication needs:

Remote communication, both with the team and clients, is now more valued than ever before. A symmetrical connection ensures that all communication sessions – from video conferences to voice calls – are crystal clear, without delays or interruptions.

Boosting team productivity:

When the team has access to a fast, reliable connection, the workflow is smoother. There are no delays in accessing cloud tools, data synchronization, or file sharing, which positively impacts work efficiency.

Protection against data loss:

Regularly backing up and storing crucial data in the cloud is key to a company’s security. With symmetrical internet, this process is quick and efficient, minimizing the risk of losing valuable information.

Stepping towards the future:

Technology is constantly evolving, and along with it, the requirements for bandwidth and connection quality grow. By choosing symmetrical internet, you’re investing in the future of your business, preparing it for the next digital challenges.

Conclusion

Understanding the role that the Internet plays in the functioning of your business is crucial in making an informed decision about the technology on which you decide to base your operations. And choosing symmetrical internet might prove to be one of the best steps towards optimizing communication and processes in your company.

At Geckonet, we know how vital reliable internet access is for businesses. Our goal is to deliver a solution tailored to the individual needs of every client. We offer symmetrical internet using fiber optic technology, characterized by ultra-high speeds and high stability. However, we recognize that we cannot reach every location with fiber optics. That’s why, for hard-to-reach locations, we are able to set up dedicated radio links.

Regardless of the technology, we make every effort to ensure that the implementation process is as non-intrusive as possible for our clients’ operations. After a thorough needs analysis, we provide an estimate and present the cost of the investment, ensuring transparency at every stage of collaboration. Our mission is to provide you and your company with the fastest, most reliable, and cost-effective symmetrical internet. By choosing Geckonet, you are betting on quality, experience, and innovation.