Start with your locations, applications and uptime needs. Compare broadband, dedicated internet and backup options with availability and contract terms in view.
Use these considerations to frame your requirements. Exact capabilities depend on the proposed supplier and service.
01
Everyday business connectivity
Business broadband
A starting point for offices running cloud applications, calls and day-to-day work. Compare the upload capacity and contention characteristics, not only the headline download speed.
WHAT TO COMPARE
Upload and download rates
Address availability
Support and contract terms
02
Performance-sensitive locations
Dedicated internet access
Evaluate a dedicated service when predictable capacity and defined service commitments matter. Confirm the supplied circuit specification and written SLA for each location.
WHAT TO COMPARE
Committed capacity and handoff
IP addressing and installation
SLA, credits and escalation
03
An alternative path when needed
Wireless & backup
Consider fixed wireless or cellular access for resilience or a site with limited wired options. Coverage and physical path diversity determine whether it is a suitable backup.
WHAT TO COMPARE
Coverage and signal quality
Data allowances and equipment
Failover behaviour
04
Connecting sites and infrastructure
Ethernet & dark fibre
Explore private connectivity where locations need to exchange traffic. Ethernet services and dark fibre have different equipment, operational and commercial requirements.
WHAT TO COMPARE
Endpoints and route diversity
Managed service or fibre lease
Equipment and support ownership
A BETTER STARTING POINT
Bring the requirements. Leave room for options.
You do not need a finished specification to begin. Share what you know and highlight the decisions you still need to make.
Locations, existing services and the people or systems that depend on them.
02
What needs to change
The problem to solve, must-have capabilities and any constraints.
03
Your timeline
Target dates, existing contract end dates and important dependencies.
FROM INQUIRY TO DECISION
Clarity at each step.
Your inquiry starts a review. It does not place an order or automatically assign a service provider.
01
Define
Describe your requirements and the outcome you need.
02
Evaluate
Review suitable options, availability and proposed terms.
03
Confirm
Identify the contracting, billing and support parties before proceeding.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
A few useful answers.
For requirements specific to your business, include the details in your inquiry.
How is DIA different from business broadband?
DIA is specified around dedicated capacity and contractual service commitments. Broadband may use shared access. Compare the actual upstream specification, upload speed, addressing and SLA; fibre access alone does not establish that a service is DIA.
Can you confirm availability from a postcode?
A postcode can help start an inquiry, but a supplier may need the full service address, suite, building access and a site survey before confirming availability or installation costs.
Who installs, bills and supports the connection?
The proposal and service agreement should identify the contracting provider, installation owner, billing party and support contacts. Confirm those responsibilities before ordering.
What should I share with my request?
Include your locations, current service, key applications, target date and any contract end dates. If you need resilience, describe the impact of an outage and your existing backup connection.