In the modern age, expansion is the name of the game. As a result, businesses are growing to reach further than ever. This endeavor has created an all-new question that modern-day business owners must answer: How do all of my businesses stay connected?
It’s a problem solved by WANs (Wide Area Network), but there is no single answer. We’re looking at two leading solutions today: point-to-point leased lines and wavelength circuits.
Each offers a solution to staying connected, but each has its way of doing it. These solutions also have associated a price with having dedicated internet at your disposal. The answers are part and parcel of their limitations and drawbacks that those in the market shouldn’t ignore.
Let’s look at these upsides and downsides to determine which of the two is right for you.
Point To Point Leased Lines
Point-to-point leased lines are dedicated internet lines that connect at least two locations and are notably secure and closed off. The extra security is due to the line being private, only connecting between whatever computers are hooked up to the lines. If you desire extra security, you can add further encryption.
These lines are made out of fiber optic cables and are thus incredibly fast when transferring data from one point to another. Data doesn’t get rerouted when sent, ensuring quick speeds when moving data.
Major service providers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon offer DIA internet connection services. Point-to-point is a good choice in a dedicated internet line for businesses handling finances that desire secure connections.
Point-to-point connections can be expensive. The price of dedicated internet access is higher than wavelength by a decent but. It’s a lot of money to spend, so it’s well worth checking to see if it’s worth it.
Wavelength Circuits
Wavelength circuits use dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) to send data through fiber optic cables. It allows for a single line of fiber to carry multiple high-capacity circuits. They are also private dedicated internet lines, meaning you can keep data safe more easily.
Wavelength Circuits are also far cheaper than point-to-point with greater speed. The price of a dedicated internet connection using wavelength circuits is lower than point-to-point but still expensive.
What makes DWDM interesting is when it is used to form a protected circuit, which is when multiple lines are installed if one line isn’t working. It ensures information will reach its destination in case of failure.
While that extra guarantee is nice, it does not come cheap. In exchange for reliability, wavelength circuits can cost around twice as much as non-protected offerings. Depending on how far and how much cable is used, the dedicated internet cost can easily begin to climb.
So Which Is Better?
Like most things in life, the answer to the question “Which is better?” isn’t straightforward. Instead, it’s determined by what you need and how much money you can afford to spend on it.
While both options offer secure connections between locations, point-to-point might be better for demanding businesses that need a guarantee. Point-to-point is older, so more carriers are likely to service it to many locations, and it has a very high capacity and low latency.
Wavelength circuits are newer, and thus finding service in select areas may be difficult. However, they are well suited to a business that uses a lot of bandwidth while keeping information secure. It’s a solid choice for business-focused in major metropolitan areas where lots of traffic gets in the way of broadband, and it’s likely to be provided.
The correct answer is ultimately found in whatever kind meets the business’s needs the best.
