DIA vs Broadband: Difference Between Dedicated & Shared Internet

In this digital world, most companies rely on internet connection for their daily operations like accessing cloud applications, videoconferencing, e-commerce, email, and much more. Therefore, having a reliable and consistent internet connection is vital for businesses that wish to succeed and take the market.

For small businesses that are growing, ensuring a reliable connection is vital for their performance and growth rate. Did you know, when you buy an internet connection from your ISP, you are either signing up for a shared connection or dedicated internet access? Both these types are discussed below in this article.

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What is Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)?

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is a private connection that provides a specific bandwidth for your business only. This connection is not shared with anyone else; it is only used by your office users that have a physical circuit. As it is a dedicated internet, there is always consistent, high-speed internet. Some of the most common DIA connection types include:

• Ethernet over Copper (EoC)
• T1
• T3
• Dedicated Fiber-optic connection
• Dedicated Fixed Wireless

With DIA, you won’t have to compete with other users for bandwidth. It means you can enjoy consistent and high-speed internet all day long. For uninterrupted performance, businesses can consult fiber optic UAE-based companies and adopt a dedicated fiber-optic connection for fast and symmetrical speed.

What is Broadband Internet?

Broadband internet connection, on the other hand, is a shared connection that is shared among a number of users in the area. As this is a shared network, the bandwidth offered is limited, and there is no guarantee on the speed you will get. The speed of the internet depends upon the network traffic, location, and time of the day. Some typical broadband internet connections include the following:

• Shared fiber-optic connection
• Cable
• DSL
• Satellite
• Wireless

Broadband internet might be manageable for small-scale companies that don’t require extensive speed and bandwidth for their daily operations. But for IT companies and bandwidth-intensive businesses, a shared connection is not a reliable option as it provides asymmetrical speed that will end up affecting your overall productivity.

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) vs. Broadband Internet

Let’s get down to a side-by-side comparison of both DIA and Broadband. We will compare both on certain factors like speed, reliability, performance, and cost.

Speed

As DIA is not shared with any other user, it provides internet access through a fiber-based network with connectivity speed up to 1 Gbps. With DIA, you can also choose your own required speed that best fits your business requirement. Another major benefit of DIA is its symmetrical speed, i.e., equal download and upload speed. Now you can upload large files and data with high speed and low latency.

Broadband, on the other hand, offers a slow-speed internet connection as you share your network with other users in the area. During the daytime when traffic is high, you are bound to experience latency and very slow speed. Broadband is also asymmetrical, i.e., you don’t get equal download and upload speed, which will affect the overall performance of your business.

Performance

With broadband internet, your issue is not only bandwidth speed, but also latency and packet loss. Latency is the speed that data takes to travel. Hence, a higher latency (as experienced in broadband) will affect your overall performance.

Similarly, packet loss is when packets of data fail to travel across the network to reach their destination. Packet loss is caused by an error in transmission across the internet connection. Broadband has a high packet loss rate, which means higher application timeouts. DIA addresses all these issues and provides consistent internet transmission.

Reliability

DIA is not only a fast network but also extremely reliable. With SLA (Service Legal Agreement), technical issues with DIA can be solved within 2-4hours or before they even start affecting your connection. Mean time to repair (MTTR) for dedicated internet access is very less, typically, around 2-4 hours.

With shared internet connection or broadband, MTTR is around hours to days at best. With broadband, there is no guarantee on the time frame because it is hard to detect where the problem has occurred, thus increasing the overall downtime. This prolonged delay and downtime may affect your business productivity.

Cost

When it comes to the cost of the internet, a broadband connection takes the lead since it is less expensive than a DIA. As broadband is shared between multiple users, the costs are significantly less as it is also shared among different users. The average cost of a broadband connection is around $60/ month, while the average cost of dedicated internet access is about $800 for 1Gbps.

Broadband, no doubt, is a cheaper option but that lower cost comes with low performance, speed, and reliability, which might become a liability for a company as opposed to an advantage. Prices may vary depending upon your location, so consider approaching a fiber optic UAE based service provider for the best internet option at competitive prices.

Understand Your Internet Requirements

These are some of the major differences between Broadband and Dedicated Internet Access (DIA). Both the connections have their pros and cons. However, your connectivity decision depends upon your business requirements and the size of your business. There are a lot of factors to consider that may affect your internet choice, e.g., required speed, performance during a power outage, etc. So, make sure to consider all these factors before deciding on an internet connection to support your business.

FAQ

Q: What is DIA (Dedicated Internet Access)?

A: DIA (Dedicated Internet Access) is a type of internet service where a dedicated, private connection is provided to the user. This means that the user has exclusive use of the internet connection and does not share it with other users.

Q: What is Broadband?

A: Broadband is a type of internet service where a shared connection is provided to multiple users. This means that the user shares the internet connection with other users in the same area.

Q: What is the difference between DIA and Broadband?

A: The main difference between DIA and Broadband is that DIA provides a dedicated, private connection to the user, while Broadband provides a shared connection to multiple users. This means that DIA offers a more reliable and secure connection, but it may be more expensive compared to Broadband.

Q: Which one is better, DIA or Broadband?

A: The choice between DIA and Broadband depends on the individual’s needs and budget. For businesses or individuals who need a fast, reliable, and secure internet connection, DIA may be the better option. For casual users who do not require a high level of performance and are on a budget, Broadband may be the more economical choice.

Q: Can DIA and Broadband both be used for the same type of activities?

A: Yes, DIA and Broadband can both be used for a variety of activities, such as browsing the web, streaming videos, and downloading files. However, DIA may offer a better experience for activities that require a fast, reliable, and secure connection, such as online gaming and video conferencing.

Q: Is DIA more expensive than Broadband?

A: Yes, DIA is generally more expensive than Broadband. This is because DIA provides a dedicated, private connection to the user, while Broadband provides a shared connection to multiple users.

Q: Is DIA more secure than Broadband?

A: Yes, DIA is generally more secure than Broadband. This is because DIA provides a dedicated, private connection to the user, while Broadband provides a shared connection to multiple users. This means that the risk of unauthorized access or hacking is lower with DIA compared to Broadband.

Q: Can I switch from Broadband to DIA if I need a better connection?

A: Yes, you can switch from Broadband to DIA if you need a better connection. This can be done by contacting your internet service provider and requesting a switch to DIA.

Q: Is DIA available in my area?

A: The availability of DIA may vary depending on your location. It is recommended to contact your internet service provider to check if DIA is available in your area.

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