Frequently Asked Questions

What is business grade fibre internet?

Growth in demand for bandwidth is accelerating in the business community, driven by the surge in the adoption of cloud SaaS technologies and hosted compute across almost every business. With the ever-growing demands of businesses today, reliable and fast internet connectivity is crucial, typically as important as electricity for day-to-day operations, and sometimes more important.

So what exactly is business-grade fibre internet and why is it so important for businesses?

It is simply a business-grade internet service delivered directly to your premises using a fibre optic connected, metro-ethernet network. This ensures guaranteed high speed internet access that can keep up with the rigours of business, even in the most data intensive environments. We guarantee service levels with these products, and back them with a Service Level Agreement.

What exactly is business-grade fibre internet and why is it so important for businesses?

It is simply a business-grade internet service delivered directly to your premises using a fibre optic connected, metro-ethernet network. This ensures guaranteed high speed internet access that can keep up with the rigours of business, even in the most data intensive environments. We guarantee service levels with these products, and back them with a Service Level Agreement.

How to choose between 1G and 2.5G fibre internet

Choosing between 1G and 2.5G fiber internet, it's important to consider your specific needs. 2.5G Ethernet is faster than 1G Ethernet, offering higher bandwidth and improved performance for modern applications and devices that require faster data transfer rates. If you plan on streaming HD 4K video, online gaming, or transferring large files, a 2.5G multi-Gig port would be ideal. To achieve 2.5G Ethernet speed, you need a cable modem or router with a specific 2.5 Gigabit port and a Cat 6 cable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your internet usage and the devices you are connecting, as well as your budget, as 2.5G Ethernet may be more expensive than 1G Ethernet.

Where the Nexthop business grade fibre network is available?

Nexthop's business grade fibre network provides coverage in the central business areas of major Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The network offers fast and reliable service to support enterprise and business needs, with flexible plans offering speeds up to 10Gbps, unlimited data usage, and 24/7 customer support. If you are located within the CBD fringe of these cities and would like to know more about Nexthop's offerings, you can contact us via phone 1800 950 777

DIA vs. GPON service - what is the diffence?

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) and Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) are two different types of internet that businesses can select depending on their specific needs. DIA is a dedicated service that provides a fixed amount of bandwidth that is not shared with other users, whereas GPON is a shared service in which multiple users share the same bandwidth.

DIA provides a higher level of reliability, security, and performance as the connection is dedicated solely to one customer. It typically offers symmetric speeds, meaning that both the upload and download speeds are the same. On the other hand, GPON is a cost-effective solution that can offer high-speed internet to multiple users over a single fiber optic cable. However, the speed may vary depending on the number of users and the amount of bandwidth being used.

Another key difference between the two services is the technology used to deliver the network. DIA uses a range of connection types, such as Ethernet over Fiber and T1, while GPON uses Passive Optical Network technology.

In summary, DIA is an ideal solution for businesses that require consistent and reliable high-speed internet access, while GPON is a more cost-effective solution for businesses where a shared network is sufficient, and fast internet speeds are essential but not guaranteed.

Which business fibre internet package will suit my needs?

The business fibre internet package that will suit your business needs depends on the type and scale of the business. Factors to consider include the amount of bandwidth needed, the number of users and devices in a business network, whether diversity and backup is required, and the security and wifi requirements. Our team is ready to help you find the best business fibre plan, answer any questions you may have and provide you with a business grade fibre internet solution that will meet your needs

How does Business Grade Fibre differ from consumer-grade NBN fibre (FTTP)?

Consumer-grade fibre is designed for home use and is usually shared between multiple users in a residential neighbourhood. Business Grade Fibre, on the other hand, is dedicated solely to businesses or organisations, provides higher bandwidth availability, and more extensive support services.

What speeds can be achieved with business grade fibre?

Business grade fibre allows for a range of speed options including 500Mb, 1Gb, 2Gb, 5Gb, 10Gb or more depending on your business requirements.

What is dedicated internet access (DIA)?

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is a type of internet connection that provides a dedicated, high-speed, and reliable internet connection to a single user or organisation. Unlike shared internet connections, which are used by multiple users, becoming slower during peak usage times, DIA offers guaranteed bandwidth, consistent speeds, and lower latency.

Nexthop DIA connections use dedicated fibre-optic connections that run directly from our provider edge devices to your customer’s location. This means that the bandwidth is not shared with other customer premises, ensuring that the user gets a consistent experience and the bandwidth they pay for. Nexthop DIA connections come with Service Level Agreements (SLAs), guaranteeing uptime and performance, meaning we stand by the quality of our connections and are incentivised to ensure that connectivity is always available.

DIA on Nexthop’s fibre is an ideal solution for businesses that require high-speed, reliable internet connectivity to run critical applications, transfer large amounts of data, or support remote workers. It provides the performance and reliability needed for online video conferencing, cloud computing, VoIP services, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

What is the difference between business fibre internet (DIA) and NBN?

Business fibre internet and “NBN” (National Broadband Network) in the popular vernacular are sometimes used to refer to types of internet connections. Whilst business fibre internet is always an internet connection, NBN is not, though the NBN can be used to connect a premises to the internet. Let’s put this distinction to the side, and compare a typical SMB or home NBN powered internet connection to a Nexthop business fibre internet service or DIA. When we refer to “NBN” below, we mean the NBNco Ethernet Bitstream Service (NEBS).

Business fibre internet is a dedicated fibre-optic connection that is designed to provide high-speed internet access to businesses. It offers faster upload and download speeds when compared to NBN, as well as better reliability and lower latency. With a business fibre internet connection, you can expect consistent speeds even during peak usage times. However, it is typically more expensive than NBN.

On the other hand, NBN is a (currently) government-owned network that provides fast broadband services to many premises across Australia. It runs on a mix of technologies, including fibre-optic cables, wireless, and satellite. NBN provides a range of plans with different speeds and pricing options, making it a more affordable option for small businesses. However, NBN speeds can be affected by congestion during peak usage times, which can result in slower speeds.

In summary, business fibre internet is a far more reliable and faster option for businesses that require high-speed and consistent internet connectivity. NBN is an affordable option that offers a mix of speeds and pricing options, making it suitable for small businesses with non-critical internet usage requirements.

Should my business use 2.5G or 1G?

For businesses with current needs adequately met by 1G and no significant anticipated growth, 1G remains a cost-effective choice. However, for businesses seeking enhanced performance and future-proofing, 2.5G offers superior bandwidth and scalability, justifying the higher initial investment.