e-businessguide - Getting connected

Assuming you have a computer that can be connected to the Internet, follow these steps...

Step 1: Research the optimum speed for your connection to the Internet.

The choices are...

Normal - dial-up where you connect by dialling up via a normal telephone line

Fast - broadband or ISDN

Broadband offers a number of options:

DSL Digital Subscriber Line refers to a group of technologies, the most common being ADSL or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. DSL uses your existing telephone line to deliver high-speed Internet access. It allows voice communication and high-speed data transmission on the same line at the same time.
Cable Internet uses the Pay TV cable network to bring you broadband Internet access.
Satellite broadband uses a satellite dish to connect to the Internet.
Wireless broadband can deliver fast access by using radio waves instead of cables or wires to carry signals and data. If connecting via broadband, security of your system needs to be considered. Seek advice from your broadband supplier.

ISDN stands for, Integrated Services Digital Network. It sends data via a digital phone line to national and international destinations. It can be used to deliver the total Internet, telephony and fax requirements of a small business.

Your choice of technology will depend largely on which technologies are available to you, as not all are available in all areas.

The advantages and disadvantages of dial-up versus broadband are covered comprehensively in DCITA's booklet, Broadband for Small Business: http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/publications_and_reports/2003/04/broadband_for_small_business

Which connection speed is right for your business?

This decision should be guided by your business plan and the role you want the Internet to play in it. This table compares normal and fast Internet connections.

Normal - dial-up

Fast - broadband

Advantages for e-business:

costs nothing to install if an existing telephone line can be used and the computer already has a modem
monthly payment plans cater well for infrequent and low-level users
available in Australia wherever a phone line exists

Advantages for e-business:

generally 10-20 times faster than dial-up
large files can be transferred quickly - eg building plans, photos
provides permanent, always-on and almost instant access to the Internet
saves time dialling up & cost of a phone call every time you want email or the Web
allows for simultaneous phone/Web/ email use
several computers in the office can be connected via the one connection which saves money on multiple connections

Disadvantages for e-business

can be slow or impractical for some e-business practices - eg video conferencing
cost of telephone call every time someone dials up to connect
if more than one computer needs to be connected, additional hardware is required and it will be slower

Disadvantages for e-business

installation can cost more than normal dial-up connection
not as readily available everywhere in Australia as normal dial-up

Step 2: Select a company to provide your Internet service.

Connections to the Internet, both dial-up and broadband, are offered by companies called Internet Service Providers (ISPs). An ISP is your gateway to the Internet. ISPs provide:

a computer in your locality (called a server) to which you connect using a modem and through which you can access the Web
an email address for you - eg sales@freshfruitmart.com.au
a send-and-collect service for your email messages.

Many ISPs offer a website hosting service and can provide your business with a domain name - eg freshfruitmart.com.au

The Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) website provides a great deal of information about getting connected to the Internet.

Click here to see ACMA's toolkit which includes a list of questions to ask an ISP before selecting their service: http://www.toolkit.aca.gov.au/internet/links.htm

Click here to see a list of ISPs in your State or Territory: http://www.toolkit.aca.gov.au/internet/index.htm

For a list of broadband service providers in Australia see: http://www.broadbandxchange.org

PDF e-businessguide Case Study - Youth Arts QLD (57kb)

PDF e-businessguide Case Study - Techbooks (29kb)

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