What is dedicated internet access?
Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is a premium internet service that provides businesses with a direct and private connection to the internet. Unlike shared internet services, where bandwidth is divided among multiple users, DIA offers a dedicated, high-speed connection solely for your business. This ensures consistent performance, reliable speeds, and enhanced security.
How do DIA services work?
DIA services involve establishing a direct link between your business premises and the internet service provider’s (ISP) network. This is typically achieved through fibre optic cables, which offer high-speed and high-capacity data transmission.
Unlike shared broadband services, the local loop in DIA is dedicated to your business, ensuring that the bandwidth is not shared with other users.
Dedicated internet access providers
Here are the top three to five factors to consider when choosing a dedicated internet access provider:
| Consideration | Additional detail |
|---|---|
| Reliability and uptime guarantees | Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and guarantees on uptime, latency, jitter, and packet loss. Redundancy Measures, failover mechanisms and network monitoring. |
| Speed and Performance | Consider symmetrical speeds and the ability to be able to scale your bandwidth up or down as your requirements change. |
| Security Features | Consider security measures including encryption, firewalls and DDoS protection. |
| Customer Support and Service | Look for a provider that offers 24/7 technical support. Check average response and resolution times. Some providers also offer dedicated account managers. |
| Cost and Value for Money | Ensure the provider offers clear and transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Check what’s included e.g. installation fees, equipment costs, and any additional services. Consider any additional value-add or bundled services. |
Dedicated Internet Access pricing
Dedicated internet access pricing is typically based on a combination of the following factors:
- Bandwidth and speed
- SLA
- Geographic location
- Installation and setup fees
- Contract terms
- Additional features and services
Why Colt?
Through our network – the Colt IQ Network – we provide digital infrastructure on your terms that enables the services which keep your business running.
- Amazing people: Our people genuinely care, and this allows us to create extraordinary experiences and the strongest relationships with our customers. We’ve been delivering connectivity for over 30 years, with consistently record-breaking NPS scores.
- Global ecosystems: Our ecosystem of the world’s leading digital service providers, partners and people allows us to shape our services to our customers’ very needs.We maintain close relationships with the industry’s top players including Oracle, Google, Microsoft, IBM, AWS, SAP, Atos, Equinix, Interxion, Versa Networks, ADVA and Ciena.
- Intelligent infrastructure: Colt has arguably the most impressive European and Asian coverage of any service provider. Our state of the art network seamlessly connects over 32k+ buildings and 1100+ data centres across 40+ countries. We’re a known innovator and our seamless service provides a network our customers can use with ease, enabling them to do more, more quickly, all over the world.
- Self-service platform: Colt On Demand is our SDN-enabled, self-service platform providing real time connectivity over the Colt IQ Network bringing benefits such as online ordering and APIs, service delivery in minutes to cloud and data centres globally, flexible bandwidth options and contracts starting as little as an hour.
- A shared future: We pioneer new technologies and put sustainability at the heart of everything that we do. Colt was awarded a Platinum medal by EcoVadi’s in 2023 placing us in the top 1% of all rated companies for sustainability.
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Shared vs Dedicated Internet Access
Shared Internet Access involves bandwidth that is shared among multiple users, resulting in variable speeds and potential slowdowns during peak times, with limited service guarantees and higher security risks. It is generally less expensive and suitable for smaller businesses or residential use.
In contrast, Dedicated Internet Access provides a private, exclusive connection with guaranteed bandwidth, consistent performance, and robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs) ensuring high reliability and uptime.
Leased Line vs Dedicated Internet Access
Leased lines and Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) both provide dedicated, high-performance internet connectivity. There is no difference between the two.
Dedicated Internet Access has several names and might also be referred to as a Leased Line, a Dedicated Leased Line or DIA (Direct Internet Access). For further information visit our Leased Line product page.
IP transit vs Dedicated Internet Access
IP Transit is a service where an Internet Service Provider (ISP) allows traffic from a customer’s network to pass through its network to reach the broader internet, often used by ISPs, data centers, and large enterprises for global internet routing with extensive control over routing policies.
Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), on the other hand, offers a direct, dedicated link from a business premises to the internet with guaranteed bandwidth, consistent speeds, and robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ideal for businesses needing reliable and high-performance internet access.
While IP Transit is tailored for extensive network control and routing flexibility, DIA focuses on providing reliable, high-speed internet connectivity for general business use. For further information visit our IP Transit product page.
