Author: Go.Verizon.com Team

When you think of the word “ambitious” what or who comes to mind? For many it could be a mentor they look up to or that one friend who owns a small business, but rarely do they ever consider the city they live in. Yes, that’s right! The city you live in can be ambitious too!

Our Verizon business experts have identified business savvy cities throughout the U.S. and rated them on their population’s ambitious nature to compile a list of the country’s 15 most ambitious cities.

Read on to learn about the qualities of business owners in America’s most successful risk-taking cities, and check if your home city made the list.

Methodology

To determine the most ambitious cities in the US, we looked at five different factors in cities with a population of 100,000+ people, and weighted each one to get a total score out of 100% using the following variables:

Mean income weighted at 19%. A higher percentage positively affected its final score. 

Unemployment Rate weighted at 10%. A higher percentage negatively affected that city’s final score. 

People with a bachelor degree or higher (25 and older) weighted at 21%. A higher percentage positively affected that city’s final score.

Number of business applications weighted at 25%. A higher number of applications positively affected the final score. 

Percent of population that started a new business (in 2021) weighted at 35%. A higher percentage positively affected a city’s final score.

A Closer Look at The Top 15 Most Ambitious Cities

1. Burbank, CA

Burbank, California is home to Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, The Burbank Studios and the largest IKEA in the U.S. In the last year, the county where Burbank is located had 157,459 business applications.

2. Davie, FL

Davie, Florida has a mean income of $102,592 and is home to Broward College, Florida Atlantic University, McFatter Technical Center, and Nova Southeastern University.

3. Pasadena, CA

Pasadena is most famous for its New Year’s Day Rose Parade and college football Rose Bowl Game. The city is also home to the first Trader Joe’s, which opened in 1967. Pasadena’s mean income is $122,053 and 53% of the population holds a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

4. Sandy Springs, GA

Sandy Springs is just 12 miles North of Atlanta and is the home of UPS and the Mercedes-Benz USA corporate offices. Sandy Springs has a mean income of $136,708 and 66.5% of the population holds a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

5. The Woodlands, TX

Located in the Montgomery County area, The Woodlands is a special-purpose district and census designated place in Texas. Named by Forbes Magazine one of the best places to live in the U.S., this city has attracted notable corporations like Huntsman, Conn’s, Nexeo Solutions, Repsol Energy North America, Strike, and Chevron Phillips Chemical.

6. Torrance, CA

Torrance, California is the birthplace of the American Youth Soccer Organization and is also known for its 1.5 miles of beachfront. This city has a mean income of $121,596 and a 3.1% unemployment rate.

7. Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale is a major city located in Silicon Valley. The city is known as the birthplace of the video game industry and it’s the former location of Atari headquarters.

8. Coral Springs, FL

Coral Springs is home to an award winning school system with many schools in the area having received the “Five Star School Award” from the Florida Department of Education. This city is also conveniently located  just 30 minutes away from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport.

9. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale is full of rich natural beauty from its award winning beaches to its waterways. The city has been named by Forbes one of the ‘America’s Millionaire Capitals’ with residents earning a mean income of $104,110.

10. Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara is located in the center of Silicon Valley and is home to industry leading technology companies such as NEC Electronics, Fujikura, McAfee, and Intel. The population’s mean income is $167,638 and 61.1% of residents hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

11. Miramar, FL

Miramar is a suburban city located 25 minutes away from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Roughly 61% of its population has started a new business.

12. Pembroke Pines, FL

Some of the most notorious residents of Pembroke are DJ Khaled, NBA star Kenny Anderson, and NFL star Lawrence Taylor. Pembroke is the most populous city in Broward County and the 11th most populous city in Florida.

13. Norwalk, CA

Norwalk, California is located 25 minutes away from LAX airport and has easy access to major California freeways (I-5, I-605, I-105).

14. Berkeley, CA

Berkeley is home to University of California Berkeley (UCB), which was voted #1 on the list of America’s Top Colleges by Forbes in 2021. Roughly 73.1% of this city’s population holds a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

15. Downey, CA

Downey city was home to Rockwell International, an American manufacturing plant involved in aircraft, space industry, defense and commercial electronics. The city is only miles away from Universal Studios, Disneyland, and the Los Angeles airport and 43% of its population has started a new business.

Fast Facts

• Amongst the top cities, the average rate of entrepreneurship is 38%, which increased 2% from last year’s rate of entrepreneurship (36%). 
• Last year’s average income of $80,092.18 increased by 11% this year to $89,231.53.
• The average of the population that holds a Bachelor’s or higher is 34.73%. This number increased 41% from last year (24.5%).

The Most Ambitious City in Each State*

*Delaware, Maine, West Virginia, and Wyoming are not included in our ranking.

Media

Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon. For media inquiries please email media@verizon-business.com. 

“Why should I pay so much for internet service?”

It’s a valid question, especially for small-business owners squeezing as much as they can out of every scarce dollar. With fiber broadband-wired neighborhoods popping up everywhere promising low cost pricing and high speed internet, the choice between business internet vs. residential seems simple. This Quora thread sums it up: residential internet is cheaper, and now it’s almost as good as a business-level connection, so why pay the difference? You have a handful of employees, and they can easily get by on fewer Mbps than MegaCorp downtown. But, is this the right choice for your business?

Business internet vs. residential

Business internet has more features and benefits than residential, and is worth the higher cost. Residential internet often has restricted upload speeds and comes with only best-effort service agreements, while business internet demands faster upload speeds in order to perform operations. In addition, ISPs provide guaranteed service and uptimes for business internet.

Saving a few bucks now could end up costing you down the line, since the differences between business internet vs. residential are critical—would you line up at FedEx Office self-serve instead of buying your own office printer? Or have an Uber driver make your client deliveries? The choice is really that cut-and-dried.

Here are the most important factors for your business internet vs. residential consideration:

Parity

Residential, and even some business internet providers, keep prices down by offering impressively fast download speeds while glossing over their far slower upload speeds. For streaming movies and web surfing, download speed matters. If you’re creating content and need to get it to clients, upload speed really matters—the same goes for backing up your data offsite. Business internet connections usually offer identical download and upload speeds, known as parity.  In residential connections, throttled upload speed is the norm: 20Mbps down, 2Mbps up is a standard package, which would be advertised as “20×2,” or the upload speed left out completely.

Service Level Agreements

A service-level agreement (or an SLA) is a contract between a service provider and its customers stating what services the provider will furnish, as well as defining performance standards. Service providers use SLAs to manage customer expectations, as well as to clarify when they’re not liable for performance issues or outages. By being made aware these parameters, business customers (residential customers usually receive less-binding “best effort” promises) know what to expect from providers, and can compare them to the SLAs of other vendors. SLAs also define means of compensation should the service level not be met, either through credits or a refund.

Static IP

Business internet connections typically come with static Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, permanent numbers assigned by the Internet service provider (ISP). If it’s not included, you can add a static IP when you set up your service. A static IP address is also known as a fixed address. This is ideal for hosting a web site or email server from your location or for connecting to a whitelisted server so you can use a service that another business provides. Also if you have heating and air conditioning controls or video cameras at your business, you can access these controls remotely with a static IP.

Residential internet connections typically use dynamic IP addresses that are temporary and change each time the computer or device accesses the internet from your network. Your ISP will set this up so it happens automatically using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). When it comes to security, both dynamic and static IPs are comparable, as long as you have a good security program or firewall installed.

Price

The lowest cost shouldn’t be the deciding factor in the business internet vs. residential debate. Think about what your business could lose in the event of an internet slowdown or, worse, a complete outage. The initial savings of going residential could easily be wiped out by loss of connectivity and productivity, and it might end up costing you even more in the end. It won’t, however, cost you anything to compare business internet features and pricing besides a few minutes of research into what might be best for the future of your business. To help get you started, click the following link to learn more about Verizon Fios business internet.

Speed

Business internet speeds tend to be anywhere from two to five times faster than those of residential connections, meaning more people can get more done, more quickly. Twenty employees sharing a 5Mbps residential-style connection at the office can makes little financial sense when you’re counting on it to help complete transactions and make you income. And, as annoying as the dragging downloads and eternal uploads of a slower residential connection can be for you, they’re even more tedious for your customers. It may predate the internet, but the old saying “time is money” still holds up.

When it comes to learning more about speed, feel free to check out our article: How much bandwidth do I need for my business? If you’re considering what makes Fios and fiber optic connections so much faster, we recommend reading fiber optic vs. cable.

See full list of cities here

See the top city in each state here

Launching a small business in a big city can be challenging due to high prices, traffic, excessive noise, and oftentimes fierce competition. Smaller cities, on the other hand, often lack the competition found in larger cities, showing that, with good market research, your small business idea may be just what a small city needs. 

For the fifth consecutive year, Go.Verizon conducted intensive research to again conclude that smaller cities allow plenty of room for business growth.

Considered Data Factors:

These cities won the top spots for good reason. Upon gathering data from nearly 300 cities across the country, Go.Verizon focused on certain factors that would categorize them as “small” without moving towards “town” status. These elements also indicated the financial and tax climates of each city, loans per business, commute time and an overview of its education.

Population: According to the US census, the population of a city must fall between 50,000 to 75,000 people to be considered a “small city.” Most of the spots in the top ten hit the high end of the scale, but still manage to balance out the urban stride with a more hometown vibe.

Percent of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree (15%): In order for your city to qualify for this list, you have to show us your smarts. We completed an analysis of the percentage of the population over 25 years old who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university or college. This information came from the 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimate. (A higher percentage positively impacted the final score.)

Travel time to work/commute (15%): According to the 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimate, this includes the average total travel time it takes working individuals 16 years and older (who do not work at home) to reach work from their residences every day. This takes into account the time spent carpooling, waiting for public transportation, navigating traffic, and “other activities related to getting to work.” (A higher travel time negatively impacted the final score.)

Income per capita (15%): For this particular study, mo’ money = mo’ problems. Based on data from the 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimate, we used median per capita  income to measure labor costs. In the case of small businesses, the lower the per capita income, the better (the lower the score, the lower the operating costs).

Broadband Access Score (10%): High-speed internet is crucial to modern business operations. We analyzed information taken from the 2020 American Community Survey. We looked at the percentage of homes in a city with access to broadband internet as a proxy for good internet coverage.

Loans per business (20%): New businesses can rarely get off the ground without a loan. How easy is it to get a business loan in your city? To find this out, our team gathered data from the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. From there, we determined the average loan amount by state.

Tax score (25%): Typically, lower taxes provide a better environment in which to establish a new business. So to determine each city’s tax score, we pulled information from the 2022 State Business Tax Climate. The higher a city’s tax score, the better its ranking.

*A city must have available data in all metrics to be included in the list. We looked at 333 total cities.

Top 10 US Small Cities for Small Business

In its fifth consecutive year among the top 50 small cities for small businesses, Logan has earned its highest ranking yet, coming in first place. This comes at no surprise seeing that the average commute to work in Logan is 18 minutes, which is much lower than in heavily populated cities. In addition to low commute times, business is booming with easy access to broadband, generous business loans, and a tax score 22% higher than the average city on the list. This picturesque college town is no doubt an attractive location for small business owners.

This year Richland, WA joined our list as the second best small city for small business. While it is a small city, it’s packed year round with fun outdoor activities, music festivals, and cultural showcases. Roughly 25% of Richland residents hold a bachelor’s degree, and earn 4% more than the average income. Their broadband access is also 4% higher than average. Richland is a young city, with a dense suburban feel making it one of the best places to live in Washington.

Corvallis is nestled in the center of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, within 90-minutes of Portland, major ski resorts, and the breathtaking Oregon coast. Through several categories Corvallis holds its own: commute time is below average at 22 minutes, business loans are readily available, and tax scores are above average. Out of the top three small cities for small business, Corvallis is the most populated, but don’t let that fool you. Corvallis residents appreciate its small town feel.

If you don’t care for big city living, but still want to be close to all the action, Millcreek (a suburb of Salt Lake) is the perfect city for your small business. Although commute time is not the lowest on the list, this city makes up for it with their growing job market and admirable tax score. Most of its residents are families and young professionals, which only adds to the excitement of this growing city.

Categorized as one of the best cities to live in Michigan, and the Most Diverse Suburb, Kentwood is a newbie on our list. While average income is lower than most cities on the list, there is no shortage of business loans and broadband is solid across the board. In addition to its tax-friendly environment, Kentwood residents enjoy brisk commute times (average commute time is roughly 21 minutes). 

This small city big on history, culture and art isn’t just a thriving location for small businesses, it’s Washington’s capital and, some may say, the backbone of the state. Olympia is also one of the region’s top tourist attractions, which could explain why commute time is the third highest on our list. Luckily, this city’s tax score, average income, and average business loan size are great perks for those looking to set up shop in Olympia.

Business owners looking for a small city with all the amenities of a big city will love Royal Oak. Often called the “City of Trees”, Royal Oak is home to a wide variety of local businesses. Out of our top 10, this city is by far the most-educated (over 35% of its citizens hold at least a bachelor’s degree). Although Royal Oak’s population is well below average, its commute times are some of the highest on our list. Nonetheless, this city has a lot to offer all around. 

If you like the vibrant energy of Miami but want a more toned down place to relax in the sun, Palm Beach Gardens is the place for your business. Home to the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, Palm Beach Gardens hosts professional golfers year round. Residents of this golfer’s paradise do pretty well for themselves, earning $16,000 over our lists’ average income. Business owners can also enjoy generous broadband access and convenient commute times. 

Utah’s sixth oldest city is rich in pioneer and old west history. This small city packs a big punch in several categories including, income (average household income is over $100,000), broadband access, business loan size, and tax score. As one of the most well-rounded cities on our list, Lehi is a great place for small business owners to set down their roots. After all, the old west is known for expansion and reinvention. 

Missoula is nestled in the northern Rockies of Montana and is home to thousands of outdoor enthusiasts. The natural beauty of the city and its vibrant and welcoming residents make it an attractive area for business. Surprisingly, Missoula is the most populated city out of our top 10 with roughly 74,000 residents, however commute time is the second lowest at 20 minutes. This city offers the small town feel with urban touches, giving it an appealing reason to set up shop there. 

About Us

Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon. Send all media inquiries to media@verizon-business.com.

The top 50 cities to start a small business:

The top small city for small business in each state:

Before written language was invented, our early ancestors carved symbols and pictures into stone. ⚒️⛏️

Over time, countless words and languages were invented. We wrote books and plays and kept a written history on paper. 📜📚

Now, in the age where so much of our communication happens through the internet, phones, and other digital media, we’ve come full circle. We’ve gone back to communicating with symbols and pictures like our ancient ancestors. 📱💻

That’s right: emojis. 🙂

Emojis are now an essential part of everyday communication. Texts and instant messages are a convenient way to keep in touch, but it’s hard to convey emotion in quick bits of typed-out text. Emojis enhance our messages and clarify the emotions we are trying to convey. They can even communicate meaning all by themselves. Sometimes a few simple faces or symbols can get a message across just as well as a full sentence. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all.

As emojis become more a part of our daily communication, more emojis are created, allowing for more specific meanings, ideas, identities, and personalities to be represented in symbols. It’s obvious that emojis are here to stay, which made us wonder:

Which emojis are being used the most? 

The top 10 emojis in the United States

The “face with tears of joy” emoji was by far the most popular emoji across the entire United States with over 180 million mentions in a year. It was used over 60 million more times than the “loudly crying” emoji in second place and more than twice as many total times as the “red heart” in third place. It makes sense, since laughter, sadness, and love are some of our strongest emotions. 

Interesting Findings

According to emojistats.org, the most used emoji is the “face with tears of joy” or . At the time of writing this article, it has been used over 400 million times, a daily average of 204,360. This was the most used emoji in every state.

In 2015, Oxford Dictionaries named the “face with tears of joy” emoji the Word of the Year, so it’s been a popular choice for a while. 

While we only looked at the top 20 most popular emojis (and only 14 made it to the final list), there are over 3,000 emojis.

World Emoji Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on July 17 every year!

Methodology

We used emojistats.org and a list of the most popular emojis from Brandwatch to determine the most popular emojis in the nation. From there we used the Brandwatch tool to scrape Twitter and determine which were the top 10 emojis (based on our combined list) for all 50 states, not including the District of Columbia. Because the “face with tears of joy” emoji was the most popular in every state, our map shows the second most popular emoji for each state. The data is from May 26, 2020 to May 27, 2021.

Conclusion

Emojis are a part of our everyday communication. They help us share emotions in our online communications and can represent a huge variety of different meanings with just a single, simple symbol. In just a short amount of time we’ve seen them evolve, take on new meanings, and become increasingly diverse. There’s no doubt that the most popular emojis will change over time, just like the way we communicate will surely change as well. 

Media Inquiries

Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon. Reporters may send questions to media@verizon-business.com.

The old standard used to be that if you felt slightly sick or had cold-like symptoms, you’d buck up and still show up to the office. But now if you feel sick, it’s considered selfish and reckless to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and head into work.

Thanks to COVID-19, the new status quo even goes beyond just feeling sick. If you know you’ve been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19—even if you aren’t symptomatic—the new precedent is to quarantine and steer clear of co-workers. 

Many white-collar jobs allow employees to work remotely, so it’s easy for those Americans to avoid bringing a sickness with them to the office. But for the 75% of Americans who don’t work remotely, the need to call in sick may mean a loss in pay or even employment.

Over 26 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, and 28% of Americans know someone who tested positive. According to a survey conducted by Go.Verizon.com Business, an authorized retailer for Verizon, 49% respondents claim they’ve been exposed or possibly exposed to COVID-19. So how feasible is it for essential workers to dip out of work every time they’re exposed or have the sniffles? 

To find out, the survey asked white-collar, blue-collar, non-essential, and essential workers alike. We wanted to know how many times each respondent has been exposed, if they’ve ever experienced symptoms, and what they did about it. 

Did they glaze over their cough and head into work or did they stay home and lose pay for the day? Are essential workers more likely to fib than non-essential workers? Did they inform their manager of their symptoms or possible exposure or keep it on the DL?

• 16% of respondents who tested positive for COVID-19 didn’t tell their employer because they didn’t want to take PTO or DTO. 10% of respondents didn’t notify their employer when they were exposed or possibly exposed to COVID-19 because they didn’t want to take PTO or DTO.

• Out of the respondents who didn’t tell their employer about their COVID exposure, 33% of respondents didn’t tell because they didn’t consider it a big deal. 26% of respondents didn’t think their employer would think it was a big deal, and 17% feared losing their job.

• 39% of respondents who didn’t take a COVID-19 test despite having COVID-19 symptoms didn’t tell their employer because they felt it wasn’t necessary or serious enough to warrant a test. 

• Of the respondents that tested positive for COVID but didn’t tell their employers, 9%—nearly a tenth—claim they’d lose their job if they took a sick day. 

Further Insights From Our Survey 

• 32% of respondents who failed to notify their employer about their COVID-19 symptoms are never required to attend work in-person.

• Of the respondents that tested positive for COVID but didn’t tell their employers, 9%—nearly a tenth—claim they’d lose their job if they took a sick day.

• 39% of respondents who didn’t notify their employer when they experienced COVID-19 symptoms work somewhere that requires them to be on-site.  

• 43% of respondents claim they have a fixed amount of paid sick days to take each year. Only 16% of respondents claim they have unlimited sick leave.

• Of the respondents that tested positive for COVID-19 and didn’t tell their employer, 38% are required to show up to work in-person for every single shift, 28% never need to be at work in person, 23% of respondents need to be at work in person, and 11% rarely need to attend work in-person.

• 12% of respondents who didn’t alert their employer when they had COVID-19 symptoms work in information technology. 11% of respondents work in healthcare, and 11% of respondents work in education. 

• 32% of all respondents either currently have COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 previously. 

Methodology

We surveyed 1,110 people over the age of 18 to learn how many respondents had or currently have COVID-19, had or now are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been or are currently exposed to COVID-19.

Looking for more resources?

For more information about the COVID-19 virus and the brand’s response to it, visit Verizon’s Coronavirus Resource Page.

About Go.Verizon.com: Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon.

 In the early spring of 2020, COVID-19 regulations closed restaurants, schools, workplaces, and other communal gathering spaces. Social opportunities for most Americans went from robust, to slim, to almost none. That is, except for gamers.

Interest in video games exploded during the pandemic. In fact, the gaming industry was projected to generate $159.3 billion in 2020. The craze made perfect sense: online gaming provides entertainment and social connection for both solo and cooperative play. To pass the long hours of lockdown, non-gamers picked up controllers for the first time and chatted with new online friends, while gaming diehards doubled down on screen time. 

Did the months of lockdown change the way gamers play? The team at Go.Verizon.com wanted to find out. We surveyed 1,000 people to learn about their gaming habits before, during, and after the pandemic.

Methodology

The team at Go.Verizon.com gathered the data for this piece by surveying 1,000 people on Pollfish in March 2021. We then screened respondents to see if they played video games in 2020. Once screened, we asked respondents questions about their gaming habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In-Game Stats:

Gamer burnout:

• 11% of respondents no longer play at least one of the video games they started in 2020.

The console breakdown:

• 38% of respondents have purchased a new console since January 2020.
• Respondents’ most purchased consoles since January 2020:
  • 44% – PlayStation® 
  • 35% – Xbox
  • 34% – Nintendo Switch™

Cutting back on screen time:

• 21% of respondents said their gaming proficiency did not increase in 2020.
• 10% of respondents said they expected to play significantly fewer video games after the pandemic.

About Go.Verizon.com: Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon. Reporters may send questions to media@verizon-business.com.

Gauge Your Business Internet Needs

A budding business needs a steady internet connection, but what business owners don’t need is wasted money on something they’ll never use. Find the right speed for your business with this simple overview and see what you can do with each.

100/100 Mbps

100 Mbps is a good amount of speed for a small company with up to 10 users at a time doing simple things like sending emails, browsing the internet, and downloading document files. If your business is a startup and you’re still working to get off the ground, 100 Mbps is perfect for you. However, if you’re running a multimedia company that is regularly uploading large files, you might want to jump to the next tier of internet speeds.

300/300 Mbps

300 Mbps is just what you need for a company of between 15-20 average internet users. With these speeds, you’ll be able to comfortably perform typical tasks, in addition, you’ll find the bandwidth to accommodate more creative ventures that require larger files, such as video production. 

1 gig

One gig of data provides upload and download speeds of 940/880 Mbps, which gives your company a cushion to expand with ease. With nearly parallel upload and download speeds (940/880), streaming conference calls, running reports, and creating multimedia projects can be easy as pie. Meanwhile, you’ll also be able to lessen your reliance on a hard drive, as this service is fast enough to let you run applications from the cloud. Choose 940/880 Mbps if you have an average of 30 or more users.

How does your internet speed stack up?

Check your speed >

Set Your Business Apart With Verizon Fios

While looking for business internet, consider a Verizon Fios business plan. With Verizon Fios, not only do you get impressively fast internet but, unlike traditional internet services, you get nearly equal upload and download speeds. While typical internet services throttle upload speeds to save bandwidth for downloads, your business deserves better. When you’re a multimedia production company working with large files, uploads can take a lifetime, but with Verizon Fios business internet, your big projects can take a fraction of the time to upload.

Your small business needs fast, reliable internet at a reasonable price. So what’s your best option? Businesses almost always need a higher speed than you can get with traditional DSL, so that narrows your choices to fiber optic and CATV cable that comes with your TV service.

Fiber optic vs. cable

Digital connection defines the success of the modern business. Whether you run a local mom-and-pop or operate a blue-chip enterprise, a strong internet connection is the key to performing nearly every workday task. To get professional results, you and your employees demand an outstanding network.

So…what’s the best internet for your day-to-day?

To answer that question, you’ll want to start with the two most readily available networks: fiber-optic and cable internet. Read on to see how these two internet giants stack up and discover which one is the ultimate victor.

Defining each network

What makes up a fiber-optic network? Is a cable internet network the same thing as a TV cable network? Get answers to all of these questions and more.

Fiber-optic internet

What’s better than fast internet? Internet that travels at almost the speed of light. Unlike other broadband platforms, fiber-optic networks transfer data via glass fiber cables. Data moves in the form of flashes of light, as opposed to the electrical signals used in traditional copper cable networks. This makes fiber the most advanced form of internet connection currently available.

Unlike cable internet, fiber-optic cables transfer internet data exclusively. When traffic times peak—as lots of other users go online simultaneously—cable internet slows. During these same peak hours, fiber-optic internet is unaffected.

Verizon’s fiber-optic network, known as Fios, is a guaranteed 100% fiber-optic network. When you click, surf, and save on a Verizon Fios network, you’re working nearly at the speed of light.

Cable Internet

Comprised of coaxial copper cables, cable internet transfers data as electrical signals from modem to modem. You may have heard the term “cable” used in conjunction with TVs, and you’d be right to connect those dots. Cable internet piggybacks off of the pre-installed TV cable networks, making for a slower overall connection.

Cable internet also suffers from bottlenecking. Just like the way traffic backs up during an accident, high numbers of online users constrict cable networks during peak hours. With the network restricted, your network’s bandwidth falls—and no one likes a traffic jam.

Comparing speed

It’s time to answer the ultimate question: which network goes faster?

Fiber-optic internet

Thanks to its glass cabling and exclusive network, Fiber-optic internet boasts some impressive speed ranges. Verizon Fios runs at nearly symmetrical download and upload speeds:

• Download speed: 250 Mbps–1000 Mbps
• Upload speed: 250–940 Mbps

Verizon Fios boasts the ever-coveted 1 Gig. 1 Gig, or 1,000 Mbps, is a high enough bandwidth to support over thirty employees simultaneously as they each perform data-heavy tasks, such as consistent cloud backups and live web editing and hosting. To learn more about the power of Verizon Fios Gig internet, click here.

Cable internet

Cable internet just can’t quite keep up. 

For starters, copper cables cannot transfer electrical data as fast as glass cables transfer light data. Additionally, copper cables break down over time, slowing productivity as the years pass. Speeds even take a hit during peak hours, as shared cable networks bottleneck when high numbers of users go online.

Despite its shortcoming, cable internet speeds can still work for certain small businesses:

• Download speed: 10 Mbps–500 Mbps
• Upload speed: 5–50 Mbps

Comparing reliability

It’s not only about speed—internet needs to be both fast and dependable to support a modern business’ needs. Which network can support those needs the best?

Fiber-optic internet

If you guessed fiber wins again, you’d collect the pot.

Fiber-optic’s reliability comes from its ability to sidestep hurdles that trip up other networks. Since fiber-optic technology does not depend on electricity, it’s not susceptible to electromagnetic interference. In other words, power lines, high-voltage electrical equipment, and power outages won’t hamper the signal. Fiber also operates on a dedicated line, so your business won’t share its connection with others in the area—bottlenecks be gone.

In addition to its innate features, every Verizon Fios plan comes with access to 24/7 technical support. If something does go wrong, Verizon’s trained agents will make it right.

Cable internet

Cable internet is susceptible to a variety of complications, resulting in occasionally spotty connection.

Copper wiring has a series of disadvantages: copper wires weaken over time and with distance and are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference (i.e. bad weather, power lines, etc.). As mentioned above, cable internet is a shared network, resulting in slowdowns and potential connection gaps during peak hours.

Comparing availability and price

Fiber-optic internet

So far, this is the first category in which fiber-optic internet falls short of cable. Thankfully, there are some caveats, allowing fiber-optic internet to save face.

Since fiber-optic networks deploy cutting-edge technology, they are less available for the average consumer compared to cable internet. Luckily, as a part of its ever-growing 5G network, Verizon plans to invest over $1 billion to grow its nationwide fiber network.

Fiber-optic internet tends to be a bit more expensive, as carriers have to invest in thousands of miles of fiber cabling to support cutting-edge speeds. Again, there’s a silver lining here: Verizon Fios offers several internet plans at varying speeds, so smaller businesses can pick plans with lower speeds and lower prices.

Cable internet

Cable internet, which builds on pre-existing television cabling, is more widely available than fiber-optic networks. Cable internet also tends to be cheaper, but buyers get what they pay for: slower speeds and spottier connection.

Ding-Ding-Ding: Fiber-optic wins in a total knockout

With faster speeds, greater reliability, growing availability, and competitive prices, fiber-optic internet is the ideal internet of choice for the contemporary, growing business.

To get a headstart on the competition, take a look at Verizon Fios for business plans and prices. Unsure if Verizon Fios is available in your area? Take a peek at the handy availability tool to track down Fios and take one step toward faster, more reliable business internet.

With so many Americans working remotely, telecommuting has soared through the roof this year. Instead of hopping on a train, bus, or into a car to get to the office, many Americans are joining meetings via video conferencing and collaborating from home. As convenient as working from home may be for telecommuters, it also poses serious security threats for companies. 

At the start of lockdown, hackers had a heyday exploiting sensitive company data from unsecured remote employee devices. In fact, data breaches and hackers increased by 400% in the U.S. at the beginning of the pandemic. With data breaches on the rise, companies everywhere are still struggling to secure their employees’ devices from a distance. 

Which states set up their companies for the most telecommuting success?

The team at Go.Verizon.com analyzed the number of data breaches, phishing attacks, malware attacks, internet privacy laws, and more in each state (along with the District of Columbia) to determine the safest places for telecommuters. 

The Breakdown

• Of the twenty internet privacy laws we analyzed, Delaware implemented eleven (55%).
• Illinois may have ranked as the 38th state worst for telecommuting breaches, but of the twenty internet privacy laws we analyzed, Illinois implemented eight of the laws, plus a relatively small amount of yearly data breaches (127). The only reason it didn’t rank higher is because there are 1.81 malware breaches per every 100,000 people there—the highest of any state, including DC.
• Vermont, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Louisiana each had zero reports of stolen records as a result of a data breach between 2018 and 2019. 
• Although the Golden State didn’t rank high on our list, California has fifteen internet privacy laws—the most of any state, including DC. As the state that plays host to Silicon Valley, it makes sense that Californians would invest in cybersafety and security.

Methodology

To rank the safest states for telecommuting, we analyzed five categories:

• Total number of data breaches from 2018–2019 (35% of overall score): We analyzed all data breaches on a state level that were reported to each state’s respective Attorney General’s Office and/or Department of Health and Human Services. We categorized data breaches as the following: 
  • Hacks by an outside party
  • Malware infection
  • Insider breach (done by an employee, contractor, or customer)
  • Physical breach categorized by misplaced, discarded, or stolen papers, documents, and portable devices
  • Unintended disclosure (i.e., sensitive information posted publicly)
• Total number of records lost or stolen by data breaches from 2018–2019 (30% of overall score): We included only state-level records that have been reported to the  Attorney General’s Office and/or Department of Health and Human Services for businesses. 
• Privacy laws by state (10% of overall score): We broke down existing internet privacy laws into 20 categories. A state with laws covering all 20 categories would have a score of 100%. 
• Victim count and victim loss (25% of overall score): We analyzed total victim count and victim losses for the following crime types in each state, including DC: 
  • Corporate data breaches 
  • Malware/scareware/viruses 
  • Phishing/vishing/smishing/pharming 

From there, we obtained the total number of victim counts and losses per 100,000 people for each category (except the privacy laws) and normalized the total from 0–1 to to obtain a final rank. The higher the score, the lower the ranking.

Please note: the statistics do not consider the population of states, only the number of reported incidents per state.

_{About Go.Verizon.com: Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon. Reporters may send questions to media@verizon-business.com.}

Imagine having the ability to use augmented reality to entice customers into your brick and mortar. Think about the time and resources saved when you can stream 4K video in real-time to inspect assembly line production happening nations away. 

It’s not sci-fi, it’s not even the future: 5G is right here, right now. 5G network connection is ready to change how you do business. Are you and your business ready to move even faster?

What is 5G?

“5G” is short for “fifth generation,” that is, the fifth generation of network technology. But even that definition is a bit of a misnomer. 5G represents a collection of technologies working cooperatively to advance the capabilities of wireless networks. 

To understand the power of Verizon 5G for business, it gets a bit more technical. Verizon 5G is known as 5G New Radio (5G NR), which is a network built upon a specific frequency range. All 5G technology uses frequencies that hover around 6GHz. 

Within Verizon 5G NR, Verizon frequencies operate at a higher millimeter wave, known as 5G Ultra Wideband. These frequencies are higher on the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing for network speeds to operate extremely quickly. 

The issue with operating at extremely high frequencies is that tower-to-tower communication becomes shorter. If a network boasts too high a frequency, network towers begin to choke the countryside. Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband hits the proverbial sweet spot: frequencies are high enough for lightning-fast speeds but low enough to allow for tower separation.

Verizon 5G will change your small business. Here’s how.

What does Verizon 5G really mean for your day-to-day? 

5G Ultra Wideband is 25x faster than today’s 4G networks. While a 4G network might take up to ten minutes to download a file, 5G speeds can be as quick as ten seconds for the same file. Faster speeds and lower latency can create 4K-compatible video conferencing and seamless online collaboration tools, so you can work remotely and reliably.

5G has the potential to exponentially grow the Internet of Things (IoT). There are currently 14.2 billion connected devices that make up IoT. By 2025, IoT will consist of 55 billion connected devices. 

The rapid expansion of IoT will likely lead to macro-level advancements in both production and consumer experience. Smart factories might become increasingly autonomous, while board meetings might become a bit more interesting with augmented reality slideshows. 

Consumers might interact with a VR-capable store window as they digitally “try on” a new outfit, while market strategy could be able to track consumer foot traffic using connected in-store sensory devices. Business owners will only be restricted by their imagination.

Verizon 5G: past, present, and future.

Verizon has been at the nexus of 5G technologies since the start. The Verizon team attended the 5G Technical Forum back in 2015. From there, Verizon engineers began installing mmWave networks nationwide, a trend that has continued for the past several years. 

Fast forward to 2020, and Verizon 5G Wideband is currently offered in 36 major cities across the United States. Want to check Verizon 5G availability near you? Take a look at our interactive coverage maps.

Going forward, Verizon plans to invest over $1 billion to further extend the 5G network. That’s more coverage, more connection, and more radical, positive change for your business.

Prepare your business for Verizon 5G.

Pairing 5G with inadequate tech is a waste of momentum. Double-check that your devices can sustain 5G speeds so your business can optimize its benefits. 

If you haven’t already, now is the time to shift your operations to the cloud. With virtually no lag, 5G makes cloud computing feasible for businesses that didn’t previously have the bandwidth.  

Are you still unsure if your small business is 5G ready? Use the Verizon 5G business assessment tool to gain insights on the essential technology you will need, as well as to ideate production and marketing changes for the 5G future.

Jumplinks:
Interesting Findings
Conclusion
Methodology
Corporate Jargon Definitions

Run it up the flagpole! All hands on deck! Quick win!

Corporate jargon is a thing—and everyone seems to use it regardless if they’re fans of it or not. But what does each phrase really mean? Why say “bandwidth” when you can say time? Why say “take it offline” when you could phrase it “let’s discuss this elsewhere”?

We surveyed 1,000 adults on their use of office idioms. Some jargon, like “big picture,” are used by just about everyone. Others, like “boil an ocean” and “I’ll ping you” get under peoples’ skin. Read on to see which office jargon rolls off the tongue the most, and which sayings people think should stop being a thing altogether.

Interesting Findings

• The term “analysis paralysis” is the most unloved office term on our list. The idiom refers to overthinking so much you become debilitated and cannot move forward. “Analysis paralysis” can happen to anyone, but luckily there are ways to mitigate it.
• “I’ll ping you” almost perfectly epitomizes annoying office jargon, so it’s no surprise that 24% of women aren’t a fan of the word. In fact, women favor every other phrase over that one.
• 40% of people really get the “big picture.” Not far behind that, 37.5% of workers have a thing for saying “all hands on deck.” The latter refers to a call for more crew members to come to the deck of a ship during a time when they needed—literally—more hands.
• 40% of both men and women have never heard of the phrase “stack hands.” The term was coined after sport teams who would huddle in a circle, chant, and throw their hands up in the air. The phrase is meant to unify people and remind them that they’re on the same team.
• Another lesser-known term? “KPIs,” which stands for key performance indicators. At its core, it’s a way to measure success—but it’s not just for the office. Supposedly, the earliest record of KPI use is in China. 3rd century emperors began rating how well the royal family was performing their duties.
• “Boil an ocean” doesn’t get a lot of love. 73.27% of women and 70.67% of men refrain from using the term. The saying refers to the impossibility of trying to boil the amount of water that makes up an ocean.

Conclusion

• Men and women share the same top 5 most loved jargon, as well as 4 out of 5 of the least loved jargon. Overall, men have more passionate opinions toward jargon than women. On average, 15.13% of men dog on office jargon, compared to only 11.21% of women.
• Just because Americans dislike a phrase doesn’t mean they don’t use it. 25.7% of respondents reported that they weren’t head over heels for “analysis paralysis,” yet of those 25.7%, 10.53% still use it often and 17.41% use it sometimes. In other words, around 25% of the people who claimed they weren’t a fan of it still use it.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 men and women aged 18+ via Pollfish on their opinions and usage of common office jargon. From there, we broke down the findings by gender and age, as well as usage and preference.

Corporate jargon defined 

Are you a reporter with a question?

Email us at media@verizon-business.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon.

Go to methodology

Since its initial release in 2016, TikTok has taken the social media world by storm. Quickly becoming what used to be “vines” on YouTube, TikTok is a way to share short videos (usually musical in nature) to each user’s audience. 

With the onset of COVID-19, more people have found themselves looking for ways to stay entertained at home. Aside from the standard use of streaming TV services, browsing on Facebook, and posting on Instagram, many have downloaded the TikTok app to stay connected, entertained, and—in some cases—in the spotlight. 

So how many users have turned to this trendy favorite as opposed to other social media sites? The team at Go.Verizon decided to put the download data to the social media test to map out exactly how many downloads this popular platform gets.

Need a Reason to Get TikTok? How About a Million?

TikTok had a pretty standard start compared to other social media platforms, but quickly soared to over 300 million downloads by the end of the first quarter for 2020. Quarter three of 2019 represents July-September, quarter four of 2019 represents October-December, and quarter one of 2020 represents January–March. 

Monthly Minutes Users Spend on TikTok

It’s easy to watch the minutes slip away when you’re chilling on social media. And with March being a time most people were in quarantine, those minutes skyrocketed. Here’s a breakdown of how long users typically spend by minute on TikTok. 

So how does the musical giant size up to each social media app? Check below for a more in-depth comparison.

TikTok Takes on Zuckerburg

TikTok isn’t afraid to take on Facebook, which has been a household name since it’s college-only restriction lift in the early 2000s. 

But how does the former app, known as Musical.ly, compare against Facebook’s sister app, Instagram? Read more to find out.

TikTok vs. Instagram

Posting pictures of your newly acquired hobbies during quarantine is hard to beat, but what’s better than pictures? According to most social media users—videos! TikTok pulled ahead of Instagram by over 100 million more downloads. 

But what about a fellow video app? Let’s see how TikTok squares up to multimedia platform Snapchat.

TikTok Takes on Snapchat

The magic of Polaroids is that you shake them to appear, but with Snapchat the magic is that once you see a snap they disappear. But how does the disappearing act of Snapchat compare to the more permanent videos of TikTok? According to the data, Snapchat wasn’t much of a contender. 

Finally, let’s pair up TikTok against the jack-of-all-trades messaging app, WhatsApp. 

TikTok vs. WhatsApp

Cross-platform VoIP service app WhatsApp held out fairly well against TikTok, but in this race of tortoise and hare, TikTok pulled ahead and secured a spot at the finish line with a triumphant ‘WhatsApp doc?’.

Interesting Findings:

TikTok ranked as the most downloaded social app in Google store, but in the App store, it ranked 2nd most downloaded app as entertainment.

• TikTok saw a two-hour boost from February 2020 to March 2020 in the user engagement average minutes per visitor. That’s a 100 percent increase. 
• WhatsApp was the leading app until TikTok took over.
• In March, users spent an average of fourteen hours on Tiktok a month. That’s the equivalent of flying from LA to Dubai–a journey that takes roughly fourteen hours and fifty-two minutes. 

Methodology

The Go.Verizon team sourced download information from Sensor Tower Quarter Analysis (PDF File), application stats from both the App Store and Google Store, and Statista to determine the app user engagement in average minutes. 

Whether it’s grabbing that perfect pic of your meal before you dig in or filming your friends performing the latest stunt, count on a strong internet connection to power your love of social media. Call and sign up today for reliable high-speed internet. 

From the average minutes’ information, we determined the average Hours: Minutes: Seconds per visitor spent on TikTok. From there, we estimated the millions of downloads in a day for Q3 2019, Q4 2019, and Q1 2020 for TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. Sensor Tower had no information on Twitter, so it was excluded. 

About Go.Verizon.com: Go.Verizon.com is an authorized premium partner of Verizon. Reporters may send questions to media@verizon-business.com.

Communication is a key part of running a successful business. That’s why it’s important for small business owners to approach the task of finding and tailoring their phone systems carefully. It may initially prove difficult to know with certainty what kind of phone line is best for your particular business, and how many you’ll need to function as effectively as possible. But Verizon Business can help shed some light on this complicated subject—after all, with top quality business phone and digital voice services, Verizon has expertise to spare. 

First, pinpoint your pain points.

It’s hard to get the most out of your small business phone service when it’s not tailored to your needs. Determining what you want out of your system helps your operations run more smoothly. How many lines will you need? How many different phone numbers? What kind of devices will you be taking calls on? On average, how many calls will you be taking a day? Narrow your phone line search with these three steps:  

1. Consider how many employees you have right now and try to predict how many you will have in two years’ time. As your business grows, the need for lines will increase; it’s always a good practice to build a few extra lines into your service plan to prepare for that growth. 
2. Take your industry into account. The number and type of phone lines you’ll need depends largely on what type of business you’re in. For example, restaurants usually need only two lines, while doctor’s offices and medical clinics require five or more to field and make hundreds of calls per day.  
3. Take your budget into account. Look at financial forecasts and cash flow reports. Carefully analyze what kind of funds you can realistically invest in your phone service, and always keep in mind that the basic line option isn’t always the cheapest—sometimes upgrading to IP or virtual phone services is the more practical way to go. 

It also never hurts to ask service providers about activation fees, upgrade possibilities, service level agreements, and price breaks. 

Keep your business setup in mind.

Small businesses come in all shapes and sizes, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to setting up an ideal telephone system. Below are some examples of what works for other small businesses. 

Professional office: Professional offices house anywhere between 10 and 150 employees in industries such as accounting, advertising and marketing, staffing, and legal. A minimum of 10 business phone lines is necessary to accommodate sales calls, faxes, online collaboration, teleconferences, client management, and administration. 

Small office: For microbusinesses and solopreneurs that operate out of small or home offices, there’s rarely a flood of calls coming in. Even with two to three employees, those small businesses are likely only engaging in basic communication with clients or vendors, and only require one line (in very rare instances, two).  

Retail: A small retail shop typically has five or more employees; larger chains can boast dozens working at one time. These employees are likely fielding calls from customers about store hours, orders, return policies, or inventory checks. They’ll also place calls to other stores, vendors, or corporate headquarters. A two-line system is best for retail businesses, though depending on demand could do with three. 

Healthcare: Regardless of size, medical offices require a lot of communication. Patients call for appointment details and ask questions about medications, insurance, and billing. In turn, healthcare practitioners place outgoing calls to patients, pharmacies, and vendors regarding appointment reminders, prescriptions, and test results. The minimum number of lines a medical office would require is five. 

Hospitality: This industry includes hotels, restaurants, bars, and assisted living centers. Businesses in the hospitality sector would benefit from a four-line phone system to manage reservations, orders, and customer service calls.

Which type of phone line is best? 

Today, three types of business phone lines exist: analog, PBX, digital, and fiber. Analog, or the landline, is becoming less common mainly due to consumer demand. The Federal Communications Commission tracks telephone usage on both residential and business levels, and in its latest report discloses that digital and fiber business phone services “increased at a compound annual growth rate of 10%” between 2013 and 2016.

Analog phone lines: Analog phone systems run on copper lines that thread throughout the country. Business owners today prefer not to use analog phones to avoid dreaded busy signals, dropped calls, and high phone bills—they simply can’t keep up with the global nature of business today. Analog lines cannot provide measures such as call routing or on-the-go access. And the cost is less than appealing: you’ll end up paying for each line individually, and that adds up.  

PBX phone lines: Short for “private branch exchange,” a PBX line is suited for businesses that need to handle more calls. This business phone system allows companies to install several shared outside lines in order to make outgoing phone calls and connects all of the lines within your business to a public switched telephone network. The conventional PBX phone system requires a switch, a host PBX computer, software to manage transfers, and lines running from desk phones to an enclosed space (typically the tech closet). There is also an IP (internet protocol) PBX option, which converts phone calls into small data packages and transmits them over a computer network rather than a physical phone line. An IP phone supports basic features such as voicemail, forwarding, conference calling, and screening incoming calls. Since you’re not paying a separate fee per line, it’s much more cost effective than an analog line and affords your system more advanced features.

Digital phone lines: As tech advances, digital voice is fast becoming the phone line of choice for businesses large and small. A voice over internet protocol, or VoIP, phone system connects your phone line directly to the internet and allows you to add or remove lines as needed. Your phone system can work with standard equipment, or you can buy special phones with added features that can even connect to your cell phone so you can take office calls on the go. Business owners prefer VoIP for its better connectivity and scalability. Calls made on digital business phone lines are cloud-based, so you can make calls as long as you have a network connection and a connected device.

Fiber phone lines: The best way to think of the service is as an upgrade from standard VoIP. Fiber runs faster and is more reliable than a regular internet connection, so you experience better call quality and enhanced productivity. Fiber-optic networks also require less maintenance, saving you money on labor and repairs.

Business owners need a communications solution with the highest call capacity, and fiber business phone lines provide it. Verizon Fios is the leading fiber to the premises (FTTP) network in the nation, and can easily be bundled with your business phone line. 

Consider the cost.

As a small business, your budget isn’t exactly bottomless. One of the most important considerations when shopping around for a phone system is the cost per line. Monthly costs vary quite a bit depending on the type of phone line you choose and the number of lines you need. The number of providers in your area affects that cost as well—competition between local phone companies and national service providers drives the price down significantly. 

If you decide that an analog landline phone system would suit your communications the most effectively, you’ll pay about $85 a month per phone number in an average, midsize city. That’s most likely manageable if you only need one number, but it can definitely start adding up to a hefty monthly bill the more lines you add. A VoIP solution is about half the cost, ringing in around $39 a month for a similar area, and you’ll typically get an even lower price when you sign a year-long contract.

Still unsure what your phone system should look like? A Verizon business specialist would be happy to help you out. Call 855-258-2167 or click here to learn more about Verizon Business Digital Voice services. 

No technology is indestructible. Nearly every kind of tech available is subject to service and power outages, whether they be sporadic or consistent, and they’re a problem that can have serious effects on your business’s performance. A decrease in productivity, loss in revenue and customers, damaged equipment, and loss of data are issues that no one should have to deal with, but many people do.

If you’re a small business owner, it’s likely that an outage has impacted your establishment at some point, throwing a bit of chaos into your workflow. Though an outage of any kind is never a good scenario and always an inconvenience, it’s important to understand what causes them, how to resolve them, and how to be prepared in case it happens to you.

Service outages

The internet is a staple to most modern businesses, which makes it all the more unpleasant when your service suddenly goes down. There’s no end to the frustration of feeling stranded in the middle of the workday, and the setback of delaying projects and rearranging schedules due to an issue with your connection can cause additional problems. Many service outages can be attributed to an overloaded network—too much congestion can slow your connection to a crawl or halt it altogether. They can also happen due to severed lines, failed links or speed fluctuations from your internet service provider, equipment failure or improper setup, and duplicate IP addresses.   

If you’re experiencing problems with your Fios internet service, or if it has gone down completely, you can check the Verizon outage map to see if you are being affected by a network or area-wide outage. Other resources that will provide information on a current service outage include:

• Verizon At Home
• Fios on Facebook
• Verizon Support on Twitter

To speak directly with a technician or customer support representative about your service outage, call 1-800-837-4966. If your outages are the result of too much traffic on your network, consider upgrading your Fios internet and phone plans to support more bandwidth and faster speeds.

Power outages

Nothing is worse than the power cutting out in the middle of your workday—particularly when you’re in the zone and actually ahead of your to-do list for once. Loss of power can bring your productivity to a screeching standstill, and it can be hard to get things back on track even after it comes back. Power outages can occur as a result of inclement weather, extreme temperatures, natural disasters, vehicle collisions, animals, circuit interruptions and overloads, and equipment damage and failure.

If your business finds itself the victim of a power outage, contact your power company to determine the cause and learn when the issue will be taken care of in your area. It also never hurts to stay up to date with weather forecasts and alerts so you can be as prepared as possible in the event of a storm that could damage your tech systems. To report downed telephone and power lines in your area, call 1-800-VERIZON. (1-800-837-4966)

Once the power returns, you’ll need to get your service up and running again. If you’re a Fios internet customer, reset your Optical Network Terminal (ONT). If you are a basic internet or DSL customer, you must reset your modem. If the power is restored but your services still aren’t operating correctly, you can report the outage here.   

Troubleshooting

Follow the instructions below to reboot your internet and telephone services and equipment

Fios customers

1. Locate the power cord to your Battery Backup Unit (BBU) and unplug it from the wall outlet.
2. Plug the cord back in after at least one minute and check to see if the ONT has reset itself.

Basic internet/DSL customers

1. Locate the power cord at the back of your computer modem and unplug it from the outlet. Be sure to make sure all lights are off.
2. Connect the power cord back into the modem.
3. Confirm that the lights on your modem have turned back on.
4. Attempt to connect to the internet.

If rebooting your system doesn’t work, check for service outages in your area.

FAQS

Will I be able to make phone calls if the power goes out?

If your phone is corded and operates off a copper line, then you will be able to make and receive phone calls. If your phone operates with Verizon Fios Business Digital Voice, then you will need a Battery Backup Unit. Note: the battery backup will not power Fios television service.

How can I keep my electronics safe during a storm or natural disaster?

• Keep all batteries for electronic devices fully charged.
• Store your electronic devices (phones, tablets, chargers, batteries, etc.) in a dry, accessible place. You can use plastic zip-lock bags, waterproof cases, and more to help protect your devices.
• Keep numerous chargers (as well as solar-powered devices) in an easy-to-reach location so you can stay connected and powered up.
• Have extra charged batteries and car charger adapters readily available for additional backup power.
• Review the American Red Cross winter storm checklist and power outage checklist to better prepare for emergency situations.

Am I responsible for damaged equipment during a storm or natural disaster?

If your service equipment has experienced any sort of damage, call Verizon technical support at 1-800-837-4966 to determine whether or not it must be replaced. Verizon will replace damaged or missing equipment by mail at no cost to you.  

How do I report damaged equipment?

To report equipment that has been damaged or has lost functionality due to an outage, weather, or a disaster, call 1-800-837-4966. Choose the “Technical Assistance” option to speak to a tech support professional. Verizon will replace any piece of equipment at no cost to you.

An entrepreneurial mind lacks only the right resources to bring its vision to life. That’s where the Verizon Resource Center comes in. Here you can find information on business trends, best practices, and technology that converts the chaos of running a business into second nature. 

With this expansive library, you can feel confident that you’re giving your business every advantage by keeping you up-to-date on the best tech and high-speed internet services out there. Figure out what kind of bandwidth you need for your business size. Offer speed and convenience to your customers in online interactions and stay connected with reliable digital or traditional phone services. Feel comfortable knowing that your business has everything it needs to stay at the forefront of your industry.

Whether you are a young entrepreneur looking to disrupt an industry, or at the helm of an esteemed brand, this library helps you tap into a wealth of information tailored to help inspire your next success. 

Go to the Verizon Resource Center now. 

In business, time marches on, and tech marches with it. As the landscape of high-speed internet continues to grow and evolve, cable-driven networks are quickly losing traction against more progressive options. And as critical players across a myriad of industries, internet providers constantly engage in cutthroat warfare to secure dominance in an ever-advancing industry, refining old technology and processes and creating new ones at a dizzying pace.   

Though cable has long dominated the broadband territory, fiber-optic internet is steadily becoming a fixture in the modern telecom industry, pushing the boundaries of basic service and exploring what lies beyond. Every day sees new frontiers opened to business internet customers. So how does a fiber service like Verizon Fios measure up when compared to a cable service like Spectrum?

Best business internet provider

Only fiber-optic internet provides equal upload and download speeds. When considering Verizon vs. Spectrum business internet, keep in mind that Spectrum cable internet does not allow you to upload files as fast as you download them. Verizon internet offers speed parity for 75, 150, 300, and 500 Mbps plans.

One of these networks is not like the other.

Never settle for patchy service. Constant support is a crucial quality to consider when your business involves downloading webinars, video conferencing, sending and receiving large files and emails, and storing information and data in the cloud on a regular basis.

Traditional cable internet transmits data through copper wiring via electrical signals. Fiber-optic components are made of glass and operate through flashes of lights, making fiber handy in the event of a power outage because it doesn’t rely on electricity. Copper cables are prone to eroding over time as well, consequently affecting the quality of your network signal, while fiber materials remain strong and produce a connection that is unaffected over long distances and less prone to signal interference.

Additionally, fiber-optic internet supports more devices within the workspace. It also supports upload speeds as fast as download speeds, alleviating daily stress as more work is done at a faster pace.

*Rating pulled from users operating within the IP addresses of service provider networks.

Choosing isn’t as hard as it may seem.

So when the time comes to decide and you’ve considered everything from internet speeds to coverage to pricing, the most important question that remains is what is right for your business. What will keep it running as smoothly as possible? Ultimately, cable is more suited for residential TV service, relying on outdated tech that cannot support speed parity or as many devices and activities as fiber can.

If there remains any doubt, consider that Verizon is more likely to be recommended by internet customers than cable from the likes of Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and Optimum. And on top of that, Verizon offers unmatched customer support with Fios professionals at the ready to install your fiber internet and answer any questions or resolve any issues you may have. The Verizon standard extends to much more than just the logistics of its service.

In the end, cable can hang—just not with the big boys.

Finding an internet solution for your business can feel like an impossible task, but an ideal does exist. If you’ve got one foot on each side of the cable vs. fiber internet argument, it’s important to look at every possible angle to settle the issue. Businesses must constantly grow and adapt to remain relevant in their industries, and overall cable has a hard time keeping up. The trajectory of Verizon Fios is persistently moving forward, while Spectrum internet may soon join the legion of antiquated technology slowly sinking into the realm of the obsolete.

Fiber-optic internet has cemented itself as the future of business internet, and Verizon leads the charge. Fueled by 99% uptime and backed by solid service level agreements, Fios offers more than just faster speeds and a reliable connection. It offers a better way for you to do business. And on top of that, Verizon has consistently held the #1 ranking for internet speed 10 years in a row, performing miles ahead of its competition.

Don’t be afraid to leave your cable comfort zone. In the end, Verizon Fios Internet for Business could mean the difference between simply being in business and actually thriving.

It’s a competitive world out there, and the pressure and exhilaration of change demands adjustments in business perspectives. Over the past few decades, the direction of rising lucrative industries has significantly shifted, making way for high-tech companies to claim the forefront of the economic atmosphere. Many industries that dominated past economies have since given way to significant technological advancements. That technology drives so much of modern commerce, and with innovation constantly providing new frontiers to be explored, the competition has been taken to a new level.

It’s not difficult to find innovation here in the US. It’s in every corner of the country; but when it comes to technology, certain corners stand out more than others. Armed with a fair amount of data and statistics from reputable sources, go.verizon has mapped out the metropolitan areas that are breaking new ground and leading the charge in reshaping industry as the world knows it.

Factors considered

So how does one determine what exactly qualifies as “innovative”? New patents are a good place to start, as patented technology is typically a fair indicator of new and exciting advancements in many different fields. The metro areas that have produced the most patents in correlation to their population were identified and sorted, referencing data provided by the US Census Bureau from the year 2015 (the most recent information available).

Number of patents: Determined using the US Patent and Trademark Office’s most current compilation of “Patenting in Technology Classes – Breakout by Origin” according to “US Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas” from the years 2000-2015. This list consisted of about 2,000 patent grants.

Population: The population for each metro area was determined for the designated period of time with information provided by the US Census Bureau. No area’s population came to less than 88,000 residents; the highest reached over 4,000,000.  The number of patents per 10,000 residents of each metro area was then calculated and referenced to establish the top performers. Check out how each one is changing the economic landscape on a grand scale.

The top 10 metro areas

1 – San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Is it any wonder that Silicon Valley itself tops this list? Fueled by dynamic industries (Google and Apple, anyone?), explosive growth, and the second-highest population of our top 10 metro areas, this piece of the Bay area has proven for many years to be an economic powerhouse. Most patents produced around here during the aforementioned time period were labeled under the class “Multiplex Communications,” which consists of methods of sending and receiving signals such as those from radio and mobile phones. As the cradle of entrepreneurs and startups—not to mention the fact that San Jose State, Stanford, and Santa Clara Universities constantly churn out bright new talent—economic growth continues to trend up, and the roll shows no signs of slowing anytime soon. And here’s an interesting tidbit: of all of the recently established tech companies, over 40% have at least one immigrant on their founding teams. The flourishing diversity in this region is proving itself to be a force for incredible innovation, with only more to come.

2 – Corvallis, OR

Hopping up one state to the Willamette Valley (and home to the world’s largest commercially sold hamburger) Corvallis snugly secures spot #2 and makes no apologies about it. Though it may have both the lowest population and number of patents, for a smaller city the patent-to-person ratio carries its own weight and relevancy within the scope of business innovation. The bulk of those patents deal with printing as a result of the resident HP headquarters, a major vein in the local workforce’s lifeblood. And the city isn’t looking at rescinding its runner-up status anytime soon—the Economic Development Office runs a website called “Yes Corvallis!” that attracts attention to creative jobs and industries, and nurtures the city’s growing economy. Local entrepreneurs are encouraged to take a bite outta that burger—it’s only going to get juicier.  

3 – Burlington-South Burlington, VT

When one thinks of metro areas crowned as captains of industry, western Vermont might not immediately come to mind. But what many would consider to be a couple of sleeper cities actually prove their salt against bigger metro spaces and populations, with semiconductor companies (such as Green Mountain Semiconductor and GlobalFoundries) providing a healthy climate for innovation and prosperity. After all, semiconductors function as key components in most electronic technology these days, so it’s a rather lucrative business field to have locked down. The area is no stranger to progressive movements, either—in 2015 Burlington became the first city in the United States to operate on renewable energy, so from the standpoint of cutting-edge advancements, a lot is expected from western Vermont in the years to come.

4 – Boulder, CO

Set against the picturesque Rocky Mountains and currently enjoying an economic growth spurt, Boulder sits comfortably at the median of both patents and population. The city is home to the University of Colorado, and industry leaders in the area’s economy include aerospace, bioscience, and IT, which is unsurprising considering the dominant patent class is “Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage and Retrieval.” Translation? The city is a hub for companies like Spectra Logic, which provides data storage for major corporations such as McDonald’s and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. And (also unsurprisingly) the outdoor recreation field contributes on an increasingly massive scale to the culture and vitality of local commerce, and continues to carve out a space for versatility in the future of enterprising innovation.   

5 – Boise City-Nampa, ID

Interestingly, this metro area is the only one among the top 10 where the population comes close to that of the two situated by the Bay (San Jose and San Fran). And it’s not called Treasure Valley for nothing—it’s the third-largest metro area in the Pacific Northwest, a feat in its own right, and is growing at a breakneck pace. Over the years farmland has given way to a distinct urban appeal and pacing, and with an established footing in the computer manufacturing and tech industries, more growth is expected. Boise is home to Micron, a company responsible for creating dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) computer chips for personal electronic devices. It’s one of only three companies in the world that specializes in DRAM, and the only one based domestically. Factor all of that into the city’s economic trajectory, and things are looking golden around these parts.

6 – Bremerton-Silverdale, WA

It may be surprising that the Puget Sound region would win a higher seat on the list than Seattle, but it makes sense considering the area is home to a major naval base, is a busy seaport, and has a profitable shipbuilding industry. The cluster of islands and peninsulas exudes a small-town maritime feel with a dedicated outdoor recreation community, but loses none of the fast-paced urban activity of a proper metropolitan area. “Database and File Management or File Structures” (a more technical way of describing data storage, access, and processing) wins the patent battlefront here, charging the economy with constant tech developments. Seattle may be just across the way, but Bremerton and Silverdale aren’t intimidated a bit.

7 – Rochester, MN

Reaching over to the far north along the banks of the Zumbro River, Rochester holds its own as a small but bustling metropolis. Showcasing a mid-sized population, the city is supported by a strong academic community thanks to the University of Minnesota Rochester and a booming health industry thanks to the Mayo Clinic headquarters. Also prevalent: computer manufacturing, led by the IBM Rochester campus. And when the most prevalent patent class is “Database and File Management,” it’s clear that this area contributes a lot to the advancement of computer technology. To make sure these advancements aren’t losing steam, Rochester has its own Office of Innovation to monitor and encourage business ventures, track economic trends, and promote the community’s growth and success.

8 – Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Tucked in the Pajaro Valley where temperatures rarely dip below the 60s, the beachfront quality of life in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area lends a sense of tranquility and fulfillment to residents. Prosperity runs deep here, and as far as industry leaders go, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing dominate. In addition to these trades, the University of California, Santa Cruz, provides a boost to the economic advantage throughout the two cities. Most patents established here deal with data transferring and communications, paving the way for technology to settle in among the current commerce contenders. So if that doesn’t speak to further opportunities emerging in the years to come, nothing will. Life’s more than a beach here—it’s an investment in a very promising future.

9 – Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor channels some of the energy of the massive automobile manufacturing hub less than an hour away and makes its own mark in the field. So it stands to reason that a good portion of patents around this area would have something to do with “Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location.” And it’s only natural that the runner-up class, “Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,” is in direct correlation with the city’s well-established and lucrative biotechnology and health industries. So what’s next for Ann Arbor? A continuing focus on entrepreneurship, bolstered by the University of Michigan, and growth in website development and online media and tech companies. Not too shabby.

10 – San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Coming full circle to the other end of the Bay, the San Fran metro area closes the top 10 out with panache, as only it can. Innovation around these parts remains some of the farthest-reaching, longest-lasting, and most significant in the country, and at an economic growth rate of over 4% per year, that probably won’t change. Most would guess (correctly) that financial institutions, venture capitalism, and tech companies comprise a good portion of the economy, but what many don’t realize is that this metro area actually has a booming biotech enterprise. In fact, 40% of the global biotech industry calls the Bay area home, and the dominant patent class is “Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions.” Pair that with a unique culture and people and a drive for success by these cities’ inhabitants, and you have a recipe for progress in any field.

The top 50 metro areas

1.      San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
2.      Corvallis, OR
3.      Burlington-South Burlington, VT
4.      Boulder, CO
5.      Boise City-Nampa, ID
6.      Bremerton-Silverdale, WA
7.      Rochester, MN
8.      Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
9.      Ann Arbor, MI
10.   San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
11.   Rochester, NY
12.   Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
13.   Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
14.   Ithaca, NY
15.   Trenton-Ewing, NJ
16.   San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
17.   Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH
18.   Raleigh-Cary, NC
19.   Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
20.   Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
21.   Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
22.   Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
23.   Manchester-Nashua, NH
24.   Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
25.   Greeley, CO
26.   Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
27.   Elmira, NY
28.   Ames, IA
29.   Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
30.   Binghamton, NY
31.   Columbus, IN
32.   Kokomo, IN
33.   Appleton, WI
34.   Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA
35.   Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
36.   Peoria, IL
37.   Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
38.   Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI
39.   Cedar Rapids, IA
40.   Madison, WI
41.   Worcester, MA
42.   Norwich-New London, CT
43.   Akron, OH
44.   Lafayette, IN
45.   Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
46.   Reno-Sparks, NV
47.   Champaign-Urbana, IL
48.   Niles-Benton Harbor, MI
49.   New Haven-Milford, CT
50.   Tucson, AZ

Internet is your business’s driving force.

Try to think of the last time you went through a workday without accessing the internet. You’d likely have to stretch your memory back quite a while; for some, that period of time doesn’t even exist. Internet service has progressively become integral to most business operations, creating a vast network of connections, automated services, communications and programs that combine in force to refine systems and processes and cultivate success. Nowadays, internet is often required to perform the most basic tasks in the workplace, supporting critical applications companies use to function on the daily. A strong internet connection should always be part of your business plan.

With all of that said, it’s no wonder that the tech industry has become flooded with so many different internet providers and types of services. It can be difficult to distinguish between them all and what advantages each one brings to the table.

So what type of internet is best for your business? Here we will discuss two different types of connections, fiber-optic and DSL, and how they compare in the grand scheme of the business world.

Fiber

Fiber-optic internet is the most advanced broadband technology currently available in the telecom field. Engineered using glass wiring rather than copper lines, it extends beyond traditional internet speeds and capabilities, running at up to 1 Gbps, which supports a heavy amount of programs and online traffic. The broadband signal transmits in flashes of light through fiber-optic cables, so the connection literally travels “at the speed of light.”

In addition, a fiber-optic connection provides upload speeds to match download speeds, which can save time in the long run. This especially comes in handy for tasks such as uploading files to email or cloud-based applications—upload speeds are reduced from minutes to seconds. Though fiber typically has more bandwidth and speed than DSL, its availability is limited (for now).  

DSL

DSL (digital subscriber line) is a high-speed internet service that utilizes copper telephone lines for connections. Unlike old school dial-up internet, which also relied on phone lines to function, a DSL connection will not interfere with incoming or outgoing phone calls (so no annoying dial-up tone blaring in your ear). There are two types of DSL service businesses can choose from.

Symmetric DSL allows equal bandwidth for both uploading and downloading. This type of DSL service is more apt to be chosen by businesses, as speed parity is highly sought after.  

An asymmetric DSL connection provides more bandwidth for downloading and less for uploading. This type of DSL service resonates more with residential internet users, who tend to use their connection to download more than upload.   

Factors to consider:

Reliability

DSL service is considered to be reasonably reliable. Because it transmits through a phone line, it has the benefit of a perpetual connection. However, that same phone line can cause a DSL signal to weaken over distance, and can be vulnerable in the event of power outages. The distance to power lines and internet providers can also affect the strength of your connection.

Seemingly in a league of its own, fiber is renowned for its staunch reliability. As it does not require an electric connection to run, fiber-optic networks remain constant regardless of would-be outside influences. Tasks such as web conferencing, digital filing and uploading reports will not be interrupted in the event of unforeseen circumstances like a power outage. And the signal doesn’t get distorted or patchy when covering larger areas.

Speed

Internet won’t do your business much good if it can’t keep up with your workload. Speed can be the difference between a business that thrives and stays ahead of the competition, and a business that falls behind because of frustration and a lack of productivity. Choosing an internet speed largely depends on what your business requires, such as how many devices you need to connect, what types of projects and how many of them you need to complete, and how much data you’re handling.

DSL download rates run at an average of anywhere between 1 and 8 Mbps, and since this particular type of connection lacks speed parity, upload rates are slower. And in addition to interruptions, lag can often frequent a DSL line, particularly when it’s stretched too thin over large areas.

Fiber-optic internet is known to deliver the fastest broadband speeds available, clocking in anywhere between 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Fiber supports businesses that are larger or have more devices and employees at faster speeds, and because it does not rely on electricity, speeds stay consistent over long distances. It also has the benefit of matching upload and download speeds.

Price

Another important factor to consider when choosing business internet is cost. Though there are variations depending on the service provider, DSL generally tends to be the more economic option. There is no additional equipment required (other than a router or modem) and the connection relies on existing provisions (your telephone line).

Fiber requires professional installation, and due to its performance is more costly than DSL service. But with speeds and reliability that outmatch DSL (and pretty much every other type of connection), it’s safe to say you get what you’re paying for. Fiber can still be an incredibly affordable option, however, depending on plans that are available from service providers.

The easiest way to factor price into your internet decision is to consider your budget, and tailor your internet plan to match it. If you need faster speeds and a more sophisticated connection to handle the devices and the amount of data your business uses, then a fiber-optic network is probably more suitable for you. For smaller organizations that put less strain on their online resources and don’t need to cover as much ground, DSL service should be sufficient support.

Technology is an ever-advancing force, and internet is often at the forefront of that innovation. When considering an internet package for your business, the options appear limitless, particularly when every provider waves a banner declaring superiority. It’s no question that fiber has proven itself to be the undisputed top dog of telecommunications, performing at an entirely different level than services such as cable and DSL. With that established, the question then becomes: which internet service provider has the best fiber-optic connection available?    

Here you’ll find an in-depth comparison between two of the most recognized telecom brands in the country—brands that extend services far past data plans and wireless networks. But when examined side by side, which fiber internet plan stands out as the better pick for your business: Verizon or AT&T?  

Best business internet provider

When considering Verizon vs. AT&T business internet, only a Verizon plan guarantees upload speeds as fast as download speeds. You’ll get speeds ranging from 75, 150, 300, and 500 Mbps as well as 1 Gbps. AT&T offers speed parity as an option, but cannot guarantee there won’t be an additional upcharge.

Don’t set the differences aside.

As one of the top competitors of Verizon, AT&T makes a strong case for reliable business internet, and both providers implement similar amenities. Each company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to their customers with 2 year contracts, as well as no term contract options.

Cost is another important factor to consider. Verizon business internet starts at $84.99 per month*, with certain areas receiving lower, specialized pricing, and speed parity is included in all plans. AT&T offers slower speed plans and symmetrical upload speeds are optional, making it impossible to depict accurate pricing to customers. And though both providers offer 1 gigabit internet, AT&T charges nearly $500 per month for it—over twice what Verizon does ($214.99 per month). And on top of that, equal upload and download speeds are still not guaranteed.

Speed parity shouldn’t be just an option for businesses—it’s a must. It helps to better support more devices, and cuts buffering and lag time when performing daily tasks such as video conferencing or uploading files to cloud storage. Symmetrical speed gives your business valuable time back each day.

*Prices as of December 2017

AT&T charges nearly $500 per month for [1 Gbps internet]—over twice what Verizon does.

How do you choose?

Still trying to decide? The main thing to keep in mind when weighing internet choices is that each has its own distinct framework. Verizon and AT&T provide fiber, the best internet connection you can get. And both companies are currently investing large amounts of money in order to extend their coverage to more widespread areas—Verizon projecting an estimated $1.1 billion in expanding its fiber footprint. The difference is that Verizon Fios is visibly poised to evolve its services and amenities to continue to put customers’ needs first.

That being said, exceptional service does your business no good if it’s not even available where you’re at. As it stands now, AT&T has slightly more national coverage than Verizon, extending throughout the midwestern and southern regions of the country and along the west coast. But Verizon covers much more densely populated areas in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, leveling the playing field and providing internet to companies located in the most economically innovative and lucrative parts of the US. And as far as service quality goes, Verizon expends more energy and resources into advancing its technology, surpassing the competition by a wide margin.

Choose fiber at its finest.

AT&T proves itself to be an admirable opponent in the business internet game. But when taking all that has been discussed into consideration, it’s very clear that not all fiber is created equal. If you’re still not sold, it’s time to look at the facts that set Verizon apart from the rest: stack 99% uptime, strong service level agreements, and nearly six million satisfied subscribers and counting up against other providers and it’s really no comparison. Verizon Fios Internet for Business speeds have been ranked #1 10 years in a row, providing a superior level of consistency and dependability to businesses across the nation. If anything, the proof is in the numbers. Fiber is better when it’s Fios.

What you need to know before choosing a phone plan for your business.

How do you choose your business’s lifeline?

A good phone system is hard to find. It’s likely that your business relies heavily on its phone service to keep things running smoothly, so it’s crucial to find one that performs at your own level. But where do you even start?

The way you communicate should not be something that sits on the back shelf of your company’s priorities. It’s a core system your business relies on for functioning day-to-day—your connection to customers, suppliers, clients, and partners. Choosing the right phone plan may seem like a daunting task, but in this guide you will find the most important things small businesses should consider when shopping around for one.

Don’t settle when it comes to features.

In the tech industry, everyone is constantly looking for the next best thing, and thanks to the era of smartphones it’s becoming harder and harder to impress. Qualities that were once standard are now viewed as archaic when considering modern phone models. (Anyone remember direct connect? No? Exactly.) Business phone bells and whistles are getting more advanced and constantly evolving, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to pinpoint the features you need to make handling phone calls effective and uncomplicated when there are so many to choose from nowadays.  

Some business phone features to consider might include:

• High definition audio
• Conference calling
• Long distance calling
• Three-way calling
• Auto attendant
• Team messaging
• Call forwarding/transferring
• Call screening
• Program/app integration
• Customer support
• Visual voicemail
• Video conferencing

65% of consumers prefer to contact a business by phone.

Source: https://www.invoca.com/call-data/

Take your communication on the go.

In a world that refuses to slow down, it’s important to equip your business with tools to prevent it from tripping up and losing the lead to the competition. The age of only being able to make and receive calls on your desk phone is over. Phone systems now provide options for forwarding incoming calls or rerouting a line to another office phone or mobile device, which is essential to fulfilling your daily tasks. You can’t accomplish everything you need to if you’re chained to your desk, so to speak.  

A VoIP phone system best takes care of your mobility concerns, particularly with mobile apps and features you can download on your smartphone that forward and transfer calls. It’s as if you’re carrying your desk phone in your pocket wherever you go, so you’ll never miss a beat whether you’re at lunch, running errands, or working from home or a different location.

Find the key to collaborating offsite.

In an ever-evolving business industry, it’s not uncommon for employees to work from different locations and offices, or even from home. Though a virtual phone system allows for remote workers to tap into their company’s line, a VoIP service is the most amenable and dependable option for these employees. Working offsite can be tricky, and an employee’s day can be derailed if they’re not able to connect to the main office or to customers. VoIP has the flexibility and features to support a more well-rounded collaboration for those working from different places.

Good service always has your business’s back.

With something as crucial to business operations as your phone service, guaranteeing that it works as well as possible is essential. Determining the best business phone system for you should depend heavily on what’s there to back it up—no matter how good a service claims to be, technical difficulties do happen. If your line goes down, how long are you willing to wait for help in getting things up and running again? If you don’t have IT support on hand at your office, then selecting a phone system that has access to a 24/7 customer service line should be the goal. Without hands-on experts, your system could be out for much longer than you anticipated, with revenue and productivity suffering as a result.

37% of people in the US engage in part-time telecommuting.

Source: https://tech.co/stats-importance-business-voip-2017-12

Phone systems tailored for small businesses:

Landline phone service

Starting off with the most traditional and basic of phone services, it’s safe to say that nearly everyone has had some sort of experience with a landline phone. On the lower end of the tech spectrum, it depends on physical hardware to function, operating through a wire that plugs straight into the wall to connect with a line powered by your phone company. This straightforward connection results in a reliability on the higher end of the business phone spectrum, however, there are fewer features to be had, and the phone industry is progressively moving away from landline technology to accommodate for this. It also generally tends to be the most affordable option, but when implementing it at your business location it demands private branch exchange (PBX) hardware, which can hike up the price to be even more than a VoIP system.

Virtual phone service

The virtual phone system is a bit more obscure than its competitors. Users make calls through an internet connection that is not affiliated with an actual phone line. It’s a bit of a middle man among the business phone systems—it’s not quite a fully developed phone service but presents several compelling features and is accessible on a mobile phone or home network. It’s a decently affordable option for small businesses with employees that work remotely or in different locations and provides a professional aspect to clients and customers. The potential drawback? A limited amount of features. There’s plenty of flexibility with this type of system and the investment is often significantly less than a VoIP or landline service, but the tradeoff is ultimately having less to work with.   

VoIP phone service

A VoIP phone system routes your phone line through your high- speed internet connection and can be hosted either at your business or through the cloud. It uses advanced technology designed for corporations and creates a tool that strengthens small businesses. This service offers the most features and also tends to cost less than landlines, depending on whether you host it on your business’s premises or through the cloud.

The quality of your calls through a VoIP system typically depends on your internet connection and speed, but with a reliable service VoIP is a formidable opponent to other phone options. Most VoIP services come with professional customer service, can be incorporated with many important computer programs, and are incredibly user-friendly. Small businesses utilizing a VoIP system often run at the pace and efficiency of a much larger company.

Keep the cost of communication in mind.

No matter how successful your business is, it runs on a budget. When considering phone systems, you must take into account the cost involved. A VoIP system hosted on-premises is more expensive due to installation, equipment, and possible user fees. For a hosted system, you’re generally paying $500-$1,250 per user (all upfront). A cloud-based phone system does not require fees upfront, but you do pay monthly fees ranging anywhere from $10-$80 per user. The only physical thing you’d be paying for is the actual IP phone hardware, which can clock in anywhere from $50 to several hundred per phone.  

As far as the more basic plans go, a landline system typically runs between $60-$80 a month and a virtual phone line at $10-$50 a month, heavily depending on the features included (which will not match that of VoIP technology).

A business phone plan is often an overlooked yet necessary expense. Finding one that fits into your budget will not only help your business costs remain manageable, it will improve the overall efficiency of your operations.

Businesses can save up to 75% by switching from a landline to VoIP.

Source: https://it.toolbox.com/blogs/voipdesk/3-benefits-of-voip-for-customer-service-061217

When all is said and done, which system rules the day?

No two companies are the same. For every small business that operates with specific communication necessities, there are thousands more that require an endless amount of feature and performance variations to prosper in their competitive markets. The phone systems discussed in this guide can hold their own just fine in the corporate jungle, but one has proven to tip the scale further as far as performance, convenience, and overall quality goes.  

A VoIP phone system is the most versatile and feature-rich service you will encounter, relying on that internet connection to help you better curate your calls and provide a better experience for your customers.

Verizon Business Digital Voice is the VoIP phone solution that will meet all of your business needs effortlessly. With over 30 unique calling features and crystal clear HD sound, it provides the support and consistency your employees and customers need to connect to each other and create success within your business. As an affordable and flexible option, Business Digital Voice gives small businesses two legs to stand on in a brutally competitive atmosphere.  

In the end, no one knows your business like you do. You know what will serve you best as far as features, reliability, and cost. Now that you have some insight into how each phone system works and the possibilities they present, you are one step closer to establishing that critical lifeline and expanding your business’s reach even further.