Over the past decade, businesses have recognized the need for faster, more reliable internet to meet customer demands. As a result, many turned to fiber—yet not all business fiber internet is created equal. In this article, we’ll break down what Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is, how it compares to broadband fiber, and which dedicated internet providers businesses should consider when upgrading their service.

What does DIA stand for?

Sometimes sharing is great—whether it’s with friends, coworkers, or even a recipe at the grocery store.

However, when it comes to your business’s internet access, having your own connection is key. This is where DIA comes into play. But what is DIA?

DIA is a high-speed internet connection that is dedicated solely to your business.

Direct internet access is the best internet that your business can use to optimize its performance. Ample in the convenience that it supplies for businesses, here’s a list of the amazing benefits DIA service provides:

• Guaranteed bandwidth – Your business is guaranteed the speed it pays for, compared to sharing the overall speed with another business.
• High reliability – Consistent, uninterrupted service with minimal downtime.
• Symmetrical speeds – Same upload and download speeds, no matter what your internet activity.
• Enhanced security – Minimize the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

To simplify it, DIA service is like having your own private highway. You get to control the speed, flow of traffic, and it never gets congested because only your business uses it.

How does DIA work?

Understanding what DIA means is the first step in solving your business needs. The next step in the solution would be understanding how DIA works. In short, the answer is circuits.

DIA circuits are the physical cabling that carries the internet from your internet service provider (ISP) to your business. The most common material used for circuits is usually fiber or ethernet that’s installed from your dedicated ISP. Depending on the type of circuit your dedicated ISP uses, it can make a difference in factors like installation, latency (lagging), or even the levels of support you receive.

• Type 1 DIA Circuit — Direct from ISP: Your ISP owns and maintains the entire connection, from their core network to your business. It’s the most reliable but also the most expensive.
• Type 2 DIA Circuit — Rented Connection: Your ISP doesn’t own the entire path and instead leases part of the connection from another company. It’s more cost-friendly but troubleshooting is a bit more difficult because you have to deal with your ISP and another company.

To summarize, DIA circuits ensure speed, reliability, and security for your direct internet service.

DIA Pricing

The pricing for DIA varies, but it isn’t cheap. There are many factors that impact the costs. Here are the primary factors:

1. Dedicated Bandwidth: A private, uncontended connection ensures consistent speed and performance.
2. Infrastructure Costs: Digging trenches, laying cables, and using specialized equipment come at a cost.
3. SLAs (Service Level Agreements): Ensured reliability, like guaranteed uptime, performance, and support, comes at a price.
4. Symmetrical Speeds: Constant high-speed data transfer requires large amounts of bandwidth.
5. Customization and Scalability: Businesses get tailored options and seamless upgrades.
6. 24/7 Priority Support: Dedicated technical support around the clock helps reduce downtime but increases service costs.

Types of DIA

There are two types of dedicated internet access: DIA Fiber and DIA Fixed Wireless.

DIA Fiber

DIA fiber is the gold standard for direct internet access. Because it uses physical fiber-optic cables that must be deployed underground by technicians, it is extremely reliable and less affected by weather conditions or other disruptions.

DIA fiber requires trenching, which means creating underground pathways for fiber-optic cables. This process involves:

• Excavation: Digging through roads, sidewalks, or private property to install conduits for fiber cables.
• Permits and Regulations: Obtaining approval from local governments and utility companies to prevent infrastructure disruptions.
• Labor and Equipment: Using specialized machinery and skilled workers to properly install and protect the fiber lines.

Though more expensive to install and requiring a longer deployment window, DIA fiber delivers the fastest speeds, lowest latency, and highest bandwidth available on the market.