Question: Explore WAN Options in Your Area Selecting a particular WAN solution because its theoretical maximum speed is faster than another solution's theoretical maximum speed won't help much if your local carrier doesn't actually offer service at that speed. Selecting a WAN solution for a corporation requires familiarity with the options available in your area and their actual performance levels relative to each other.
Complete the following steps to evaluate the ISP options available to a business in your area:
1. Compile a list of ISPs in your town or city. If you live in a rural area with few options, select a nearby city with more options so that you'll be able to include some of the private WAN technologies in addition to residential WAN offerings.
2. Check the Web site for each ISP to determine what broadband services they offer in your area, both for residential customers and corporate customers. Include both wired and wireless options. Answer the following questions:
a. What are their advertised speeds?
b. How much does each solution cost on a monthly basis?
c. What installation fees are there, if any?
d. How far away are you located from their CO? (If you're researching another city besides your own, use a fictional location in that same city.)
e. What effect will this distance likely have on the actual speeds of each service option?
3. Search online for consumer reviews of each ISP in your list. What kinds of ratings does each ISP receive online?