What is a Point to Point Internet Connection?

Point to point internet connection (also known as P2P or PtP) is a common internet connection solution for businesses and other commercial properties. P2P is often used at large institutions or campuses, such as schools, large businesses, hospitals, and apartment complexes. It provides a secure wireless connection that works over large areas, and it’s particularly helpful when you need your network to span multiple buildings. 

As with anything else, P2P internet comes with pros and cons. Learn more below about what point to point internet connection is, so you can decide whether it’s the right choice for your business. 

What is a Point to Point Internet Connection? 

P2P is wireless internet that is based in one central location. From that central hub, the connection is spread across a large area, typically with antennas. Antennas are located at access points that receive the connection from the main hub. In this way, P2P takes the signal given by an initial router or access point and makes it more broadly available. 

With this type of internet connection, you can have fast and reliable wireless internet throughout your entire property. P2P internet connections also simplify installation because there isn’t a need to run cables throughout your campus or buildings. Each access point typically has a broad range. 

P2P internet works for both local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), although it’s touted for its ability to cover large areas. P2P can even create wireless coverage that spans miles. 

Other names for P2P internet connections include WiFi bridge and wireless access point. 

Is Point to Point Internet Connection Secure? 

Security is of utmost importance for any wireless connection. P2P connections are typically considered secure, especially when compared to public internet. In fact, depending on the sensitivity of your information, you may only require minimal data encryption. P2P provides a secure connection because it’s a private connection that isn’t shared outside of your business network. 

One of the reasons a P2P connection is secure is because it doesn’t travel over public internet lines. It’s more difficult to hack a private P2P connection than standard wireless internet. 

Because P2P provides a reliable and secure connection, it’s great for businesses that work with sensitive information. P2P connections are often used for processing credit card transactions, sharing sensitive information, and backing up data. 

Is Point to Point Internet Connection Fast? 

Most P2P internet connections are very fast, although they can be slower than a cabled internet connection that many businesses use. P2P can run at download speeds up to ten gigabytes per second (Gbps), which is typically fast enough for most businesses and very fast for the average homeowner. 

They are also capable of having high-bandwidth and low-latency. This means they are able to transmit a lot of data at once and there isn’t much of a delay. In short: you’ll be able to access the internet and you’ll be able to access it quickly. 

One of the reasons P2P connections are fast is that the data always runs along the same route. In contrast, on a public internet connection, data can take different paths for various reasons, leading to inconsistent speeds. Public internet can also be more susceptible to signal disruption, which would, of course, affect the speed of the connection. 

Is Point to Point Internet Reliable? 

P2P connections are typically very reliable, and you can count on them having really good quality of service (QoS), which is the overall performance of the network. This is due largely in part to the fact that it’s not a shared network, and it’s not dependent on phone lines. 

With P2P, you won’t often need to worry about connection issues. P2P even often provides a good, reliable connection in remote areas where good coverage can be a struggle. 

The biggest drawback of a P2P internet connection is the reliance on one single point for connection. If the main point of connection goes down for any reason, all of the other points that use that main connection to access the internet will also go down. This doesn’t happen often, but it is something to consider when thinking about using a P2P internet connection. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Point to Point Internet Connections? 

When deciding if this type of internet connection is right for you, consider the pros and cons of P2P, which we’ve outlined below: 

Pros: 

• P2P can cover a large area
• Wireless connection doesn’t require installation of cumbersome wires, which saves time and money
• Fast connection
• Cost-effective 
• Secure
• Reliable even in remote areas 

Cons: 

• Can’t run as fast as some cabled networks
• Disruption of service at main connection point will bring down the whole system  

Clearly, there are more benefits of P2P internet connections than there are drawbacks, but it’s important to take your individual needs into account as well when deciding on an internet option for your business. 

Should I use P2P For My Business? 

So, is a P2P connection right for your business? If you’re looking for a cost-effective and secure internet option that can span a large area, P2P is probably a good option for you to consider. It works really well when you have multiple buildings that need to connect to the internet. If you don’t have a large area that you need to cover, another internet option might work better for you while eliminating the need to set up access points.