18 Sep 2023 Has FTTP moved into your Sheffield neighbourhood?
There’s a new broadband in town, and it’s heading to Sheffield.
Copper is retiring and traditional PSTN and ISDN lines will no longer be in use by 2025. Copper infrastructure has serviced the UK with broadband since the 90’s (who remembers dial up?!). But though all good things must come to an end, there’s something better waiting in the wings: full fibre.
The government says it’s committed to providing gigabit-broadband nationwide by 2030, with 85% of premises having availability by 2025. With the wheels in motion, we’re going to look at the benefits of FTTP for your business and when your area will have access to it.
What is FTTP and how is it different to other broadband types?
FTTP (fibre to the premises) is a full fibre connectivity solution sometimes called fibre optic or fibre broadband. It’s gradually being rolled out across the UK to replace the copper wire infrastructure that supports telephone landlines and copper connectivity broadband, such as FTTC (fibre to the cabinet). FTTP runs fibre optic cables straight from the exchange to your premises.
FTTC, by contrast, is a blend of copper and fibre. Unlike FTTP, FTTC runs fibre cables to the green cabinet, then relies on copper cabling from the cabinet to the premises.
Copper infrastructure has been the bedrock of UK connectivity. It’s over 100 years old and was originally designed for telephony, later being adapted for internet connectivity. You can find out more about the different types of broadband in this article.
Our national grid is overdue an upgrade, and we’re going to talk through why fibre is the future.
What are the benefits of FTTP?
FTTP is still the new(ish) kid on the block and continues to upstage alternatives. It boasts a bucketload of benefit for businesses. The list is long, so let’s jump straight in.
Lightning-fast internet speeds
Before we get to the nitty gritty, let’s talk speed. Full fibre internet speeds are fast. Really fast. What does that look like in practice? Well, faster internet creates an efficient workflow and allows seamless video conferencing – it’s increased productivity all-round!
Gigabit capable
Speaking of speed, the maximum speed for ultra-fast FTTP broadband is 1GB (1000mbps). In contrast, FTTC internet, which uses old copper infrastructure, gets speeds closer to 80mbps. FTTP outperforms inferior broadband types by a country mile.
Super reliability
Copper infrastructure is notoriously vulnerable to patchy connection and damage. At best, it suffers slowed speeds, at worst, you might lose connection altogether. FTTP’s full fibre lines are robust and secure. You’re looking at consistent internet and high-quality cloud calling that doesn’t cost your company wasted time or money. With no downtime, FTTP’s moto is ‘business as usual’.
Symmetrical upload and download speeds
We continue to live, and work, in a digitally focused world. Fast, matched uploads and downloads are essential to efficiency. You might be a data-hungry production company needing to upload or export large files, or a GP surgery needing quick access to employee or patient data. Sooner or later, every industry will need strong upload and download speeds.
Zero buffering
The dreaded buffer circle. We’ve all experienced one at some point. Older, more temperamental broadband connections such as FTTC can buckle under the strain. You’ll live a buffer-free life with FTTP, and that helps towards business continuity.
No such thing as peak hours
With FTTP – you have full immunity against pesky peak hour traffic. Say goodbye to bandwidth struggles during peak times and periods of heavy network activity. Say hello to consistent speeds that keep you going. For an uncontended, private connection, consider a leased line.
Multi device use
As a business, you might need to connect multiple devices, including laptops and phones, to your network. You need a connection that takes this on effortlessly, especially as your business scales. Which leads us into…
Future-proof
Not only does FTTP save you money in the short term, but it also grows with your business as it evolves. It will effortlessly cope with expanding teams, increased internet activity and the introduction of cloud applications and software. It also won’t be impacted by the switch off, which as we know, will see older landline and copper connectivity become redundant at the end of 2025.
To discover the different FTTP options available check out our services.
Is FTTP available in Sheffield?
The good news is yes, FTTP is in Sheffield. However, it is not currently available across all postcodes. But you won’t have to wait long.
Sheffield is at the centre of an FTTP revolution. Following a £115million investment into the city, the independent full fibre platform, CityFibre, has completed its rollout of full fibre in areas such as Castlebeck, Manor, and Richmond. The rest of Sheffield set to be substantially completed by 2026.
CityFibre on are track to deliver, having started in 2021 with a completion goal of 5 years. You can use this CityFibre postcode checker to see if your area is eligible. BT Openreach are also rolling out Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband to 25 million homes and businesses by December 2026.
Why choose One Connectivity to get me connected to FTTP?
Here at One Connectivity, we have a range of products and internet connectivity solutions to suit the needs of any business. But it’s not just about the products, it’s about the knowledge.
Our experienced team help Sheffield businesses navigate the world of cloud communications, telephony, and broadband, making sure you choose a setup that’s right for you now, and for the future.
We love helping our customers find the most cost-effective, efficient, and future-proof solutions for their business connectivity. Want help deciding what broadband is right for your business? Speak to our experts!
Final thoughts
The next generation of internet is just around the corner, if not already on your street, delivering Sheffield businesses a superior broadband experience. And the benefits are hard to ignore.
If you want to streamline your workflow and start enjoying an FTTP connection, we can help. To find out about the different types of FTTP and to start experiencing the benefits of full fibre, get in touch today or head to our website.