18 Aug 2022 How FTTP is Arriving in the East Midlands
UK internet connectivity has changed dramatically in the past few years. We’re not going to bombard you with all the buzzwords here, but more of our devices are connected to the ‘internet of things’ than ever before. As businesses we rely on strong broadband for everything from our work devices, to point of sale systems, CRMs and security cameras. It’s a lot of strain to put on one network, so it’s understandable that many teams are looking to futureproof.
Thankfully this is now looking like more of a possibility for businesses in the East Midlands. There’s now an increasing rollout of Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) to businesses in the UK. Part of this is supported by BT Openreach, but increasingly providers like our partners over at CityFibre have made a big difference.
We know there’s still a fair bit of confusion around what FTTP is, what its benefits are for businesses and how businesses can access it. We’ll aim to clear this up today.
What is FTTP?
FTTP or fibre to the premises is fibre broadband that is wired directly to your building. This is different from the more common FTTC service that only runs fibre optic cables for part of the distance.
FTTP gives businesses a much greater scope for high-speed connections. Speeds on these services can reach up to 1Gbps, and these rapid connections can support just about every need a business has. As we’re using more connected services than ever, it’s increasingly vital to have a connection that supports you now and moving forward.
FTTP is also more reliable. As the fibre optic cables run directly to your site, there’s no competition with other users that would be sharing your network. There’s also no risk of your broadband cabinet being damaged. This means there’s less risk of downtime, meaning more peace of mind.
How it can support East Midlands businesses
The rollout of FTTP has made a big difference to many businesses already. A few years ago it was only in major cities like Leicester, Nottingham and Derby, but phase 2 of the rollout has seen towns get some love too.
New connections are now rolling out all the time in Loughborough, Coalville, Nuneaton and the outskirts of Leicester. Visit CityFibre’s rollout map to find out more. This means businesses here can now apply to upgrade their connectivity to FTTP.
Before making the switch, it’s important to understand just where you can benefit from making the switch. Not every business needs FTTP, and its installation can potentially cause disruption.
We’d primarily recommend it for businesses that use a range of online services every day and need to guarantee their uptime. This includes those who rely on CRM data for their customer service, and those who provide a guest network for customers to log in to.
Essentially our advice is, if you’re looking for a speed and reliability upgrade, look no further than FTTP.
What about the alternatives?
FTTP isn’t the only option, and for many businesses in areas that won’t be reached by the rollout, there are other services that may work better. The primary alternative is SOGEA. SOGEA offers download speeds of up to 80Mbps using the same technology as FTTC.
SOGEA doesn’t include the voice service included with traditional broadband. Instead, businesses using it rely on internet-based VoIP calls. These calls feature the same level of audio quality and will be ubiquitous across the country when Openreach switches off the landline phone network in 2025. You’ll be able to keep your existing phone numbers when you make the switch too!
How East Midlands businesses can access FTTP
FTTP is more accessible than ever. It’s not just big cities how can make the most of fibre, but towns and rural businesses too. It’s even available to residential properties (fibre to the home)!
At One Connectivity we’ve partnered with connectivity giants CityFibre to help our customers stay ahead of the curve. Our expertise on our local connectivity landscape has meant that we can advise CityFibre on where connections are needed most pressingly. We can offer One Connectivity customers priority access to this service once it arrives in your area.
If you aren’t currently sure about whether your connectivity service can support your team now and moving forward, why not book a consultation? We’re always here to provide guidance and impartial advice.
If you do decide to make the switch, the installation process is hassle-free and simple. We’ll always take steps to ensure that your team don’t experience downtime and disruption. You’ll also receive your own named account manager who’ll guide you through the process every step of the way.
If you’re looking to for a technology partner who handles customer service differently, get in touch with the One Connectivity team at 0115 896 88 60.