What speed does your
business need?
The benefits of superfast
broadband for your business
Further
information
Advertised Speeds
Whatever your business needs are: attracting customers, trading
online, making use of the latest technologies such as cloud computing,
communicating with colleagues across the UK and abroad – or simply
having an online presence – the right broadband connection is essential.
To get more details about broadband for business, including the key things
to consider when choosing a package and an Internet Service Provider,
what questions to ask potential suppliers and what you can do with a faster
connection, visit www.superfastessex.org/forbusiness
Business broadband isn’t the same as the residential connection you’d
use at home. Most broadband service providers offer a range of options
exclusively for businesses. These ‘business broadband’ products offer key
features such as:
Find out if fibre broadband is available to you:
www.superfastessex.org/postcode
Broadband service providers may use ‘up to’ or ‘top’ speeds in their
advertising. Individual line speeds will depend on network infrastructure
and the service chosen. When you speak to a provider they will usually
be able to tell you the average actual speed your business is likely
to receive.
How fast is ‘superfast’?
Superfast Essex and the UK Government (BDUK) define superfast
broadband as download speeds of “24Mbps and above”. Ofcom
and the European Union define superfast broadband services as those
“delivering download speeds of 30Mbps or more”. The infrastructure
being deployed by the Superfast Essex programme is measured against
the BDUK definition, so will deliver a minimum of 24Mbps, although
in the majority of cases higher speeds will be available though
these connections.
•
•
•
•
•
Enhanced resilience and security
Business Service Level Agreements (SLA) with 24/7 support and fast
response and repair options
The option to have a dedicated connection just for your business
The option to have a fixed IP address
Faster, more reliable speeds (upload and download) than standard
residential products so your business can be more productive
MA
KE TH
CONN
ECTIO E
N
Find a broadband service provider:
www.superfastessex.org/providers
Search and compare
broadband deals
•www.samknows.com
•www.broadbandchoices.co.uk
•www.broadbandgenie.co.uk
•www.cable.co.uk
Boost your
business with
Superfast fibre
broadband
Test your speed
•www.speedtest.btwholesale.com
•www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk
•www.uswitch.com/broadband/speedtest
What speed do you need?
Register your demand
To find out more about how speeds are measured and what different
speeds allow you to do go to www.superfastessex.org/speeds
If fibre broadband is not available in your area and isn’t yet included in
the Superfast Essex programme, register your demand by completing our
‘Make the Connection’ survey. We take this information into account during
future planning: www.superfastessex.org/getinvolved
Cyber security – guidance for businesses
The Government has issued several guides to help UK businesses look after
their online security. For more information go to: www.gov.uk/government/
publications/cyber-security-what-small-businesses-need-to-know
Date of publication April 2015.
www.superfastessex.org
In collaboration with
Braintree District Council
Discover more on our website:
www.superfastessex.org
SUPERFAST ESSEX
Broadband for
Essex businesses
What are your
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The UK Government’s ambition is for Britain to have the best superfast
broadband network in Europe, with minimum download speeds of
24Mbps becoming the new standard.
There are a wide range of fibre-based, wired or wireless
technologies available that can provide your business with
the speed you need. The main six options are:
As part of a national programme led by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK),
the Superfast Essex programme (co-ordinated by Essex County Council)
is building new superfast broadband infrastructure across the county.
Check out our website www.superfastessex.org for the latest
update on the Essex rollout.
ADSL2+ broadband
With many businesses already able to take advantage of faster speeds,
the new connectivity is having a massive impact for small and medium
sized businesses in particular – helping them enjoy benefits that until
now have been reserved for larger corporate enterprises.
This brochure has been designed by Superfast Essex in collaboration
with Braintree District Council, to provide advice on how to choose
the broadband service that is right for your business. If you are not yet
covered by the rollout, we are also explaining how you might benefit
from alternative ways to get online.
SUPERFAST ESSEX
Traditional broadband, known as ADSL2+ (asymmetric digital subscriber
line) is delivered via copper telephone lines. According to Ofcom,
download speeds for ADSL2+ in Essex average 9.7Mbps. ADSL2+ is the
widest available broadband option in the country but speeds reduce the
further you work from your local exchange.
Fibre broadband
Fibre broadband is the next generation of broadband. It can offer faster
and more reliable service than ADSL as it uses a different technology –
fibre optic cable. In Essex, fibre broadband averages download speeds
of 55.3Mbps (Ofcom, June 2014). Distance from the exchange is less
of an issue, but since the fibre networks are still in development, limited
availability means not every business can get it yet. Under the current
Superfast Essex programme fibre broadband will be delivered in two ways:
largely fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and some fibre to the premises (FTTP).
Dedicated Leased Line
If your business needs greater and reliable speeds (both upload
and download); must be online and operational 24/7; has multiple
employees or customers using the network or has employees based at
multiple locations, you may find that a Dedicated Leased Line is the way
to go. Leased Line services are a lot more expensive than fibre broadband
because they provide a dedicated line just for your business, meaning
it will not get affected at peak times or by increased demand from other
customers. However, with this option you get much higher speeds, better
reliability and more comprehensive support options.
Business broadband options
Features
ADSL2+
Fibre (FTTC)
Dedicated
Leased Line
Wireless
Satellite
3G/4G
Mobile
Contended/
Uncontended
Contended
Contended
Uncontended
Contended or
Uncontended
Contended or
Uncontended
Contended
Peak time
slow down
Check
with service
provider
Check
with service
provider
No
Check
with service
provider
Check
with service
provider
Check
with service
provider
Up to 3Mbps
Up to 20Mbps
Up to 50Mbps
Up to 6Mbps
(Essex average
actual 3.3Mbps)
(Essex average
actual 8Mbps)
(average actual
may vary)
(average actual
may vary)
Check
with service
provider
Up to 20Mbps
Up to 80Mbps
(Essex average
actual 9.7Mbps)
(Essex average
actual 55.3Mbps)
Installation
Self-Installation
Self-Installation
Approximate
lead time
14 days
Telephone
line required
Wireless, Satellite & Mobile broadband
Wireless, Satellite and Mobile broadband can be good options for more
rural locations, especially if other technologies aren’t available.
Wireless solutions provide an alternative to or an extension of a wired
network. A wireless network is only wireless at the final stage (known
as the “last mile”). Last mile refers to the technology that carries signals
from the exchange – the “last mile” – to and from your business. Wireless
connectivity can be provided so long as you have clear line of sight.
Upload and download speeds of up to 50Mbps can be achieved.
Satellite options use a satellite dish to provide two-way access to
broadband services. Satellite can now offer download speeds of up to
20Mbps. The main advantage of satellite broadband is that it can be
provided virtually anywhere, so long as you have a clear line of sight.
Because of this, it can be affected by the weather as moisture in rain can
cause errors on the link. A general rain shower shouldn’t affect things but
a large storm could cause disruption. Satellite services also tend to have
more stringent monthly download caps and latency (a signal delay due to
distance) so this can make activities like video conferencing difficult. Also,
some applications may not function at the optimum broadband speed as
a result of the timing delays.
Mobile broadband can be used not just on your phone, but on laptops,
tablets and other wireless devices too – wherever there’s a strong enough
mobile signal. 3G is currently sold with a maximum download speed
of 7.2Mbps and is available to 79% of premises and 61% of roads in
Essex. 4G averages speeds of 8 – 12Mbps but as it is relatively new, it’s
only currently available to 20% of premises and 16% of roads in Essex.
However, Ofcom expect that 4G coverage will quickly overtake 3G and
provide a substantial improvement in the availability of mobile broadband.
Upload
speed
Download
speed
From 10Mbps
to 1Gbit/s
From 10Mbps
to 1Gbit/s
Up to 50Mbps Up to 20Mbps
Up to 12Mbps
(7Mbps 3G)
(average actual
may vary)
(average actual
may vary)
Survey,
Engineer
Engineer
Engineer
Self-Installation
14 days
60 – 90 days
14 – 30 days
14 days
1 – 7 days
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No. of users
1–3
3 – 15
10 – 1000
Depends
on package
Depends
on package
Depends
on package
Approximate
set-up costs
£
££
££££
£££
£££
££
Average cost
per month
£20
£30
£350
£50
£65
£20
Notes:
Un-contended – It’s all yours; there’s no-one else on your line, so you’ll get the same speeds no matter what.
Contended – You’re sharing the network so the more people online, the longer it takes to upload and download.
Mbps – Megabits per second
Disclaimer:
The information in this brochure has been compiled from third parties. Whilst we have made every
attempt to ensure the information is correct, it is subject to change. Check with your chosen broadband
provider for the latest information.