21CN, FTTC, FTTP, EFM, fibre.
Unless you work in the Telecoms industry you may not know what any of these services are, when they’re coming to the UK and how they can help your company.

If you’re considering investing in a new internet connection or Wide Area Network it’s vital you understand your options and the differences of each technology.

As a Business ISP we’re always looking for new technologies such as the ones mentioned above, all of which are in deployment as I type; but what timescales are involved before the new technologies cover your office? We obviously can’t list every single address and service option, but we can provide good sources of news for developments, and we’re always able to conduct research for your particular property or potential property on your behalf – so you don’t have to.

INDUSTRY NEWS
www.ispreview.co.uk
ISPR report news on anything ISP related.

www.samknows.com
Samknows has conducted work on behalf of OFCOM(UK telecom regulator), and also the FCC (US telecom regulator) to help understand the current broadband infrastructure.
UK broadband availability is easy to use and provides an instant picture of available services. Samknows also report on major developments in the industry.

With so many types of service available, all trying to make the most of the hybrid UK copper/fibre infrastructure, it’s easy to get confused. So, we’ve put together a brief summary about bandwidth options each service will deliver.

21CN
Abbreviation: Twenty first century network
Speed: Up to 16Mbps/1Mbps (dependent upon distance from exchange & copper quality)
Time scale: Now
Price Range: £35 - £79pm

BT have been upgrading all of their exchanges to offer ADSL2+ services. Most operators have had ADSL2+ technology available for a few years now, so 21CN isn’t offering anything new.

FTTC
Abbreviation: Fibre to the curb
Speed: 60Mbps/10Mbps
Time scale: 10 million properties by 2012
Price Range: £200+pm

There’s a lot of work involved to deliver FTTC. Currently each exchange is served by fibre, and then copper to each premises. FTTC effectively means there will be an exchange at the end of every single road in the UK. BT will need to setup hundreds of exchanges to cover the same number of properties as a single current exchange. And with nearly 5600 exchanges in the UK, it’s a vast amount of work. BT estimates it will cover 10million homes and business with FTTC by 2012 at a cost of £1.5bn pounds.

EFM
Abbreviation: Ethernet First Mile
Speed: 10Mbps/10Mbps (dependent upon distance from exchange & copper quality)
Time scale: Now (700+ exchanges)
Price Range: £225+pm

EFM utilises existing copper making it a viable alternative to FTTP/fibre services without the large setup charges. Lead time is also another advantage over FTTP/fibre with approx. half the delivery time. EFM services remain dependant on distance from exchange and copper quality, generally available where SDSL is present. EFM is seen at the natural upgrade path from SDSL. A 4Mb EFM service is comparative in price to a 2Mb SDSL.

FTTP/Fibre
Abbreviation: Fibre to the Premises
Speed: 10Mb to 10Gbps +
Time scale: Available now(adhoc). Total roll-out estimated 2025
Price Range: £400+pm

FTTP is the ultimate goal for a totally stable and unlimited bandwidth infrastructure. FTTP is an all-fibre network, meaning that copper isn’t used whatsoever. This is available now, anywhere in the UK and is provisioned on an adhoc basis. The longer term goal of extending fibre to every premises, is even more extensive than FTTC, as fibre will be extended to every premises.

If you would like Fusion to confirm availability and pricing for your specific location then get in touch. We’re experts at delivery reliable, cost effective internet access and Wide Area Networks.

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