TECHNOLOGY HUB
Data Connectivity
Broadband
A term used to describe fast internet access. Wide bandwidth which can be either ADSL or SDSL. ADSL can suffer from vast bandwidth changes (see also Contention Ratio).
Contention Ratio
A term used to describe the number of individual broadband customers connecting to a single internet node at the local public exchange. High contentions ratios will cause vast speed differences depending on time of day and number local users on line. Beware of the ‘4pm school rush’! This can make a standard broadband connectivity unreliable for VoIP
Priority Service
Certain Business Broadband service, like for example from Plusnet Business provide an optional service to prioritise traffic; with the more time-sensitive applications given a higher priority; for example VoIP is normally the highest priority Higher priority traffic gets bandwidth before lower priority traffic. As the total bandwidth available is shared, this means lower priority traffic can be slower at busy times when there’s less bandwidth available.
ADSL / ADSL2+
ADSL Stands for ‘Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line’. ADSL transforms the existing twisted copper pairs between the telephone exchange and the telephone socket into a high-speed digital line, allowing Broadband access. ADSL delivers fast download speeds of up to 8 MBits/sec but slow upload speed. ADSL2+ service provides maximum download speeds of about 20Mbps, and maximum upload speeds of up to 850 Kbps. Annex M is the next generation of ADSL broadband services increasing the uplink speed at the expense of downlink speed; more suited for VoIP services – offering speeds of up to 16Mbs download and 2.3Mbs upload.
Annex M Availability
Annex M services are available from over 1000 exchanges in the UK and is a cost effective alternative to SDSL or a Lease Line for Companies that require a faster upload speed at minimum cost.
How does Annex M work?
Annex M is part of the new 21CN services of broadband connectivity based on next generation broadband technology and works by using rate adaptive technology. This means that each connection will synchronise with the DSLAM at the local exchange and sync up to the highest possible speed available. Whereas ADSL Max product currently has a maximum down load and up load speed of 8mbs and 800Kbs respectively ADSL 2 + and Annex M take the limits off further, in theory offering up to 16Mbs down and 2.5Mbs up, while still offering the highest possible stability. With every ADSL connection speed is still determined by the line length and quality of copper between your premises and local exchange. Please ask us to check your location for best possible speeds.
Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC)
FTTC Fibre Broadband Service provides speeds up to 40Mbps and is now available in some areas of
the UK. Advance Networks can now provide this new very fast internet access.
What is FTTC?
FTTC is where BT run a fibre cable from the local exchange, to a street cabinet nearer to your property. Broadband equipment is placed in this cabinet, and then linked over existing copper to local business and homes. This provides up to 40Mbps broadband to those whose phone line is fed from a cabinet, rather than directly back to the telephone exchange.
What will it cost?
We expect pricing to be very similar to our existing ADSL packages, but as the service is at present limited to area please ask us to provide pricing based on your area and availability.
When can I get FTTC?
FTTC is available in some areas of the UK, but will become widely available with 40% of the BT’s Network being enabled for FTTC by 2012. Advance Networks will provide you with details of what is available in your area, when FTTC is available, and what products can be used to enhance your existing service until FTTC is available.
Leased Line & Ethernet Connectivity
A Leased Line is a high-performance, permanently available, fixed cost Internet connection carrying voice, data & Internet traffic for companies placing the Internet at the heart of their business strategy. Leased Lines deliver dedicated bandwidth and are supported by comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA) unavailable on standard ADSL or FTTC connections.
Generic Ethernet Access (GEA)
GEA service utilises existing broadband and Ethernet network infrastructures to provide a cost effective yet reliable and fully guaranteed Ethernet based solution. Similar to FTTC, GEA uses the existing copper infrastructure between the customer’s premises and the cabinet and then fibre from the cabinet to the exchange. However, unlike FTTC their traffic then passes onto an Ethernet network rather than the standard, more contended, broadband network. GEA therefore provides a dedicated and uncontended Ethernet based service with symmetrical speeds of up to 20Mbps and minimal installation costs and lead times. For complete peace of mind, GEA is also backed up by a comprehensive SLA, a choice of back up connectivity options and provides a guaranteed 9 business hour return to service in the event of a circuit failure.
BENEFITS OF GEA?
Symmetrical speeds of up to 20Mbps
Available in 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20Mbps options
Fast Installation
Utilises the existing copper and fibre infrastructure to minimise installation costs
Comprehensive SLA, choice of back up options and 9 business hour return to service guarantee
Uncontended connection
Ethernet First Mile
EFM represents a highly cost effective, uncontended and reliable form of connectivity for businesses. It uses copper pairs from the premises to the exchanges (normally between 2 to 4 pairs) delivering symmetrical Ethernet speeds from 2Mbps to 35Mbps to businesses.
