» Ethernet in the First Mile

Guaranteeing a high-speed connection

Managed Comms offers several services that can increase the speed of your business broadband connection. These include:

• Bonded ADSL
• ADSL MAX
• Bonded SDSL
• A leased line

However, these services focus on creating a broad, uncontended data flow between the LAN and the Managed Comms private multi-gigabit network. They have an astonishing effect on upload and download speeds, and coupled with our VPN or hosted email services, can create a secure private network stretching between offices, computers and counties.

Closer to home

Meanwhile, for some businesses our Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) services could be the perfect business broadband solution. EFM works on a level much closer to the individual computers by making adjustments to the LAN connection in order to guarantee a high-speed data transfer.

The 'first mile' is sometimes referred to as the 'last mile' by Internet Service Providers; meaning the last stretch of cable between the local exchange and the individual computer. EFM services are available in 21CN exchanges around the country, and although it's a relatively new concept, large swathes of the UK can now benefit from this innovation.

Businesses can have up to five copper pairs bundled up in the same way as ADSL or SDSL bonding works, creating a larger bandwidth through the Ethernet with no need for a fibre or leased line. Amazingly, if one of these pairs fails, EFM adjusts itself automatically to accommodate the lower capacity, so the system as a whole continues to work.

Benefits of EFM

With no need for fibre installation, the potential speeds of 10Mbps within 3km of the exchange could have huge benefits for businesses. EFM is one of the easiest-to-install business broadband solutions, and being based in Ethernet and copper pairs instead of fibre optics, is surprisingly cheap.

The improved connections are particularly useful for activities that require buffering, such as VoIP, VPNs and video; what's more, uploading is just as fast as downloading. Businesses can also incorporate an EFM connection into their VPN for a high-speed connection within their own private network.