With broadband used day in, day out by businesses and charities, it’s only natural that you want to upgrade to the best possible option. After a bit of research, you’ll undoubtedly come across the term ‘ultrafast broadband’, which is seen as the superior choice when it comes to connectivity.
This post will explore what it means in simple terms and whether it’s necessary for your organisation.
A brief introduction to ultrafast broadband
Fibre broadband is the go-to option for most organisations because it’s faster and more reliable than traditional ADSL. Broadly speaking, it uses fibre optic cables to transmit data rather than using telephone lines. However, it can be broken down into two main categories – fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) or fibre to the premises (FTTP).
FTTC refers to broadband where data is transferred to a nearby cabinet before copper cables are used to connect it to your house. This is known as ‘superfast’ broadband.
On the other hand, FTTP uses fibre optic cables for the entire journey, which provides ‘ultrafast broadband’.
The pros and cons of ultrafast broadband
The combination of fibre optic and copper cables with superfast broadband provides speeds of 30mbps or higher. In comparison, ‘pure’ or ‘full’ fibre for ultrafast broadband delivers upwards of 300mbps. Therein lies the main benefit of ultrafast broadband – speed and bandwidth.
With ultrafast broadband, you can have more devices connected to your broadband and use data without impacting your connectivity.
Needless to say, however, that comes at a cost. Because it requires fibre optic cables directly to your premises, ultrafast broadband requires new infrastructure to be installed, potentially costing thousands of pounds in ECCs (Excess Construction Charges). Not to mention the higher ongoing costs for the improved service.
Some organisations may also find that it’s not available in their area. Ultrafast broadband currently has just 21% coverage in the UK compared to 95% for superfast broadband.
Do you need ultrafast broadband?
Whether or not you need ultrafast broadband comes down to how you use your broadband – and how your current services are performing. Alternatives like superfast broadband and ADSL can deliver speeds of 30-300mbps and circa 24mbps, respectively.
That may well be enough to meet your requirements. Consider that VoIP calling and emails both require around 1mbps, while HD streaming typically calls for around 3mbps.
If you’re using your broadband for low-data activity and only have a small number of devices or users, investing in ultrafast broadband would simply be an unnecessary cost. However, if you have a lot of people using data simultaneously and you notice problems with speed, it could be worth it in the long run.
Broadband that’s right for you
As a specialist broadband provider for charities and small businesses, VS Group can work to understand your requirements and recommend the right broadband solutions for your organisation. We’ll make sure your broadband is fast and reliable while minimising the upfront and ongoing costs.
Want to find out more? Give our team a call on 0330 0940 170 or email info@vsgcomms.com.
