FTTP vs Ethernet

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Short Answer: 

FTTP and Ethernet are both viable connectivity solutions for businesses. 

FTTP offers impressive bandwidth but lacks guaranteed speeds and SLAs. Ethernet provides dedicated, uncontended connections with guaranteed synchronous speeds and SLAs. FTTP is cost-effective and suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with moderate data usage. Ethernet is recommended for businesses with cloud-based applications, frequent large file transfers, internet downtime issues, or the need for reliable connectivity.

Ethernet is widely available in the UK, but additional installation costs may apply. Consider your specific requirements, such as data usage, reliability needs, and location, to make an informed decision. Choose the right connectivity solution to optimize your business operations and unlock its full potential.

Long Answer:

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses need reliable, high-speed connectivity to stay competitive. Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) and Ethernet solutions have emerged as top contenders, each offering unique advantages. Understanding the differences between FTTP and Ethernet is crucial for making an informed decision that aligns with your business's specific requirements. In this article, we delve into the features and benefits of each option, helping you determine which one suits your needs best.

Fibre to the Premise (FTTP):

FTTP utilises fibre-optic cables to deliver high-speed connectivity directly from the exchange to your business premises. Key features of FTTP include:

  • Impressive Bandwidth:
  • FTTP offers top-end bandwidths of up to 1Gbps for downloads and 115Mbps for uploads. This ensures lightning-fast data transfers, enabling seamless operations for businesses.
  • Asymmetric Speeds:
  • While FTTP provides excellent download speeds, the upload speeds are slightly lower. For instance, a typical FTTP connection might offer 1Gbps for downloads and 115Mbps for uploads. This configuration is suitable for businesses that prioritize downloading large files and accessing cloud-based applications.


Ethernet Solutions:

Ethernet, designed specifically for business use, provides dedicated, uncontended broadband services with guaranteed bandwidth and synchronous speeds. Let's explore the different Ethernet options:

  • Fibre Ethernet: Also known as leased lines, Fibre Ethernet offers high-speed, uncontended connectivity ranging from 10Mbps to 10Gbps. Key features of Fibre Ethernet include:
  • Dedicated and Uncontended: Fibre Ethernet provides dedicated connections, ensuring no sharing of infrastructure with other businesses. This guarantees consistent and reliable performance.
  • Scalable Bandwidth: With Fibre Ethernet, you can choose bearers with different bandwidth options, such as 100Mbps, 1Gbps, or 10Gbps, and add blocks of additional bandwidth as needed.
  • Ethernet Flex 1Gbps: Ethernet Flex 1Gbps, available as a City Fibre Champion, offers a competitive solution with guaranteed uncontended and synchronous 200Mbps speeds. Key features of Ethernet Flex include:
  • Burst Capability: Ethernet Flex provides an unlimited 1Gbps burst at no extra cost, offering additional speed when needed.
  • Converged Ethernet: Converged Ethernet combines Voice and Data on a single high-speed connection. Key features of Converged Ethernet include:
  • Fully Managed Solution: Converged Ethernet ensures prioritisation of voice traffic, guaranteeing the quality and number of concurrent calls without service degradation.

Discover how upgrading from FTTC to Fibre Ethernet helped improved Stressline's buiness operations

Read the full Case Study

So, should your business choose FTTP or Ethernet?

FTTP tends to be cheaper than ethernet simply because you are sharing bandwidth with others so it brings down the cost, but also takes away the guaranteed maximum speeds that you get with an ethernet (leased line) connection.

FTTP does provide similar stability as a Fibre Ethernet connection, but it can't provide that guaranteed bandwidth that your business network may need and does not have an SLA on guaranteed up time that Fibre Ethernet has.

The key thing with FTTP is availability. It isn’t as widespread, although it is a focus to improve its availability whereas, Ethernet is available pretty much anywhere in the UK (but could come with additional installation costs to deliver it).

FTTP tends to be suited to small to medium sized businesses that need a good connectivity speed but don’t transfer a lot of data, continuously. We recommend Ethernet when;

  • Most of your business applications are cloud-based.
  • You want to use SIP Trunks and/or a Hosted Phone System.
  • You have been experiencing internet downtime.
  • You transfer a lot of large files
  • You have had slow download/uploads.
  • You need reliable connectivity, 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Your business has more than one site.
  • Your business in an area of poor connectivity such as a rural location.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right connectivity solution is crucial for optimizing your business operations. While FTTP is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with moderate data usage, Ethernet's dedicated and uncontended connectivity, synchronous speeds, and SLAs make it the preferred choice for businesses with higher demands. Consider your specific requirements, applications, and geographical location to make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals. Invest in the right connectivity solution and unlock the full potential of your business.


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