Businesses across the UK and all industries, are understanding the demands of a modern digital-first operation. Especially considering the recent jump in remote working, companies large and small are now in urgent need of robust digital connectivity that meets those needs.
However, recent research by CityFibre has uncovered a number of worrying trends which have led many to the realisation that years of intentional underinvestment by Openreach has in turn, held back our ability to keep pace with modern working trends and technology, putting the UK at a clear disadvantage against global rivals.
This has caused the UK to drop to 35th in global internet speed rankings. Which, combined with misleading information, risks undermining the UK ambition for all homes and businesses to be connected to full-fibre by 2033.
It also leads onto say that many years of misleading advertising, which effectively positions a hybrid fibre and copper service as “fibre”, now risks undermining the UK’s ambitions for all homes and businesses to be connected to full-fibre by 2033.
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CityFibre’s research proved that providers continuing to advertise copper-based connections as “fibre”, is leaving people confused about their infrastructure.
“Fibre” and “full-fibre” are very different. When some of the UK’s biggest Internet Service Providers sell fibre, what their customers are actually getting is fibre cables for only a section of their data journey. (Between the local green cabinet and main exchange.)
From there, old fashioned copper wiring carries the data to-and-from the premises, which is notoriously slow and unreliable, creating major bottlenecks. Full-fibre on the other hand, uses a fibre connection for the entire length of the packet journey. Which means no copper wires and virtually no reduction in speed or reliability.
This is a classic example of the wool being pulled over consumers’ eyes. A practice which has caught the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority who is currently investigating this serious issue.
78% of UK consumers feel slowed down and frustrated by their internet connection. The figure rises to 82% among homeworkers and 87% among young people.
You might think that these frustrations are simply part and parcel of modern business but they’re not. You may even be under the impression that you’re already using “fibre”, or there are no better solutions! The truth is that there is a better alternative available now, and that alternative is full-fibre.
Unfortunately, fewer than 4% of UK homes currently have full-fibre connections available. This 4% is dwarfed in comparison to the 71% of Spanish homes and 89% of homes in Portugal.
There’s no doubt that the UK has been hindered by years of underinvestment. And the marketing of hybrid fibre/copper services as a “fibre” service is doing nothing to help the cause.
Without full-fibre available to every home and business in the UK, we will struggle to compete globally and meet the demands of remote working. CityFibre is pushing this issue forward and we fully support them, and our other full-fibre providers, in advocating for change.
Here at Everything Voice, we want to help businesses access the best possible services, which is why we offer gigabit speed connections over CityFibre’s independent network. This is a true digital holy grail – superior, high capacity, full-fibre infrastructure with speeds a magnitude above what else is on offer.
Full-fibre is up to 100 times faster than the UK’s average speeds, meaning companies using this service can make the most of their digital ambitions.
If you rely on an internet connection which is barely fast or resilient enough to ‘get by’, then your business is going to struggle to keep up with competitors. Especially those already leveraging full-fibre, and remain constrained by the burden of sub-par connectivity.
Full-fibre has an immediate impact on a business’s productivity, efficiency and bottom line, unlocking new opportunities and proofing businesses for tomorrow. Plus, as your headcount increases and technology improves, you won’t have to worry about strains on your bandwidth. It’s a truly limitless service, designed to give businesses the flexibility to reach their full potential.
While every company has different ambitions, the need for robust digital infrastructure, enabled by full-fibre, is increasingly fundamental for success. Ultrafast full-fibre business broadband isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s becoming a necessity!