Connectivity: Extending the UK FTTP Footprint

choruscx on September 9, 2022


Copper wires have been the backbone of UK comms since 1911, so the task of replacing this sprawling network is a mammoth undertaking.

For years, BT Openreach and Virgin Media — the UK’s biggest telecom carriers — have dominated the market. But with just three (and a half) years left to upgrade the country’s entire copper cable network to full-fibre, a whole host of smaller challenger firms are eager to get a slice of the action.

Probably a good thing, too, if we’re to achieve ‘gigabit-capable connectivity’ across the country by 2025 and create a UK broadband network that’s any sort of match for online streaming and the internet of things…

 Show us what you’ve got, AltNet providers

The goal of a typical AltNet (alternative network) provider is simple: provide fast, reliable and resilient internet connectivity.

At the moment, there are around 100 AltNets ready and waiting to deploy fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) across the UK. BAI Communications, Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, CityFibre and Gigaclear are just a few of the start-up telcos looking to take a bite out of Virgin and BT.

These AltNets are growing rapidly and are expected to spend around £12 billion supporting network builds that could reach 30 million premises by 2025 — collectively, at least. Individually, they’re still trumped by the old guard.

But funding is being pumped into the growth of FTTP before the 2025 switch-off, and the AltNet sector has been buoyed by announcements of more than £2.5 billion of private sector investment.

Then there’s Project Gigabit: the UK government’s £5 billion investment designed to bring fibre broadband to more than 15 million hard-to-reach homes and businesses. The project will undoubtedly open doors for alternative network providers, serving up the golden opportunity to take on the two mainstream providers.

It’s the chance of a lifetime for telecom start-ups with an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to build networks that challenge the status quo.

What’s life without a little competition?

The UK is already on track for one of Europe’s quickest ultra-fast broadband rollouts, but AltNets will undoubtedly provide the telecoms industry with an extra boost, reducing the digital divide between metro regions and underserved rural areas.

After all, BT Openreach and Virgin Media could do with a little healthy competition — and AltNets are just the thing to level the playing field.

If we want the telecoms industry to thrive, competition is the answer. Not only will it help to reduce costs, but it’ll also speed up the delivery of gigabit broadband and ensure it quickly reaches the remote places BT and Virgin overlook.

Plus, whereas the big guys provision the cable networks first and THEN try to attract the customers, successful AltNets will flip this approach on its head — identifying the locations and communities of interest before figuring out the cost of getting the broadband services to that location. So long as they balance the costs and partner with trusted suppliers that can boost their connectivity, they can expect a good return on investment.

Yet, the question remains: can these alternative network providers REALLY compete? Virgin and BT already have the infrastructure, so they’re one step ahead. And whilst many AltNets are off to a flying start, they cannot hope to deliver in a siloed approach. With the right connections, though? Then we’re talking.

With so many players in the market and competition heating up at pace, some AltNets will inevitably join forces, building their services around the existing infrastructure. And that’s certainly not a bad thing if we want to future-proof the UK’s long-term broadband infrastructure…

Adapt or Die: the 2022 Blueprint for Telco

choruscx on August 9, 2022

Telecommunications has always been an ever-changing industry. Performance standards are constantly being set, and new competition is met daily — particularly in the wake of recent events.

The last two years have further emphasised how important it is for businesses to change with the times. In 2022, telcos find themselves at a crossroads: they can either dither around the edges to achieve incremental progress or take advantage of the reinvention of the industry accelerated by the pandemic.

At ChorusCX, we understand that innovation is vital, especially in this do-or-die economy. So, what market trends should your business be adapting to in 2022?

Telephony meets the cloud

 

Cloud computing is one of the most transformative technologies of our time. By moving data and applications to the cloud, users can access them from anywhere, and businesses can enjoy increased agility, flexibility and scalability. But although customers are accustomed to seeing cloud technology in an IT and data environment, this hasn’t always been the case from a telephony point of view.

Since the pandemic and the scramble for hybrid-working solutions, there’s been an urgency for end users to be able to work remotely whilst retaining the same user experience — whether they’re mobile, sitting in the office or working from home. That’s where cloud technology comes in.

Organisations have promised cloud-based hosted telephony with true convergence of telecoms and IT for over a decade. At ChorusCX, we like to practice what we preach…

Our ground-breaking MS Teams direct routing solution enables customers to route calls to and from Microsoft Teams, utilising all the advanced features of ChorusCX’ comprehensive Number Manager: our industry-leading inbound call management platform.

This public switched telephone network (PSTN) solution gives users complete control of their call flows from one place, allowing Teams users to quickly and easily synchronise with the Number Manager service at the click of a button.

Similarly, our ChorusCX Flow hosted solution is a practical, fully featured unified communications platform that allows businesses to manage costs, users and security through a single portal — removing the need to switch between numerous separate platforms.

 

Data and connectivity

 

The journey to the cloud is also the driving force behind another market trend: data and connectivity.

Cloud-based users and businesses are hungrier for bandwidth than ever. As the use of video calls increases, so does the need for bigger, better and faster connectivity.

Plus, the imminent Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Switch-Off has those working from home questioning whether they should go to fibre and how much bandwidth they would need. Connection quality must be up to scratch to ensure productivity levels are the same at home as in the office.

Though fibre to the premise (FTTP) is still being rolled out across the UK, you may not have access yet (check if your area is eligible here). But not to worry — we have you covered.

As an interim solution for customers, single order generic ethernet access (SoGEA) provides broadband without a phone line, readying you for the Switch-Off. It’s quick to install, reliable to use and offers a cost-effective solution to future-proof your connectivity.

Now, it’s time to chat…

Multi-channel communications

 

Living in this digital era has instilled in us one thing: we want answers, and we want them now.

A challenge for businesses has been providing options for customer service. What method of contact do customers prefer? Whether it’s SMS, WhatsApp, LinkedIn and Twitter feeds, emails or phone calls, customers want choice and immediacy in their communication.

ChorusCX’ drive for exceptional customer service and support has always set us apart from our primary competitors. Still, we understand the importance of evolution. That’s why we aim to transform how we communicate with our customers through chatbots and social media, ensuring they get the same user experience on every channel they use.

A finger on the pulse

The telco market of 2022 offers a unique opportunity to either completely reimagine your business or risk being overtaken by more relevant competitors.

As a result, ChorusCX is undergoing a transition, looking at every aspect of our services to keep our products relevant, our communication strong and our business model stable. All businesses are finding themselves in a sink-or-swim position — how will yours utilise these market trends to stay afloat?

Need help revolutionising your services to stay one step ahead of market trends? ChorusCX is your solution. Contact us at +44 (0)161 444 3333 or email sales@invosys.com today!