Connectivity: the lifeblood of business

Connectivity is no longer just about effective communications.

We live in a super-connected world. The Internet has not only changed the way we communicate, shop, socialise, get information and access entertainment. The way we work has also been transformed. Businesses of all sizes are using high-speed connectivity to harness the power of the Cloud, using hosted IP voice and data solutions to work more productively and efficiently, diversify into new revenue streams, target new markets and deliver a better customer experience.

With so much reliance on high-speed connectivity being part of our lives, it’s easy to forget how far we’ve come in just a couple of decades. Since the advent of broadband sparked a revolution in communications technology in the early 2000s, business connectivity has constantly evolved. From the simple ADSL technology that started it all, a range of options have developed, including ISDN, ethernet and single order broadband. Then came fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), which provided a bridge between the traditional copper wiring that was already installed in most homes and businesses, and the new fibre-enabled network infrastructure being deployed in exchanges.

The fibre revolution
The game changer for fixed line connectivity is the roll-out of super-fast fibre across the UK, particularly the ‘gold standard’ option: direct fibre or fibre to the premises (FTTP). At the same time, mobile connectivity has come on leaps and bounds, with 3G transitioning to faster 4G and now super-fast 5G, which can deliver robust, resilient high-speed internet access with no geographical boundaries.

In 2025, BT will be switching off the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the traditional way that voice calls have been carried since the 19th century. That means the future is definitely a combination of fibre and mobile connectivity. Against this backdrop, making the move to IP-based communications is not only a necessity, it is a golden opportunity for businesses to discover the benefits of using VoIP services and unified communications (UC). Read more in our previous blog.

A range of solutions
The communications revolution has levelled-up the playing field in many industry sectors. It’s no longer necessary to have the huge resources of a major corporation to compete in a national or international marketplace. SMEs can harness the power of unified communications to connect customers, suppliers and colleagues reliably, increase productivity and capacity cost effectively, and deliver enhanced levels of service confidently.

With a range of practical connectivity solutions for all types and sizes of business, location is much less of an issue that it once was. Even if a company is based in a remote setting or has a part of their premises that’s difficult to reach, there’s sure to be an answer. Naturally, different solutions have different price points and timescales. However, the valuable benefits of resilient high-speed connectivity will often outweigh any additional cost implications.
The results speak for themselves. For example, we helped a hospitality business deliver high-speed broadband to a vital outbuilding facility using point-to-point connectivity. Read our case study to find out more.

Taking advantage of the geographical flexibility of mobile connectivity via 4G/5G routers, we also helped a team of landscape gardeners get reliable high-speed connectivity to their portacabin office sited in the middle of a field. This case study has the full story.

Empowering home and hybrid working
High-speed connectivity is driving the widespread shift to home and hybrid working models. Having reliable internet access also enables itinerant workers, such as engineers, to stay in touch with the office while working in any location or even while they’re on the move.

Of course, enabling staff to work remotely is not just about providing a fast, reliable internet connection. With many remote workers using their own personal broadband hubs, mobile networks or public access wifi hotspots, security is a key issue. How do you ensure that data being transferred via the internet from a remote location isn’t vulnerable to being hacked?

The answer is to create a virtual private network (VPN). It’s a secure tunnel between the remote worker and the site or service to which they’re connecting. Even if a hacker does manage to access the VPN, data is encrypted and the user’s identity and geographical location can also be disguised, providing additional layers of security.

A reliable partner
At Cambridge Telecom we can help you find a connectivity solution that’s right for your business. Our friendly, expert team will take the time to understand your business model and processes, assess your needs and make a practical, cost-effective proposal. Call our sales team on 01223 661636 or email  enquiries@cambridgetelecom.com