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What is an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

An Internet Service Provider, or ISP, is an organisation that provides businesses and consumers with internet access. It acts as a gateway, allowing you to connect to its network and access the internet using your web-enabled devices.

ISPs are also interconnected, so you’ll navigate through multiple ISP networks as you explore the internet and access different sites as you conduct business, shop, or connect with family and friends.

As well as connecting its customers to the internet, an ISP also typically provides a range of complementary internet services. These may include email, domain name registration, web hosting and much more, which we’ll explore later in this article.

What types of services do ISP's offer?

ISPs deploy different technologies to connect customers to the internet. These can include Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband, fibre optic broadband, cable broadband, satellite broadband and Dedicated Internet Access (DIA).

DSL broadband is delivered using traditional copper telephone wires. The further the data has to travel through the wires, the more resistance it has to overcome. If you choose DSL, the speed of your connection is dependent on how close you are to the nearest telephone exchange.

Fibre broadband sends and receives data as beams of light down fibre optic cables. This method is much faster than DSL, as fibre cables can handle far larger amounts of data, and the distance travelled has no effect on your broadband speed.

Cable broadband is delivered using a mix of fibre and coaxial television cables, and is usually bundled with TV channels. A coaxial cable internet connection is also much faster than DSL broadband, although in most cases it cannot compete with the speeds of fibre optic broadband.

Satellite broadband uses a satellite connection to transmit data to and from the customer’s location. It’s delivered by geostationary satellites, so this type of broadband is available anywhere on the planet, and tends to be used in areas that don’t have access to a fixed broadband infrastructure.

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), delivers flexible, private and uncontested internet access at ultra-high speeds, including across both upload and downloads. DIA is bundled with access to priority technical support and is designed for businesses that need a consistently reliable high capacity solution.

The tiers of Internet Service Providers?

ISPs are categorised into three separate tiers.

Tier 1 ISPs have the widest global reach. They own enough physical network lines to carry most of their customers’ traffic without assistance, though they negotiate with other tier 1 networks to allow free traffic to pass through. Tier 1 ISPs also sell network access to tier 2 ISPs.

Tier 2 ISPs, as well as purchasing access to larger tier 1 networks, have their own regional or national physical networks. Tier 2 ISPs provide services to commercial customers and consumers alike.

Tier 3 ISPs connect their customers to the internet using another ISP's network, providing internet access to smaller businesses and consumer markets.

How do ISPs work?

ISPs in different tiers operate in different ways, yet they are all responsible for making sure their customers can access the internet. However, depending on the tier, they do have varying levels of control over routing internet traffic and maintaining the network infrastructure.

From the customer’s perspective, all they need to do is buy a connection from their chosen ISP and then connect to the provider’s network. However, to determine which ISP is right for you, you’ll need to balance a combination of your broadband speed requirements, method of delivery, reliability and security needs, as well as the level of customer service and support that you require.

Although the cost of business broadband does vary depending on speed and usage, a higher price does not always translate into more bandwidth or superior service.

What is an Internet Service Provider able to offer me?

Beyond your connection options, ISPs also provide a range of additional services. These vary from provider to provider, and may be included in your standard service bundle or offered as add-ons. These can include:

  • Secure email access, which encrypts your email communications and requires authentication before messages can be retrieved. This process takes place in the background, without users having to do anything
  • Web hosting, allowing you to create and maintain websites and implement e-commerce solutions
  • Network-level security, protecting your network and data from breaches, intrusions and other threats
  • Technical support and help with your network, applications and even your computer equipment
  • Data storage, allowing you to store files, documents and even backups on your ISP’s servers

What is the difference between a local ISP and a national ISP?

As well as deciding on the right type of connection for your business and choosing your additional services, you’ll also need to consider whether a national ISP or local ISP is the right choice for you.

As you’d expect, national ISPs provide internet services on a national scale. Their customers include consumers, corporates and local ISPs. Local ISPs provide internet services to specific cities or districts, with their customer bases consisting of corporates and consumers within those particular areas.

In terms of broadband speed and reliability, there shouldn’t be much difference between a national and a local ISP. To a great extent, these factors are governed more by the connectivity type than the company tiering.

Where the services differ is in their target markets. An ISP with a regional or national network can be a better solution for companies with regional or national offices, whereas local ISPs with limited service areas work well for single-location businesses.

In terms of infrastructure and technology, national ISPs have the resources to invest in massive infrastructure rollouts and the newest technologies, although they may also have already made big investments in legacy technologies. Local ISPs can sometimes be more creative and agile, though with less resources they may carry more risk, and usually invest in the specific technologies that are suited to their customer base and area.

When it comes to ISPs, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and the route you choose will depend on your company’s particular connectivity needs. Take our short questionnaire to find the most suitable product for you.

 

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The public building 'energy efficiency' report: where can improvements be made to meet net-zero decarbonisation targets?

A deep-dive analysis of the energy performance and efficiency of public buildings in England and Wales – undertaken by dedicated internet access providers Neos Networks.

The energy performance of public buildings in the UK can have a huge impact on our environment and the public funds that go into powering them. Some 40% of the UK’s annual energy use comes from buildings, which are also responsible for around one-third of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings have been cited by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) as a key challenge on the way to meeting net-zero targets.

To address the impact from the public sector, the UK’s Heat and Buildings Strategy and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme aims to cut emissions from public buildings by 75% – compared to 2017 levels – by 2037. So where is this target within reach, and which local authorities and public sectors face a greater challenge to meet it?

As experts in public sector network connectivity, we wanted to outline the size of the task to meet these standards and improve public building stock – and how better connectivity, smart tech and big data can drive the first steps. Our research analysed the Display Energy Certificate (DEC) of 450,074 public buildings in England and Wales, publicly available from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, to investigate the energy performance of the UK’s public sector buildings. The metrics analysed included:

  • DEC rating band
    • A scale that runs from ‘A+’ to ‘G’, with ‘A+’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient
  • DEC operational rating
    • CO2 emission kg per m2 per year
  • DEC CO2 tonnes output per energy source
    • Electric rating (annual CO2 tonnes)
    • Heating rating (annual CO2 tonnes)
    • Renewable (estimated equivalent annual CO2 tonnes)

Full definitions, methodology and sources are available at the bottom of the report

In parts of this report, the DEC rating – which details the actual energy performance of buildings over the previous 12 months – has been compared with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) targets for non-domestic properties, which outline the ideal standard for domestic and non-domestic properties in the UK. Currently, the minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) requirement is an E. The 2030 target for non-domestic buildings is a B.

This report also details the scale of the opportunity for improving energy efficiency in public buildings, and explores the solutions for meeting public sector emissions targets.

Key report findings

  • Only 0.01% (just 48) public buildings scored the highest DEC rating of A+ in the UK, out of the 450,074 assessed in the available data 
  • 12.95% of public buildings fall below the current minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) EPC rating of E for non-domestic buildings, based on their latest Display Energy Certificate score
  • Just 8.57% of public buildings meet the MEES requirement target for 2030, which is a B rating
  • 9 out of 10 (91%) public buildings will need upgrading in the next seven years to meet net-zero targets
  • Taking an average of all the public buildings in local authority areas across England and Wales, the operational rating (CO2 emissions per unit area per year) have fallen by 9.3% on average over the last 15 years, including buildings opened since
  • To meet the government’s 2017 decarbonisation target of a 75% reduction, it would take 121 years at the current rate
  • CO2 emissions from public buildings have increased in almost a third (32%) of authorities, whereas 68% of local authorities have improved the energy efficiency of their public building stock
  • London performs badly on several counts: total emissions, emissions per unit area per year and renewable energy use
  • 20 (77%) of the 26 authorities with the lowest average ratings were in London
  • One in seven (14%) NHS buildings are operating at ‘G’, the lowest DEC rating, more than any other public sector category in the dataset
  • Leisure facilities are the highest operational rating CO2 emitters of all public buildings 
  • Using renewable energy, Sefton local authority reduced CO2 output per square metre by 23% – more than anywhere else in England or Wales 

Nationwide — the general picture

What challenge does the public sector face in improving the energy performance of public buildings?

More than ever, local authorities in England and Wales are having to prioritise where funding is spent. Between 2010–11 and 2020–21, central government funding for local authorities fell by over 50% in real terms, according to government data.

So, where does this underfunding leave our public buildings? What does the data tell us?

  • The median DEC band for public buildings is D
  • Over half (58%) of buildings are rated C or D
  • There are just 48 public buildings rated A+
  • 13% are rated F or G, below the current Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of E
  • Less than 9% meet the minimum energy efficiency standard requirement planned for 2030 — from A+ to B
  • 91% of public buildings require upgrading to meet the 2030 target of a B EPC rating

What do DEC bands say about energy efficiency investment in England and Wales?

The government has set aside £2.5 billion for upgrading public buildings such as schools and hospitals. And the creation of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero suggests that the government will really push to meet its targets. But some local authorities are facing a greater challenge than others in updating the energy efficiency of their public building stock.

Click here to expand chart

The areas with the highest proportion of A or A+ rated buildings are:

  • West Northamptonshire: 13%
  • Swindon: 12%
  • Uttlesford: 9%
  • Sevenoaks: 7%
  • North-east Derbyshire: 4%

Only 2% (7 from 339) of local authorities can boast buildings with an average rating of C or above. Four of these are in Wales. They are:

  • Vale of Glamorgan
  • County of Gwynedd
  • Flintshire
  • Ceredigion
  • Herefordshire
  • Malvern Hills
  • Adur

Some 20 (77%) of the 26 authorities with the lowest average ratings were in London. 77% of the authorities with an E rating can be found in the capital. Buildings in this band only just meet the minimum energy efficiency standard for non-domestic buildings. This all means that London will require significant investment to upgrade its buildings.

Reducing CO2 emissions: where should investment be concentrated?

Technology has improved greatly over the last 10-20 years, giving rise to new materials, construction methods and smart devices to improve the energy efficiency of a building. For smart devices to function, however, local authorities first need a solid foundation of connectivity. Networks will, therefore, need to be a primary focus of investment.

Public buildings measured with DEC ratings include those constructed before modern, energy efficient construction methods. According to the UK Green Building Council, 80% of all the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built. Some local authorities across England and Wales will have to contend with buildings that are centuries old — and retrofitting much of the existing building stock.

Click here to expand chart

Total CO2 emissions per local authority

Measuring the cumulative emissions from public buildings in each council area, 9 of the top 10 CO2 emitters are in London. The City of London emits the greatest amount of CO2 per year on average, followed by the boroughs of Westminster, Camden, Kensington & Chelsea, and Lambeth. Of course, as places within the capital, these areas are home to more – and often bigger – public buildings than many parts of England and Wales.

Operational rating average CO2 emissions per local authority

We can gain a more accurate picture of where investment is required by looking at annual CO2 emissions kg per m2. This gives us the operational rating for public buildings in each local authority. From that we can calculate the average for the area.

Examining CO2 emissions kg per m2, Peterborough is revealed to be the biggest polluter – and the local authority most in need of investment for upgrading public buildings. 

Its operational rating of 607 kg of CO2 per m2 per year is more than six times higher than some authorities. Even Hackney, in second place on the list, emits almost a quarter less CO2. Fifth-placed Luton emits half the amount of CO2 that Peterborough is responsible for.

At the other end of the scale, West Devon and Buckinghamshire councils do the least polluting. They both emit 78 kg CO2 emissions kg per m2 – just 13% of Peterborough’s emissions.

Is action already being taken?

Using historical data, we can see whether local authorities have been making progress in reducing the operational rating of their public building stock. This data compared the average operational ratings of public buildings in each area, to the average year 1 operational rating first taken for each building.

Nationwide — change over time

Have England and Wales experienced overall improvements in energy efficiency? And how does connectivity play a part?

Using England and Wales’ historical DEC database in the same way as the end of the previous section, we can take a nationwide view of the change in the CO2 emissions of public buildings since DEC ratings were introduced in 2008. This compares the current operational rating (annual CO2 emissions per m2 in kg) of buildings in the database to their first/earliest recorded operational rating.

Using this method, we can see that operational rating CO2 emissions from public buildings have fallen by 9.3%, on average, in the last 15 years.*

*Calculated from the sum CO2 output from each local authority in England and Wales, taking into account buildings that have been constructed since. 

To achieve the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme core 2037 goal, the government would need a 3.75% annual reduction in operational ratings of public buildings. 

We find that based on current trends, the CO2 emission per m2 is reducing by just 0.62% annually. 

To meet the government’s 2017 target of a 75% reduction, it would take 121 years at this current rate. If things continue in this way, England and Wales won’t achieve Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme goals until the year 2138.

Government will have to act to provide local authorities with the funding to make real progress. As smart technology becomes used more widely and AI-sourced data highlights more opportunities for efficiency, the pace of change should pick up. Of course, local authorities will first need to invest in the network solutions required by such innovations.

The role connectivity plays in improving energy efficiency

Smart technology has become increasingly common in UK homes and building management. Its increased use means more data insights to inform actions, on both the consumer side and for energy providers. Which elements can the public sector benefit from?

The “internet of energy (IoE)”*

Building Internet of Things (IoT) tech into the national grid will reduce wastage and make energy use more efficient. Energy providers can balance energy demand and consumers – such as local authorities – can use appliances when it costs less.

Machine learning and big data in the built environment**

According to the UN’s 2017 Global Status Report, active controls could save up to 230 EJ cumulatively to 2040 – around twice the energy consumed by the world’s buildings in a year. The UK government estimates that savings from a digitalised, flexible energy system could be worth £30-70bn – between now and 2050. 

To achieve this, smart meters and smart building systems are collecting more and more data, supporting the AI and machine learning (ML) behind building control systems. Devices learn occupant heating/ cooling preferences and schedules, and also respond to external weather conditions. So a school, for example, might be heated more during a cold snap, but only on weekdays.

Data network connectivity 

The majority of councils currently run smart buildings and networks in silos. But collecting and sharing energy data across a network of public buildings will mean other teams and neighbouring local authorities can make better energy decisions. Nearby buildings might even be linked or share heat recovery.

Read more about the relationship between connectivity and energy efficiency.

“Local government is already at the forefront of the fight against climate change, but it can be challenging to stay on top of the emerging obligations and opportunities…Barriers include a lack of inter-departmental and stakeholder coordination, lack of access to affordable and readily available energy efficiency technologies, and limited capacity and experience, which prevents many local authorities from gathering sufficient information about their energy performance.“ 

Crown Commercial Service (CCS), 2021

Which areas are winning the energy efficiency race?

Our research shows that 68% of local authorities have improved the energy efficiency of their public building stock – by reducing the average CO2 emission per unit area per year.

With 68% of authorities showing improvement, that does mean that CO2 emissions from public buildings have increased in almost a third (32%) of authorities. The five authorities where emissions have risen most are:

Where do London’s local authorities stand?

London authorities ranked, on average, among the worst performing for operational rating CO2 emissions. But has the capital reduced its CO2 output in the last 15 years?

Twenty-two out of 32 London boroughs have cut their level of emissions. On average, Greater London’s public buildings have reduced their CO2 emissions by just under 5%.

Croydon was the top performing authority in London, reducing its emissions by 39%. Hammersmith and Fulham came next, with a reduction of 34%, followed by the City of London with a reduction of on -27%. 

At the other end of the scale, CO2 output from Hackney’s public buildings shot up by 55%. Bexley increased its emissions by 37% and Ealing’s rose by a fifth (20%).

Are some public sectors more energy efficient than others?

By analysing differences in data between four types of public building, we establish which sectors are most energy efficient – and where the greatest opportunities to improve lie. The four types of building are:

  • Schools
  • NHS buildings
  • General offices
  • Public leisure and entertainment facilities

According to the figures, 87% of public buildings in the UK meet the current minimum energy efficiency requirements. This leaves 13% of public buildings which fall below the minimum EPC rating of E, based upon their latest display energy efficiency scores.

As part of net-zero decarbonisation plans, the government MEES target for 2030 is for non-domestic buildings to fall within or above energy performance band B. Only 8.57% of public buildings in England and Wales are currently in this band.

Consequently, more than 9 out 10 (91.43%) will need to be upgraded in the next seven years. When we look at public buildings by function, we can see the scale of investment required by each sector.

Schools and education

Nine out of 10 (90%) schools in England and Wales meet the current minimum energy efficiency requirements (an E rating). However, just 4% have achieved a B rating, which is the 2030 target.

NHS buildings

Currently, almost three-quarters satisfy the minimum energy efficiency requirements, but just 5% will in 2030.

General office buildings

More than three-quarters (78%) hit current targets, yet only 9% would be energy efficient enough in 2030.

Public leisure and entertainment facilities

84% meet current requirements, but just 8% are ready for 2030 targets.

Sector by sector in depth

Schools and education

Some three-quarters (75%) of schools in England and Wales have an DEC rating of D or below – lower than the nationwide average. 

They do have the lowest operational rating (CO2 emissions per unit per year) among public buildings, and their emissions have fallen by 10%, on average, over the last 15 years. But other public building sectors have all seen their CO2 output drop by more in that time.

NHS buildings

Four in five (80%) NHS buildings are rated D or below for their energy performance, with 14% working at the lowest DEC rating, which is G.

This situation is exacerbated by the slow pace at which new hospitals are being built. Despite the government’s 2019 manifesto promise of 40 new hospitals, only 10 had been granted planning permission by February 2023.

Operational ratings for NHS buildings have dropped by 16% in the last 15 years, which is nearly double the average of a 9% reduction in emissions. Half of this 16% fall is due to using renewable energy – the biggest difference renewables have made to any public sector.

This highlights NHS facilities’ potential for improvement when money is invested wisely.

General offices

More than any other category of public building, general office spaces have the highest proportion of buildings rated B or above – nearly double the rate of schools or NHS buildings. These buildings are already meeting the government target for 2030.

General offices have also experienced the greatest reduction in operational rating (CO2 emissions per unit area per year), with a 26% fall in CO2 emissions compared to year 1 DEC ratings.

Public leisure and entertainment facilities

Buildings in this category are the highest CO2 emitters per unit per year of all public buildings – even though their operational rating has dropped by 10%. The sector is also above the national average for reducing CO2 output through the use of renewable energy. 

This ability of public leisure and entertainment facilities to put renewables to good use could help them to survive. In October 2022, ukactive (a leisure centre and gym association) surveyed their members about the effects of the energy crisis on the industry. The results showed that two-fifths (40%) of council areas are at risk of losing their leisure centre(s) or having reduced leisure services. Even more (74%) were classed as ‘insecure’, meaning a risk of closures or reduced services before April 2024.

With some investment in the underlying connectivity required, the public leisure and entertainment sector can harness the potential of smart tech and big data to direct a new focus on renewable energy. Then these buildings can reap even greater savings and safeguard their futures.

Future-facing solutions: how can 2037 targets be met?

By 2037, the government wants to reduce public sector building emissions by 75%. This is part of its Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. In addition, the Future Buildings Standard consultation proposed a tightening of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). And creating the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero should put more weight behind energy efficiency initiatives.

To aid the public sector in reaching that 75% emission reduction target, phase 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will provide £1.425 billion of grant funding over the 2022-2023 to 2024-2025 financial years.

As well as investing in renewable energy infrastructure, the sector might also consider underpinning renewable energy systems with smart technology and data sharing tech. If, for example, there was data sharing between local authorities and sectors in local areas, they could better share their learnings on energy efficiency.

Renewable energy: where it’s already being used to reduce CO2 emissions

While modern construction methods and retro-fitting public buildings are two popular ways to reduce carbon emissions, renewable energy can also have a huge impact.

In England and Wales, renewable energy is currently driving an overall reduction of 4.5% in CO2 emissions. However, some areas are doing better than others.

Sefton local authority is leading the way in England and Wales for using renewable energy to cut emissions from public buildings. Through renewable energy, the council in Sefton has actively reduced CO2 output per square metre by almost a quarter (23%). In fact, this figure is over five times (418%) higher than the average for local authorities in England and Wales, which currently stands at 4.5%.

Other local authorities making significant emissions cuts through renewable energy include Preston (23%), Kensington and Chelsea (21%), Liverpool (20%) and Blackpool (20%).

Which areas are not making cuts through renewable energy?

For some other local authorities, using renewable energy in public buildings remains an area of great potential.

According to the data, the City of London local authority has the most ground to make up. Despite ranking as one of the major CO2 emitters from public buildings in England and Wales in this report, it fails to source any of its energy from renewable sources to reduce this impact.

In addition to London, five other authorities failed to cut any emissions by using renewable energy. They are Havant, Wellingborough, Tendring, Barrow-in-Furness and Thanet.

With local authority budgets sometimes being too stretched for even basic services, more government funding is needed. Then councils can invest in renewable energy, retro-fitting and smart energy saving measures for public buildings: to meet net-zero emission targets.

Conclusion

As the public sector works to upgrade the energy efficiency of public building stock across England and Wales, our report highlights the extent of the challenge facing local authorities. They’re having to prioritise where funding is spent more than ever: central government funding for local authorities fell by 50% in real terms between 2010–11 and 2020–21.

Getting public building stock to a place where 2030 and 2037 targets look realistic will require a multi-faceted approach. There is great potential for innovations – like big data and smart technology – to play a key role in this approach, alongside renewable energy.

Glaring disparities between areas (and even neighbouring authorities) in energy performance and emissions control highlight the need for more collaboration. Widespread data sharing – underpinned by robust connectivity – can help to achieve this collaboration. When more investment is discussed, all parties should bear this in mind.

Definitions

  • Display energy certificate (DEC) — the actual energy performance of a building, based on the previous 12 months
  • Energy performance certificate (EPC) — the theoretical efficiency of a building
  • Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) / Non-domestic private rented property minimum standard — government legislation setting minimum energy efficiency requirements for non-domestic properties in England and Wales
  • “Non-domestic buildings” — the category in government regulations which covers public buildings in the UK

Methodology & information

  • Our research analysed 450,074 public buildings in England and Wales
  • Method of analysis — the metrics used in this report to analyse the energy performance of the UK’s public sector buildings are:
    • DEC rating band
      • a scale that runs from ‘A’ to ‘G’, with ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient
    • Operational rating
      • CO2 emission kg per m2 per year
    • CO2 tonnes output per energy source
      • Electric rating (annual CO2 tonnes)
      • Heating rating (annual CO2 tonnes)
      • Renewable (estimated equivalent annual CO2 tonnes)

The DEC rating, which details the actual energy performance of buildings has, in parts of this report, been compared with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) targets for non-domestic properties, which outline the ideal standard

Sources

* https://neosnetworks.com/resources/blog/the-importance-of-connectivity-in-serving-an-energy-efficient-future/

**https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/news/2021/aug/smart-energy-smart-buildings-smart-health

"Neos Networks has been our managed network provider for many years, thanks to the partnership our teams are now better equipped to do their jobs and collaborate with their peers, from anywhere in the country."

– Chris Barnicott, CTO, SSE Group

“Neos Networks has a strong pedigree in delivering wind farm network infrastructure and a comprehensive understanding of the consequences, should a wind farm become un-operational. As such, we are confident they will bring the necessary experience and expertise to deliver a solution that will help prevent such a scenario. We’re pleased to have a partner of this calibre on board, which will undoubtedly be to the benefit of the region and the country at large.”
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– Andrew Quail, Director of IT, SGN

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What is Internet Access and Broadband?

Let’s start with the basics. Internet access allows organisations and individuals to connect to the internet using computers, smartphones, tablets and other compatible devices. It provides you with a connection to the World Wide Web, email and many other online services.

In this article we’ll answer the question ‘what is internet connectivity?’, explaining some of the terminology and the internet access methods and exploring your options for broadband services.

How do I access the internet?

Internet access is typically provided by internet service providers (ISPs). These companies sell their services to both businesses and consumers, allowing people to connect their devices to the internet.

As well as an ISP and a device, you’ll also need a wireless router. This is a piece of hardware supplied by the ISP, allowing you to connect more than one device at a time.

What is broadband?

Broadband is an umbrella term for a range of high-speed data transmission technologies employed to achieved an internet connection. Communications are enabled through a combination of copper cable, fibre optic cable and radio waves, and unlike narrowband internet, or dial-up, broadband is always connected.

Are broadband and Wi-Fi the same thing?

While the two are related, they achieve different things. Broadband is the connection that connects you to the internet, whereas Wi-Fi is the technology that allows your devices to interact with your connection.

Wi-Fi works by making use of radio frequencies to receive and send information wirelessly. When using Wi-Fi to access the internet, there is no need to physically plug your device into an Ethernet (hard wired) cable.

By comparison, your broadband connection is physically plugged into the router, which then uses Wi-Fi to distribute the signal virtually to devices in the immediate areas so that they can access the internet.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi?

The main advantage of using Wi-Fi is that you’re relatively mobile, because your devices aren’t physically hard wired into the internet. It’s also convenient. The router is fairly cheap when you compare it to the purchase and labour costs of running additional cabling throughout a building.

Wi-Fi is also expandable. This means that you can connect multiple devices to your network at any one time, for example a whole family or team can enjoy a wireless connection to the internet.

That being said, there are limitations to Wi-Fi. The typical range of a Wi-Fi network is ten metres. To increase this range, users will need to invest in repeaters or signal boosters – these simply help to boost the Wi-Fi signal in the area, extending its reach. Alternatively, additional access points can be added.

Because Wi-Fi uses radio frequencies, it can also pick up interference, which may affect performance. And what you make up for in convenience, you may lose in speed. Wi-Fi can’t achieve anywhere near the speeds of a physical Ethernet cable network, so although Wi-Fi may be adequate for most people’s homes, it’s unlikely to provide enough coverage or capacity to support business usage.

What are my internet access options?

There are various types of connectivity services that can be used to access the internet. The most common are:

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
• Fibre
• Mobile
• Satellite
• Hotspot

DSL is a form of broadband delivered over traditional copper telephone wires, which slows down the data the further it has to travel. For those selecting DSL, the speed of your connection is dependent on how close you are to the nearest telephone exchange.

Fibre broadband sends and receives data in a different way, as beams of light down fibre optic cables. This method is much faster than DSL, as fibre cables can handle far larger amounts of data, and speed isn’t affected by the distance travelled.

Mobile broadband is wireless internet access delivered over a 3G, 4G or 5G network supplied by a mobile phone service provider. As well as allowing you to access the internet on your smartphone, mobile broadband can be used to connect other devices to the internet by tethering them to your phone signal. This is known as mobile hot spotting.

As well as mobile hot spotting, hotspots are also physical locations where people can access the internet through a Wi-Fi connection when away from their usual router, such as at the home or office. Many cities and businesses now offer Wi-Fi hotspots for public use, helping people access a faster internet connection than what is often available through mobile networks.

Satellite broadband uses a satellite connection to bounce data to and from your premises. As it’s delivered by geostationary satellites, it’s available anywhere on the planet, and tends to be used in areas that don’t have access to a fixed broadband infrastructure.

Dedicated Internet Access from Neos Networks

At Neos Networks we offer a wide range of connectivity options for businesses across the UK, including:

• Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), delivers ultrafast and flexible internet access, with consistently reliable upload and download speeds, coupled with access to priority technical support.
• Ethernet connectivity is the most common type of connectivity used today, enabling high-bandwidth connectivity and comprising a fibre connection that runs from the network directly to your premise.
• An IP Transit service travels over an ISP’s high capacity network to access the internet. This service offers speed, throughput, redundancy and flexibility not generally available using other connectivity methods.
• Extensive Dark Fibre networks provide users with complete flexibility and maximum control thanks to the near-limitless capacity
• Cloud Connect service, which provides high performance dedicated network connectivity to multiple Cloud Service Providers, such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
• Optical connectivity services provide businesses with high capacity core connectivity without the capital-intensive responsibility of investing in network infrastructure or in-house IT expertise.

Regardless of the service selected, it’s fair to say that every business has its own unique connectivity requirements. It’s therefore imperative that you find the solution that’s best suited to your business. To learn more about how we support high capacity connectivity, scroll through our site or contact one of our experts to discuss your options in more detail.

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Business Internet FAQs

Take a look at our FAQs for business Internet

  • What is Managed DIA?

    Managed Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) provides the customer with a private connection to the internet where both the router and circuit are monitored and maintained on the customer’s behalf. Service providers will provision IP addresses for the customer and configure these upon a router. Once live, they will pro-actively monitor the service and keep software versions up-to-date.

     

  • Does your business need DIA?

    If you're looking for high performing internet access that's consistent and dedicated to your business, then DIA should be considered. It offers fast upload and download speeds and quality of service. Plus with speeds up to 10Gbps, you can rest assured that you have the capacity requirements to support a growing business.

  • What are the differences between Managed DIA and wires-only DIA?

    Wires-only DIA includes the provision of IP addresses, but the customer is responsible for providing a router and configuring the IP addresses on the router. The customer is also responsible for the maintenance and management of that router and software upon it. For Managed DIA, the service provider will provide the pre-configured router, monitor the circuit, router and maintain the router and software.

     

  • What is a leased line connection?

     

    A leased line is a private telecommunications network path used by businesses to connect geographically distant offices. A leased line is a dedicated fixed-bandwidth data connection that enables Internet connections, links devices and servers in different corporate offices, carries voice traffic and allows staff to connect remotely through a VPN.

  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of leased line connections?

     

    With an uncontended connection that goes directly into your building, you are guaranteed high symmetric speeds. The benefits of leased line are better connectivity and equally fast upload and download speeds. However, leased line connections require investment. They have longer set-up times and are more expensive than Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) connections.

  • What is an IP Transit service?

     

    Internet Transit connects Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to access larger networks. IP Transit offers a reliable, high-performance and cost-effective solution based on a multi-homed and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) enabled platforms.

  • How much does Dedicated Internet Access cost?

    As connectivity continues to improve, tariffs for dedicated internet access have come down significantly in recent years. Businesses can now benefit from dedicated connections for hundreds of pounds per month, rather than the four-figure sums of the past. Of course, prices will depend upon the speed of the connection you require. 

    We offer fibre circuit access across the UK, at speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 10Gbps, as well as Ethernet over FTTC/P access options that support a range of lower bandwidths, from 80/20Mbps to 1000/220Mbps. Your bandwidth is scalable, so you can step it up or down as your business needs change, regardless of data usage. Also, by using a large number of points of presence (PoPs) and multiple access providers, we keep connection costs lower.

  • What’s the importance of a Dedicated Internet connection?

    Today more than ever, a reliable internet connection is vital to the smooth running of most businesses. A fast connection can increase the productivity of your employees, while a poor-quality connection that regularly drops out can bring a halt to work and cause frustration among your personnel. A Dedicated Internet connection will ensure that the speed and reliability of your connection won’t be affected by other local users, through the avoidance of the public internet, keeping your operations going, no matter what.

    There are various transport options for dedicated connections, including Full Fibre Ethernet, Fibre to the Premise and Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTP and FTTC), Ethernet over Fibre to the Premise (EoFTTP) and Ethernet over Fibre the Cabinet (EoFTTC) and Ethernet First Mile. However, they all have these characteristics in common:

    • Guaranteed bandwidth
    • Synchronous download and upload speeds
    • Low latency, with minimal delays in data transmission
    • Better throughput, allowing more data to be transferred faster
  • What is the different between DIA and broadband connectivity?

    When it comes to DIA versus broadband, both hold similarities. So why take one over the other? The main difference between the two services is that, when taking a DIA connection, the service is dedicated to your business alone. This means you're not sharing your connectivity with other users in the area and so will benefit from lower latencies and less contention on the line. In addition, capacities are typically higher for DIA services. Ideal for those looking to flex their connectivity as their business grows.

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Smart cities: where society and technology meet

SD-WAN

An interview with Andy Karvonen, Professor, Urban Design and Planning, Lund University

Smart cities are often talked about as the cities of the future, with much excitement surrounding the technological advances they offer. But this narrative has the potential to leave people behind.

We caught up with Andy Karvonen, Professor of Urban Design and Planning at Lund University who advised that in order to achieve truly smart cities, we must take a step back and consider them from society’s viewpoint, rather than just focusing on what can be done in terms of technology.

“We’re seeing smart cities employing more pragmatic strategies and becoming more concerned with improving people’s everyday routines. If we look at the landscape in the UK, whose cities regularly feature in the IMD Smart City Index, local authorities are less caught up in grand visions than they are determined to enhance their citizens’ lives.

Ultimately, it is people living in smart cities that will use and benefit from their features. If these features don’t naturally enhance their everyday lives, they simply won’t use them. Even worse, if citizens are strongly opposed to any of the underlying technologies and data usage, they’ll actively resist their adoption. Such concerns have to be addressed if smart cities are to succeed.”

Karvonen says: “It's about trying to bring in that human and social and cultural and political perspective and saying: this is not neutral. This stuff that we're doing with digitalising cities, opens up a lot of questions around privacy, with respect to risk, with respect to equity issues and justice issues.

“There's been this big push in the last five to ten years, with social scientists saying: we want to be talking about this. Citizens need to be part of this conversation. What do they think about this? Where do they see it going? How can they be involved? Those are critical questions that must be answered.”

Building foundations

Once smart city planners have established what citizens actually want and need from their city, only then can they begin to think about the process of creating the smart city itself. As ever, it starts with laying the right foundations.

While this may sound simplistic, it can be easy to overlook the importance of the less glamorous aspects of smart cities. High-capacity, low-latency core connectivity, for example, is an absolute must. It underpins the smooth functioning of smart city technology, particularly when next generation technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things rely upon it.

On the importance of robust core fibre connectivity, Karvonen says: “We think of it as the circulatory system of the smart city. Without the latest and greatest fibre, the smart city doesn't work. If we look at the digitalisation of ourselves as individuals at home and in the office, we're going to have a deluge of data. We need the pipe to carry that data. That's the critical role that the fibre networks will naturally fulfil.

What’s driving smart cities onwards?

When the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns hit, cities around the world emptied, throwing regular routines out of the window. Traffic dried up, shops closed and business districts were deserted. This gave us the chance to reset and reflect upon what we want from cities, in terms of sustainability, function and much more.

But even before the pandemic, societies were becoming much more conscious of human impacts on the environment – and how to mitigate them.

Karvonen says: “What we've seen, particularly over the last decade or so, is the opening up of the smart city debate to say that technology is not an end in itself. Technology serves society, and what we've moved towards is technology as a way for us to achieve our sustainable development goals. That gives smart cities a purpose and we see that using digital tools can improve the lives of urban residents.

“There's a really close coupling of smart and sustainable, and within sustainable would be zero carbon emissions and resilient cities. What's interesting is when the whole smart cities debate started, it wasn't really focused on sustainability, it was more about optimising public services. What we've seen as the debates about smart cities have matured, is that they've really started to focus on particular long-term sustainability goals such as the net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Again, it's giving smart a concrete purpose.”

Whatever a smart city’s goals morph into, or whether we approach city planning from a citizen’s point of view or not, the need for robust core connectivity will remain constant. Projects on the scale of smart cities, where there’s a constant flow of real-time data, simply won’t function properly without high capacity, low latency networks in place. That’s where companies like Neos Networks really come into play. They’re known for supporting the development of smart cities across the UK.

Learn more about how we've helped Perth and Kinross council in the deployment of smart cities across the region.

 

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Are AltNets primed to succeed in a fiercely competitive fibre market?

Since they began to emerge around a decade ago, Alternative Network Providers (AltNets) have made significant progress towards putting the UK on an equal fibre footing with the rest of Europe in terms of its access to fibre connectivity. But in recent months, the viability of the AltNet business model has been met with scrutiny from telecoms incumbents, with the big network players having voiced their concerns that the delivery of extensive fibre or overbuilding could see just a few players cross the finish line in the race to better connect the UK.

Despite incumbent doomsaying, AltNets have adopted a sophisticated business model, choosing the most underserved regions in need of superfast services as key targets for fibre rollouts.

That being said, competition is growing increasingly fierce in the fibre broadband market. One example of this is the introduction of Equinox 2 by Openreach. The provider of the UK’s biggest fibre network announced it would slash pricing for those providers that make use of Openreach’s network for broadband services. Some AltNets have voiced their concerns that this approach by Openreach may choke competition and even threaten the pace of the UK’s full fibre rollout.

AltNets face other issues too. For example, many based their business models on the assumption that if an AltNet was there, an incumbent wouldn’t overbuild them. But this hasn’t necessarily been the case. Instead, we’ve seen some incumbents accelerating their builds. And despite the increased availability of fibre, both groups face the same conundrum: low market penetration.

In this blog, we’ll explore the opportunity that remains for AltNets to grow, and how they can continue to boast ongoing success.

An opportunity for growth
Large numbers of companies competing for a share of the market in any one location is of course, uneconomical. However, the game is far from over for AltNets. A report from Ookla found that AltNets are often harvesting the top speeds in key areas of the UK, which are critical to data hungry customers. In particular, businesses will be looking to pull resources from the cloud or transport high volumes of data, as well as high performance virtual reality and other video applications which require high speeds to avoid buffering.

To build business resilience, AltNets could instead draw their attention to densely populated business postcodes. This underlying connectivity can act as the foundation for creating tech hubs that fall, outside of London, and AltNets can leverage this through educating businesses of the importance of connectivity services to act as a springboard to support their business function. There is also the potential to market the futureproof nature of gigabit capable services beyond the typical ‘superfast’ to create strong footholds in niche markets.

The not-so-level playing field
AltNets have already demonstrated the key role they can play in the government’s levelling up agenda. However, when it comes to government funding, access rights and wayleaves, the playing field is not entirely level.

Bigger suppliers are able to move quickly, without the need to negotiate the permissions smaller players face. The result is additional fees and the slowing down of progress for AltNets, making it more difficult for them to play a critical role in the realisation of Project Gigabit. It seems that as far as ‘levelling up’ is concerned, less red tape and a more level playing field is of upmost importance for challengers within the telecoms’ infrastructure supplier community.

The competition is far from lost
It’s fair to say that for AltNets, the competition is in fact far from over. There is still a viable opportunity for them to succeed. Due to the vast size of incumbents, it wouldn’t be fair to measure the success of AltNets on market share alone. Instead, they should focus on how well they reach customers, and how they serve them, while continuing to establish a competitive advantage through market-leading speeds and high capacity, end-to-end connectivity for businesses and consumers.

Understanding customer needs and continuing to be sophisticated in their approach of identifying businesses and postcodes that put a premium on connectivity will be imperative. But so too will partnering with national connectivity aggregators that can extend the AltNets networks and provide higher capacities into hard-to-reach locations to continue creating long term revenues and achieving business resilience.

Learn more about how we support AltNets in extending their reach across the UK, enabling them to rival the incumbents looking to block their way, in our case study with established AltNet, Giganet.

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Teach your children – and your research scientists

As a communications company, our technology reaches into every sector of industry and every walk of life. It also stays with you throughout your life. Take the education sector as an example.

While good old-fashioned textbooks still have a role to play in the classroom, and expert research papers will of course remain important sources of learning in higher education, there is no doubt that the internet now trumps everything and is the most important education tool in the world.

Whether for discovering or documenting knowledge, the internet can provide equal and inclusive access to information. However, the UK’s digital divide means that not all internet access is created equally. In the early learning years – good quality access needs to be more widely available. Higher up the education ladder, higher speeds, greater bandwidth and more data capacity are required.

So, whether we are talking about doctorate research in universities, or interactive teaching in primary schools, the internet is now the key to lifelong learning; and the connectivity we provide is fundamental to its availability and to its efficiency.

At Neos Networks we are deeply involved in projects that reflect that importance of those lifelong connections through education. Take the work we have been doing in Aberdeenshire as an example. Working in partnership with the City and regional councils, the Scottish Government and local health authorities, we have been creating a digital network to provide high quality internet access across the greater Aberdeen region.

In the last two years, we have delivered some 275km of Dark Fibre network, covering five major locations across Aberdeenshire. The project is already delivering fibre connectivity and digital services to more than 192 public sector sites across the region, including its schools, colleges and libraries. Smart city projects like this not only help to improve local services they also help to address the digital divide, creating better shared community internet resources. And, in the case of Aberdeen, Neos Networks has brought high speed internet access within reach of some 44,000 homes.

Of course, while the physical infrastructure is the starting point of any smart city project and its reach into education, in Aberdeen we took the learning aspect a step further. Throughout the two years of the project, we have been delivering careers presentations across the city’s schools and colleges and have also provided work placement opportunities for the city’s college students. What’s more, we have created several full time and foundational apprenticeships.

The idea has been to highlight careers opportunities within the IT sector that might otherwise have been missed and help build a local workforce adept in managing and maintaining the smart city fibre network.

As a company, we also play a key role in the UK’s higher education and research sector. Across these fields, the sheer volume of data being produced or accessed within its institutions, coupled with the requirement for super-fast cloud-based data processing and a growing thirst for UHD video, are combining to drive demand for near limitless network capacity and ever higher speeds.

For these applications, public networks are unlikely to provide the dedication and bandwidth required so private networks come to the fore. In the UK, its universities, colleges and major research establishments rely on the private Janet network provided by Jisc – a membership organisation delivering shared digital infrastructure and services across higher education, further education, research, and the wider public sector

During the last year, we have been working with Jisc on a major upgrade programme across its regional networks. A great example of this is in the North-West of England, where a new Dark Fibre network will come on-stream later this year delivering ten-fold increases in speed and providing connectivity speeds of up to 100Gbps. Large universities in Manchester, Liverpool, and Lancaster, as well as important research facilities such as the Jodrell Bank Observatory, are all connected to Jisc in the North-West.

To get a better understanding of the staggering amount of data involved, it’s worth adding that the Science & Technology Facilities Council has its key laboratory in Daresbury connected to the network. This laboratory is the central facility handling all the investigative data into dark matter arriving in the UK from CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland.

Jisc’s Janet network connects the UK via a national backbone and 15 regional infrastructures, and we’ve been working with them to upgrade many of the regional loops. Most recently we have built a new Dark Fibre network for colleges, universities and research institutions in Northern Ireland and have linked that to the national backbone via two separate submarine cables coming ashore in Southport and Glasgow.

Effectively, with a good internet connection you can today access the sum of all human knowledge and information. In education terms it is used to discover, document, advance and share knowledge – whether for first learnings, GSCE studies or PHD research. At Neos Networks – we can be rightly proud that we are providing the vital connections that are helping to facilitate and empower lifelong learning.

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Fibre optics: what is it and how does it work?

Fibre optics, optical fibre and optical networking are all ways to describe the science of transmitting data traffic as pulses of light through glass fibre strands inside an insulated casing. In this blog post we’ll explore fibre optics and the role of fibre optic networks in communications and connectivity. We’ll answer questions around how fibre optics works, the types of fibre optic cables available, and what fibre optics is used for, as well as addressing the pros and cons of optical network fibre for business.

What is fibre optics?

Fibre optics is a way of sending information through a transparent optical fibre in the form of a pulsed beam of light. The light travels through the core of the fibre, the inner transmitting cylinder, surrounded by a reflective cladding to prevent any light from escaping. These optical fibres can be manufactured from plastic, but more often than not are made from silica glass, with each one less than a tenth of the thickness of a human hair.

Typically, the light-transmitting core of the optical fibre only accounts for around 3.5% of its total diameter, with the cladding and coating layer forming the bulk of the fibre’s volume.

When glass cladded with a refractive material was originally introduced in the 1950s, impurities in the glass restricted optical fibre applications to medical use for endoscopies. It wasn’t until 1975 that the first non-experimental fibre optic link was installed in the UK by Dorset Police. Two years later, the first live telephone transmission through fibre optics took place in California. The science of fibre optics has come a long way since those early days, and optical networks are now sending light signals across distances in excess of 50 miles.

What is an optical network?

An optical network is the fastest way to transmit and receive data, allowing reliable electronic communications to take place over long distances.

An optical network consists of:

  • A laser or LED light source, to create and transmit the signal
  • Optical fibre, to carry the signal
  • A multiplexer, so multiple pieces of data can be sent over the same wire
  • A photodiode receiver, to capture the signal at the end of its journey

When compared with copper, an optical network is far less prone to external inference and signal loss over distance, and can achieve substantially higher speeds.

How do fibre optics work?

Using the components of an optical network, fibre optics work by converting electronic binary data, the zeros and ones of computer code, into a series of light pulses. These ‘light off’ and ‘light on’ states are created by sending photons bouncing down the fibre optic core through a process known as total internal refraction. That means no light leaks out of the fibre tube as it progresses along its journey.

The light travels down the fibre optic cable in a process known as modes. These modes are just ways to describe the path taken by the light beam. One mode is to fire the light beam directly down the centre of the fibre, another is to bounce it off the wall at a shallow angle.

These modes can also be categorised as single-mode or multi-mode. These definitions depend on whether all light beams travel straight down the middle (single-mode), or as multiple light beams transmitted simultaneously, each at a marginally different reflection angle.

To increase the bandwidth, optical wavelengths can be exploited, allowing data to be transferred across up to 88 bandwidth channels at once.

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Different types of optical fibres and their uses

Single-mode optical fibre is the most common type of optical fibre. It is a single glass fibre strand used to transmit a single mode or ray of light. Single-mode, as the name suggests, features only one transmission mode and is used to send data over long distances, meaning it can form the foundations of Dark Fibre networks.

Examples of single-mode optical fibre use are:

  • Internet
  • Cable television
  • Telephony

Multi-mode optical fibre cable carries multiple light beams, all travelling through the core together, following different paths so that they don’t interfere with one another. That means higher bandwidth and faster data transfer is available.

Multi-mode cables are used for computer networking and send information over relatively short distances.

Fibre optic gastroscopes are another type of fibre optic cable. They consist of a tube of even thicker optical fibres and are used primarily for medical purposes to detect digestive system disorders, allowing doctors to view the lining of the stomach and intestines. An industrial version of the gastroscope, called a fibrescope, is used to examine inaccessible pieces of machinery in manufacturing, automotive and aeronautical sectors.

What types of optical networks are available?

Fibre optic networks can come in different varieties, for different purposes, such as protection for energy infrastructure or for a company transmitting data between sites. Each uses fibre optic cables to carry signals between sites or from a network hub to a point in close proximity to its final destination. The latter is how company and consumer internet services are sold and are commonly known as FTTx architectures, or Fibre To The X which can be an office or a point on a road.

As the name suggests, in Fibre To The Home (FTTH) and Fibre To The Premise (FTTP) installations, optical fibres carry the signal all the way to the home or office. This is the fastest type of connection available.

Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) is a partial optical fibre connection, where the cables run to the nearest street cabinet, and copper cable is used to carry the signal the rest of the way. Similarly, Fibre To The Building (FTTB) terminates at a point on a shared property, and then other cabling types provide the connection to individual offices, residential properties and spaces.

What are the pros and cons of optical network fibre for business?

We’ve covered a lot of ground, from ‘what is optical fibre?’ to ‘what are the types of optical network?’, now let’s explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of the technology as a whole.

The advantages of optical network fibre for business are:

  • Speed with faster data transfer than copper cable can achieve
  • Quality because there’s no electromagnetic interference between adjacent optical fibres
  • Scalability as it’s easy to install new equipment using original fibre, and wavelengths can be turned on or off as required
  • Security because data is transmitted as light, which makes it much harder for hackers to intercept
  • Long-term savings as there’s no signal loss over the fibre’s lifetime, which makes fibre networks simpler and cheaper to operate and maintain

But it’s not all good news, there are some downsides to consider. The challenges of optical network fibre for business are:

  • Threat of physical damage with optical fibres being thinner and lighter than metallic wiring, they can be cut accidentally
  • Immediate costs as test equipment and specialist installers are required to lay a precision fibre optic network
  • Fibre fuse when too much light meets with an imperfection in the fibre, this can destroy long lengths of cable very quickly

Why is fibre optics the best method for transmitting data over long distances?

Fibre optic networks can carry data for distances of tens of miles, without suffering from any signal attenuation. They provide route security, reliability and low latency, while future scalability will not be an issue. Often, cables are provisioned to handle traffic demands for ten years or more.

If making an investment in a fibre optic network seems like it could be the right decision for your business, take a look at our optical connectivity service. Or you may wish to contact one of our experts to explore the advantages of optical fibre in more detail and discover what it can do for you.

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"We began working with Neos Networks in 2015, when they deployed a robust core connectivity platform to help us expand our reach and meet ambitious growth plans. We’ve since taken advantage of the expansion of Neos Networks’ UK network to deliver more critical services to our customers."

– Mark Holden, Head of Data Networks, NatWest Group

Neos Networks’ excellent standards of customer care and speed of delivery has made them a long-standing, reliable partner. Most recently, we worked with them to deploy two 100Gbps Network-to-Network Interfaces (NNIs) in Manchester and London to better connect our UK network, providing our customers with access to high capacity business Ethernet services across the country.

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The changing telecoms space: predictions for 2023

Predictions

2022 was an interesting year, for many reasons. Political turbulence, the nation adapting to an almost post-COVID world, and new challenges to contend with from an IT, tech, and network perspective. 2022 had its eyes set on 5G, and, specifically, the much-anticipated arrival of standalone 5G, as well as continuing to bridge the digital divide and meet the UK’s ambitious levelling up goals. While progress has been made, there’s still work to do. 2023 is sure to bring new challenges, as well as many exciting opportunities for the telecoms industry.

So what do our execs think 2023 has in store? We caught up with CRO, Sarah Mills, CTIO, Chris Voudouris and Director of Governance and Assurance, James Milner-Smith, for their thoughts on things to look out for.

We’ll see the rise of green networks

Technology has played a pivotal role in the sustainability conversation, with developments in the likes of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning poised to be a key enabler to a greener future and, in turn, greener networks. But deploying the right technology alone isn’t enough. How technology software itself is developed, and how sustainable and efficient that process is, is equally important. For example, are too many workloads being moved to the cloud, placing unnecessary reliance on data centres? Are deployment methods like DevOps being used to ensure teams are lean, and are changes and/or upgrades made to software energy consumption friendly?

This increased focus on energy-saving will inevitably result in greater emphasis on the planning and development of software to ensure savings can be made from the very beginning of software development. We’ll also start to see more focus on traffic management to reduce energy consumption, whereby telcos leverage automation and AI to better route and manage traffic across multiple network layers, to minimise energy consumption, and maximise efficiency as well as network resources.

The focus on sustainability will shine a spotlight on ESG

With ESG reporting requirements tightening in 2023, we’re set to see more organisations speaking openly about initiatives they’re working on, and even highlighting the areas they’re lagging behind on. In 2023, we’ll begin to see larger organisations hiring talent to specifically focus on improving their ESG footprint and enhance how they report against specific goals. The focus and mindset will shift from what organisations are doing, to how they are giving back.

This will include a bigger effort to engage with local communities through ESG initiatives. One way in which we’ll see this materialise in the telecoms industry is through work with public sector organisations and local authorities, who will provide greater connectivity for local communities. Connectivity solutions will focus on benefitting local people by enhancing and modernising how they deliver everyday services, such as public transport or education and improving digital inclusion.

2023 will see physical security become as important as cybersecurity

Cybersecurity will continue to dominate the headlines in 2023. However, physical security and threats of sabotage will rise in importance, with the topic likely to get as much headline space as cybersecurity in the coming years. Instability in certain regions and the increasing division and tension across the world means we may begin to see incidents such as efforts to ‘disconnect’ an area from the outside world.

If such instances do occur, as Ofcom’s Telecoms Security Requirements (TSR) become more stringent, we’ll see operators across the UK putting backup plans in place, as well as improving the security and resilience of connectivity provisions to avoid any significant damage or other serious consequences during periods of connectivity black-outs.

We may see the introduction of the ‘AirBnB of telecoms’

2023 will be the year that sees the telco industry collaborate more closely than ever with the big cloud platforms. In a symbiotic relationship, cloud platforms including Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure will provide the all-important cloud infrastructure and platforms, leaving telcos in an interesting position – where will they sit in 2023’s value chain?

As network services continue to evolve and as the blurring of the lines increase between telcos, cloud and internet players, operators will need to rethink the value they bring to end-customers. 5G is creating an exciting opportunity for telcos to liberate their own networks and move up their value chain by creating network ecosystems and marketplaces from which services can be easily acquired and bought.

Picture the ‘AirbnB of telecoms’, whereby organisations become virtual network operators by helping them procure network services through API-based wholesale virtualized ecosystems, owned by telcos themselves.

And will cloud players, not telcos, becomes the commodity?

In 2023, collaboration between telcos and cloud providers will continue to increase as more services require cloud computing, power and storage. But while this scenario could have once meant telcos were taking a back seat, we’re now seeing an interesting dynamic play out whereby cloud could become the commodity.

The softwarisation of the network and the need to send workloads to the edge means that telcos could become the critical orchestrators of the new services that sit in the cloud. In this particular scenario, we could see telcos use multiple public cloud providers, switching and changing as they please, and becoming truly cloud agnostic. This then leaves operators free to design, manage and own their networks and services by making use of cloud data centres, cloud resources and cloud infrastructure that belongs to anyone that is willing to provide it. This shift could see greater innovation, but importantly, could be good news for telcos who have long lurked in the shadows of cloud giants.

The telecoms industry is changing quickly, one thing’s for sure: there are plenty of opportunities for operators, public sector and enterprises to become greener, leaner, and more successful than ever before.

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How collaboration and network growth can help address the UK’s digital divide

There’s no doubt that high-speed internet connectivity forms the foundations of hybrid working and blended learning. It helps power our businesses, educate our children and unlock career opportunities. Yet behind the discussions about levelling up, there’s a lot to achieve to truly end geographical digital inequality across the nation?

A lot can (and has) happened since February when the government published its levelling up whitepaper.

The whitepaper acts as a framework to end economic and social digital inequality across the UK. It aims to boost economic growth, enhance educational attainment and restore the social fabric of those parts of the UK that have stalled.

In short, it has the potential to transform our digital landscape. But it can’t achieve success without a solid countrywide commitment to an improved digital communications infrastructure.

The pursuit of geographical and digital equality

High-speed connectivity plays a pivotal role in ending geographical and digital inequality. It can help to enable citizens across the nation to have fair and easy access to the internet, regardless of their location. Connectivity is the backbone that supports economic dynamism and innovation. It drives growth, unlocks jobs and unleashes the power of the private sector. With hybrid working and blended learning programmes looking set to stay, it is necessary to shine a spotlight on connectivity shortcomings and expose the extent of the UK’s digital divide.

Yet connectivity and mobile infrastructure issues are surprisingly scant within the government’s whitepaper, covering just three of its 332 pages. However, it’s not all bad news. As the whitepaper points out, back in 2020, the government committed £5 billion in public funding to deploy gigabit connectivity across at least 85% of the country by 2025. Something we and our partners are actively striving to support.

Often referred to as the AltNet fund, this money was seen as a pledge to support the delivery of gigabit networks across the 20% of the country that is most difficult to reach.

The essential role of AltNets

AltNets, or alternative network providers, are independent telecommunications companies building out their own networks (as well as relying on the networks of others, like ourselves). They offer high capacity fibre connectivity services to UK residents, competing against the two large incumbents, Openreach and Virgin Media. There’s been a groundswell of AltNet activity over the last few years, much of which has been focused on typically underserved regions of the UK.

With many AltNets locally focused, we’ve been working in partnership to extend both their reach and their capacity options. They rely on our exchange backhaul services, to connect into our wider UK network, giving them access to better, more reliable connectivity at the speeds being demanded of their surrounding residents.

As our partnerships progress, we’re also seeing them investing in FTTP builds or working with residential providers like CityFibre to support and extend the opportunity.

Achieving high-speed access in the Midlands

We used this partnership approach to help Gigabit Networks achieve its vision to connect the Midlands. Rolling out connectivity services to key cities that include Derby, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Leicester and Nottingham, the full fibre network will eventually cover up to 60,000 SME businesses and more than 750,000 households.

That includes the deployment of high-speed services to around 70,000 social housing residents. These areas have previously been denied access to high-speed internet, a problem that became particularly evident during the pandemic.

Full-fibre end-to-end future for Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester and London

Following the completion of our Project Edge network expansion rollout, we doubled our network reach across 2021 – unbundling 550 Openreach exchanges with capacities up to 100Gbps. In the wake of this success, we recently announced that we’re launching our first access network, bringing high capacity end-to-end connectivity to four key business hubs across the UK, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester and London.

This full-fibre, last-mile investment will help regionally based businesses and offices keep pace with their national and international competitors. It goes a long way towards our aim of bringing high capacity 100Gbps connections within reach of more UK businesses, as well as facilitating the rollout of advanced 5G services and other next-gen technologies.

Is there an over-reliance on Openreach and Virgin Media?

A January report by the Public Accounts Committee suggested the government is over-reliant on Openreach and Virgin Media to deliver the nationwide connectivity solution.

The report found that the two telecom giants are focused on the less costly, easier to reach urban conurbations, leading the government towards a potential failure to deliver on its promise of providing affordable solutions for rural areas and remote towns and villages.

There’s also another reason for the slow progress. Not all potential suppliers of connectivity infrastructure are treated equally by existing planning legislation.

Exposing the barriers to equality

In December last year, the House of Commons Library published a research paper, Building Broadband and Mobile Networks, which outlined for MPs the current challenges and legislative framework covering how networks are built, including planning requirements and access agreements.

The incumbent national communications network operators have permitted development rights. This means they can install roadside broadband cabinets, build mobile masts or erect telephone poles without the need to obtain planning permission.

For other companies, there are barriers that are delaying their ability to build that infrastructure at the speed needed to meet the government’s targets. Obtaining those access agreements and wayleaves is often difficult and long-winded, with the process sometimes taking up to two years.

An even playing field

There is a clear and present need to move beyond the usual national suppliers. This has been emphasised by the £5 billion AltNet fund. However, while some suppliers are able to move at speed without the need to negotiate permissions and access rights, others face speed bumps that slow down the rollout.

It seems that when it comes to levelling up, this fairness of play should apply to the challenger companies in the telecoms infrastructure supplier community as well. Levelling the supply playing field will help to accelerate the gigabit rollout and advance the government’s plans. It’s almost a no-brainer.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to work with the AltNets, assisting in high capacity fibre network deployments that connect communities and boost regional businesses. And as the UK strives to become a truly digital nation, hopefully we’ll see the competitive shackles fall away.

Will levelling up become an achievable, balanced and sustainable reality? We certainly hope so. And Neos Networks will be there every step of the way.

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Green transport in smart cities: the path ahead and how to get there

We spoke to Adam Wears, Senior Content Specialist at Juniper Research.  

When questioned about the purpose of smart cities, there was a resounding response: they help to mitigate human impact by addressing environmental issues. But how do they achieve this? There are two clearly identified routes in the transport sector; through the collection of key data and analytics, or by reducing our carbon footprints.

In line with this, sustainability will also sit at the heart of most smart city plans, whether this comes in the form of transport, energy use or environmental monitoring. And while there are some fundamental infrastructure challenges to overcome, the potential of green transport in smart cities is undeniable.

Follow the green brick road

Autonomous vehicles steal all the headlines when it comes to the future of transport, whether it’s driverless buses in China or Apple entering the driverless car market. But that really is just the tip of the iceberg. Adam Wears, Research Analyst at Juniper Research believes: “It really comes down to mass transport and smart traffic management. They are aligned to the same goal, which is to reduce congestion and reduce emissions, but they do this in two similar, but distinct ways.

He continues, “In terms of mass transport it's about making cities’ transport networks work more efficiently. This not only reduces the number of commuters in cars, but links transport up so that you don't need to drive. It gets people moving on more sustainable environmentally friendly forms of public transport. It's about making these transports methods synchronise in such a way that cars are required less.

“Traffic management systems work in a different way. They cause traffic signals to respond to real-time conditions to enable a smoother flow. A benefit of this is reducing the number of times cars stop during a journey. You don't want a car idling for minutes at a time: this produces massive amounts of carbon emissions unnecessarily.”

Of course, to understand demand, you need data, huge amounts of data.

Wears continues: “Systems such as mass smart traffic management rely on data to educate us on things like supply and demand, traffic times and peak times. They need all this data to function. We find that the cities that are best at tackling this challenge are the cities that have implemented open data.”

But to carry these extensive levels of data, cities need robust, low-latency networks, running throughout them. That’s where network providers come in. Over the last few years, they’ve been investing heavily in fibre builds in cities across the UK to be able to support this move to a more digital future.

Planning for a new era in transport

If people are to use new modes of transport – or at least fewer cars – in smart cities, it follows that transport planning on the ground will also to change.

Wears outlines some of the possibilities: “If you deploy mass transport successfully and you reduce the number of cars operating in cities, eventually you’re going to end up with a surplus of car parking facilities. The bigger question therefore would be, how can we better use those spaces to aid things like public transport?”

“It's the same with street furniture. When you're walking down the street, you might see more e-scooter and e-bike stands. These are everywhere in London. The hope is that eventually, as these initiatives roll out, you're going to see more street furniture that is designed to support a sustainable future.”

There is also constant innovation happening around roads themselves. In the future, roads will be able to charge vehicles or do the opposite and generate energy from cars moving over them. Other possibilities include roads which warn of accidents, weigh goods vehicles and automatically issue speeding fines when they detect offences.

Of course, all these innovations are underpinned by the transmission of data, likely supported by 5G networks requiring stable core connectivity. Investing in solid digital infrastructure can pave the way for some truly fascinating smart city applications in transport.

The roadblocks

Of course, upgrading something as fundamental as a whole city’s core connectivity requires significant investment. But as Wears points out, there are all kinds of reasons why cities have to do this, going far beyond transport.

“It's not just about focusing on mobility, but bringing in all the diverse areas of the smart city, from things like smart grid, to smart lighting, to smart mobility and smart traffic management. It’s a real holistic process that must be built from the bottom up, with core connectivity infrastructure as the foundations of any smart city.

Changing minds

However, before any ground is broken on digital infrastructure investments, both stakeholders and citizens will need to be convinced of the way forward for transport.

Wears says: “It's going to require a complete mindset change. Even at the city level, it's going to be about how we get these agreements in place. How do we get transport operators on board with these initiatives? Because these systems need to work for every stakeholder in the process.”

“Eventually, we will have to conclude that any inconvenience is worth it, that it’s a price we have to pay to improve the planet, to improve our cities, to improve the direct health consequences of congestion and emissions on people.”

Neos Networks has helped a number of cities to become truly smart, supporting local authorities across the nation including Oxfordshire, Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross councils.

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MPLS Line vs Leased Line: Which Is Better for Business? | Neos Networks

Businesses today are nothing without connectivity. Connectivity is the fuel of commerce, powering corporate engines and allowing companies to accelerate forward. Choosing the right connectivity solution is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make. And if you’re currently weighing up the difference between leased line and MPLS options, here’s the detail that will help inform your decision.

In this blog post we’ll:

  • Explain what MPLS is and how it works
  • Explain what a leased line is
  • Explore the differences between MPLS and leased lines
  • Compare the benefits of MPLS vs leased lines
  • Evaluate which option may be best for your business

What is MPLS and how does it work?

Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a networking technology. It is typically used by businesses and service providers to deliver private networks over shared infrastructure. Unlike other network protocols, which route traffic based on the source and destination addresses, MPLS uses predetermined routes which the network obtains from labels that are attached to the data packets by the network infrastructure.

These labels control the path that each packet follows. Instead of examining the packet itself, decisions are made based on the label, guiding data across a network without having to use complex lookups or find network addresses.

This results in higher traffic speeds and lower latency, which improves performance for applications that are sensitive to data speed or latency changes. Typically, MPLS services, as they are business focused, are also offered with speed guarantees and enhanced SLAs.

MPLS provides dependable connectivity for business-critical applications. It’s a highly reliable method of data transfer, and can use a full mesh network architecture, so there are multiple pathways to every node. This is a sophisticated and comparatively expensive way to build a network, but ensures reliability, even if one pathway fails.

Put simply, MPLS lets users control the network routing, creating paths that work like point-to-point connections while still maintaining flexibility.

What is a leased line?

A leased line, also known as a private connection, provides dedicated internet access between two points, supplied by a provider directly to the customer. Each leased line is exclusive, and there is no sharing of lines between different customers. This ensures a built-in physical separation between every connection.

The main benefit of a leased line is that it is private, so it has a higher level of security. It’s also fast, reliable and resilient, and your speeds won’t be affected by other organisations’ network usage. You’ll enjoy a dedicated, fixed-bandwidth data connection, with guaranteed and identical upload and download speeds.

What is the difference between an MPLS and a leased line?

There are many differences between an MPLS and a leased line, some are subtle and some are considerable. The main fundamental difference is a leased line is a dedicated point to point connection, while an MPLS is a complex private network built across a shared network infrastructure.

Here are the key differences that you need to be aware of when choosing between an MPLS and a leased line.

  • Security is higher with a leased line, as there is physical separation of traffic. MPLS relies on shared infrastructure.
  • Reliability is higher with a leased line, as they often use fibre cable, come with high-grade hardware and are usually governed by demanding SLAs. With an MPLS, the service reliability is dependent on traffic routing, though network availability is ensured.
  • Scalability is faster and easier with MPLS, without expensive hardware requirements. Leased lines are difficult to scale up, due to high cost and longer timescales associated with a dedicated fixed-bandwidth data connection.
  • High complexity businesses with operations distributed across many locations, will find that MPLS is better suited to them. The technology provides point-to-point and one-to-many connectivity, whereas leased lines are limited to point-to-point only.
  • Costs are typically lower with MPLS than leased lines. That’s because, with a leased line you’re getting a dedicated connection that can only be used by your organisation.

Which is best for my business, an MPLS or a leased line?

When you’re comparing the differences between MPLS vs leased line and wondering what’s right for you, the differences that we’ve highlighted above will help.

If your business is a large enterprise with multiple sites spread across a large area, then you should consider MPLS. Furthermore, if you’re operating within a fast-growing organisation and you expect to open new sites in the future, MPLS will give you the flexibility you’ll require. Despite having a high level of security, due to logical separation of traffic, MPLS is still less secure than a leased line.

As a leased line is installed directly between two points, it’s a reliable way to transfer data between sites at speed. There’s also less of a security risk when compared with MPLS, as you never have to share your connection with anyone else, and your bandwidth is guaranteed, too.

So, if your business is unlikely to rapidly scale up across multiple sites over the mid-term, a leased line is your best option. It provides fast, reliable and secure connectivity both on site and to homeworking employees, and it’s very unlikely to let you down.

Seeking a leased line solution?

Every business has its own individual needs and requirements. If a leased line seems like the right solution for you, contact our experts to explore your options in more detail. If you’re still unsure whether your business requires MPLS or leased line connectivity, get in touch and we’d be happy to discuss.

Ethernet FAQs

Take a look at our FAQs for Ethernet

  • What is Ethernet connectivity?

     

    Simply put, business Ethernet or Carrier Ethernet is the most common type of connectivity used today, enabling high-bandwidth connectivity for businesses across the country. It comprises a fibre connection that runs from the network directly to your premise. Before understanding why Ethernet is vital for business bandwidth it's important to know what is Ethernet connectivity.

     

  • What is Ethernet over FTTx?

     

    Ethernet over FTTx is a hybrid Ethernet connectivity solution. It enables businesses not yet ready to make the leap to Full Fibre Ethernet to take advantage of its benefits but at more manageable capacities.

    Learn more about our Ethernet over FTTx service and see related content here.

  • What is Ethernet First Mile?

     

    Ethernet First Mile (EFM) is a popular and affordable way for businesses to get easy, dedicated connectivity that delivers fibre-like connectivity using copper cables already in place and can enable speeds up to 30Mbps – dependent on the length of copper cable needed and how many pairs are used. We provide a breakdown on what Ethernet First Mile is and highlight its top three advantages.

  • MPLS vs SD-WAN

     

    Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) has been popular for a number of years now and is very good at providing robust and reliable connectivity as well as ensuring critical business information continues to flow, but it’s flexibility has also become a limiting factor. You can learn more about the differences of MPLS vs SD-WAN here.

  • EPL vs EVPL

     

    Ethernet Private Line (EPL) and Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) are Ethernet services defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) and fall under their Ethernet services category ‘E-Line’.

    Both EPL and EVPL Ethernet provide the simplicity of private connections combined with the flexibility and scalability of MPLS technology across a range of bandwidths, but the main difference for businesses is the configuration they would require.

  • MPLS vs Dark Fibre

     

    MPLS can offer robust and reliable connectivity, yet Dark Fibre offers a level of network future-proofing that other means of connectivity can’t. MPLS has been around for a while and has several benefits, we discuss the pros and cons of both, MPLS vs Dark Fibre here.

     

  • Ethernet vs Dark Fibre

     

    Ethernet for business is where the bandwidth required is leased from a connectivity provider who manages the network where as Dark Fibre is as it sounds and refers to fibre that is unlit and unmanaged but owned or leased wholly by the business purchasing it. We explore the differences between Ethernet vs Dark Fibre here.

  • What’s the importance of a point-to-point network?

    A point-to-point network gives organisations secure and private connections, for transmitting internal or sensitive data. They are particularly useful for businesses operating over multiple sites, who have to integrate networks and communications, including such bandwidth-hungry activities as the increasingly popular video-conferencing. While some organisations can achieve this integration via the public internet, larger companies may face issues with security, privacy and bandwidth, as well as the reliability of the network. 

    A leased line can provide a solution to these issues, but you may find a point-to-point network is more suitable and, possibly, more economical than a leased line. These networks are available in various bandwidth speeds.

    If your company needs a high capacity, private network to do business, the importance of a point-to-point network cannot be overestimated. Choose the right provider and you’ll get a reliable, high-speed connection perfectly suited to your organisation, at speeds from 10Mbps to 10Gbps.

  • What is the benefit of a point-to-point leased line?

    As well as providing a reliable, private connection, a point-to-point network will give your business a whole host of benefits. One of the most important is speed, with point-to-point networks taking your data along the most direct route possible. Allied to this, upload and download speeds are guaranteed and you won't have any concerns about bandwidth because the connection is private and dedicated.

    Common applications for point-to-point networks include file sharing, data backup, point-to-point VOIP and video-conferencing, all of which take advantage of the direct, high capacity nature of these networks. These networks are ideal for a range of everyday business needs, helping your organisation to work more efficiently.

  • What is a point-to-point circuit?

    This type of private data connection links multiple locations. As a closed network data transport service, it doesn’t use the public internet, making it secure enough to not require any data encryption. 

    Another advantage of this type of connection is the high quality of service: private lines always follow the same direct pathway and don’t have any competing connections on the same line. This means they’re completely reliable as well as secure, making them attractive for companies conducting credit card transactions and similarly sensitive operations. They’re also desirable for organisations transmitting large amounts of data, with many providers offering unlimited data usage.

    Point-to-point circuits are available at different speeds and bandwidths. As a result, they’re as flexible as they are reliable.

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Green technology in freight: is it moving forwards?

This report was created by UK dedicated internet access provider and transport and logistics telecoms specialists, Neos Networks. If using data or other material from the report, please do so with the appropriate credit with a link to this report page.

According to the Department of Transport, the freight and logistics sector is ‘critical to our economic wellbeing, ensuring the flow of goods along our supply chains is reliable and efficient’. In 2019 alone, 154 billion tonne-kilometres (tkm) of UK domestic freight goods were transported by road, compared with just 25 billion tkm by ship, and 17 billion tkm by train.

There is, however, a downside to this. In 2020, HGVs and light vans were responsible for 19% (18.6 Mt CO2e) of the UK’s total domestic transport greenhouse gas emissions (98.8 Mt CO2e). Transport (including passenger transport) causes more emissions than any other: it’s responsible for 24% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. So it’s not surprising that at last year’s COP26, the logistics industry was a key focus for decarbonisation targets.

In July 2021, the UK government released the Decarbonising Transport plan. Setting out aims for delivering a zero-emission freight and logistics sector, it states:

“Decarbonising the last mile will create cleaner, more liveable places and there is scope for greater use of artificial intelligence and data tools in the freight sector. This could improve efficiency and cut emissions, particularly for the many small operators in a fragmented industry. "

In June 2022, the government’s Future of freight report outlined the role of technology and data-enabled opportunities in improving the efficiency, reliability, resilience and environmental sustainability of the sector.

In the wake of these two important reports – and to better understand the green tech freight landscape – we asked UK transport and logistics (T&L) operators:

  • Whether they’re implementing the decarbonisation targets into current operations
  • What barriers they experience in meeting decarbonisation targets
  • What they need to reach these targets
  • What role real-time data could play in achieving decarbonisation targets in the near future

Key findings:

  • Industry action — More than two-thirds (68%) of T&L companies have taken steps towards green tech since the Decarbonising Transport report
  • Going green — Over half (55%) of UK T&L firms will take measures to decarbonise fleets by 2024
  • Data is key — 55% of UK T&L firms say greenhouse gas and carbon data tracking is a core part of decarbonisation plans, over the next two years
  • Capacity is a challenge — A third (35%) who can’t use data to reduce carbon don’t have the core connectivity to share large amounts of primary supply chain data
  • Long-term goals in question — 45% of T&L companies don’t believe they’ll hit the ‘net-zero by 2050’ pledge
  • Convincing needed — 45% of companies don’t see battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as currently commercially viable, while 68% feel the same way about AI and data learning
  • Investment squeeze — three in five operators (61%) say the high cost of investment is the biggest barrier to achieving targets

One year on: how many companies have taken steps in a greener direction?

A year after the government released the Decarbonising Transport plan, what steps has the industry taken to lessen its impact on the environment?

More than two-thirds (68%) of transport & logistics companies have adopted emission-reducing technologies, prepared steps towards taking green measures, or held consultations around putting plans in place.

By contrast, almost a third (32%) of T&L firms haven’t made any moves at all towards emission reductions.

There’s an urban/rural gap, which surprisingly reveals urban firms are less likely to be making efforts to cut emissions. Some 36% of companies in towns and cities have made no attempts to make operations greener.

Outside of urban areas, only one in five (20%) T&L firms haven’t taken action, meaning that 80% of companies are trying to reduce emissions, or heading in that direction.

Levels of green activity also differ according to company size. Enterprise-level organisations are most likely to be environmentally friendly, with 77% of them on the path towards becoming greener. Two-thirds (67%) of SMEs are also on that path, while large companies are slightly less likely (60%) to be making emission-cutting moves.

Is sustainability on the short-term agenda?

With an uncertain economic climate in the UK, how much are T&L companies looking towards the future? And if they are, where does their focus lie?

It’s clear that many T&L firms are prioritising green/decarbonisation initiatives over the next two years. If all goes to plan, by 2024 we should see significantly reduced carbon emissions from the sector, with more than half (55%) of UK T&L operators actively seeking to decarbonise their service/fleet. While 52% of companies are making preparations to do the same.

Using data can greatly speed up the process, and 55% of UK companies are including greenhouse gas and carbon data tracking in their immediate plans. In addition, 45% of companies plan to adopt smart tech, data learning, AI or other technologies for greater operational efficiency.

A drive for efficiency is proving more popular among T&L operators than expansion plans. Almost 50% more operators are seeking to reduce emissions or decarbonise than those looking to expand in the UK. When it comes to expanding outside of the UK, green initiatives are over three times (240%) more common as a short-term goal.

For all the attention devoted to becoming more efficient, however, only a quarter (26%) of firms are planning to recruit tech experts to optimise their business. This implies that there will be a surge in demand for outsourced data analysis and tech troubleshooting.

What approach does the industry favour for reducing carbon-emissions?

For decarbonisation technologies and policies to achieve widespread uptake, the industry must believe in their commercial viability. However, our research highlights a lack of consensus on the best way forward, which makes it more difficult to implement change.

94% of T&L companies plan to adopt one or more solutions for reducing carbon emissions, in line with the UK government’s Decarbonising Transport plan, taking steps to improve fleet efficiency in the next five years or so.

For most of these companies, the most commercially viable solution involves a combination of alternative fuels – notably battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – and digital systems such as smart tech, AI and data learning. Twice as many firms believe BEVs are commercially viable as believe alternative fuels can represent a solution.

Those companies hoping to use smart tech and real-time data to become greener will need to invest in core connectivity, which government incentives can encourage. Technology development for proof of concept return on investment can also drive greater adoption of green initiatives.

How important is core connectivity to decarbonisation success?

By investing in core connectivity, companies will acquire the capacity to collect and process the real-time data needed for smart technology and the integrated tech of the future. Both smart tech and findings from data will contribute to increased efficiency and decarbonisation.

As reported in the Neos Networks ‘Core connectivity: The key enabler of digital transformation’ ebook, under-resourcing connectivity and networking is linked with less successful digital transformation projects. Conversely, organisations which budget for connectivity properly are much more likely to deliver highly successful digital transformation programmes.

The research shows that where more than 20% of the budget for digital transformation projects is allocated to connectivity and networking, 38% of companies rated the outcome of the project ‘highly successful’. By contrast, projects with 10% or less dedicated to connectivity and networking were unsuccessful in 62% of cases.

Does the size of the company influence the green solution?

Our research shows that the use of AI and data learning is universally favoured as a solution for decarbonisation by firms of all sizes. When it comes to other options, however, companies of different sizes have differing opinions.

SMEs:

Smaller businesses are nearly twice as likely (42%) to see industry-wide sharing of real-time data (throughout the supply chain) as a feasible way to reduce emissions. This shows, perhaps, their eagerness to embrace a cost-effective method.

When it comes to alternative fuel types, BEVs are most popular among SMEs, with 58% seeing them as a real way forward. SMEs are also more likely than other businesses to back alternative fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), bioLNG and biodiesel.

Enterprise-size companies:

In contrast to SMEs and enterprise-size firms don’t see liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), bioLNG and biodiesel as a realistic option: just 8% state they’re a commercially viable solution. Enterprise-level companies support BEVs as the most viable solution (38%), followed closely by fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

What does the industry think of meeting net-zero targets by 2050?

To meet the net-zero by 2050 target, it’s clear that the transport and logistics industry will need more technology, greater industry buy-in and assistance in the form of government policy.

Given the efforts required, how many companies are confident that the target is realistic?

The industry is split on this question, indicating that more work is needed to galvanise operators. Just over half of the UK’s T&L companies think they can meet government decarbonisation targets by 2050.

Companies with greater resources are more confident: 64% of enterprise-level companies believe they can meet the target, compared to 45% of SMEs.

What obstacles to this are operators experiencing?

Before motivated organisations can get anywhere close to reaching net-zero targets, they must first identify the factors preventing them from adopting a greener way of operating.

  • Three in five operators (61%) say high investment costs are seen as the most common barrier to achieving targets.
  • Almost twice as many firms cited cost as a barrier than the next factor on the list (with 35%): a lack of industry tech knowledge or shippers favouring low costs over green operations.
  • A quarter (26%) stated a lack of national fuelling and service infrastructure was an issue, which obviously needs government intervention.

Which sectors are supporting green changes in freight?

With a third (35%) of T&L companies being deterred from decarbonisation by shippers who pressure them to run cheap operations, it’s clearly a common issue. Even if firms are eager to become greener, they must strike a balance between remaining commercially competitive and investing in emission reduction.

T&L customers obviously influence companies’ policies, yet nearly a quarter (23%) of companies can’t identify a single industry in their supply chain that’s pushing for greener practices.

The data divide: Where smart systems, data and connectivity meet net-zero emission targets

Our report shows that T&L companies recognise that collecting and acting on real-time data can reap great sustainability benefits, helping them take steps towards net-zero targets. The data can be used to aid smart tech, AI and, of course, data learning.

Although more than half (52%) of the industry can access the necessary data, there’s some way to go before we see a totally data-connected industry. As it stands, almost half of the companies in T&L are not utilising greenhouse gas / carbon emissions data to clean their operations up.

There’s even further to go in rural areas, where 6 in 10 companies can’t use such data. Even if companies like this are trying to go greener, they might be doing it in an ineffective way. They need greater investment to level-up their data-collecting and reporting capabilities.

How many transport and logistics companies use real time data to its full potential?

Over half of T&L companies have the ability to collect and report on real-time data on greenhouse gas and/or carbon emissions. Yet how many can use this data to actively reduce their carbon emissions?

Even among the 52% of companies who can access accurate and up-to-the-minute data, just 71% of them feel confident using the data to improve operations. Just under a half (42%) use it to become more efficient, while 29% employ it to boost customer service levels.

As we’ve mentioned, core connectivity has a great bearing on data-gathering capabilities. Of those firms unable to use data to make practices greener, one in three (35%) say inadequate capacity or core connectivity is stopping them from sharing large amounts of data. Around a fifth (19%) can’t share more significant amounts of data and don’t plan on remedying that situation in the next year. This is clearly an issue when it comes to implementing smart tech, which is a key strategy for decarbonisation.

Smaller numbers of companies say they either don’t see the value in sharing data or have security concerns, but the vast majority are willing to embrace the concept – some just need a helping hand.

Other companies are trying to embrace data use and smart tech, but are finding roadblocks in the way. So what are the most serious barriers they’re coming up against?

What challenges do companies have to overcome in adopting smart data?

Whether or not companies can collect data that can be used to reduce carbon emissions, what do they see as the main challenges for using real-time data in green initiatives?

With over a third (39%) of firms citing a lack of government support, the message to government is loud and clear: more investment is required to move towards net-zero in 2050. Around a quarter (23%) also say their own funding is insufficient.

Over a quarter (26%) point to a lack of tech-skilled employees, which would mean that even if they can process the data from a technical viewpoint, they couldn’t achieve it without extra personnel on board.

Almost that number (23%) of companies simply feel that the type of data produced doesn’t meet the needs of the T&L industry, which could be something that awareness campaigns might remedy.

Do views change with company size?

SMEs:

Understandably, SMEs identify a lack of tech-skilled employees as an issue. Not all companies have the kind of resources needed, with 36% of SMEs saying they don’t have the required people on board.

Funding is another significant barrier for SMEs, with 18% stating they have insufficient funds for investing in smart tech and data – and more than a quarter (27%) wanted more help from government.

Large / enterprise companies:

Even with larger companies, insufficient government funding was an issue: 39% said more was needed if they were to adopt efficiency-enhancing tech. Of course, another factor for the government to consider is that larger organisations will obviously require more funding than SMEs.

The amount of data for processing is also more of an issue for larger companies – and one in five (21%) say they don’t have the tech and core connectivity to handle the data.

Conclusion

Many T&L companies are willing to invest in decarbonisation and have already acted since the government's Decarbonising Transport plan was released in 2021.

In the medium term, however, a large proportion of companies remain sceptical about the commercial viability of the technologies currently available. For example, 68% feel that AI and data learning aren’t commercially viable green solutions. The industry is also split on whether the net-zero goal by 2050 is achievable. Overall, there is more work needed to convince the market.

As well as government placing more emphasis on the tech – and more funding behind it – stakeholders such as consumers and T&L customers can exert more pressure to accelerate decarbonisation.

However, before the industry races towards a tech-led green revolution, companies must consider the role of data. To implement smart technology and benefit from real-time data, they need systems that can handle the amount of data. This is where core connectivity infrastructure comes in, laying the foundations upon which decarbonisation can progress.

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Blue Planet: enhancing customer experience through automation

Chief Technology and Information Officer, Chris Voudouris, Neos Networks

At a time when many of the processes in our day-to-day lives are automated and digitised, it’s crucial that industries embrace and emulate this sought-after approach. Consumers have come to expect more from the businesses they work with, and speed, efficiency and ease of use are key.

In collaboration with Blue Planet (part of Ciena Networks) and Cerillion, we at Neos Networks have completed a seismic transformation of our BSS/OSS platforms from quoting and ordering, to fulfilment processes and service orchestration, meeting the ever-growing customer demand for better efficiency and speeds.

Fundamentally, the programme has seen us simplify and automate our processes, improve customer experience, and increase orders, enhancing customer and team satisfaction. A key part of the programme involved implementing Blue Planet Orchestration platform (MDSO) bolstering the roll-out of automation of our Ethernet services across all elements of the process.

What did we set out to achieve?

Following an increase in demand for Ethernet services via our online pricing and ordering tool, LIVEQUOTE, we recognised the vital need to automate the entire customer journey and process - from order, to deployment, to fulfilment. This created the need for a new Software-Defined Network (SDN) solution with end-to-end orchestration.

What was the process?

The new solution was deployed in four stages:

Phase one: Three SDN controllers for Nokia, Infinera and Ciena across layers 1, 2 and 3 of the network were implemented

Phase two: Blue Planet Orchestrator deployed with Neos Networks developed resource adaptors allowing for P2P, P2NNI, P2Cloud and Ethernet service fulfilment

Phase three: Blue Planet Inventory solution developed and deployed providing analytical insight into passive, service and logical network data

Phase four: Cerillion (BSS) was layered on top of the Orchestration, creating a single ecosystem. New APIs were developed to allow better integration between all layers

The new solution inspires a new way of operating, moving from manual Command Line Interface (CLI) to a fully automated solution drastically decreasing on-net provisioning times and realising Neos Networks’ vision to develop a Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) capability.

This entirely new way of planning and managing the programme, following agile methodologies and a secure-by-design approach leveraging cloud, has laid the foundations for conversations around how to simplify assurance, provisioning, and management of new and existing services across the IT and network layers.

What challenges did we come across?

Neos Networks has organically grown throughout its 20+ year lifespan. This meant that entirely changing the architecture of the network wasn’t a possibility, and therefore required an extremely innovative approach. The MDSO and SDN had to overcome the hurdle of deploying new systems based on legacy architecture, which were not designed for automation.

Further challenges included the need to maintain security accreditations, minimising impact and disruption for customers, integrating multiple teams into a fusion working group and ensuring the project stayed within budget.

What was the outcome?

The new Blue Planet Orchestration/Inventory and Cerillion platforms will be fully implemented by the end of the year. The most significant successes from the programme are set to be felt by the overall business, our people, our partners and most importantly, our customers over the coming months. The key benefits include:

  • Enhanced customer experience and satisfaction - the process - from ordering to fulfilment - is an entirely digital experience. This streamlines the process, improving overall customer satisfaction. In addition, further innovation will provide a more complete customer journey and new product features and capabilities through a NaaS approach.
  • Reducing the need for repetitive tasks - the automation of the new process reduces the need for tasks of a repetitive nature to be carried out by our sales and engineering teams, allowing them to focus on delivering strategic improvements to the service.
  • Zero-touch provision of services - the project has laid the foundations for the overall BSS/OSS, allowing Neos Networks to move towards genuine zero-touch provision of services and continues to improve our services for our partners and customers.

To learn more about how you can benefit from our new, highly automated Ethernet services process, get in touch with our CTIO team.

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What role does data play in the roll-out of smart cities?

We spoke to Daniel Clarke, Strategy Partnerships Manager at Connecting Cambridgeshire. Daniel developed the Smart Cambridge programme which included the development of a city data platform and deployment of sensors.

Smart cities promise to bring some truly remarkable opportunities to citizens across the UK. But to make a city truly smart, data must play a prevalent part. Sensors collect it, insights are gained from it and, ultimately, improvements to everyday lives come from it.

As AI comes of age and begins to make decision making and routine smart city management more efficient, data will become even more crucial.

But what part does data play in today’s smart cities and how can we make this easier access to information enrich our day-to-day (and business) lives?

The status quo

At this relatively early stage of smart city implementation in our societies, data is enabling local authorities to better understand the capabilities and applications of smart technology.

“Our primary role has been looking at how we can collect better, more granular data across the city.” says Daniel Clarke. “We’ve been examining how we can understand people's movements, whether that's transport movement, pedestrian movement or cycle movements. We’ve also been striving to gain a better understanding of energy usage and how power grids are performing.

“There's a whole range of data that we collect.” Clarke continues. “We're looking at things like real-time bus and train data. We also benefit from electric scooters and electric bikes, so we’re collecting that data too. We utilise all of this data to  to further develop our city, while enhancing the lives of its residents.”

In addition to the areas outlined above, Cambridgeshire are also now benefitting from live bus tracking for passengers, using sensors in bins to prompt waste collection and reducing congestion through traffic flow sensors – all of which are driving data-led improvements in the area.

Clarke elaborates on the benefits: “We’ve been using real-time transport data to build tools that make it easier for people to make sustainable travel choices around the city. For example, we built Motion Map to give residents better visibility of our transport system. It's about giving our people greater access to better information”.

Clarke continues: “We're beginning to look more and more at air quality data and how we can disseminate air quality data. We've also worked with a company called AppyParking, where we put parking data into their app to make sure that people can find parking whenever and wherever they need it.”

With innovations like these, it’s not just the amounts of data channelled that necessitate carrier-grade networks. The use of real-time data also dictates that low latency connections are a must.

Data that’s open for business

When we consider the prospects of smart cities in the UK, one greatly encouraging factor is that many local authorities and smart city organisations are committed to the concept of open data. Currently cities including London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham are leading the way.

From making citizens feel consulted, to accumulating greater quantities of data, and the potentially global sharing of ideas, this approach has many advantages for smart cities. It’s not difficult to see why Connecting Cambridge is employing a policy of open data.

Clarke outlines their set-up: “We make our data open through Cambridgeshire Insights, which is a data platform. It basically means that citizens are welcome to come and use our data, which they’re certainly taking advantage of. We also began to put that data into dashboards through tools like Power BI. This enables us to better visualise how data is used as a communication method.”

Making sense of the data noise

Collecting such vast quantities of data can potentially lead to a surplus of information, which could actually make interpretation and useful application more difficult. Connecting Cambridgeshire has recognised this as an issue and found a prestigious partner to help overcome it.

Clarke explains: “We've worked with the University of Cambridge to look at how we can better process and structure travel data, and how we can output that travel data into different digital tools. We’ve then worked with businesses in the area to understand what’s possible, where the commercial sector is going and how we can take our early stage pilots and trials and turn them into something more commercial.”

It’s absolutely vital that local authorities and smart city planners devise ways to package data to make it accessible to all and actionable. Clarke goes on to say: “The data gatekeepers must always have commercial value in their thoughts. Without any intrinsic commercial worth, a dataset becomes a fruitless endeavour”.

Another difficulty is the variety of systems used to collect information. To achieve a satisfactory degree of efficiency, solutions to this problem must be found.

Clarke continues: “One of the issues that we've come across is that it’s still quite a fragmented market. For example, if we put in a sensor to measure traffic movement, that sensor will come with a data platform and an air quality sensor will come with a separate data platform. This means that we end up with lots of sensors and lots of platforms. What we need is a centralised system to combine and analyse information more easily”.

“Over the last few years, we've started to move towards this ambition, building a data platform with the University of Cambridge at smartcambridge.org. This has allowed us to move data away from legacy systems, instead compiling it in one place.”

Levelling infrastructure up to deliver data

Many smart city technologies – particularly Internet of Things-powered innovations require 5G networks, which is one of the reasons more emphasis is being placed on smart cities, as 5G connectivity becomes a reality. However, in turn, 5G networks need far-reaching, reliable, high-speed fibre infrastructure to be able to power them.

Clarke spells this out: “I think fibre is the foundation on which smart cities are built. It is critical to their success. Simply, it supports everything from mobile connectivity to business processes”.

“As with everything in the smart cities domain, in order for our dreams to become a reality, we need to be much more collaborative in our approach both to planning fibre and ensuring that this fibre is going to the right places. Over the years, we’ve built a very collaborative relationship with fibre providers. As cities, we can enable the fibre footprint by doing things like putting ducting into all of our infrastructure schemes. To help increase fibre footprints, we support things like wayleaves, permits and licensing, to try and remove some of the barriers that fibre providers face when they come into a city.”

For local authorities to deliver on their smart cities promises, providing seamless, behind-the-scenes solutions to everyday living, they will need to ease the way for fibre providers, just as Cambridge has done.

One thing is for certain, data will continue to play a pivotal role in the development of smart cities. Operations will only become seamless when the underlying core connectivity is in place that will enable high-speed connections, capable of transmitting these previously outlined large volumes of data. A crucial first step to ensure ambitious smart cities plans succeed, is to ensure high-performance infrastructure is in place to handle massive – and constantly growing – quantities of data.

Neos Networks has helped a number of cities to become truly smart, supporting local authorities across the nation including Oxfordshire, Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross councils.

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Leased line vs FTTP: what’s the difference?

Do you need a dedicated internet connection for your business, or is shared FTTP broadband enough?

Neos Networks | 29 July 2022

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What is a leased line?

A leased line, also known as Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), is a private, high-speed connection between your business and the internet. Unlike business broadband, a leased line is:

  • Uncontended: You don’t share your bandwidth with other users, so you don’t suffer from slowdowns at peak times.
  • Symmetric: Download and upload speeds are identical, ensuring a smooth connection for real-time applications.
  • Reliable: Leased lines are backed by robust service level agreements (SLAs), guaranteeing uptime and rapid fault resolution.

This makes them ideal for businesses that rely on cloud applications, VoIP, large data transfers, or any organisation needing fast, reliable connectivity.

What is FTTP?

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), also known as “full fibre”, is a high-speed broadband connection that runs a fibre optic cable all the way to your premises. Unlike standard broadband (Fibre to the Cabinet or FTTC), which uses copper wiring between the street cabinet and your building, FTTP’s full fibre connection delivers faster speeds and lower latency.

However, unlike a leased line, FTTP is a contended connection. Your bandwidth is shared with other customers, which can slow down your connection at peak times. In addition, speeds are typically asymmetric, with download speeds significantly higher than upload speeds.

FTTP also lacks the strict SLAs and dedicated support a leased line offers, making it less reliable. But its lower cost can make it a viable option for small businesses or those that can tolerate occasional fluctuations in network performance.

Leased line vs FTTP: what’s the difference?

When choosing between a leased line and FTTP, you need to consider factors like speed, reliability and cost. Here’s a breakdown of the main differences to help you decide.

Leased line vs FTTP: 8 key differences

Leased line Broadband
Connection type Dedicated, uncontended connection Contended line sharing bandwidth with multiple users
Speed Typically from 10Mbps to 10Gbps, with speeds guaranteed Typically up to 1Gbps (download)/220Mbps (upload), depending on network traffic
Bandwidth Symmetric guaranteed download/upload bandwidth Asymmetric download/upload bandwidth, depending on the package and available bandwidth
Latency Consistently low latency, ideal for real-time applications like VoIP and video conferencing Higher latency that varies with network traffic
Reliability Backed by strict SLAs and 24/7 support, ensuring maximum uptime and quick fault resolution No strict SLAs; support is typically on a “best endeavours” basis
Cost More expensive as you need to install and maintain a dedicated line Cheaper as it runs on existing fibre infrastructure
Installation time Typically 30-90 days Typically 7-14 days
Suitable for Organisations requiring a consistent, high-speed internet connection, such as large enterprises or those with critical online operations Smaller organisations or those that can tolerate occasional network slowdowns or downtime

 

FTTP vs leased line: which is right for your business?

Choosing between FTTP and a leased line depends on your business size, internet usage and budget. If you need guaranteed performance, symmetric speeds and maximum reliability, a leased line is the obvious choice. It’s ideal for larger businesses, data-intensive industries or organisations needing reliable, high-speed internet for real-time applications.

On the other hand, FTTP offers a cost-effective connection for smaller businesses that can tolerate some variability in speeds and uptime. While considerably faster than standard broadband (FTTC), it lacks the dedicated bandwidth and strict SLAs of a leased line.

Ultimately, the right option depends on how critical speed, reliability and support are to your operations. If you’re a smaller outfit and cost is your main priority, FTTP could be enough. But if network downtime or congestion could impact your productivity, reputation or bottom line, a leased line may be well worth the investment.

Leased line options

If you’re considering a leased line for your business, we can help. At Neos Networks, we deliver high-performance Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) leased lines to organisations of all sizes across the UK.

Learn more about DIA leased line services, including “wires-only” and fully managed options.

Dedicated Internet Access

Private, high-speed internet for your business

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Or get a quick quote with LIVEQUOTE, our online pricing and ordering tool.

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If you’re unsure if a leased line could work for you, get in touch. We’ll be happy to explore the best connectivity option for your business.

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