In the following blog, we will cover what FTTP Broadband is, provide an update on the UK All-IP programme and highlight some common questions often asked by businesses.
What is FTTP Broadband?
- FTTP stands for Fibre to The Premise. It is also referred to as ‘Ultrafast’ or ‘Full Fibre’ broadband, delivering speeds up to 1Gbps.
- FTTP is a pure fibre connection from the exchange into a business resulting in the ability to deliver broadband speeds far higher and more reliable than a typical FTTC connection.
- FTTP, unlike FTTC, uses all fibre optic cables, making it the fastest type of fibre possible.
- With FTTP, there is no ‘up to bandwidth. The bandwidth that you buy is the bandwidth obtained over the connection.
- It’s worth noting is that there is no longer the need for an old-fashioned phone line, so businesses do not need to pay for any line rental, and despite the fast speeds, it is very affordable.
What is the UK All-IP Programme?
As we previously stated, the UK PSTN network is reaching the end of its life and will shut down at the end of 2025. Many businesses have broadband that runs over analogue lines. FTTP is being rolled out across the whole exchange area on a quarterly notification cycle. When FTTP coverage reaches 75% of all premises in an exchange area, there will be a ‘Stop Sell’ on copper-based services.
Common Questions
Why should I make a change now?
To ensure minimal disruption to the business, it is good practice to have a migration plan in place. Openreach has advised there is a national ‘stop sell’ date of September 2023. In addition, Openreach has announced it will stop selling PSTN and ISDN products in 117 exchanges from June 2021.
How Future-proof is FTTP?
FTTP represents part of the next generation of broadband, offering speeds that will seriously increase capabilities, productivity, and output. The architectural structure behind FTTP is scalable and customisable.
Will I get more speed?
Fibre cables mean the uploading and downloading speeds are faster than ever before, with high-quality media streamed easily. Cloud-based apps like our cloud telephony solutions or Microsoft Teams Direct Routing run without a hitch, even with plenty of users.