Businesses today are operating in data-centric industries where there is an increasing need for high amounts of bandwidth. However, while many may have considered solutions such as carrier fibre Ethernet or EADs (Ethernet Access Direct) to connect their business, up until recently they will have encountered two common problems – high prices and a lack of fibre near the premises.
Previously, BT Openreach would charge an Excess Construction Charge (ECC) to cover the excess cost of bringing connectivity into a customer’s premises. The majority of ECCs were raised in circumstances where additional infrastructure was required to provide a service at a requested location or where Openreach would otherwise not chose to extend their network.
The whole process was longwinded, cumbersome and would lead to long lead times, while the charge would also be passed on to the customer. Communications providers were understandably unhappy with the price points and informed Openreach that it was hindering the uptake of fibre-based Ethernet.
The good news is that Openreach listened to their customers and with effect from 1st June have changed its ECC structure. The result? Fibre Ethernet services are now more affordable and accessible to more UK businesses.
So what has changed?
The main change undoubtedly is that Openreach will now cover up to £2,800 for ECCs, which means the vast majority of fibre Ethernet installs won’t involve them at all. Secondly, the changes mean that lead times will be reduced considerably because there will be fewer speculative orders for both Openreach and the providers to deal with. Finally, more network assets are now prepared for Ethernet, which means that the solutions can be installed much quicker than before.
These changes also add a degree of upfront certainty for customers, reducing any worry over any ‘extra’ charges.
So if pricing was the only issue last time you checked the availability of carrier fibre Ethernet – you might want to speak to your communications provider again.
Who knows? You may be pleasantly surprised.