Boxx Communications Ltd

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Connectivity

Bits & Bytes: The difference between a Megabit & a Megabyte

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Bits & Bytes: The difference between a Megabit & a Megabyte

As this blog has noted before, the telecoms and broadband sector is rife with jargon, which can be very confusing for even the most experienced user.

It’s important to make sure you have a full understanding though, particularly of terms that seem very similar but are not interchangeable, as this can have a significant impact both on the service you end up with, and the speed with which you are able to download.

Take, for example, megabits and megabytes. Two words that look and sound very similar, and which are both often shortened to meg in conversation and online. Anyone could be forgiven for assuming they are two terms for the same service but that would be a big mistake.

In fact, a megabyte is eight times bigger than a megabit. Simply, eight megabits make one megabyte.

Now this may seem as if we’re splitting hairs, but it’s actually a very important thing to know.

Your broadband speed is most likely measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Most files available for download online, such as PDFs, are usually measured in megabytes (MB).

If you have a file of 20 MB, and a 20 Mbps connection, without knowing the difference between the terms, you would assume you could download your file in one second. Now, of course, once you know that there are eight bits in a byte, you also know that you have to multiple that figure by eight.

Being seven seconds out doesn’t seem a lot, but do that multiple times a day and those seconds soon add up into minutes and more.

This can be critical if downloading material is a big part of your job or company culture, and if the person who chose and paid for the package didn’t take the time to understand all of the relevant terms correctly. It could add significantly to the time needed to do everyday tasks, as well as potentially pushing up costs.

Aside from the context, it is straightforward to work out which kind of meg is being talked about, as megabyte is condensed to MB, while the bit, as the smaller component, takes a lower case b.

As with so many areas of technology, things that seem quite complicated actually turn out to be quite straightforward in the end. But doing your homework with tech jargon will always pay dividends, most importantly that you end up with the right package for your business needs.

If you want to talk more about this or anything else your business needs, get in touch.

Broadband jargon buster: key terms explained

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Broadband jargon buster: key terms explained

Dipping your toe in the world of broadband providers can often feel like going into a shop to find everyone but you suddenly speaks a foreign language.

Littered with technical speak for every stage of the investigation and purchase process, even choosing what package you need can be tricky.

But fear not our jargon-buster will mean you can hold your own, while ensuring you get the package you need because you have the right knowledge at your fingertips.

So, without further ado, here are our explanations of the most common broadband terms you are likely to come across…..

ADSL Broadband – The UK’s most popular form of internet connection and is provided over telephone lines.  Quality varies depending on how far your connection is from the telephone exchange.

Bandwidth – refers to the rate data can be transferred between two points in a given time.

Broadband – A high bandwidth connection to the internet.

Cloud-Based – A programme that functions in the cloud, otherwise known as large groups of networked remote servers. Often hosted in a data centre, these allow a user to access the cloud from an internet-enabled device. Dropbox is a well-known example of a cloud-based service.

Connection – This refers to the path between at least two places and can refer to either a telephone or an internet connection.

Contention Ratio – Refers to the maximum number of users or businesses sharing a bandwidth connection, each of whom will have an equal proportion of the total speed. The lower the contention ratio, the better the service.

Download Limits – The amount of data that your ISP will allow you to download each month before you are charged extra or have your account restricted.

Download Speed – The rate or speed at which your computer can receive data from the internet.

Ethernet – connects a number of computer systems to form a very fast, private local area network. It is even faster over fibre cabling and can handle a huge amount of online activity, such as downloading large files or using real-time applications such as video-conferencing.

Fibre – use glass or plastic threads or fibres to transmit and deliver data, but are only available in fibre-enabled areas of the UK.

Firewall – accesses traffic from the internet and stops unwanted traffic arriving at your computer.

Fixed-Line – Internet connections that come into homes or businesses via either cables or a telephone line.  Distinct from mobile broadband, which uses
the mobile network.

FTTC & FTTP – Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), has fibre-optic cable running between the telephone exchange and your nearest street cabinet, but copper wire on the final stretch to your home or business.  Fibre to the home/premises (FTTH or FTTP) is a superior version where the fibre-optic cable runs all the way, which is both faster and more reliable.

IP Address – Your Internet Protocol address is a string of numbers unique to a device that identifies you on the internet, facilitating communication between your computer and the rest of the internet.

ISP – An Internet Service Provider can provide the internet access, domain registration and web hosting, and will be the company that bills you for your internet, regardless of how the internet enters your home or business.

LAN – A Local Area Network is the data network connecting all computers, servers and printers in one physical location.

Latency – The speed of your network, and whether it has small delays and processes information quickly (low latency), or longer delays and slower processing (high latency).

MAC – A Migration Authorisation Code aids the process of changing ISPs. Your existing company is supposed to supply this for free within five days. It should be passed to the new ISP within 30 days. Downtime when using this method of switchover is not supposed to be more than a few hours.

Managed Internet Access (MIA) – refers to a dedicated internet connection that is fully and pro-actively managed by a provider, meaning problems should be spotted and fixed as soon as they occur, instead of having to be reported.

Mobile Broadband – Broadband for a laptop or tablet, requires a 3 or 4G-enabled device or a plug-in adaptor, typically USB.

Network – All the internet-related services you invest in, be they broadband or VoIP, are all connected and provided to you through a network.

Point-to-Point Leased Lines – A point-to-point leased line is a private circuit linking two premises so data, voice and internet traffic can be transferred securely.

Streaming – A way of transferring data at a steady speed, most often used for watching media without having to download it.

Unlimited Broadband – A broadband package that has no limits on how much you can download each month, although some do stipulate a fair use policy so check before signing a contract.

Upload Speed: How fast your broadband connection can send data from your computer, such as sending your photos to an online website or portal, or sending emails.

VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol translates words into data packets for transmitting across the internet like any other file, transforming it back to its usual form on arrival. Much cheaper than
traditional calls, communication can be carried out through any computer or phone that can connect to the internet.

Wide Area Network (WAN) or Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) – WANs or MPLS technology are used by businesses that want to link and exchange data between computers at two or more sites that may be far apart, such as disaster recovery sites. Usually private, they can be accessed remotely and are often formed of two LANs (see above).

We hope this helps break down those language barriers, if there is anything we haven’t covered, please do get in touch and we’ll be happy to clarify for you.

Top tips to improve your broadband speed

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Top tips to improve your broadband speed

A common misconception is that the only things that affect your broadband speed are the provider and the deal you have signed up to.

In reality, many things can affect the speed you are getting but the good thing is that many of them are in your control and can be easily fixed.

Ofcom has produced some hints and tips on how to get the best out of your broadband, so here are our top picks below.

  • If your broadband comes into your premises via a phone line, then how far you are from the local exchange will affect the maximum speeds you can get, as speeds over traditional copper wires slow the further from the exchange they are. While you can make use of our other tips to improve matters, if you’re a long way from your local exchange you may be better off getting broadband via cable, if that is available in your area.

  • Installing microfilters in all of your home phone sockets, even those just used for phones, will enable your broadband to work over the same line as your telephone service, and help you get the most out of your broadband.

  • Remember that speeds quoted by providers are generally a maximum, not a guarantee. The internet is also like a motorway, in that it slows the greater the volume of traffic on it, so don’t expect to always reach your quoted speed if logging on at peak times. If you get your broadband over a wifi connection, the closer your computer is to the router the better it will perform.

  • Password-protect your wifi, not only for security, but to stop anyone else piggybacking on your connection and slowing it down.

  • Your computer can also slow your broadband experience, so ensure you have the latest version of whatever browser you used downloaded, and clear your cache regularly to keep processing times as low as they can be.

  • Having large number of windows or tabs open can also slow everything down, so try to just have open what you absolutely need.

  • If you’ve tried all of the above and are still having issues, consider connecting directly to the internet via cable, ideally using a faster ethernet cable instead of a USB one.

Trying combinations of the tips above should ensure you’re getting the best speeds possible for your line,
but you can always speak to your provider if you need any additional advice.

New world record set for broadband speed over copper wires

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New world record set for broadband speed over copper wires

A new broadband speed world record has been set using traditional copper telephone wires.

Bell Labs, the research and development arm of global telecoms giants Alcatel-Lucent, set a new speed of 10 gigabits-per-second (gbps) using a prototype technology it calls XG-FAST. The prototype also demonstrated how existing copper access networks can be used to deliver 1Gbps symmetrical ultra-broadband access services.

Achieving 1 Gbps ‘symmetrical’ services where bandwidth can be split to provide simultaneous upload and download speeds of 1 Gbps is a major breakthrough for copper broadband, as it will potentially enable operators to provide internet connection speeds that are comparable with fibre optic services.

This will have a major business benefit in locations where it is not physically, economically or aesthetically viable to lay new fibre cables all the way into residences, as it could massively extend the life of existing copper line networks. Instead, fibre can be brought to the curbside, wall or
basement of a building and the existing copper network used for the final few metres, significantly reducing costs.

XG-FAST is the successor to the G.fast technology which is currently being ratified by the International Telecommunication Union.

When this new broadband standard becomes available in 2015, G.fast will use a frequency range for data transmission of 106 MHz, giving broadband speeds up to 500 Mbps over a distance of 100 metres.

In contrast, XG-FAST uses an increased frequency range up to 500 MHz to achieve higher speeds but over shorter distances.

Bell Labs achieved 1 Gbps symmetrical over 70 metres, or 230 feet, on a single copper pair.  Ten Gbps was achieved over a distance of 30 metres, or 100 feet, by using two pairs of lines in a technique known as bonding. Both tests used standard copper cable provided by a European operator.

Marcus Weldon, President of Bell Labs, said: “Our constant aim is to push the limits of what is possible to invent the future, with breakthroughs that are 10 times better than are possible today. Our demonstration of 10 Gbps over copper is a prime example: by pushing broadband technology to its limits, operators can determine how they could deliver gigabit services over their existing networks, ensuring the availability of ultra-broadband access as widely and as economically as possible.”

Commenting on the achievement, President of Alcatel-Lucenta’s Fixed Networks business said: “The Bell Labs speed record is an amazing achievement, but crucially in addition they have identified a new benchmark for real-world applications for ultra-broadband fixed access. XG-FAST can help operators accelerate FTTH deployments, taking fibre very close to customers without the major expense and delays associated with entering every home.”

By making 1 gigabit symmetrical services over copper a real possibility, Bell Labs is offering the telecommunications industry a new way to ensure no customer is left behind when it comes to ultra-broadband access.

1 in 4 UK households now has superfast broadband

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1 in 4 UK households now has superfast broadband

One in four UK residential fixed broadband connections is now superfast, according to the latest Ofcom research.

The proportion of superfast connections defined as those offering headline speeds of at least 30Mbits/s has risen from 5 per cent in November 2011 to 25 per cent in November 2013.

The study found that the average superfast connection speed is also continuing to rise, reaching 47.0Mbit/sec by the end of last year an increase of 47 per cent, or 15.1Mbit/sec, since May 2010.

These figures come from Ofcom’s tenth report, which measures consumers’ actual broadband speeds as opposed to the advertised headline speeds. As well as superfast broadband, the report also covers ADSL broadband, which accounts for 69 per cent of UK residential broadband connections.

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, said: “The growth in superfast broadband and the rise in average speeds is testament to the investment in the sector.”

But the benefits are not shared evenly across the UK. There is more work needed to deliver wider availability of broadband and superfast broadband, particularly in rural communities but also in some locations within cities to enable wider access to fast internet. The report found marked disparities between the average speeds available in urban, suburban and rural areas, despite a general improvement across the country put down to increased investment in broadband technology.

Indicative analysis suggests that the average urban download speed in November 2013 was 31.9Mbit/sec, the average suburban download speed was 21.8Mbit/sec, and that the average speeds in rural areas increased from 9.9Mbit/sec to 11.3Mbit/sec between May and November 2013.

They noted, however, that the rural sample sizes from which these averages were taken were not large enough to be statistically significant and could only be indicative. A key reason for the slower speeds in rural areas is the limited availability of superfast broadband services, although broadband speeds over ADSL, a technology that uses the copper wire telephone network, are generally also slower in rural areas because of the longer distances to the telephone exchange.

Improving speeds in rural areas is a priority for the Government which has committed funding to ensure superfast broadband is more widely available across the UK. It has reported it is on course to reach 90 per cent superfast coverage by early 2016 and recently announced an extra £250 million investment to extend superfast coverage to 95 per cent of premises by 2017.

The report also reveals that at 17.8Mbit/s, the average actual fixed-line residential broadband speed in the UK is almost five times faster than the 3.6Mbit/s it was five years ago when Ofcom first began publishing the data, in November 2008.

Ofcom: UK overtakes major EU nations for superfast broadband

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Ofcom: UK overtakes major EU nations for superfast broadband

New figures show that the UK has the highest take-up and coverage of superfast broadband of the EU’s five biggest economies.

Ofcom’s European Broadband Scorecard shows that the UK leads France, Germany, Italy and Spain on most measures of coverage, take-up, usage and choice for both mobile and fixed broadband, and performs well on price.

The report found that the availability of superfast broadband in the UK has increased from around 60 per cent at the end of 2011 to 73 percent now. This has taken us from third to first for coverage among the so-called EU5 group of countries.

Take-up of superfast broadband, which is capable of providing speeds of at least 30Mbit/s, had reached nine in every 100 people in the UK at the start of last year, well ahead of the next best performing country, Spain, where it had reached just six in 100.

The most recent comparable data for the EU5 countries also showed that the UK has the highest broadband take-up of all types, with 83 per cent of households being able to access it.

Britons were also the people who did most shopping online, with 77 per cent having made an internet purchase in the past year. The UK also enjoys the highest weekly usage of the internet of the five, at 87 per cent, and the lowest proportion of people who have never used the internet, with only eight per cent saying this is true for them.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: This is excellent progress for the UK, but there is more to be done. We want to see even wider availability of superfast broadband across the UK, so as many people as possible can enjoy faster speeds to access the internet.

There is also more progress to be made to ensure consumers receive consistently high quality of service, including faster line repairs and installations for broadband and telephony.

Ofcom has also analysed a range of broadband product baskets, by examining average and lowest prices available for different packages. The UK comes either first or second within the EU5 on all measures of average price, and either second or third on measures of the lowest available price.

This is excellent news for telecoms companies such as Boxx Communications, who exist to provide top quality and competitively-priced broadband packages to businesses.

Today’s European Broadband Scorecard is Ofcom’s second report for Government on the coverage, take-up, usage, price and choice of fixed and mobile broadband services in the UK, relative to other European countries.

The Government has previously stated its ambition that the UK should have both the best superfast broadband network in Europe and the fastest broadband of any major European country by 2015.

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