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Bigger than you think
ntl:Telewest Business, part of the Virgin Media Group, marked the first anniversary of its merger with the unveiling of its integrated network.
The network has been launched as part of the cable firm's 'Bigger Than You Think' campaign, which demonstrates the increased scale, scope and capability of the network since the merger of ntl and Telewest in March 2006. The BAPCO Journal discusses what this actually means for the emergency services and public safety sector across the UK with David Astley, Head of Health and Emergency Services, ntl:Telewest…
ntl:Telewest already supplies critical communications to almost three-quarters of the UK's emergency services and to more than 80 per cent of local authorities, including Birmingham City Council. It also works with more than a third of FTSE 100 companies. ntl:Telewest Business now has a technically advanced national network that is the largest alternative to BT, making it the natural choice for businesses and public sector organisations.
Commenting, David Astley, Head of Health and Emergency Services, ntl:Telewest explained to The BAPCO Journal, “Since our proposition is based around our core network presence of which we reach some 85% of businesses in the UK and all of the public sector, our differentiating factor is certainly our reach and the fact that we operate a fibre network.”
“This is important as it allows us to deliver a raft of technology to our users such as Ethernet services, for which the police are ideally suited to benefit from.”
Astley was also quick to point out that the network has high levels of resilience built in and cites examples of the work the company has already undertaken with forces such as Merseyside Police (migrated to an IP based network during the last six months), West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance. In addition to this ntl:Telewest is already in discussions with a fire brigade about an evolved ethernet network infrastructure.
“Some 80% of local authorities also use our network services,” adds Astley, underlining the success the company is already receiving.
“We believe it is all about having the reach in the network across the UK, and being fibre we are also in a position to deliver a number of services to our customers helping them improve efficiency and meet their demanding business drivers.”
Alternative services
"At last there is a real alternative to last mile delivery from BT and we look forward to the differentiated services we will be able to provide using it," said Stuart Ebdon, Head of Functional Practice Management Infrastructure Services, Fujitsu.
In a press statement, Stephen Beynon, Managing Director, said, "For too long BT has had its own way in the business communications market. We've invested £13bn in our network and continue to invest further to ensure we remain ahead of the competition with our infrastructure and our service."
Legacy networks are finding it difficult to cope with the increased bandwidth requirements that modern business has demanded since the start of the new millennium. The integrated ntl:Telewest Business network has the largest Ethernet presence in the UK and is capable of carrying a variety of services and high bandwidth applications, such as multimedia packages, as well as voice and data traffic. ntl:Telewest Business has seen Ethernet sales grow by more than 150 per cent and IP VPN by more than 180 per cent, as working practices change and network demands grow.
Beynon concludes, "We are ideally placed to be the communications partner of choice for large businesses in the UK and we think 2007 will be our year. The CMA has already voted us first for ‘Best Overall customer experience’.”
