Category: General

IT Outsourcing: A Third Of Businesses Do It And Here’s Why

Posted on by Matt Jones

What is IT outsourcing? It is basically the term which is refered to when a business use an external company to manage their IT infrastructure. Fully managed IT support companies will take full control of all IT related maintenance, support and consultancy. A luxury for a business to outsource their IT to a fully managed services provider is often the feature of recieving 24/7 managed support. Additionally, a lot of companies tend to outsource their IT to save costs from hiring a team of IT experts. 

What services can be outsourced?

Most services can be outsourced, including:

The list can go on!

The luxury of outsourcing your IT is that you can receive solutions from experts at a fraction of the cost compared to hiring an IT professional in house.

Examples of successful IT Outsourcing

If you are a business owner then think about this for a second: Is there any areas in your business that you feel would benefit from an IT team which could alleviate stress or drive success? In most experiances the answer would be yes. Whether it is simplifying your remote management system, improving your broadband or making sure your day to day workings is done in a safe enviroment. Here a real life example of the effectiveness of outsourcing your IT:

The Norfolk Arms Hotel, Arundel

The Norfolk Arms Hotel is one of the largest independant hotels in Sussex set in the heart of Arundel. Before partnering with ATS Connection they were struggling with day to day issues causing stress and a much less work productivity levels. They didn’t have a secure cloud file storage in place which was making sharing files and collaborating extremely hard.

Now that they have partnered withATS, they have reassurance that they can contact us for any issues that arrive. With a secure, user friendly interface cloud file storage, secure award winning antivirus and fully managed Cyber Security they have found they have more time and less IT stress allowing them to focus on the work they are planning to do with no interruptions.

Outsourced vs in-house IT solutions

Having the right expertise in technology has a huge impact on the day to day runnings of businesses, you just need it at your disposal.

The alternative to outsourcing your IT would be to hire an in-house IT manager and/or IT technicians. If they are right for the role and have the relevent experiances and knowledge, this will most likely alleviate IT problems and boost productivity. However, a downside to this is that it could be extremely time consuming and costly in comparison to outsourcing your IT. As IT is a complex and specialised area you will need to be prepared to pay for the latest training for your staff so they can keep up to date with the IT world. 

Outsourcing your IT, including your cyber security, on the other hand will defeat all of the problems mentioned above. Choosing a reliable IT provider means they will constantly be up to date with the latest trends and industry developments. At ATS Connection, we take the time to get to know your business and it’s specific needs, so you can expect a fully tailored IT infrastructure.

Why should I consider IT Outsourcing?

Gain the support of an experienced, proactive team

Your IT partner’s up to date industry knowledge will be invaluable when it comes to solving your business issues, streamlining processes, maximising security and growing your business

Control your costs

Outsourcing your IT will enable you to establish a clear technology roadmap, outlining budgets, projections and costs over the next few years, ensuring you have no nasty surprises.

Focus on your core business

Less time worrying about ongoing IT issues, means more time spent focusing on business strategy and growth.

Reduce Risk

Outsourcing your IT will open the door to a multitude of cyber security expertise, meaning that you’ll gain the best insight into how to protect your business from all forms of security threats.

Leverage expertise

Access to technological expertise will assist you with the planning and strategy of your overall business goals, helping your business to get ahead of the competition

Boost productivity

Reliable 24/7 IT support from IT experts will reduce downtime and ensure your team can work more efficiently.

Choosing an IT company

In such a competitive market, finding the right IT company for you can be a complicated process. Asking others if they know of a good company is a good start and can kick start your search. 

When choosing your next IT company, here is a list to consider:

Not ‘one size fits all’

You need an IT company who doesn’t see you as the same as everyone else. Businesses need different levels of support and the IT company needs to adapt accordingly. 

Reliable

A Business IT support provider who does as they say in a suitable time frame is important for your business.

Industry knowledge

Finding an IT company who has the experience and knowledge will give you a great benefit.

Proactive

Make sure they listen to your needs and act accordingly, suggesting ideas to align with your business.

Promising response to COVID-19

Covid 19 has effected every business, but finding an IT company who was supportive to their clients throughout the pandemic. This will tell you a lot about the company.

Talking plain and simple

Sometimes IT companies can talk in terminology that confuses you, make sure they speak in the language of a non-IT person so that you can understand them.

To make sure you find best IT partner for you, look out for evidence of exceptional service. This could be in the format of Case Studies, testimonials, Facebook Review and Google Business Reviews. Make sure they dont just offer great support but also high quality customer service as after all, this is one of the most important factors of any company.

Please feel free to contact us at any time;

Phone: 01903 357002

Email: contact@atsconnection.co.uk

Get in touch

Why is my WiFi so bad?

Posted on by Tobias Gillott

Do you have issues connecting to the internet in some parts of your home? Does browsing the web become a chore? Is your line just slow to begin with?

There are many reasons why your WiFi signal could be slow and generally not work, below we’ll be looking at some of the reasons and how you could go about to fix the problems.

Router positioning

Some people like to hide their routers in cabinets and other enclosed spaces to keep their home clear of wires and boxes. Unfortunately enclosing routers is one of the main reasons for slow WiFi speeds. 

This is because the signal has to pass through material which ultimately slows it down, as routers distribute a wavelength depending on the speed. 2.4GHz is the standard frequency that routers distribute on because it has a wavelength that can pass through walls. This wavelength when it collides with an obstacle such as a wall shortens which ultimately hinders the maximum data flow.

The way to fix this issue is very simple. Place the router in an open place preferably raised off the floor and roughly in the centre of the property. This will have an even amount of signal all over the property. Or alternatively place the router close to a device that you want the best speeds on, we also suggest using an ethernet cable if possible.

Keep the router updated

Another easy option would be to keep your router updated on the most recent firmware and hardware. Most modern routers are able to update themselves firmware wise however can be limited by their hardware. 

Routers are mainly made to give out the maximum signal that is available at the time and when the signal improves the router can’t keep up and isn’t giving out your full potential signal strength.

If you think that your router isn’t giving out the best WiFi it should be giving then perhaps it’s time for a replacement. If you are with a large ISP then most likely you can ask for a newer version router, they’ll more times than not try to avoid sending you a new one and say that your speeds are fine so slightly more persuasion may be required. Also you should be careful not to be signed into a new contract especially if it’s more expensive than your current one.

Antenna configuration

Depending on what router that you have you may still have antennae on your router. Most modern routers have an antenna inside of it but if you have purchased a much more powerful router then most likely they will have multiple antennae which can be configured.   

If you do have antennae on your router you may not know but they should be configured in a particular way for the maximum effect. The best signal comes out of the sides of the antenna not the top or bottom, this means that you can point the antennae accordingly to maximise the coverage of your home. This links with router positioning as well as having the router in the optimal spot with antennae facing towards high usage devices.

So what you want to do is have the antennae facing straight up or with the side towards a priority device. That’s it, it’s a very simple fix and can be altered at anywhere.

Stop wifi leeches

The need for accessible WiFi nowadays is greater than ever and if you have personal WiFi best make sure that it is encrypted and has a strong password because if you think your neighbours aren’t going to use it you’d be wrong. 

Usually all the passwords that are given to you by default are very strong so you shouldn’t need to worry too much about intruders getting onto your WiFi unless they get hold of the card with all the details. 

Many people don’t know but you can change your WiFi details such as the name and the password by typing your routers IP into a search engine while connected to it. Which may be a good idea if you have had the same password for a long time or if you want something slightly more memorable.

If you are changing your password remember to create the strongest one you can by doing the following;

  • Include a combination of lower and uppercase characters
  • Avoid common passwords like 123456, qwerty and so on.
  • We recommend eight characters minimum for any password. Short passwords can be brute forced.
  • Avoid personal details like your name or any dates.
  • Never write you password down on anything physical. If you can’t remember it store it in a password manager.

Some routers may provide a guest network which can be turned on from the settings page which creates a separate connection with different details. This is the best option if you have multiple guests connected to the WiFi.

Use repeaters, extenders or boosters

We have a much more detailed article of all the different options that you have here. Really to find the best option for your home you may need to survey your property to see where the weak spots are and figure out how many extenders that you might need. All the options that you have use different ways of connecting and vary in price.

Now, you may get into all sorts of confusion when searching for WiFi boosters etc due to the amount of devices on the market! So here are ones we tend to recommend:

The above items vary in price but hopefully that gives you a good idea on where to start.

If you are interested, here at ATS Connection we can give you an expert opinion on the best option for you. Well even set everything up for you!

Your property location

If you live in a rural area you are most likely going to get worse speeds than those in towns and cities. This is because most of these locations still use copper cables to connect the properties from a cabinet that receives fibre. 

ISPs don’t see a profit in upgrading these rural areas and instead prioritise towns and cites first, this is understandable when looking from a business standpoint but for the consumer can be very irritating. There are other ways of connecting your property instead of outdated copper wires. One of the best solutions that we personally have had with those in rural areas is mobile broadband. How they work is they use a mobile signal much like your mobile phone. Instead an antenna is put at a high point of your property that goes to a router with a mobile SIM inside.

Use a different wifi channel

Similar to lanes on a highway there are multiple WiFi channels which a WiFi router can broadcast from. Most countries have six standard channels which WiFi uses and very commonly your router will use channels one and six. 

This creates a jam on the line as many packets of data are trying to use the same channel which will create a backlog and slow your connection down. The solution for this is to find out which channel is the least occupied and manually switch your router to it. To do this;

  1. Log into your router as admin.
  2. Go to settings and find Wireless Settings
  3. Find an option that has Channel and most likely the setting will be on auto.
  4. Switch to the desired channel.
  5. Save your settings and wait for a few minutes for it to switch.

Prioritise applications

Some applications like streaming services or online gaming use a lot of bandwidth and if there are many things connected to your router at once it can slow down your speeds. Luckily modern routers provide a quality of service (QoS) which allows users to prioritise certain applications over others.  This stops other people from interrupting your streaming session when on the same network.

This is also done within the router admin panel. Although some admin panels are far from intuitive and can be difficult to change these settings. If you have any doubts about any changes that you are making be sure to research your changes before applying or contact your ISP directly.

Use the latest wifi technologies

The newest wireless standard 802.11ac and WiFi-6 offers a superior download and upload speed compared to its older counterparts. Make sure that your router is compatible with the latest WiFi standards and that other devices in your home are able to receive the same WiFi standard otherwise this exercise may be pointless.

To find out what standard your router uses you could contact your ISP or find a manual either digitally or physically. If you do have a non compatible router then perhaps its time to upgrade, some ISPs depending on how long you’ve been with them may send you an upgraded router for free otherwise you might have to purchase one yourself.

If you are starting from scratch then unless you are on a very strict budget you should get the best option that you can get even if it’s a bit more expensive as then you will have an exceptional WiFi connection and are relatively future-proofed. Routers generally should have a lifespan of five years as that is how long it usually takes for a new WiFi standard to be released. Also you should look for routers that come with extra perks like the previously stated quality of service and guest networks.

Switch your routers frequency

Your router comes with two standard frequencies, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. You are most likely using a 2.4GHz frequency when connected to your router as it is the most versatile at long distances although is slower than 5GHz. 5GHz is the faster option with one major downfall, distance. 5GHz frequency’s have an extremely short range and have no penetration so the router would have to be in clear sight and close to the device that you want to receive the best signal.

Most routers combine the frequencies to keep things simple but the two can be separated again in the admin panel for the router usually under wireless settings. We recommend that you use both frequencies in conjunction to avoid any dropouts if you leave the range of the router.

Reboot your router

The classic expert IT advice of turning it on and off does solve most problems even potentially your WiFi troubles. A reboot clears the routers memory and can jumpstart any new firmware updates to install.

To restart your router find a small hole usually on the back of the router which you may need a pin or similar object to press down and hold for a few seconds before releasing. Alternatively you can pull the plug on your router completely disconnecting it from any power.

If your router does start installing a new update then be patient for it to finish even if not all its services are available. Also ever intentionally disconnect it from any power while its updating as this could cause permanent damage to the device.

Wired connection

Wired connection will always be superior to wireless connections because there are no obstacles for the cable like walls or ceilings. They are also the best way to test your internet line speed.

If so far your internet is still very slow then we recommend testing your line speed. To do this use an ethernet cable and plug it in to the router and a device with an ethernet port like a laptop or desktop. Then use a website like Ookla to check your speed. Checking your speed multiple times throughout the day is the best way to make a fair test as certain times of the day will have peak times when there are lots of active people at once.

If you’re not reaching a speed that you think you should be, contact your ISP and explain the situation and give your test results to further your claim.

Change your DNS

The Domain Name System is used to convert domain names such as www.google.com to an IP address. Most likely your modem is configured by default to your ISPs DNS server, whose performance may not be the best.

Don’t worry though most routers let you change the default DNS which is one of the easiest ways to boost your WiFi speeds. If you do want to change your DNS there are a couple suggested public servers you can use such as Googles server (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflares server (1.1.1.1)

Purchase a better plan

More often than not you pay for what you get and depending on how much you spend you’ll receive an average speed. If your current plan just isn’t enough for your needs then no matter what you do you’ll never be able to improve it unless you pay for a better plan.

If you’ve been on the same plan for ages then maybe you should take a closer look and see if the speeds that the ISP provide is enough and if it’s time to get a better plan.

If you’re lucky or good at picking your providers then you may be in luck. Some providers offer loyalty schemes and you may get better prices for other packages they offer.

Purchase a better plan

If nothing else has worked so far then perhaps it has nothing to do with you and instead a fault on your ISPs side. If nothing that you’ve done has helped you should consider calling your ISP directly where they will attempt to find the problem and resolve it.

ISPs receive loads of calls everyday so getting through to them can be difficult at times, they might not be able to resolve the issue right away depending on the problem that they find so it might require some patience.

We hope this article has helped you in some way. If you’re still unsure of any of the points in this article feel free to call us at 01903 357002 or alternatively email us at hello@atsconnection.co.uk

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ATS Connection are the leading IT Solutions provider in the South. Offering Business IT Support, Cyber Security and Telecoms to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

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01903 255 159

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Everything You Need To Know About Windows 11

Posted on by Jake Boase

Update: Windows 10 has now reached end of life. See our guide on Windows 10 end of life and what your business needs to do.

When does Windows 11 release?

Microsoft have released an official launch date for Windows 11 and it is coming soon. On October 5th Microsoft will release the first copies of Windows 11 ready to download for free on new computers and those that meet the required specifications. 

The initial staged rollout of Windows 11 will go to newer PCs first and then become available to older models, most likely for large scale testing purposes on old models. The rollout is estimated to last till mid-2022.

The Windows 11 preview is available to Dev and Beta channels that are in the Windows Insider Programs. Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMS) are installing the new version as standard into new devices most likely ready for the upcoming holiday period.

Wasn’t Windows 10 the last version?

When Windows 10 was announced, it was speculated that it was going to be the last version of Windows. After that there would be a Windows on service and the plan was to let Windows 10 evolve and develop overtime.

To be extra clear, a developer named Jerry Nixon was the one that said Windows 10 would be the last version. However, Microsoft never corrected or addressed the comment which caused the general press to give this information out as the true narrative. 

This is not to say this wasn’t Microsofts mindset at the time. Since Windows 10 release the person who said Windows 10 was the last version no longer works at Microsoft. Panos Panay is now the Chief Product Officer and he seems to have big plans.

The way to see the new Windows 11 is a rebrand of Windows 10 which is using the new and supposedly improved User Experience (UX). Realistically it is the same Windows 10 that we’ve been using for all this time and could’ve been shipped as a standard update however, the brand of Windows 11 gives an excitement of something new.

Microsoft will continue to give Windows as a service, so this will be a free upgrade. But also I wouldn’t expect this to be the last version of Windows that we’ll get. Most likely Windows 12 will be announced in the upcoming years.

Can my PC run Windows 11?

Windows 11 will be a free update for users currently on Windows 10 and with all the new features that Windows 11 is bringing the running requirements are much higher than its predecessor. The major difference would be that 32-bit will no longer be supported along with older CPUs. Alongside this at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage is required.

For a detailed list look below;

PartMinimum Requirement
Processor1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
RAM4 gigabyte (GB)
Storage64 GB or larger storage device
System FirmwareUEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPMTrusted Platform Model (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics CardCompatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
DisplayHigh definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel.
Internet connection and Microsoft accountsWindows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. 
For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features.

Will Microsoft forcefully update?

The simple is no. Microsoft aren’t going to force anyone to upgrade, this is due to the Redmond firm when a forced update version of Windows 10 was discovered to delete some users files. The only time Microsoft will forcefully update your product is if your previous version is nearing its end of support which will not happen with Windows 11.

Your computer will most likely prompt you that a feature update is available and notify you about it till you opt in to upgrade beginning on the 5th of October. For those of you that like Windows 10 you’re in luck as a new update is to rollout. There is guaranteed support of Windows 10 till 2025, so you’ve got plenty of time to decide.

So, what’s new?

This is one of the biggest UX overhaul that windows has had and supposedly makes the UX more-touch friendly which is something that Windows 10 had struggled with.

A rounded visual overhaul.

Windows 11 is going to be visually very different from 10. This is very noticeable with a new layout of the taskbar with a more centred look much like Apples OS. Along with that Microsoft is moving away from sharp cornered applications which was adapted from Windows 8 and applying smooth cornered applications instead. Most likely this will be a configureable option and changeable for personalisation.

Introducing Windows 11 | Acer United Kingdom

There are now more colourful icons throughout your operating system, you’ll find these in the new and modernised File Explorer, Device manager and pretty much everything else. These are available in the Windows 10 previews and they make for a big visual difference.

Not just the looks but the User Interface (UI) is getting a makeover. The way that you interact with the UI is changing as well. The main focus was to make Windows better for touch, something that Windows 10 struggled with. Windows 11 will support more touch gestures for trackpad users and for desktop users button presses will be much more consistent.

Along with all this a new Snap Layouts and Groups will be added for those who have the issue of having too many tabs open. It’s a fairly simple feature but may prove useful for productivity. You can simply hover over the maximise button and you’ll get a few options of different page layouts.

What are Snap Layouts and Snap Groups in Windows 11 and how do

This will come in very useful for those that have ultra-wide monitors which Microsoft has never supported completely before. Now you will be able to have three apps running at once.

You’ll also get the option to keep your layouts if you minimise the tabs.

New and updated apps

Clock with Focus Sessions;

A brand new app from Microsoft that will come by default with Windows 11 is Focus Sessions, this is basically a scheduled session system to help you keeps concentrated on a specific task for an allotted amount of time.

There are several helpful features to this application such as being able to link your tasks that are on your Microsoft To Do along with a Spotify integration. You get a daily progression dashboard showing you a review of everything, along with an in-depth customisation.

Calculator 

For you mathematicians out there the integrated calculator app has received a huge UI change and number of new features. The main feature is programmer mode which lets you create graphs using algebra functions, trigonometry and the support of over 100 units and currencies.

Teams Integration

With the pandemic working from home has become the new normal which has boosted the market for productivity over the internet applications like Zoom and cloud based file sharing. Microsoft Teams is now a completely cooperative with Windows 11 and is fully integrated in the taskbar.

This should mean that everything can be done from your taskbar like muting yourself and presenting your screen. It’s also going to work with SMS for those that haven’t downloaded Teams yet. Microsoft official referred to it as a “two-way SMS”, so don’t expect any MMS group texts.

Photos

Photos is getting a massive change as it uses the new Mica material, along with theme-specific colour palettes and a new typography.

A new toolbar with basic editing features and more noticeably a ‘filmstrip’ that will be set at the bottom of the screen. This allows for easier scrolling for images that are in the album. You can now create a photo board by pinning a few images at once on one screen. Absolutely a great addition for you photographers out there.

Microsoft Store

The Microsoft store has been updated to unlock greater economic opportunity’s for developers and creators. This is one of the biggest changes to come with Windows 11.

Unfortunately desktop apps still haven’t arrived to the Store the way Microsoft would’ve wanted. 

Developers will be able to submit their apps without packaging them, they can also host them on their own Content Delivery Network (CDN), meaning that applications won’t have to be distributed by Microsoft, just through the storefront.

This is opening opportunities for big apps like Google Chrome which were left out due to Microsofts rule. Now it is a lot easier to put your app on the store.

Microsoft will allow almost any type of app on the store. It could be Win32, Java, .NET, Xamarin or something else, and Microsoft is encouraging people to upload to the store.

Some of the big apps have been announced to come to the store such as Disney+, Adobe Creative Cloud, TikTok and Zoom. 

Widgets

Widgets are being added and is like the Windows 10 News and Interests tab on the taskbar but much bigger and completely customisable with information like the weather, To-Do list, photos and news tab. It will most likely be open to third party applications in the future.

Windows 11 widgets — everything you need to know | Tom's Guide

Virtual Desktop Wallpaper

I minor change in the grand scheme, but if you are a virtual desktop user this may be a big change for you. You can now change the wallpaper on each of your virtual desktops helping you define the look of each on that might have its own purpose.

Gaming Optimised

Microsoft has been focused on the gaming industry for some time and is completely right to do so being that Windows computers are the most viable for gaming on compared to their competitor Apple and consoles. 

Windows 11 comes with a ton of gaming improvements, one being Auto HDR a feature first seen in the Xbox Series S|X consoles, and now it is coming to Windows. If you haven’t guessed it adds HDR to older games .

Also being borrowed from the firms latest console is DirectStorage. This does require a DirectStorage optimised PC which needs the kind of SSD apart of the Xbox Velocity Architecture, but will allow for super quick loading times with better performance.

Finally, Xbox Cloud Gaming is being built-in. It’ll be apart of the built in Xbox app on Windows 11. It hasn’t been confirmed but this feature may also come to Windows 10 and has no reason to.

Conclusion

Windows 11 seems to be mainly a user interface and experience overhaul but does contain some big changes for some of its apps. Even then most of the UI seems to be inspired from Apples operating system.

Realistically this update could’ve been another update to Windows 10 but Windows 11 seems to be the way Microsoft wants to go. 

It will be interesting to see what Microsoft adds in future updates and what the general opinion will be.

Will you be downloading Windows 11 when it releases? If you need assistance ensuring your Windows 11 install goes smoothly, contact us on 01903 357002

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02

Government Emergency Alerts

Posted on by Matt Jones

You may have heard that the UK government is launching Emergency Alerts, expected summer 2021. Here’s an insight into what this means for you.

What will they do?

An Emergency Alert is sent to your phone or tablet to warn you if there’s danger to life nearby. It will also let you know how to stay safe. 

Why would you get an alert?

  • Testing of Emergency Alerts by mobile phone networks
  • Severe flooding
  • Fires
  • Explosions
  • Terrorist incidents
  • Public health emergencies

The alerts will only be sent by:

  • The emergency services
  • The government

How they work:

Using usual mobile signal (phone masts) every mobile or tablet in range will receive an alert. It is not sent using a phone number and you therefore do not need to supply a number.

If you would like to find out any more information, you can visit the GOV.UK website

What is SoGEA Broadband?

Posted on by Jake Boase

SoGEA Overview

You want it, you got it

You want to get your internet faster and at an attractive price. So say hello to single order generic ethernet access, or the more easily said, SoGEA. It’ll be familiar to you as our current broadband service with that extra wow factor, including easy ordering, less complications and better pricing.

Single line, no PSTN line

We’ve improved the order journey so now in just one order, we can now get internet to our customers quicker than before. With no need to make two orders, one for PSTN and one for ethernet, life’s a lot easier.

Fast ethernet. Friendly prices.

SoGEA is around 30 per cent cheaper than our our FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet). And with just one order to manage, you can get internet from us quickly, with an improved experience.

Building on our network

Our network of tomorrow is home to our leading-class ethernet services. So you can rest in confidence that you’re getting an internet service that is robust, reliable and far-reaching.

Small changes, big differences

SoGEA is just like our existing FTTC. Except for the fact that it’s around 30 per cent cheaper, is done in one order and can help you save costs.  Want to know more about SoGEA? Read all about it

When it comes down to it, you want to get your internet fast and at a good price. That’s where our ‘rolls-off-the-tongue’ single order generic ethernet access, or SoGEA, comes in. It’s our entry-level ethernet service that’s as good as it was before. But now it comes with easy ordering, less complications and better pricing. What more could you want?

It’s fine without the PSTN line

With SoGEA, we’ve improved the order journey. Now it just takes one order, meaning you can get your ethernet set up and running for your customers simpler and quicker than before. Gone is the process of having to make two orders, one for PSTN and once installed, a further ethernet order.

The Broadband of tomorrow. In one easy order journey

Quicker installs

As there’s only one line you’ll be able to deliver your service quicker and cheaper compared to when you had to order a PSTN line. You’ll get up and running faster so you can start browsing the web sooner.

We’ve got you covered

Not only do we deliver some of the fastest broadband speeds, but we have some of the widest coverage too, reaching over 28.5 million premises. Which means we’ll have you covered from now, up to the PSTN switch off and beyond.

Helping you prepare for an all-IP future

Get head of the 2025 switch-off. We’ll be on hand to help throughout the whole process. You can say goodbye to the PSTN line early with SoGEA for broadband and we’ll make sure the transition is as seamless as possible.

Be better than the rest

Our network performs better than the industry average on latency, packet loss and jitter. And we can give you industry-leading maximum, average, peak-time and minimum fibre speeds.

Ethernet at its best

Great ethernet at great prices

On top of the fact that you can get GEA quicker and via a simpler service experience, SoGEA for ethernet is also approximately 30 per cent cheaper than our GEA-FTTC. With only one order to manage and one line to pay for, you can deliver connectivity to your customers fast, improving customer experience and enabling you to generate revenue quicker too.

A network you can rely on

Our ethernet services are built on our network of the future. You can take advantage of our investments and innovation and a national core and backhaul network that runs at better than 99.999 availability. So you can give your customers the reliability they need.

Same but better

SoGEA for ethernet is still the same GEA service which includes the existing flexibility that you can support asymmetric bandwidths within the same fixed price structure. It just now comes in a single order that saves time, money and effort.

Sound good to you?

If you’re interested in taking the next step of adding SoGEA for ethernet to your portfolio, get in touch with one of our experts and they can help.

The journey to 5G

Posted on by Tobias Gillott

With the most recent release of 5G it’s easy to take this incredible technology for granted – do you remember the release of 1G?

We’re going to take you on a trip down memory lane and our journey to 5G…

1G – First Generation Mobile.

Analogue technology: the sound quality was okay but interference was common. Alongside some background noise or hissing sounds such as white noise. Handsets were extremely bulky – which device do you remember?

Reception was pretty poor, but it really did make a difference if you held your phone up to the sky and pointed it in different directions!

SMS and internet was yet to come…

Did you know? when we switched from 1G Analogue to 2G Digital, the networks added white noise to the connection on purpose because people thought the line had gone dead when no-one was speaking.­

2G – Second Generation Mobile.

Digital voice calls – a lot clearer than analogue, sounded like you were in the room next door!

SMS (short message service) was introduced, but our phones didn’t have keyboards then, so you had to tap the numbers multiple times to get the letter you wanted. Typing a 160-character text message was very time consuming until the introduction of predictive text in 1995!

Figure this one out – 44-33-555-555-666.

Mobile data was also introduced and was very slow at start, with speeds of just 9.6 kbps. Speeds were improved with the introduction of 2.5G GPRS data (171 kbps) and EDGE (384 kbps = 0.4 Mbps), less than half a meg per second = still slow!  The connection types were represented by a G and E on the phone screen next to the signal strength indicator.

Did you know? The first iPhone was launched in late 2007 after the commercial 3G rollout has started, however it was known as iPhone 2G because it was only 2G capable. There was no iPhone 1 or 1G.

3G – Third Generation Mobile.

Same text and voice services but with improved data speeds of 2 Mbps were introduced.

Data speeds improved with HSPA or 3.5G, giving speeds of 14.4Mbps, which is when we start to see the introduction of the Smartphones that can access full internet pages on larger mobile screens and apps!

‘Mobile broadband’ introduced as a data only mobile connection using a standard mobile SIM in a data device (i.e. dongle).

Messaging apps start to take over from traditional SMS – WhatsApp (2009) and iMessage (2011) use data to send messages.

4G – Fourth Generation Mobile.

The 4G network provides data connectivity only – voice and SMS is still available via 2G/3G connection.

Data speeds increase again to around 300Mbps (realistic speeds were a lot lower, but still fast enough for standard smartphone usage).

In 2014, Smartphone connections to the internet exceed PCs. Voice calls using a data connection, or Voice over IP (VoIP) is now common – think Facetime, WhatsApp audio, etc.

5G – Fifth Generation Mobile

For the Connected World!

This is not a smartphone technology.  It was designed to address the issues with current 3G/4G networks in order to advance mobile technology to another level.

Key to the new connected world is not just speed, but capacity, latency, and battery efficiency.

“Many think 5G is simply the next step up from 4G – but it’s much more than just an upgrade. 5G is set to change the way we work and will kick-start the 4th Industrial Revolution.”

Speeds now reach 1Gbps (realistic 300Mbps on smartphone).

With over one thousand times the data capacity of 4G, 5G will be able to:

  • Handle thousands of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, compared to just over one hundred on 4G
  • Provide ten times higher data speeds than 4G
  • Connect one million personal devices per square kilometre, compared to two hundred on 4G
  • Provide ultra-reliable low latency, five times better than 4G
  • And enable battery life of up to ten years on machine-type devices

Analysts believe that 5G will move cellular connectivity to a completely new level, where all devices can communicate and share information easily. Some go as far to say that 5G will achieve the landmark of being considered a General Purpose Technology, a designation given to technologies that change the world. Other GPTs include the printing press, electricity, automobiles, and the internet, putting this potential classification into proper context.

Looking for a 5G sim for your Business Mobile? Check out our Sim deals here!

How to stay productive?

Posted on by Jake Boase

Staying productive


Whether you’re still working from home or have been able to safely return to the office, the way society works is forever changing. So it’s important for everyone to take a step back once in a while and review the way they work to ensure maximum productivity is reached.

Luckily, technology advancements give us a head start, but are you taking full advantage of the tools available?

We’ve pulled together 9 helpful tips below on staying productive in an ever-changing work environment, while still looking after yourself and avoiding burnout.

View PRODUCTIVITY PDF here

Conference call benefits using VoIP

Posted on by Tobias Gillott

VoIP for Business has become a known service in the marketplace. Most businesses these days use it and appreciat the many benefits it can bring them. The benefits associated with VoIP for Business have been highlighted by the increases in working from home and remote working following the pandemic stay at home rules. That has resulted in a risen need for video conferencing as a must for all businesses, large and small.

Not so long ago, if an employee wasn’t at the office they were uncontactable. This meant communications between a working team and clients difficult in terms of their communication, often resulting in frustration and less productivity.

Since then though, in came the world of Business VoIP and simply put, changed the world of business communications with it’s modern features such as video-conferencing capability, HD voice calls, call recording and much more. Whether you are inside or outside the office, communication is possible wherever you are.

Benefits include:

Cost:

Using VoIP telephone systems are charged per license and can come with unlimited minutes for a low monthly cost. Because the calls are routed over the Internet, rather than the PSTN, phone charges can be avoided in most cases. This is particularly beneficial in conferences involving long-distance and international connections.

Mobility

The ability of smart devices like tablets and smartphones to support video calling over WiFi or your phone network (3G/4G) brings great benefits in accessibility and mobility. A member of the team can make and receive voice and video calls and participate in group and individual video-conferences on their smart device exactly as if they were sitting at their desk, from wherever they are in the world.

Depending on the capabilities of the smart device, this can include other VoIP features such as call forwarding and pick-up, voicemail placing and retrieval. For remote workers, what is different today is the growing availability of WiFi, both at clients premises and in public spaces such as coffee shops and hotels. This gives greater ability to allow for better communication.

Most businesses have WiFi, and public spaces, such as shopping centres now provide free WiFi. Using public WiFi means that remote and mobile workers can now connect to the business network from anywhere there is WiFi or a strong phone connection. Fully integrating remote and mobile workers into the work place is now a reality.

Improved Teamwork

In this modern work businesses make voice, video and conference calls using smart devices and a WiFi connection to the corporate network rather than by mobile phone or PSTN. Being able to interact visually with another staff member brings great teamwork and communication benefits.

That allows remote and mobile workers to participate fully in teamwork and teamwork events, exactly as if they are onsite in the company of the rest of the team allowing for more flexible working.

As a result of better communication, response times and the quality of responses are improved. Being able to be contacted at any time by colleagues and customers means staff members can respond more quickly. Being able to take immediate actions and be more visible to staff and customers means they can be more effective without the worry of being out of touch with other team members.

Improved Efficiency

As an example of administration improvements, staff no longer need to organise meeting locations. Video conferencing means that all participants can participate from where they are just as if they were in the room.

Having staff available to customers at all times, wherever they are and at any time, brings significant improvements to workplace efficiency and effectiveness, and for external viewers, to the company’s business profile looks much better.

Overall, Business VoIP brings significant benefits to a business by reducing communications costs and keeping staff contactable. The intangible benefits of improved communications leading to improvements in teamwork and staff morale are not so easily measured but are undoubtedly there.

If you are wanting to know more about the benefits of VoIP for business then get in touch with us on 01903 357002

How to test broadband speed

Posted on by Matt Jones

We live in a world which near enough everything uses some form of internet signal. Confirming that out internet signal is one of the most impotent aspects when it comes to your business and how it functions. So the question is, how do you test your internet speed?

To test your broadband speed you can use our broadband speed check tool to get a snapshot of your current download and upload speed. There’s no charge, so do as many tests as you like. We encourage you to do as many as you can (and at different times/days) to build a more accurate overall picture of the speeds you are getting and gives your provider and insight as to what is happening.

One thing to keep in mind is speed tests are not definitive nor do they show you what speeds you should be getting. Multiple variables can come into play that effect your broadband speed.

This test is designed for broadband connections of all types, including mobile broadband and smartphones, and is compatible with all major web browsers on desktop, mobile, and gaming platforms.Ready to buy a new broadband package? Enter a postcode to see the best deals in your area.

How does the broadband speed test work? 

Our broadband speed test measures is performed by measuring the time it takes for the server to reply to a request from the user’s client. The client sends a message to the server, upon receiving that message, the server sends a reply back. The round-trip time is measured is measured in ms (milliseconds). This test is repeated multiple times with the lowest value determining the final result. This provides a simple, clear, real-world measurement of broadband speed. 

The test provides accurate measurements of download and upload speeds for any type of broadband connection by dynamically assessing the speed and automatically adjusting in order to achieve the maximum throughput of the line. Data transferred during the test is not saved to your computer.

Is the broadband speed checker free?

ATS Connection’s internet speed test is completely free and always will be. We feel it’s important for all internet users to be able to get a quick internet speed result so they can see what speeds they are receiving. Not sure what speed you should be receiving? Call us on 01903 357002 to find out.

What is the best way to test internet speed? 

Before using the broadband speed check you should close all other programs and disconnect or switch off any other devices in your household. When possible, connect to the broadband router with a network (ethernet) cable. If using Wi-Fi you should stand next to the router and not use any signal boosters. Speeds can vary during the day, so test at different times to get a more accurate picture of your broadband speed. Remember to take a note of both download and upload speeds.

Why is the speed I get different from the speed advertised?

Get told one thing from your broadband provider and getting something different on there speed results? There are a number of reasons why the speed test may report a different figure to the speed advertised when you signed up for the broadband.

Home broadband is advertised with an “average” download speed which is achieved by 50% of customers, but of course, your connection could be slower (or faster) than average depending on various variables in the environment. 

But there are other reasons why the connection might be slower than expected. Software running on your device and other users sharing the connection will all impact the test. Wi-Fi can be slower than a cabled connection, while old house wiring can affect home broadband speeds (try to be sure your router is plugged into your main BT master socket). Your supplier may also prioritise different types of broadband traffic. And mobile internet is heavily dependant on having a strong signal and can be noticeably slower in busy areas. The router your broadband provider has supplied you could also be an older version or even a cheap underperforming router.

What now?

So you have ran the speed test multiple times but are still finding your speeds are less than what you were told by your broadband provider? While there are multiple variables that can come into play, you are entitled to your minimum download speed (more information here) offered by your provider. In fact, you can now easily get out of your contract if it is proven that you are not receiving the speeds mentioned to you when signing up.

Broadband can be a problem for many households, especially rural. But ATS Connection offer lighting fast speeds at a cost effective price, while offering local support for the times you need us. Check out our broadband information page here.

What is a Leased Line?

Posted on by Matt Jones

A leased line is a dedicated, fixed-bandwidth, symmetric data connection. We will move onto what that means in a moment. A leased line is used to link two locations together from point A to point B. The first location is typically an office. The second location is typically another office, a data centre that’s connected to the Internet or a data centre that’s connected to the company’s existing Wide Area Network.

What is a Leased Line Used For?

Businesses use leased lines for multiple reasons. These reasons include:

  • A strong connection to the internet
  • To link PCs and servers in different offices (locations)
  • Perform phone calls which do not get disturbed
  • Enable a strong VPN connection for those working away from the office.

Leased Lines are Dedicated

Leased lines are ‘dedicated‘ lines. This means that along the route of your leased line, the bandwidth you need has been reserved solely for your use. So no matter how busy your broadband was or how many calls you were receiving, your internet would easily be able to handle the demand.

We all know what it is like being a home user and the internet slowing down at peak times. But unlike consumer Internet connections, the bandwidth available does not fall at peak times, when other customers of the same ISP try to use their connections at the same time as you. To put it simply, a leased line can handle heavy demand.

Leased Lines are Symmetric

This means users of a leased line can upload data at the same fast speed at which they can can download data. This can be useful if staff need to do any of the following:

  • Be able to access their work desktops from home
  • The ability to send large files
  • Backup data using online services
  • Host softwares on a serve in an office
  • Maximise VOIP telephone services

Not just an Internet Connection (unless you want it to)

It’s common for companies to buy Internet access at the same time they buy a leased line. However a leased line is not the same thing as an Internet connection.

As an example, a pipe can be used to carry a number of different things (e.g.water, gas, sewage), so in the same instance a leased line can be used to carry a number of different types of data traffic (Internet traffic, phone calls, VPN traffic). There’s no requirement to buy Internet access on a leased line, it can cope with all forms of internet and phone calls.

If you end up getting Internet access along with a leased line, there’s no requirement that you get enough to fill the leased line. For example, you might choose to get 15Mbit/s of Internet access on a 20Mbit/s leased line, which in turn could be provisioned over a 100Mbit/s circuit.  You could use 5Mbit/s for WAN traffic and VoIP calls, and there would be 80Mbit/s spare for future usage.

What is a Leased Line Likely to Deliver, Speed-wise?

the most popular connection speeds are 2Mbps, 10Mbps and 100Mbps, even though connections of 10,000 Mbit/s (10 Gigabits per second) are possible if money is no object.

What is a leased line likely to cost you? As a rough rule of thumb, 10Mbps connections cost twice as much as 2Mbps connections. And 100Mbps connections cost twice as much as 10Mbps connections.

Advantages of a Dedicated Connection (compared to ADSL)

  • Faster download speeds
  • Faster upload speeds
  • Internet connections that don’t slow down at peak times
  • Heavily improved reliability
  • Better support

Disadvantages of a Dedicated Connection (compared to ADSL)

  • Cost – Leased line costs have fallen, but leased lines are still much more expensive than ADSL connections.
  • Longer Wait – Leased lines may take about three months to install rather than two weeks as standard on ADSL.
  • Physical Installation – Installing leased lines is also more complex than installing ADSL, as ADSL can be provided over a pre-existing circuit (your phone line). A leased line will require a new circuit, and is likely to require some construction work to connect your building to the leased line provider’s network.

What Is A Leased Line Likely To Cost Me?

This depends on to main reasons

  • The speed of connection you want
  • Your location and
  • The length of the contract you’re willing to sign. Because of this it often takes leased line providers days to provide you with a quote.

To know more on the leased lines we supply here at ATS Connection contact us now