News

On-Communications, the UK’s leading Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) provider, has announced that due to increasing demand the company will increase both capacity and availability using WiMAX technology for the first time within its guaranteed performance, symmetrical internet service across Sheffield.

Sheffield based, On-Communications offers a connection using WiMAX technology that is totally wireless to the building, removing the risks inherent to traditional “last mile” local loop connectivity. On-Communications also aims to save businesses money over traditional cable or fibre provided services (such as SDSL, Leased Line, LES Ethernet and Fibre) and will beat existing renewal or new connection quotes from other providers on like for like services.

The service from On-Communications is available with guaranteed symmetrical bandwidth at contract options of 1Mb, 2Mb, 4Mb, 6Mb, 8Mb & 10Mb.  All options include the additional flexibility of supporting “burst” bandwidth. At no extra charge* this feature allows businesses to access additional bandwidth, up to twice their contracted speed, during peak periods. The service is backed by a robust Service Level Agreement from On Communications and is ideal for demanding business applications such as access to hosted applications, VPN support and VoIP solutions.

Ian Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, On-Communications said:

“By using the latest WiMAX technology and, as a result, avoiding the cost and complexity of underground cables, On-Communications can break with tradition and offer increased bandwidth, new features and reliable service at lower cost than our wireline competitors. Our enterprise class connectivity offers Sheffield’s business community all the benefits of a dedicated leased line in addition to extra bandwidth during peak times of usage. What is more we can still beat quotes from other suppliers.”

Read the complete press release

Market changing backup service with a unique usage related charging model launched by On-Communications

On-Communications, the UK’s leading Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) provider, has launched their new “Diverse Backup” connectivity solution, providing a WiMAX alternative connection that is totally wire free to the building. Diverse Backup delivers a totally new model for organisations with primary Internet connections such as Fibre, Leased Line, LES, Ethernet and SDSL to ensure highly cost effective business continuity.

With Diverse Backup organisations have the option of an always on, highly reliable, high capacity symmetrical backup connection that removes the risks inherent in single “last mile” local loop. After a one off installation and low monthly network reservation fee, Diverse Backup is only charged on a usage basis. This directly contrasts with traditional fixed line backup alternatives with the full price of bandwidth always charged, even when the service is not used.

The new service is available immediately and provides an extremely cost effective and totally diverse routed backup solution for organisations with critical Internet connectivity.  Because Diverse Backup is totally independent of the “last mile” local loop and BT Openreach, it delivers a genuine alternative for disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Diverse Backup is ideal for demanding business applications such as hosted solutions, virtual private networks (VPN’s) and VoIP applications.  It is delivered over On-Communications independent FWA WiMAX network, providing leased line equivalent functionality.

Available in a range of standard symmetrical bandwidth options of 2Mb, 5Mb and 10Mb, Diverse Backup can be rapidly installed, normally in less than 15 days.

Read the complete Press Release or learn more about Diverse Backup.

On-Communications has announced after extensive trials a WiMAX technology roll out for its entire UK network.

The UK Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) market leader for business customers has also named Airspan Networks, Inc. as their WiMAX technology partner for the network roll out.
 
On-Communications’ evaluation proved WiMAX to be the best technology platform from which to support UK businesses internet connectivity. WiMAX offers differential service possibilities such as, multiple service classes for various traffic types, flexible service profile creation, and smart QoS for real time communications such as VoIP and Video.

The technology migration will make On-Communications the largest WiMAX based service provider in the UK, with WiMAX based FWA deployed to businesses in Leeds, London, Manchester, Oxford and Sheffield.

Ian Roberts, CEO, On-Communications, said:

“After detailed lab and field evaluations, we feel that WiMAX is now truly ready for prime time deployment. We are proud and excited to be teaming with Airspan to lead the market in providing this service.”

“WiMAX really is ‘the intelligent pipe’ right into the enterprise, which will be a real boon to UK plc’s need for high speed symmetrical Internet connectivity.  The guaranteed performance we offer, combined with the QoS and service class capability that WiMAX adds, makes our service the ideal connectivity solution for Hosted applications, Unified Communication solutions, VoIP and Video.”

All On-Communications new network deployment will use Airspan MicroMAX technology and will be to the WiMAX standard. As part of a planned programme of works the existing core legacy network will be upgraded to WiMAX.  Immediate WiMAX deployments will introduce On-Communications services into Leeds and expand network coverage in Manchester.

Read the complete press releases for the WiMAX and Airspan Networks announcements.

On-Communications, the UK market leader in Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), has provided multiple internet connectivity circuits to support Sheffield Theatres three performance venues of the world famous Crucible Theatre, Lyceum and Studio Theatres. A connection has also been provided to support a separate temporary office complex during a refurbishment works at the Crucible Theatre.

The guaranteed performance service from On-Communications provides all internet and data connectivity to enable Sheffield Theatres to host their own email servers and web site.  The On-Communications service has replaced the two business class SDSL connections that could not keep pace with Sheffield Theatres’ growing demand.  On-Communications’ fast and proven service, with “burst” capabilities for peak use periods, will be particularly important during major events including the World Snooker Championship.

The first connection from On-Communications supports a number of mission critical applications – online booking, email and traffic from the international media centre. The second connection supports a temporary office complex and administration function during the refurbishment project at the Crucible Theatre.

Chris Blackburn, IT Manager at Sheffield Theatres, said:

 “…On-Communications’ solution was quick and painless to install and worked perfectly from the beginning. …we also appreciate the flexibility of both the FWA connection and On-Communications the company, which is invaluable during the refurbishment process we are currently going through.”

Read the complete press release or down load the case study of Sheffield Theatres use of On-Communications guaranteed performance, business internet services.

On-Communications has announced its plans to build a channel business for its guaranteed bandwidth Fixed Wireless Access broadband service.

Providing cost and lead time advantages over traditional leased lines and significant performance advantages over ADSL& SDSL services, the Fixed Wireless Access service from On-Communications’ will appeal to solution providers operating in the VoIP, IT and hosted applications space. On-Communications channel programme offers three levels of partner engagement for wholesale partners, resellers, and referral partners.

Fixed Wireless Access from  On-Communications’ provides a real alternative to traditional leased lines, but is far more cost effective and also has the flexibility of  “burst” bandwidth usage. At no extra charge this allows businesses to access additional bandwidth, at up to twice their contracted speed during peak periods*. 

Geoff Scott, On-Communications’ Channel Manager, commented:

“On-Communications has real value to add as a partner. As an organisation we have the drive to deliver a really strong partner programme to build long term relationships but more importantly we have the knowledge and experience to ensure that programme is a success.   We recognise the need to be consistent with our channel programme, whilst at the same time being flexible and responsive to the needs of partners.  That is why we have a range of options for supporting channel partners: from a complete white label wholesale arrangement, reseller options through to simple referral agreements that allow partners solutions to easily benefit from our connectivity and earn a commission.”

The On-Communications service is rapidly installed, normally in less than 15 days because it is delivered using wireless technology.  This favourably compares to the typical 60-90 days installation for a leased line.  Because there is no need to dig up the road to lay cables the service also helps the environment.

The high performance of the guaranteed bandwidth service is further supported by a robust service level agreement (SLA) that covers such parameters as up-time and latency. Plus, as standard, speeds of 1Mb to 10Mb are provided, but bespoke solutions at 100Mb and even 1Gb are possible. The symmetrical nature of the service ensures that the same bandwidth for both down loading and up loading to the internet is always available.

Connections from On-Communications offer higher speeds than can be delivered using SDSL or cable based broadband solutions and, unlike most SDSL based connections which are contended, connections from On-Communications provide guaranteed bandwidth.   As such, On-Communications customers do not ever share their contracted bandwidth with other customers, and can therefore plan properly for value added services such as VoIP. 

Andrew Saunders, Marketing Manager at On-Communications, added:

“Our service has demonstrated considerable success in a range of applications with both private and public sector clients, proving ideal for demanding business applications such as virtual private network (VPN) support, VoIP solutions, IP Telephony applications and hosted applications in general.  However, we are about to migrate our service delivery technology to WiMAX, which will add additional Quality of Service and intelligent traffic management features that will be of major benefit to VoIP and IP Telephony deployments.”
To learn more about the opportunity with On-Communications, interested partners should contact Geoff Scott on 08704 296746, email geoff.scott@on-communications.com or visit www.on-communications.com/channel-partners.

The crowds attending the World Cycling Championships at the Manchester Velodrome this month will be able to enjoy high-speed wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) whilst they spectate. Leading Fixed Wireless Access service provider On-Communications and BT Openzone have collaborated to provide a Wi-Fi ‘Hot Zone’ covering the entire Velodrome. The wireless solution will allow anyone within the arena complex to access email, the web, even their company networks, as well as gaming and VOIP applications through Wi-Fi enabled devices.

In addition to the public Wi-Fi Hot Zone, which will provide coverage across all public areas, conference and press rooms at the venue, On-Communications will also provide separate private wireless VLANs (WVLANs) for the event’s organizing team and for British Cycling who are permanently based in the Velodrome.

On-Communications’ Fixed Wireless Access service will route all the Velodrome’s data and Wi-Fi traffic to the internet. A key feature of this guaranteed performance service is the “burst” capability providing additional bandwidth during peak periods at the end of heats and races as journalists and media representatives rush to immediately send reports and photographs to a global audience.

Ian Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, On-Communications remarked: “On-Communications has delivered a solution combining Fixed Wireless Access and WiFi technology to meet the challenge of keeping spectators, competitors, their teams, and the world’s cycling media, up to speed with results on the track through our secure, carrier-class systems.

“Because our service is provided wirelessly, it is not reliant on underground cables and can therefore be implemented far more quickly than traditional services.”

The UCI Track Cycling World Championships 2008 take place on 26 – 30 March at the Manchester Velodrome.

Read the complete Press Release