Connectivity

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Connectivity

Inter-site VPN

If your organisation has multiple sites or permanent home workers, we can provide solutions for creating a virtual private network across your existing Internet connections.

We employ the latest encryption technologies, so you can be reassured that your data will be safe from interception.

Using this approach can drastically reduce the cost of inter-site links and is very quick to set up.

Managed Fibre

TNP can utilise existing fibre networks in the proximity of an organisation to provide a cost-effective connection into the TNP backbone network. Whether this is provided utilising Openreach, Virgin Media, Cable & Wireless or another fibre network, at TNP we have existing relationships with a variety of managed service partners.

A fibre optic connection provides the fastest, most future-proof connectivity solution for your organisation.

It is worth being aware that if there is currently no fibre from any operators on your site, there may be excess construction charges and digging work involved in getting a fibre connection onto your premises.

GEA – FTTC (FTTC Ethernet)

GEA – FTTC (Generic Ethernet Access – Fibre to the Cabinet), or FTTC Ethernet, is available in an ever-increasing number of locations throughout the UK as Openreach enable cabinets in more exchange areas.

Normal FTTC fibre broadband services are contended on the BT wholesale network and share bandwidth with residential FTTC and ADSL users which can lead to contention and slow-downs. FTTC Ethernet, however, provides the same business service level guarantees as EFM, but with a lower set-up cost, and in addition none of your bandwidth is shared with other users.

FTTC allows for speeds of up to 80Mb/s downstream and 20Mb/s upstream, and therefore up to a 20Mb/s symmetrical service can be supplied over a single FTTC Ethernet circuit. This is possible due to the closer proximity of the FTTC-Ethernet enabled cabinet to the served premises than the telephone exchange, resulting in a shorter copper line length and faster achievable speeds.

TNP offer a business-grade, wholly FTTC Ethernet service which is uncapped, unlimited and uncontended, as are all of our connectivity services. FTTC Ethernet can be used to provide an Internet connection, or as an inter-site circuit.

EFM (Bonded Copper)

EFM, or ‘Ethernet in the First Mile’ is an access technology based on bonding traditional copper pairs together to provide a reliable, fast, low-latency ethernet service. EFM provides a lower cost alternative to fibre by providing connectivity between 5Mb/s and 20Mb/s, depending on the number of copper pairs used and the distance you are from the telephone exchange. The use of two or more pairs provides a level of redundancy to the EFM service so that if one pair experiences a temporary issue, the other pair will ensure the connection remains reliable.

Because most businesses will already have sufficient copper pairs on site to provide an EFM service, the lead times for providing EFM connectivity tend to be shorter than those of a managed fibre connection (typically within 30 days).

Microwave Radio

Microwave radio connectivity can provide a high bandwidth symmetrical link in areas where fibre would be too cost-prohibitive or where the copper line length is too great for EFM.

The staff at TNP specialise in microwave radio connectivity in both the licensed and unlicensed spectrums. Speeds typically range from 10Mb/s to over 1Gb/s symmetrical depending on the equipment and frequencies used. We have highly advanced site-survey software which allows us to perform a desktop survey before surveying on site. This can be invaluable in saving time and money by determining whether a radio link is feasible before even visiting a site.

Field engineers at TNP are working at height trained and accredited to climb radio structures which allows us to perform installation and troubleshooting of microwave radio faults directly without using third party contractors, thus saving time where it’s needed most.

Dark Fibre

At TNP, we think outside of the box and do not follow a prescribed method of connectivity. Sometimes, when two sites are close to each other, it can make sense to perform a dig to lay dark fibre, or if there is fibre nearby, to utilise existing dark fibre in the ground. While such a dig can incur high costs at the beginning, it means the connection can be a lot cheaper in the longer term. Depending on your funding model, this may be preferable. At TNP we can survey your site and determine whether laying or utilising dark fibre may be an option.

Dark Fibre Planning and Design

The engineers, architects and project managers at TNP have years of experience of designing and implementing dark fibre networks, from a single link connecting two school or business premises to large-scale, redundant fibre optic rings connecting many core sites and premises (FTTP) on behalf of ISPs, local councils and rural broadband CICs.

Depending on your needs and budget, there are a number of approaches we can take:

• Fully owned infrastructure (ducting and fibre), usually under a NRSWA Section 50 license
• Leased ducting/subducts, owned fibre
• Leased fibre cores or P2P dark fibre links
• Overhead/catenary for short-haul links
• A hybrid network consisting of a mixture of the above

CWDM, DWDM and Long Range Backhaul

To maximise the potential of having access to dark fibre links, whether owned or leased, in some situations it is advisable to utilise Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). This allows a number of channels to be carried over a single duplex or simplex fibre path, each channel capable of carrying anything from 100Mb/s to the latest 100Gb/s technology.

There are many challenges in deploying this technology due to the tight optical margins and the need to appreciate optical losses in all parts of the system, which requires significant training and experience. The staff at TNP have a proven track record of designing and implementing a number of complex WDM solutions, some carrying many 10Gb/s channels with single hops of over 120km.

Splicing and Testing

Fibre engineers at TNP are fully trained and qualified in indoor and outdoor fibre-optic fusion splicing and testing. We have all the tools, equipment and ancillary training required to perform splicing in almost any location:

• Fusion splicer and preparation tools
• OTDR and calibrated light source and power meter (ILM measurements)
• All equipment serviced and calibrated regularly
• Specialist splicing van and 4×4 vehicles
• NRSWA traffic management qualified operatives, supervisors and signage

DSL Fault Finding

As a custodian of a large LLU network. TNP have a wealth of in-house expertise in copper-based fault diagnostics and fault finding.

Using advanced diagnostic equipment we can diagnose cable breaks, short circuits, dry joints and narrow and wide band interference.

Temporary event connections

Internet connectivity and communications are now ubiquitous. TNP has extensive experience of deploying temporary internet connections and internal communications links at events and concerts.

Such examples include:-

• Providing temporary internet, structured cabling and wiring for the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing
• Providing a wired and wireless network for the Blackpool Illuminations Switch On enabling the floor managers and the stars themselves to access the Internet and communicate with each other
• Providing a full back-office solution for annual business conferences

Emergency connections

When disaster strikes communication links are essential. After a disaster, restoration of traditional fixed-line services can sometimes take weeks.

TNP have successfully deployed temporary emergency connections for customers.

Previous emergency connections have been deployed in response to major flooding events, building damage due to fire and failures of existing telecoms suppliers.

Using a range of technologies and the many skills at our disposal we can restore your connectivity quickly and efficiently.