Entanet says it remains the only non-BT company to have invested fully in WBC (Wholesale Broadband Connect), the platform via which BT delivers its 21C services to wholesale partners’ own next generation networks. By making this commitment, Entanet broke new ground in the UK Internet industry and became the first provider to launch 21CN- based ADSL2+ products and the first to utilise IPStream Connect, delivering all of its broadband connections via a 21C backhaul infrastructure.
Having already been involved in the trials of Fibre-to-the-Cabinet in late 2009, in which customers saw download speeds of up to 40Mbps, the company continues to be at the forefront of technological developments within the industry and has announced its significant involvement in BT’s latest product trials of both Annex M and FTTP.
The Annex M service, which is now being trialled on WBC connections, enables the end user to ‘trade off’ some of their download speed in order to benefit from an increased upload speed. The trials began in March and will run into mid May. Within the trials Entanet has been thoroughly testing BT’s systems and various compatible hardware options via a number of reseller partners.
Commenting on the trials Entanet’s Head of Operations, Neil Watson said: “It’s important for us to be involved in the trials since, as the only provider wholly using WBC, Entanet can provide BT with a unique perspective on the service. So far the Annex M trial is going very well and we’re receiving encouraging feedback from our trialists.”
Walter Lindsay, Managing Director of Line UK Internet Ltd, which has been taking part in the trials with Entanet, agreed. “We have been very pleased with the trial of Annex M. We frequently use FTP software where the higher upload speed is particularly beneficial. The benefits don't stop there, the impact can also be seen when emailing large attachments and during remote VPN sessions. Going forward, we will be recommending Annex M to most of our customers.”
Entanet is also trialling FTTP, which provides potential download speeds of up to 100Mbps. This latest programme follows on from the successful first stage trials in Kesgrave in 2008, where Entanet recorded one customer achieving 98Mbps. Watson stated: “The fact that BT has now selected its trial partners and the latest FTTP trials are underway is positive news. We have already experienced very positive results in the earlier Kesgrave trials. We look forward to testing and scrutinising the proposed services once again and to providing BT with further valuable feedback that will help them to shape and develop their services for the benefit of all of our customers.”
BT Wholesale’s General Manager for Broadband, Emma Elshof, added: “Testing and trialling is vital in the run up to the introduction of any new service and we have been delighted to work with Entanet right from the very start. Their support and enthusiasm has helped BT Wholesale to drive innovation and provide broadband customers with greater control, choice and flexibility as well as higher speeds.”