Do i need a Leased Line / FTTP?

[Dan-Fresh]

Hi All,

Question for you.
Some of the students in one of my student accommodation blocks started to complain about broadband speeds a few months ago. I converted the building 3 years ago and ive not had any issues until now.
The students that are complaining seem completely random and in different parts of the building.
I tried to fix the issue by adding another line and putting access points in different areas to spread the speed evenly, but it doesn't seem to have worked.
The students seem to be having more issues in the evening.

I think the cause is probably more people spending more time online streaming films etc..

My question is, has anyone gone down the business fttp or leased line route, what did you go for speed-wise? What did you pay? Any recommendations on companies to use?

Thanks

Dan

[Tyndall]

I have a dedicated uncontended leased line as deliver about 1TB of product a day. 1Gbps downstream/1Gbps upstream with a strong SLA. Approx 500/month, that's direct with Virgin Business. Having gone through the renewals process a number of times you can really beat down on price by going back and forth.

[Dan-Fresh]

BenjiS said:

What's the current bandwidth and how many people are using the connection?

around 200mb, 26 students.
before you say it, i know its not much but we've not had any issues until now so just curious whats changed?

[Dan-Fresh]

Tyndall said:

I have a dedicated uncontended leased line as deliver about 1TB of product a day. 1Gbps downstream/1Gbps upstream with a strong SLA. Approx 500/month, that's direct with Virgin Business. Having gone through the renewals process a number of times you can really beat down on price by going back and forth.

thanks thats great. i take it that say 500mb uncontended is a significant improvement on say the same 500mb but contended?

[devnull]

4k films, torrents, usenet.

Also, whats the infrastrucutre like? I reckon each student is going to have at least 1x smartphone, 1x, laptop and 1x tablet. Concurrent devices will also rinse the wifi if it isn't up to task.

[Tyndall]

Dan-Fresh said:

thanks thats great. i take it that say 500mb uncontended is a significant improvement on say the same 500mb but contended?

For sure - it's your 500Mbps and yours only.

When it was first installed we went for 100Mbps over a 1Gbps bearer. Then over the years have gone to 300/500 and now the max for that line which is 1Gbps but because we started with the 1Gbps bearer we didn't need new infrastructure each time.

[Mr Pointy]

It looks like FTTP will only give you around 300Mb so while an improvement it's unlikley to be earth shattering, although it would be better. a Gigabit LL connection is around £500 a month plus VAT so that's £19-£24 a month for every user. Are they prepared to pay that or are you going to cover the cost?

The issue is Netflix, Amazon, Youtube streaming video & gaming. Remember the usage will expand to fit the space available & even if you charge them for a LL it doesn't guarantee there won't be issues (although they would be less common).

[Dan-Fresh]

Cheers all, really helpful.
We pay for it and i think are paying around £180 per month. Looks like it's going to cost us a fair amount more in the future.
Hopefully i can drive down the cost of a leased line.

We are building our next block at the moment and i think i'll supply non hd tv's to all student to save myself the problem ;-)

[Mr Pointy]

Dan-Fresh said:

We are building our next block at the moment and i think i'll supply non hd tv's to all student to save myself the problem ;-)

Hah! I doubt there are any available now. 4K will be the norm.

You could look at two FTTP connections bonded togther - Andrews & Arnold might be able to help:
https://www.aa.net.uk/broadband/office1/

[Dan-Fresh]

Mr Pointy said:

Dan-Fresh said:

We are building our next block at the moment and i think i'll supply non hd tv's to all student to save myself the problem ;-)

Hah! I doubt there are any available now. 4K will be the norm.

You could look at two FTTP connections bonded togther - Andrews & Arnold might be able to help:
https://www.aa.net.uk/broadband/office1/

thanks ill take a look!

[CharlesElliott]

In your new block, it would be worth installing Unifi kit (or similar) that would give you a lot of control and information about what is happening and the network experience for each client. And you can monitor / control remotely.

[Dan-Fresh]

CharlesElliott said:

In your new block, it would be worth installing Unifi kit (or similar) that would give you a lot of control and information about what is happening and the network experience for each client. And you can monitor / control remotely.

Thanks Charles, will look into it.