Efm – Ethernet First Mile
Ethernet in the first mile is a relatively new solution to an old problem which might just be what your business is looking for.
Let me ask you:
- Are you frustrated by a slow link to the internet? Do you feel it is impacting your team’s productivity?
- Are you worried that having a high speed optical fiber line installed will cost you a fortune?
- Does your business use cloud technology and its vital that you upgrade your upload (as well as download speed) as soon as possible?
If you have answered yes to any of the above then an Ethernet in the First Mile might be the solution that you have been looking for.
What is Ethernet in the First Mile?
Ethernet in the First Mile, or EFM for short, is a set of standards which allows you to link computer over previously unsupported media such as single pairs of telephone wiring. The term “the first mile” refers to the distance between your premises and your telecomm provider’s node (e.g. street cabinet, telephone exchange etc.). At the exchange or cabinet, all the lines from the area meet and are connected to the network circuit through a trunk fiber cable or more copper wire.
It is the link over this “first mile” that is the bottleneck in the system.
Many customers and businesses access their broadband through the copper wires of their phone line using ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). The asymmetric part simply refers to the fact that the download speed (the rate at which you can download data from the internet) is much higher than upload speed. The system has been engineered this way as private individuals stream far more data than they upload.
With an ADSL line, if you are a distance from the exchange then you might only get download speeds of 1.5Mbps download and 0.5Mbs speed of upload. This is not acceptable for a business using cloud technology.
The highest speed option is “fibre to your door”, i.e. optical fibre is run to your office and connects you to your local exchange. The problem is this is only available if you have a cabled street which many businesses do not have. It is also very expensive to have installed.
However, there is a third option- Ethernet Fist Mile.
This solution uses an EFM leased line which bundles a number of existing copper pairs together into a single connection. This solution is available to over 80% business premises in the UK. You can find out if you can enjoy the benefits of EFM internet using our EFM availability checker.
Here are some key benefits:
- EFM services include reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
- EFM speeds are up to 20 Mbps in both directions and they are not affected by the distance from the exchange so you can enjoy this speed wherever you are. Your EFM connection is made through an EFM modem, EFM router or it can be plugged into the WAN port of your firewall or router using a standard ethernet cable.
- EFM technology is resilient and can be installed within 45 days (about half the time required to have a fibre installed).
In summary, EFM broadband is far cheaper and quicker to install than a fibre connection and is faster and more reliable than ADSL.
Why not see if is available to you through our EFM availability checker or give us a call on 0121 222 0500 and find out more from one of our friendly advisors.
