BT Business touts flexible Ethernet services

BT claims that Ethernet can help firms save thousands

BT Business has announced new Ethernet-based broadband services, claiming faster bandwidth in both directions for a fraction of the price of traditional services.

The company said that businesses could save up to 65 per cent on the cost of connecting remote offices using the new Ethernet-based services, and has launched a range of speed options and services designed to encourage adoption.

Speeds range from 2Mbit/s to 1Gbit/s, and customers can choose how much they use and how many users they scale up to.

For example, large enterprises might want to adopt BT's IP VPN services for transmitting sensitive data between datacentres, while smaller IT departments might allow BT Business to manage the network as a service.

The network is based on BT's 21CN platform, and has more than 600 local connection endpoints, factors that BT said has kept prices down and made installation much quicker.

John Strutt, general manager at BT Business, said that the firm will begin new trials of the voice and data services pitched at smaller businesses later this summer, while also increasing the scope of its superfast broadband-over-fibre service.

Strutt explained that BT Business Broadband customers will be migrated from the summer to a connection offering 20Mbit/s download and 1Mbit/s upload.

"This will let them integrate many more applications and services within their business. It is a very exciting time to be a BT customer," he said.

Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business, added that BT is investing in technology to give UK businesses a choice of data services and value for money.

"In these difficult times, Ethernet can help firms save thousands over old technology, increase productivity just when it's needed most, and put you in a better position for the upturn when it comes," he said.