If you’re a small or medium-sized business in Suffolk, we’re sure you’ll have experienced frustrations with internet connectivity and connection speeds. While the local infrastructure continues to improve, and investments are being made to facilitate full-fibre broadband to rural parts of Suffolk, many areas in our country lag way behind large towns like Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds.
Slow internet speeds can negatively impact our local economy because they can prevent employees from working as effectively as they could be. While many companies have heavily invested in their corporate premises to enhance their connections, the popularity of remote working remains a challenge for local businesses. If an employee lives in a rural blackspot, they may be unable to work as productively as other staff members through no fault of their own. Therefore, efforts must continue to improve the local infrastructure so businesses and individuals can work effectively.
Why are rural broadband connections so poor?
There’s no doubt that internet connections in Suffolk are getting much better.
There has been considerable investment from Suffolk County Council and the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to improve internet speeds in rural areas.
But there are still areas where blackspots are occurring. This could be because many rural areas do not have fibre to the premise (FTTP) connections installed, and they are still working from street cabinets. If your property (business or home) is far from the nearest cabinet, this could cause a slower connection. Black spots can also be caused by trees or dips that restrict mobile coverage.
Additionally, because many parts of the local Suffolk community are built around farmland, some properties still rely on the traditional ADSL lines.
What is the average internet speed in rural areas?
According to the Fair Internet Report, “The average internet speed in Suffolk is 68 Mbps, while the median speed test result is 37 Mbps.”
Obviously, these figures factor in personal users rather than just businesses. But the statistics do show that “internet speeds in Suffolk are 28.92% worse than the United Kingdom national average of 52.07 Mbps.”
Who is the best internet provider for rural broadband in Suffolk?
One of the challenges for individuals and businesses in Suffolk is that many rural areas do not have the same consumer choice as large towns or cities. If a provider hasn’t put their infrastructure in place, users may be unable to switch to faster internet connections.
At Lucid Systems, we specialise in rural broadband connections.
Our local knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing businesses and homeowners in the area mean that we can provide fast and reliable internet connections. We can work with local businesses and property owners to ensure that you have the right connections that match your needs.
We can identify the best places to position your router, or we can install external ariels to boost your mobile coverage. We can even install wireless Point-to-Point (PtP) links that will allow you to create seamless connections between two or more buildings. These are ideal if you need better internet connections on your farmland or you want to set up a temporary office on your grounds without laying physical data cables.
Leased lines could also be an option if your business relies on fast data. We often describe these as the Rolls Royce of internet connections because they have exceptional speeds, 100% uptime and are unique to your business.
If you want to learn more about our leased line services, please get in touch.
Are there any simple ways to improve rural broadband connections?
Yes. While leased lines and PtP connections require significant investment, they are designed specifically for businesses. If you’ve noticed that your remote workers are struggling with their personal internet connections, some simple, low-cost options could help them benefit from faster speeds.
Make the most of mobile 4G data
Investing in a 4G or 5G dongle can effectively boost internet connections via mobile data. If your employees work from home but struggle to access fast speeds because they live in a rural location, this could be an effective temporary measure.
Upgrade your WiFi router
Upgrading your WiFi router could also be an effective tool to improve your internet connections. Using the latest technology will give you a stronger signal and could improve your internet speeds.
Use Satellite broadband
Satellite broadband offers connections via your satellite dish attached to your home. This can help you to pick up faster speeds easily.
Lucid Systems can help rural businesses improve internet connections
Our understanding and knowledge of the Suffolk landscape mean we are well positioned to help you enhance your internet connections.
Our business broadband services start with an independent assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses. We take the time to understand how your business works, allowing us to design effective internet connections that match your needs.
If you’re looking for some effective solutions to improve your internet connections, please get in touch.
