To satisfy the need for flexible data products, TalkTalk Business is today announcing it has introduced an Ethernet-over-Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (EoFTTC) variant to its connectivity portfolio. EoFTTC offers a cost-effective alternative to full fibre products, including many of the same benefits – such as uncontended bandwidth – but at dramatically reduced costs. It bridges the gap between standard broadband propositions and TalkTalk Business’ Ethernet product sets, offering guaranteed up to 20Mb symmetrical speeds.
As well as bolstering its connectivity portfolio, TalkTalk Business has built out its Ethernet footprint, expanding its exchange network to over four times that of BT. Alongside this TalkTalk has extended its core Next Generation Network to a further 255 exchanges in the past six months, meaning it now extends to 96% of the UK.
Following the recent announcement that O2 will close its wholesale broadband division in February 2014, Fluidata – one of O2’s largest partners – has added TalkTalk Business’ wholesale offering to its Service Exchange Platform (SEP), which will allow its customers to access business grade connectivity simply and cost effectively. Other new partners and contract wins in the first half of the year include Peach Telecom, which deployed a converged TalkTalk Business MPLS solution on behalf of customer Portsmouth Water, used to monitor reservoir levels for flood and leakage. Portsmouth Water previously operated two networks and the converged service is expected to save the company 50% over their previous costs. Redcentric Plc added TalkTalk Business’ connectivity products (EFM and EAD Fibre), which will be used as the foundation of its managed solutions portfolio to deliver customer centric applications, services and support to many leading businesses.
Alex Tempest, Director of Partners at TalkTalk Business said: “We’ve had a fantastic first half-year and it’s great to see our partner channel playing a real part in that. By focusing on products that leverage our network efficiently, such as VPNs, SIP trunks and connectivity solutions, we’re able to provide our channel partners with margin-rich opportunities and a data portfolio that continues to attract attention. Coupled with the ongoing expansion of our Ethernet exchange network we expect this to make a big impact in the industry.”
Within its recent financial results, TalkTalk revealed that corporate revenues grew by 1.3% y-o-y and that the service provider has enjoyed steadily-growing demand for its data and carrier services, and expanded its network of Ethernet-enabled exchanges by 35% from 2,199 to 2,980.