St Jude's Storm, did your internet survive

The usual routine for most mornings I am sure, the alarm goes, normally the alarm on your phone, snooze is tapped for the extra 5 minutes in bed, phone beeps again. Okay, definitely time to get up, roll over to turn the lamp on, why has it not turned on? Power cut, thanks to the St Jude’s Storm. But, here’s the kicker, not only is there no power leaving your mobile dangerously low in battery but there is also… no internet connection as you have no Wi-Fi at home due to the power outage and not even a mobile signal due to the local mobile mast being off-line. 

Panic stations; there is no electricity to make coffee, some toast, to connect your laptop or mobile devices, no Internet and no phone service. So what do you do?

The usual daily routine of checking your emails, connecting to your bank or just even checking your social media updates before you have left for the office or in some cases, whilst you are still in bed, is rudely interrupted by the simple fact you are unable to connect to the Internet.  

We have only had the use of the commercial Internet services since 1995, but it is sensational, how big a part it now plays in our every day lives. We have, in the past, suffered with power cuts and have learnt to keep candles and torches near by for these kind of emergencies. However, the minute our mobiles die this instils a different kind of fear of not being able to communicate.

Popcorn Web Design offices 

Due to the power outage there was a distinct lack of storm related statuses on Facebook, this left the newsfeed free for several hours while the signals remain down across most of the county. In times of crisis when there is a need to be kept abreast of the minute-by-minute changing news and weather, we don’t wait patiently for the next edition of the newspaper; we connect and check Twitter and Facebook for the very latest updates, pictures and news. The moment our Internet goes down, so does our link to the outside world. Heaven forbid we actually need to call people to find out what’s going on rather than relying on email or social media networks.

3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi, however fast the technology is developing and changing there is one thing it cannot change and that is the good old British weather. Trees will still fall, cables will go down, we will lose power and our links to the outside world will stop functioning as will our laptops, desktop PCs, tablets and mobile phones.

High winds and the falling of trees damaged many overhead power lines and telephone cables; this meant that individuals and businesses were without Internet access for a prolonged periods of time, causing many business to grind to a halt.  The ability of not being able to communicate with other offices, suppliers or clients or even the simplest of tasks of updating ordering portals or receiving information alerts, caused lots of business to reduce their trading on Monday.  Many staff were stranded at home, unable to travel.  Those that did brave the storms arrived at the office, to find out there was no Internet or even power.  Therefore many businesses closed their doors and the staff set off to find a Wi-Fi service at a coffee shop or restaurant, just to check their emails and keep in touch with work colleagues, customers or family and friends. 

However APC has deployed many wireless high-speed data networks over the last few decades for its customers and during this time of Internet silence, APCs clients were able to continue working as normal, as they weren't reliant on the overhead telephone cables that the wind damaged during the storm.  Many businesses have backup solutions for power, such as diesel generators, but many hadn't factored in the issues that no Internet can bring. 

Just how much do we rely on WiFi and do we frequent establishments without it?

You know the drill, pop out for coffee, find table, turn WiFi on, connect to coffee shops free WiFi, save on your data and get your daily Facebook or news fix while sipping your double shot latte. But, would you stay as long as you do, order that extra coffee or pastry or even go there at all without the free WiFi?

Just this week, the tourist town of Taos in New Mexico had its major fibre optic cable severed and all connection to the town was lost. Just one hotel kept its connection, the rest of the stores, coffee shops, hotels and homes lost their connection. Mobile phone coverage went down, WiFi went off and the town grew quiet from the buzz of communication save for the old age of conversation.

Just how much do we rely on the internet, our tablets and our phones to communicate? Even birthday and Christmas cards are sent using online card companies with local high street stores facing administration. The art of looking for the perfect card is now just a click away.

We use our phones and their wireless coverage for everything from shopping to sending a simple email. Our weekly shop is stored in an app and delivered to our door, if we were to actually drive to the store, would we even know where the items we wanted were?

This may all sound negative but communication using Wi-Fi is also fundamental. We have to travel on business, using apps like Facetime or Skype allow other halves and children to maintain contact with their partner or parents. Skype bridges the gap across oceans to allow us to see our loved ones or conduct a business meeting without costly air miles. Also saving valuable green miles using the airwaves over the train, car or air travel.

Offering free Wi-Fi drives sales to your business, offering a free hot spot ensures customers stay for longer and have an added bonus of using your office, store or restaurant. We are a time poor society, gone are the long business lunch days, now it is a quick hour-long lunch as can be seen by Wolfgang Pucks hour lunch menu at Cut. Within the hour we need to socialise, secure the deal and check in to the office to ensure that last minute email arrived and the deal is done before the overseas office is closed.

Walk into an office when the internet has gone down and see the panic..... We rely so heavily on our internet connection these days, that the demand for greater bandwidth and more reliable solutions is becoming the need and driver for so many business and organisations.  

If only Taos had thought about a resilient or more reliable solution.  Could wireless backhaul be the answer?  We certainly think so!

Cambium Networks wins award

APC Solutions first formed its relationship with Cambium Networks, which was previously known as Motorola and prior to this Orthogon Systems in 2002. APC is now a Platinum partner in the UK carrying Cambium’s entire point to point and point to multi point wireless range.

Cambium Networks has just been named the 2012 Manufacturer of the Year by the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association. This prestigious accolade is awarded for product innovation and outstanding contributions to WISPA and the fixed wireless broadband industry.

Cambium was awarded its award at the annual WISPAPALOOZA conference at the South Point Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

APC Solutions works closely with Cambium to install wireless networks around the globe. With its satellite offices in South Africa and North America and with further expansion to the Middle East in 2013, APC is ensuring its clients can not only see results in the UK but also, globally.

In the current challenging economic times, investing in your company’s connectivity can seem the last thing on an ever growing to do list. But, with Cambiums technology installed, planned and deployed by APC Solutions, ROI can be achieved in a matter of years compared with an alternative lease line agreement.

Speaking about Cambium’s award, David Bell, APC Solutions Group Sales Director comments: “Having worked with Cambium, previously known as Motorola, for many years we have seen firsthand how the company has grown and expanded across the wireless market. Its products offer the best connectivity and reliability allowing APC to install networks even in the most challenging of circumstances. Where other products can fall short, we can always rely on Cambium products to complete the job. The award is greatly deserved and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the company as we further expand ours.”

Leased Line Replacement

With the current economic climate, investing in your infrastructure and data network maybe the last thing on your mind? But, with on-going maintenance support and expensive subscription costs for your existing IT network often in excess of £10K a year per circuit, how much difference would a saving of over 25% per annum make to your bottom line?

Installing a wireless network doesn't mean a considerable investment, the ROI can be returned in a matter of years leaving you with ownership of your network and a simple to manage service level agreement in place. 

There is also the small matter of bandwidth. With technology constantly evolving, applications like live streaming, video conferencing and Cloud based applications are all becoming commonplace in today’s work place, traditional technologies simply can’t deliver the required speeds, and the battle for fast, reliable and flexible internet connectivity has begun.   

These fixed line cable alternatives also often come with data limits, extensive fees, and additional costs for larger bandwidth speeds, many are locked and limited for certain applications only, the user has limited access and control to their own systems.   As a result, many businesses are finding their forecasted costs can double, come the end of the financial year, purely to accommodate for changes or alterations to their network.   

And what happens when there’s a problem? The circuit goes down, the company halts and has to wait for an outside party to diagnose and fix the problem, costing both valuable time and money. There is also the worry of fixed lines being cut during construction projects or road works, lines not working at critical times and extreme weather damaging reliability.

Finally, there is the wait time for a circuit to be installed and activated. Often a connection can be required within the same week, but with fixed lines having to be installed and connected and there not always being an existing circuit in place to the building, a week turnaround is nigh on impossible. Most fixed lines providers give a 60day “go live” date from the initial enquiry, in this time they will conduct their survey, and in many cases advise customers of extensive extra construction costs.  We have seen these costs spiral to in excess of £100k for one single circuit from some providers.

However, this is not so with wireless. A connection can be requested, planned, implemented and installed in under a week, and in some cases in less than 24hrs for disaster recovery projects.  Wireless can also be installed as a short term fix, no need to sign lengthy contracts for 12, 24, 36 months terms, we can supply a solution for as little as 24hrs, providing complete flexibility.

Cambium Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) Wireless Broadband solutions, installed by APC Solutions, advantages can be substantial. First, you can eliminate or significantly reduce monthly lease fees. Overall network performance can be upgraded, which is especially important to support today’s in-demand, real-time applications such as Voice-over-IP, video surveillance, and video conferencing.

In many networks, local access is the most problematic point of network congestion. Wireless broadband can provide a stable, high-performance platform to ease local-access bottlenecks. Wireless also enables agile and flexible bandwidth provisioning that can be easily and quickly scaled up or down to match dynamic traffic patterns. Its unique, problem-solving technology is also able to increase reliability and connect remote, hard-to-reach locations while offering exceptional quality of service. Plus, its non-line-of-sight (NLOS) systems communicate steadfastly in some of the most challenging environments on earth.

VERSATILITY

APC Solutions Cambium Networks PTP and PMP wireless solutions can support a wide range of network applications, including:

• Replacing leased-line service with wireless broadband

• Extending fiber networks with wireless

• Deploying a wireless backup network to ensure business continuity

• Furthering network migration by integrating wireless into hybrid networks

Optimising network performance and extending network services to additional users while containing costs is an ongoing process. With systems that deliver up to 700 Mbps aggregate throughput, APC solutions can transmit high-definition video very efficiently. High quality-of-service and low latency – as low as 1.7 milliseconds – can protect the quality of voice communications.

Fixed wireless networks are significantly more cost-effective and faster-to-deploy solutions. Systems can be planned and deployed in a matter of days or weeks rather than months or years. Equally important, cost of expansion is significantly reduced. Plus our PTP and PMP systems can perform reliably over long distances, in obstructed environments and high interference, as well as severe weather conditions.

BETTER RESULTS WITH LESS COST

There are two major reasons to replace leased-line service with APC Solutions Cambium Wireless Broadband – eliminate or reduce leased-line charges and improve network performance. As requirements for bandwidth continue to increase and budgets continue to shrink, its wireless broadband solutions can offer significant bottom-line benefits.

With more than 3.5 million PMP units and more than 60,000 PTP systems deployed worldwide. APC and Cambium Networks have the experience to help you design a wireless solution that best meets your specific needs. Working with its global network, it has successfully deployed wireless solutions in a wide variety of business and government organisations. APC Solutions has the solutions, partners, and expertise to help realise greater value and performance from your communications networks.