Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

The Government has made a commitment to help everyone in the UK access a basic broadband service. A subsidised broadband installation is now available if a location cannot access an affordable 2Mb/s solution.

Businesses first need to check they cannot access superfast broadband (speeds of more than 24Mb/s) on this website: www.gov.uk/gosuperfast. They then to check speeds at their location by visiting this website: www.dslchecker.bt.com.

If there are no plans to bring superfast broadband to the business location within the next 6 to 12 months and the current speed is confirmed as less than 2Mb/s, you are eligible for a grant from the Government to access an affordable broadband service. People looking for a cost-effective alternative to satellite often consider 4G and the scheme provides a contribution towards the equipment and installation of a 4G data connection.

For applications where it is critical to have a strong internet connection on the move, businesses choose multi-network roaming SIMs. These SIM cards have no preferred network, therefore always connect to the strongest 4G signal whether at home or abroad. They offer exceptional reliability and coverage but until recently have been difficult to manage and expensive to buy.

Is there such a thing as affordable, easy-to-manage multi-network roaming SIMs?

Yes, there are companies in the UK developing innovative products to address the individual needs of a wide range of industries across the public and private sector. Multi-network roaming SIMs are being used for anything from WiFi hotspots on trains and buses to recording and GPS tracking devices for haulage firms.

According to McKinsey, revenues from mobile data are set to increase dramatically in the next 7 years. Factors driving growth are the availability, speed and reliability of 4G, the trend of embedding data SIM cards into devices and the availability of cost-effective SIM-only packages on 30-day contracts.

UK SMEs are turning to their trusted IT and telecommunications suppliers for help sourcing mobile data SIMs. Management and control of data is becoming increasingly critical to avoid bill shock across growing estates.

Jola is one of the channel’s fastest growing mobile data providers. The company is experienced in developing and managing portals for the channel and was the first to launch an innovative data management portal called Mobile Manager.

Mobile Manager is an online management portal for managing estates of mobile data SIMs. The portal communicates in real-time with Vodafone and O2 networks, enabling Jola partners to create customers, manage activations and control SIM swaps, bars, ceases and tariff changes.

Catastrophic failure often effects multiple services going into a building, so a fixed line back-up to a primary internet connection is not guaranteed to provide business continuity. Until now, the alternative, mobile data, has been slow and expensive with only dynamic IP options on offer. Customers have had to estimate the amount of data needed in the event of a primary failure and pay for it whether it is used or not.

With the introduction of 4G management portals for fixed IP SIMs and unique overage protection, 4G becomes a cost-effective alternative. Customers pay a small monthly fee for the back-up service and when the data fails-over, they pay for the additional usage, only for the period it was used.

Fixed IP Failover SIMs offer customers significant cost savings, due to the unique way they are managed. Data usage is monitored and additional data bolt-ons automatically added as required and removed again when the primary route is restored.

Resellers are established businesses and brands in their own right and want to partner with companies who respect this. They want to retain complete control over the customer experience, from first touch to final installation and they want to feel that their business is a priority.

They are essentially looking for suppliers who can provide completely white label materials, portals and processes, so they can display their own brand from the first quote to the final invoice.

Control

Resellers looking to supply white label broadband and Ethernet look for an aggregated pricing tool showing multi-carrier services, multiple technologies, speed options and contract terms. They want to be on-site with their customer with a portal they can access and enter minimal information, to get detailed quotes in minutes.

Equally important is the quote building and ordering platform. One portal to show all pricing is useful and the ability to build multiple solutions in one quote. For example, a phone line, broadband, phone system, numbers, options and SIMs in one document.

Once the order is signed, resellers want regular updates to keep their customers in the loop. They want the ability to provision services and make changes for customers instantly. They want routers to be pre-configured, handsets to be plug and play and installations to go to plan. They want instant access to guides and materials as required.

Resellers selling SIMs want access to be able to minimise cost for their customers and maximise margins for their business. They need to be able to activate, suspend, set-up customer alerts and add bolt-ons themselves.

As mobile carriers compete to win market share, mobile data packages are likely to further reduce in price. This in turn could put pressure on BT and its rivals to reduce the cost of fibre broadband to compete with 4G. 5G is expected to roll out over the next five years offering superfast speeds and inexpensive data packages.

Falling Prices

A recent study by PwC reported that 43% of the world’s population cannot afford 500MB data packages and for the carriers to win more market share, prices will have to fall. We are seeing this already in the UK residential market, with one of the mobile carriers dramatically reducing the prices of their heavy user packages.

Need to compete

We know many small businesses buy residential products for business purposes, so companies targeting SMEs will need to offer comparative pricing and added-value to compete.

4G as a viable alternative

BT faces mounting pressure from regulators, rivals and customers to cut the price of fibre broadband services and increase their coverage. 4G is already widely available, offering business customers an alternative to fibre today.

The problem with 4G is that it is not unlimited, and customers are often charged extortionate amounts for going over their monthly allowance.

First movers have solved these problems by integrating cost-effective data SIMs into business-grade routers, adding monitoring and control. 4G now presents a real threat to BT and its rivals as it emerges as a substitute for fibre.

Increased demand

According to the 2016 Cisco Mobile Visual Networking Index, mobile data consumption is to grow sevenfold by 2021. By the end of the forecast period, mobile data is projected to account for 20% of total internet traffic, up from just 8% in 2016. Business 4G consumption is rising at a similar rate, with companies turning to 4G for reliable internet connectivity where fast, fibre broadband is not available and for a range of connected devices.

The problem

High out-of-bundle rates and delayed usage information from the networks can make costs unpredictable.

The solution

JolaNet 4G is a managed 4G router with an integrated data SIM on either Vodafone or O2 networks. Fixed IP SIMs are also available. The solution is managed by Jola’s Mobile Manager portal, where partners have complete control to view real-time data usage, set-up alerts, apply SIM-swaps, add bolt-ons and bar SIMs. Using Mobile Manager, they can maximise margins and completely eliminate overage charges.

With JolaNet 4G, resellers send a pre-configured router to their customers, which works out-of-the-box, doesn’t need cabling or a land-line and can be monitored in real-time.

New suppliers

Increased competition and new technologies are driving down the cost of internet connectivity and fuelling demand for faster, more reliable services.  As companies come out of contract for both internet connectivity and telephony, they are looking for a better deal. As more of your own customers ask you for advice on the best alternatives, you may be considering supplying these services yourself. What’s putting you off?

Trusting a new supplier

To provide new voice and data services, you may need to work with a new supplier and may be worried about making the wrong choice. What if this company lets you down, causes you to lose a valued customer or worse still, takes the customer as their own?

Questions to ask

There are so many things to ask about when selecting a new partner. What products do they offer? Is their pricing competitive? Can I make my margins and still win the business? How responsive are they? Will they value my business and help me to win new business? How much control will they give me to manage my customers and how easy are they to do business with?

I heard on the radio that yesterday was the day most people gave up on their new year’s resolutions? Did you make any? Are you sticking to them? What resolutions did you make for your business?

Looking back

In January, we tend to look back over the last 12 months and analyse our performance before making plans for the future. What will your business look like in 12 months, 3 years or even 5 years’ time? What do you need to do to get you there? Will you need more staff? New premises? New revenue streams?

Looking forwards

Jola is a wholesale supplier of voice and data solutions servicing SMEs via a channel of IT and Telecommunications partners. One of our resolutions is to help our partners capitalise from the rising demand for 4G data from SMEs.

According to a recent report by Ofcom, 90% of all UK premises (almost 26 million) can access up to 24Mb/s fixed line broadband, however there are at least 190,000 premises that can’t get 2Mb/s and 2.2 million premises that can’t get 10Mb/s. Where the LTE signal is strong, 4G data is a great solution.

In addition to laptops, mobiles and tablets it is predicted that 28 billion other smart devices will be connected globally over the next three years with the worldwide market for IoT solutions worth £5.6 trillion.

Overindulgence

For companies looking to use 4G from remote or temporary sites or within IoT devices, the first challenge they face is how to manage their data usage.

The Jola partner

Amvia is one of Jola’s voice, data and cloud application partners, based in Sheffield. Amvia was founded by experienced telecoms professionals, with a vision to provide customer-centric solutions. The company supplies services to a range of prestigious companies including Oracle, SodaStream, CIMB investment bank and JHS Logistics.

Amvia’s customer

JHS Logistics is a logistics and international haulage company based in Hampshire, close to the Fawley Power Station on the western side of Southampton Water. ADSL speeds are very slow in the area. Leased circuits are not cost-effective, due to excess construction charges, however 4G is available.

The Solution

Amvia, supported by Jola, worked with JHS to provide a 4G/Draytek LTE service that has allowed JHS to work effectively from the site, running both voice and remote/hosted application services over a 4G internet connection. JHS are delighted with the service, which was up and running in only three working days.