Easynet Connect in the News 2008

Title: Cloud Computing

Date: 01.12.08

Summary:Growing Business takes an in-depth look at the pros and cons of using cloud computing, and cites the Easynet Connect survey results as evidence of its growing popularity amongst SMBs.

Title: Easynet trials 40Mb copper wire broadband

Date: 12.11.08

Summary: Broadband Choices product director Michael Phillips is impressed by the announcement that Easynet Connect can offer some customers speeds of up to 40Mb over their existing copper wire network. It is, he says, “great news for small and medium businesses within reach of Easynet Connect’s exchanges. High speed internet connections and dedicated business broadband packages are becoming increasingly important for competition, and an offer like this could give eligible companies a real edge over their rivals.”

Title: Businesses should manage their internet use

Date: 28.11.08

Summary:Techwatch covers the report on employees’ use of the internet whilst at work, and stresses the point that as bandwidth becomes an issue with some hosting solutions, it is essential for small businesses to keep an eye on what applications are being used and how much bandwidth they take up.

Title: ‘40Mbps’ over copper

Date: 13.11.08

Summary: The British Computing Society describes the 40Mbps trials as a possible solution for SMEs that require higher broadband speeds for their business applications, but don’t want to pay the large costs of leased-line or fibre connections.

Title: Easynet Connect trials 40Mb/sec over copper

Date: 23.11.08

Summary: In an article that set the forums buzzing, Stuart Turton finds out more on the technology that enables the 40Mbps trials over copper. As a company spokesman told him, "Etherstream is innovative as it bonds together copper lines at a layer 2 Ethernet level so we can provide what is very much like a fibre-based service, except it's delivered over copper."

Title: Importance of internet use management

Date: 28.11.08

Summary: The BCS takes interest in Easynet Connect’s finding that nearly a third of SMBs lack a formal policy on internet usage, and report analyst expert Rob Bamforth’s advice that: “Companies need to identify suitable policy controls and protective measures to ensure they have sufficient bandwidth to cope with business needs.”

Title: One in three workers do ‘whatever they want’

Date: 26.11.08

Summary: IT Pro reports on the finding that nearly a third of all SMBs have no formal policy when it comes to managing personal usage of the internet amongst their employees. As bandwidth becomes more important to companies operating online, ensuring that it is kept free for business applications becomes increasingly crucial.

Title: SMEs urged to manage staff internet use

Date: 27.11.08

Summary: In his assessment of the report on employees’ use of the internet, Ian Williams focuses on Chris Stening’s advice on who to balance the requirements of business applications with those of workers. He concludes that a compromise can be reached which allows employees to engage in online activities without hindering the company's core online applications.

Title: vnunet.com analysis: Copper is here to stay

Date: 27.11.08

Summary:Following a heated debate on the future on the internet at a roundtable discussion hosted by Easynet Connect, VNU proclaims ‘copper is here to stay’. With doubts remaining over who will pay for a fibre upgrade, and evidence of technological advances being made on the existing network, it was concluded that there was still plenty of potential to be had out of copper.

Title: Switch on to a better business connection

Date: 01.10.08

Summary: Easynet Connect's MD Chris Stening gives expert advice on how to evaluate your business internet connection. He discusses the possible reasons why businesses that experience problems with their provider are still reluctant to switch, and offers practical advice on how to ensure you get the same high level of service at work as you would expect at home.

Title: SMBs may not see cloud's silver lining

Date: 14.10.08

Summary: The findings of the Easynet Connect report into SMBs and Cloud Computing are published in this article in Computer Weekly, along with advice from Easynet Connect MD Chris Stening on the preparations that need to be made by those considering the switch.

Title: SMBs ready to embrace cloud savings

Date: 14.10.08

Summary: Chris Stening discusses the findings of the cloud computing report with Miya Knights. Following the concerns that not enough SMBs are considering the implications of making a switch to hosted applications, Chris gives advice on how to assess your business needs, and how to negotiate with providers to get the services and guarantees your business requires.

Title: Pockets of growth prove it's not all doom and gloom

Date: 26.10.08

Summary: Business editor Rosemary Gallagher speaks to Easynet Connect's MD Chris Stening ahead of the Institute of Directors conference, where he gave advice on the best use of technology for tapping into new markets and surviving the downturn.

Title: Business online planners have heads in the clouds

Date: 28.10.08

Summary: Easynet Connect's report into SMB attitudes towards Cloud Computing is covered in The Guardian enterprise round-up.

Title: Clouds on the Horizon

Date: 23.10.08

Summary: Following the release of the Easynet Connect report on cloud computing, MD Chris Stening discusses the finding that whilst many are considering the switch, relatively few SMBs are re-evaluating important factors such as security and internet connectivity.

Title: Easynet Connect extends EtherStream high-speed leased line Internet service

Date: 11.09.08

Summary: Comms Dealer reports on the extension of Easynet Connect's EtherStream service. Previously only an option for businesses within 2.5km of their local exchange, Easynet Connect's premier Ethernet package has been extended to a 4.5km radius.

Title: Easynet pledges 30-day installation for businesses

Date: 29.08.08

Summary: Broadband Finder covers Easynet Connect's guarantee that installation will take place within 30 days for businesses who sign up to SureStream and EtherStream services. The free SMS alert service, to keep companies updated with information on capacity and connection statistics, is also announced.

Title: Adding IT to the SME toolkit

Date: 09.07.08

Summary: Alan Cane looks at how small and medium sized businesses have become increasingly important targets for software and services vendors. He finds that whereas previously products designed for larger enterprises were simply 'down-sized' for smaller companies, there is now a recognition that these companies require products and services tailored specifically to their needs. Easynet Connect MD Chris Stening adds to the discussion by explaining how the internet has shaped these specific needs, as well as being one of the most crucial services SMBs require.

Title: SMBs go hunting ISPs

Date: 11.07.08

Summary: Principal analyst at Ouocirca, Rob Bamforth, oversaw the 'Soaring not Surfing' report commissioned by Easynet Connect. Here he discusses the main findings, including the high number of SMBs that had experienced problems with their internet connection, and the comparatively low number who had considered changing providers as a result.

Title: SMEs 'held back' by poor broadband service

Date: 25.06.08 (following the roundtable)

Summary: Leo King looks at the topics discussed at Easynet Connect's roundtable titled "Small and Medium Size Businesses Make the Connection." At the roundtable event, it was felt that a common complaint among SMBs was that their ISP did not deliver the service levels promised, and did not offer sufficient support through their call centres. The panel also considered a report by analyst group Quocirca, commissioned by Easynet Connect, which found that despite the service challenges they face, many small businesses avoid switching provider because they fear the challenges of a switchover including reconfiguration of systems and the potential for a decrease in service quality.