6 years in business connectivity – a superfast journey

Who could have predicted in 2009 – one year before Apple’s revolutionary iPad was released – there would be over 1 billion tablet users in 2015? Or that average internet speeds would be almost 5x higher today than in 2009?

As of this month, KAT Communications celebrates its 6th anniversary working with businesses around Doncaster and South Yorkshire. And in that 6 years we’ve seen some major changes in both the quality of connectivity and the way it’s used.

We’ve witnessed first-hand how technology has allowed businesses to be more active, more flexible and more productive than ever before.

We’re not talking about the little things – new products, new brands, fads – we’re talking about the big things that have had an amazing impact on the way that we work.

“The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive.” – Steve Ballmer, Former Microsoft CEO.

So let’s take a look at what’s changed over the last 6 years and how businesses are learning to benefit from it…

Superfast Connectivity

In 2009, the average download speed was around 4mbps, whilst as of January this year, the average download speed was almost 22mbps. And some consumers throughout the UK can reach download speeds of up to 330mbps.

This throttling up of download speeds is fantastic for browsing, sending emails, downloading and uploading – traditional internet usage.

Think back to the early days of broadband.

As anyone who tried to have a VoIP or video conference calls will know, back then, it wasn’t great. Calls were grainy with often crackly sound, often losing connection without warning. In short, they were unpredictable.

But businesses can now unlock a variety of connectivity solutions available as a result of much more reliable and faster connectivity – tools that have been available for decades, but didn’t have the network to support them in a viable and productive way.

The cloud

Superfast connectivity over the last few years has allowed for the virtual cloud to explode.

Having your head in the clouds is still not particularly complimentary, but putting your business in the cloud is massive for maintaining the competitive edge and staying adaptable.

Software such as Dropbox and OneDrive, although both named differently when launched, appeared nearly 10 years ago – Google Drive joined the fun in 2012.

But the cloud has moved far beyond a simple storage space.

Using a range of cloud-based software such as Office 365 and VoIP connections, businesses of 2015 now have remote access to important documents, improved security and disaster recovery, and improved collaboration like never before.

Tablets

Tablets have been around for a good number of years. First introduced in 2000 by Microsoft, they were more of a concept than a productive or fun tool.

But poor connectivity didn’t allow them to reach their full potential. The result being they weren’t massively popular.

However, in 2010 Apple took the world by storm. Originally seen as a ` luxury` item for Apple fans and tech-geeks, the iPad, and other tablet computers have found their place in business.

In just 5 years, Apple alone have sold over 170million iPads throughout the world.

In the las 6 years we’ve seen tablets bridge the gap perfectly between the convenience of a smartphone and the functionality of a laptop or notepad.

Whether connected via Wi-Fi, or using a tethered or sim card connection, businesses can connect with their clients and employees using a platform that allows them to do the share, communicate, research and connect, wherever they are.

Let’s not forget tablets are also pretty stylish and sleek.

4G

4G was first commercially available in 2012. But it took until late 2014 before all the major mobile providers – O2, EE, 3 and Vodafone – had rolled out their 4G plans.

But how is 4G changing things?

4G now means Smartphones can be properly smart.

Right now, 4G providers can offer almost 20mbps to your mobile. That’s faster than you could get through a fixed line when KAT Communication s started!

The earlier 3G and 2G networks never really had the capacity to help businesses stay utilise the tools available to them – the boom in business Apps, reliable use of cloud-based storage, sharing HD videos and high quality photos.

The geographic areas with 4G now have more reliable connectivity to conduct their business on the go, without relying on wireless hotspots.

VoIP, for example, is a fantastic communication system for many businesses, but it’s demands on data mean it’s only worth using on either 4G or Wi-Fi.

But Google’s new plans to install into disused phone-booths around New York City could be a game changer. Real life or PR stunt? We’ll soon find out.

Smart phones

Smart phones have been around for a long time. The first smartphone (technically) was invented in 1994 by IBM.

But like the computer that landed Apollo 11 on the moon, it was a pretty impressive technological breakthrough. But it wasn’t ‘smart’.

Early smartphones concentrated on being a mobile multi-tool – a Swiss Army Knife, of sorts.

In 2009 convenient cameras, SatNav, and a range of apps and games were popular. But their functionality was still limited and held nothing of the power of modern smartphones.

Nowadays, smartphones aren’t just about the camera and a few funky apps and games.

Significant increases in processing power, memory and battery life means smart phones of 2015 have become a reliable and affordable tool to stay in the know, on the go.
The latest iPhone 6 is 4x more powerful, and has 4x the internal memory space of the iPhone 3G of 2009, with many more features and technological advancements.

Smartphones have put the world at the fingertips of the world.

The next 6 years…

Just looking back from when KAT Communications began, it’s clear to see that the communications industry moves fast. Superfast.

And that means providers need to change with times and become more flexible too. Why commit to a fixed 2-3 year contract knowing the technology will be old before the end of the contract?

So the question shouldn’t be: how can I make my business communications more productive?

It should be: how can we make sure that our connectivity and service contracts allow us to make sure that our business can continue to adapt and grow for the changes in the future?

To do that, you have to have Knowledge About Telecoms.

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Sources:

https://www.broadband.co.uk/pressreleases/UK-broadband-speedtest-results-January-2015.pdf

https://blog.thinkbroadband.com/2015/04/uk-mobile-internet-speeds-2009-to-2015/

https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/22/4866966/apple-has-sold-170-million-ipads-since-it-launched-in-april-2010

https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Tablet-Users-Surpass-1-Billion-Worldwide-2015/1011806