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How is 5G Different?

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5G is meant to be faster than the 4G network, but is that the only difference? Today we’re looking at some of the ways that 5G is different, and what this could mean for the future.

Higher Speed, Lower Latency

5G is much faster than 4G. Some 5G networks in the UK have been peaking at download speeds of over 750Mbps!

The 5G spectrum also has much greater capacity than 4G did, which means that far more devices can be connected at the same time. This high capacity means that 5G is a lot more reliable than 4G ever was, especially in busier areas.

Latency in a 5G network- how long a network takes to respond to a request- is also significantly better than 4G. Recorded latencies have been as low as 17 milliseconds in central London, meaning that high download speeds won’t be ruined by slow networks!

Smaller Cells

Similar to previous generations, 5G mobile masts transmit radio frequency and data to 5G hubs. This gives you a connection which you can use to transmit data to the internet, using the masts as a relay.

5G operates at a much higher frequency than 3G or 4G. Because these high frequencies don’t travel as far, 5G requires lots of small cells to fill the gaps in-between the masts.

This extra infrastructure is one of the reasons why 5G’s launch has been staggered outside of densely populated areas. However, it excels in these populated areas, and 5G could be used to provide strong connections to people on public transport, or during events in crowded stadiums!

It Has Exciting Potential

5G’s new capabilities have inspired some new discussions about where other technologies can go. With a fast enough connection allowing for communication between vehicles, 5G may be instrumental in developing safe self-driving cars, and similarly improve drone and VR technology.

The improved speed and reliability also means 5G could be excellent for working remotely. This won’t just include working from home either. Remote vehicles are just the beginning- it could lead to an increase in telesurgery- surgeons operating remotely through connected robots!

We hope that this article helped you find the key differences with 5G. If you have any additional questions, be sure to send them to us! We write an FAQ Friday article each week on social media- and your question could be next!

4G vs Satellite internet: Which is better and why?

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4G and satellite internet both offer a potential solution for rural broadband issues. If you can’t access decent broadband via traditional methods, you might be considering switching to one of these alternatives. But which is better and why?

What is satellite broadband?

First let’s clarify what we are talking about.

Satellite broadband is connectivity provided through low-earth orbit or geostationary satellites. It requires a satellite dish to be placed on top of your home or business which sends and receives signals from the orbiting satellite. The principle is the same as watching TV from a service such as Sky, but instead of just receiving information, satellite broadband allows you to send it too.

Satellite internet connection can be provided virtually all over the world but is generally considered a last resort option.

What is 4G broadband?

4G internet is completely different to satellite.

4G broadband solutions use the same signal as your smartphone to access the internet. One way of doing this is through a dedicated 4G router which can handle multiple devices and traffic levels. Availability of 4G broadband is dependent on your location and how strong the 4G coverage is in your area.

How do they compare?

Before we dive into the details, here’s an overview of which option has the edge on the most important factors.

As you can see, 4G edges out satellite broadband for every factor except availability.

4G solutions are capable of much higher speeds compared to satellite broadband. Even more importantly, 4G broadband has significantly better latency at around 15-30ms compared to Satellite which is much slower averaging around 600ms. That’s a HUGE difference!

As a result, the user experience on 4G is far superior as there are fewer noticeable lags when doing more heavy-duty activities such as gaming or streaming.

4G broadband is also the more stable and reliable option out of the two. Although neither rely on physical cabling, with 4G broadband you are connected to a mast which is relatively nearby as opposed to being connected to a satellite that is thousands of miles away. Therefore, factors such as the weather are far more likely to impact a satellite service than a 4G connection.

Satellite broadband’s only win comes on availability. This is because it is an option for virtually any household, whilst 4G broadband is reliant on access to a 4G signal. However, 4G technology, such as SimRush, can pick up 4G signal even in areas where your mobile phone cannot. So, even if you’ve got poor signal in your area, 4G could still be a viable option for you!

Final verdict

Both alternative solutions are ideal options for rural areas. But when it comes down to which is going to provide a better service – it has to be 4G broadband!

If you’re struggling to get decent internet where you are give us a call and find out what our 4G broadband solution can do for you.

How to set up an internet failover (backup) connection?

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What is Internet Failover?

In the IT industry, internet failover is a term typically used to describe a secondary standby internet solution which will kick into action as soon as the primary internet system fails. Internet failover is usually automatic.

Another term often used in a similar vein to internet failover is internet switchover. This is used to describe the switch from a primary to secondary internet connection. Switchover requires human interference, unlike failover.

How internet failover works

Why does your business need Internet Failover?

If keeping your business online is essential for it to run successfully, then internet failover is necessary for your business. Think about all the systems used in your organisation that require an internet connection; cloud computing systems, VPN’s, firewalls, video conferencing, research and communicating with your customers via email or VoiP.

Maybe you need to use a card machine such as iZettle or an EPOS system? Even printing requires an internet connection. An internet failover solution for your business will enable you to stay online and use all these services even when your primary internet connection fails. If your primary internet connection experiences downtime it could cost your business thousands of pounds. Not to mention the time spent apologising to customers and recovering afterwards.

How do you set up a successful failover system?

  1. Choose the best primary method of connectivity for your business. This could be wireless, satellite or ADSL.
  2. Choose the best secondary method of connectivity for your business. At FreeClix, we love using SimRush as an internet failover solution. It’s a superfast 4G LTE connection. Being non-cabled it’s the perfect failover option for businesses that use wired connections as their primary method of connectivity.
  3. Synchronise the methods of connectivity to ensure the secondary internet connection fires when the primary internet connection fails. The exact configuration will depend on your connectivity solution, consult your internet service provider or networking consultant if in doubt.
  4. Don’t forget to test! Make sure you test your internet failover solution is working properly before it goes live. You don’t want any problems with your failover if you need to use it!
  5. Providing the test works, sit back and relax. Now you have a successfully set up an internet failover, grab a coffee and celebrate no more downtime.

Who can help me with internet failover?

FreeClix are passionate about keeping businesses connected and online. We have over twenty years’ experience providing internet failover consultancy services for businesses. Our wealth of expertise will ensure you receive the correct internet failover solution for your business, at the right price.

You mentioned 4G LTE failover – is that best?

It massively depends on your business, its location, your resources and your failover needs. If you are currently using a wired internet connection, then SimRush is an excellent 4G LTE failover option. However, if you are using SimRush or another 4G LTE connectivity product for your primary connection, an alternative failover solution might work better for your business. In summary, it depends on several factors which we are happy to discuss with you. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need some advice.

How do I sort my internet failover once and for all?

We love talking about internet failover. We just love talking about connectivity full stop. So email, call 01603 703340 or use our contact form any time to speak to our friendly team about your internet failover needs.

University of the First Age

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Providing pop up internet connectivity whilst keeping students safe online

The Challenge

Protecting young people from inappropriate content is vital in today’s world. So, when a youth camp in Suffolk needed the internet providing for up to 600 students, they required that their students stayed safe online. The University of the First Age contacted FreeClix to advise them on a bespoke connectivity solution that could satisfy these needs.

University of the First Age provide various forms of training for young people to become confident and successful leaders. Their summer youth camp has 600 students attend over a period of six weeks. The academy’s participants were young adults and their welfare was of prime importance. The University of the First Age wanted students to be able to communicate with family and use social media but ensure that inappropriate content was blocked.

Provide the internet.

As the youth camp was in a very rural location in Suffolk. The SimRush Core product was recommended as it delivers high speed broadband using 4G LTE technology. As SimRush is easily adaptable to a pop up environment, installation was quick and easy. To prevent overspend, the SimRush Core was loaded with a data SIM which was topped up as and when required.

Protect the students.

We ensured the WiFi had two SSID’s (service set identifiers). The first SSID was a portal with unrestricted web access with a password for the camp guardians. We provided a specialised content filtering system. This system had a static public IP address so that the router could recognise where the WiFi traffic is coming from. The guardians were able to login to the content filtering system using their WiFi password and approve or disapprove certain keywords or websites using the content filtering system. The second SSID was a poral for guest-based access that was accessed securely by the students.

The Solution

The SimRush Core provided a temporary safe and secure internet solution during the six-week period successfully. As SimRush has a static IP address, this made it the perfect solution for ensuring the content filtering system could be provided. During the academy students were able to keep in touch with family and friends online safely and securely.

The Result

“Working with FreeClix was simple and straight forward. I had a problem, I explained this to FreeClix. They were solution focused and came up with a hassle-free solution which worked well. I would recommend working with FreeClix, an understanding company which can help with bespoke issues.”

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David Coyle

Head of Operational Effectiveness at UFA

Top 7 Questions to ask when choosing a 4G Internet Service Provider

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What connectivity and integration options does your 4G LTE hardware offer?

You may already have one or more existing connections, 4G LTE hardware that works seamlessly with those connections will save your business time and money. It also reduces the risk of employees incorrectly changing cabling and settings.

  • Will it work with satellite or an existing ADSL connection?
  • If one connection fails will traffic be automatically rerouted via another connection or do you have to manually make the change?
  • Can it be load balanced to share data from a slower ADSL connection?
  • Can it be used just as an emergency failover without any manual intervention from you or your employees?
  • Can you plug another connection into the 4G hardware to be used as a backup for business continuity in the event of a disaster?

What features does your 4G LTE hardware have to help keep my business network secure?

As well as preventing physical theft of your data, you need to ensure your business data is secure from hackers and cyber-attacks by ensuring your networking equipment is fit for purpose.

  • How is the hardware secured?
  • Does it have WPA2 Security enabled WiFi and WPS disabled?
  • Does it have a stateful inspection firewall?
  • Can you easily create multiple networks for example to provide a separate guest WiFi network to prevent visitors accessing your private network and data?
  • Can you separate different networks (VLANs) all together, for example keeping tills and card terminals isolated?
  • Will it work with VoIP handsets? or WiFi calling on mobiles?

Is it easy to manage the features of the hardware to meet my specific business needs?

Your 4G router is not just about bringing connectivity to your premises, it should also be able to adapt for you to manage your LAN & WiFi to suit your changing business needs.

  • What “self-service” hardware management options are available?
  • Can you add a Guest WiFi portal to give users self-serve access and collect marketing data?
  • What about content filtering? Can you block malicious or inappropriate content to protect your clients and employees?

How scalable and flexible is your 4G LTE hardware?

Many businesses have more complex requirements than a single router. You may have a physically large premises or multiple users. Finding a supplier that’s competent to take a holistic view of your connectivity enables you to ensure you are making a purchase that can be scaled as your business grows so you don’t have unexpected costs later.

  • Does it work out of the box with my existing network or will I have to replace it?
  • Can I easily add more access points at my premises to extend the WiFi coverage?
  • Is it possible to use multiple sims to increase the monthly data allowance?
  • How many users can be online on the WiFi at any one time?
  • Can remote and home workers connect to the same core network?

Do you have 24/7 automated monitoring and surveillance tools?

A key differentiator between providers is how proactive they are in detecting and resolving faults and how much they invest in tools for automated detection, management and reporting of incidents. Business providers should be checking and detecting incidents 24/7, so check what they do to ensure you don’t have to do anything!

  • Do they provide monitoring alerts by email or SMS if the hardware goes offline?
  • Does it the hardware the ability to self-heal when it finds a fault?
  • Do they comprehensive reports of all monitoring activity?

What level of after sales support do you offer?

Determine the after sales support your supplier offers s key to ensuring your business can always remain online and run efficiently. Ensure you know what after sales support is and isn’t covered.

  • What support is included in the hardware price?
  • Do they offer an onsite service for call outs?
  • Can your supplier remotely assist you with configuration advise and changes?
  • How do I raise a support request? by phone, web or email?
  • What are the hours of support available? Is it 24/7 from an operations centre manned round the clock by experienced support engineers or is it only available from someone on standby at home or in an overseas call centre?
  • Is there a warranty on the hardware and what is the replacement policy?

Which 4G data providers can I use with your hardware and what are the costs?

You should look at the coverage maps of the providers in your area, the better the coverage the faster the speed.

  • Will the provider come to your premises and give you a demonstration of the speeds you can achieve with their hardware?
  • Is the data allowance capped or do you run the risk of accidental overage charges?
  • Can you buy add on data and how much does it cost?
  • Do you get commission cashback on your sims from the supplier?
  • Do they have short term 30-day contract sims available?
  • Can you scale up your usage allowance in contract term?

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