What’s the difference between FTTC, ADSL AND FTTP? | SCG SW
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What’s the difference between FTTC, ADSL AND FTTP?

The two main alternatives to FTTC broadband are ADSL and FTTP. Here, we compare FTTC to both to help you understand the differences and which choice may be the best for your business broadband.

FTTC

As explained in depth in our guide ‘What is FTTC broadband and how does it work?’ [add link]? FTTC is a broadband connection called Fibre to the Cabinet and connects homes and businesses to fibre optic broadband via copper wires.

Speeds depend on your distance from the exchange and it can be a very cost effective broadband option for small and medium sized businesses.

What’s the difference between FTTC and ADSL?

ADSL

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line and works through copper wires in existing phone lines. It is popular for home broadband as it’s reliable, but can also be used for small businesses who don’t require super fast speeds.

DifferencesFTTCADSL
AccessibilityMore that 95% UK coverageMore that 99% UK coverage
Line typeFibre opticAsymmetric
SpeedUp to 80MbpsUp to 24Mbps
PriceVery affordableVery affordable
DistanceSpeeds affected by distance to a BT exchangeSpeeds affected by distance to a BT exchange

Whilst the maximum speeds for FTTC are much faster than ADSL, they both depend on the distance from the exchange, and FTTC speeds will drop around 2-3 km, whereas ADSL drop at around 5-6 km.

When choosing for your business, it would be advised to check your location and the expected speeds for both types of broadband before you make any decisions on which line will be best for your needs.

What’s the difference between FTTC and FTTP?

FTTP

FTTP broadband (Fibre to the Premises), utilises the latest fibre optic technology to ensure superfast broadband speeds across multiple devices working at once.

FTTP benefits from fibre all the way to the premise so speeds can be faster, however, this is still a contended service so speeds will vary based on the number of users in the area.

DifferencesFTTCFTTP
AccessibilityMore that 95% UK coverageOver 600,000 premises and growing
Line typeFibre opticFibre optic
SpeedUp to 80MbpsUp to 1Gbps
PriceVery affordablePremium price for ultrafast speeds
DistanceSpeeds affected by distance to a BT exchangeUnaffected; installations occur near sites where there is demand

Your provider can check availability in your area, and availability is increasing year on year as more businesses demand superfast broadband.

Which is right for your business?

This will always become a choice based on a combination of availability, required speeds, and budget. Our advisors can discuss the best options for your own business, based on your location and specific requirements.

To discuss FTTC, ADSL or FTTP, please call us on 01256 391 046 or fill in our enquiry form. We have worked with a huge range of businesses – small, medium and large – and have the expertise to provide you with the best deal.

Unified Solutions

Whatever your business need, Southern Communications has the experience and know-how to help make it more efficient and optimised so that you can achieve greater heights.