winning this award is a huge honour for us, and it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees. We are proud of what we have achieved and are excited to continue on this journey of growth and success.
We are incredibly proud to take the winner’s trophy for Best Mobile Solution and Service Provider as well as Partner of the Year at this years’ Mobile Industry Awards 2023.
We are thrilled to announce that Aerial Direct has won Large Business of the Year at The News Business Excellence Award 2020. The event took place on the evening of Friday 21st February at Portsmouth Guildhall, where we competed against two others, reputable finalists.
The News Business Excellence Award is held yearly to celebrate and acknowledge professional individuals and businesses within the South Coast region. The acquired award category requires companies to demonstrate past achievements, the process of overcoming challenges, innovative projects, creativity, and clear visions and future plans to continue and innovate company growth. For Aerial Direct to win this award is a testament to the hard work that has been put in from everyone in the business.
Gary Strickland-Smith, Director of Operations said ‘Aerial Direct has come a long way to earn the success it currently has, and this has only been possible through the dedication of everyone in the company. To win such a prestigious award with the local community can only prompt me to say how proud I am of all the teams at Aerial Direct, and how grateful we are to all our customers, suppliers and partners for their loyalty and continued support’.
All of us at Aerial Direct would like to thank our customers and clients for their trust and support, and all our staff members for putting in the hard work throughout the years. We would also like to congratulate all the winners from other categories, as well as express our gratitude for being amongst our fellow finalists.
With online services now integral to running businesses, the speed of connectivity will have a great impact on the UK’s contribution to the digital economy. The telecoms market growth has a direct correlation with technological developments in a multitude of ways. The advancements shaping the telecoms market in 2020 are no different, with 3 trends that are poised to mould the growth of the UK market next year.
5G
Commonly referred to as “the network of networks”, 5G equates to super-fast connections, intelligent operational processing, infrastructure communication, hardware developments and much more. The staggering difference in predicted latency alone will have a massive impact on the deployment of technology and applications.
5G in 2020 will mean a shift for telecom companies from technology distributors to service providers and will involve a close collaboration with governing bodies, enterprise customers and their sales approach in helping customers leverage the power of technology.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation
These technologies can help improve customer service satisfaction levels by providing optimisation and predictive data analysis, and are also increasingly popular with finance checks adding an additional layer of security in fraud checks.
The telecoms industry has one of the highest adoption rates for RPA technologies, presenting very high levels of scalability and agility. RPA is taking over repetitive tasks, increasing accuracy through rule-based deployments which in turn reduces human-errors and costs whilst improving operational and customer services efficiency.
From report preparation, responding to partner queries, reducing manual sales order processing efforts, automatic call back-ups to tracking and pro-actively responding to competitor price changes, RPA has the potential to truly change the speed and level of operational efficiency levels in the telecoms sector.
Big Data
The importance of data for the day to day running of a business is already quintessential. Mobile devices, apps and wearable tech in general, generate huge volumes of data that help companies improve their offering but also intelligently market to their target audience. Telecoms companies need not only to protect themselves but protect the huge amounts of sensitive data that runs through the complex gateways of networks.
The increase in speed of connection, as well as the multitude of hardware and software developments in 2020 will come with a series of challenges when it comes to IT setup and resilience preparation against cyber-attacks, malware and privacy piracy.
At Aerial Direct, we are continuously investing and developing our people and processes. Speak to one of our specialists today to explore what these exciting technological advancements can do for your business in 2020.
Using dedicated business mobile phones enables your business to effectively communicate both internally and externally. With tailored contracts and handsets, you can truly focus on your day to day whilst making sure that your company is always reachable and collaboration is maximised. By increasing the mobility of your workforce, employees can perform sophisticated work tasks away from the office with the help of sophisticated mobile devices. The main advantage of having a mobile workforce is being able to make remote employees as productive as possible by using the same software applications and data as they would in the office.
Research shows that a lot of businesses are still struggling with mobile coverage, with 76% of IT decision makers saying that their business ‘suffers’ when they receive less than ‘excellent’ mobile coverage (Source: Global Wireless Solutions). Furthermore, with more than 56% of employees commuting to work by car, a reliable network with good coverage on the road is essential.
Why Aerial Direct?
As one of the leading independent mobile solutions providers in the UK, we are continually investing in and evolving further divisions in our group to support the growth of the mobile workforce as well as as complimentary services. We have the expertise, experience and knowledge to deliver unique solutions to businesses that require a more specialist approach to telecommunications. We pride ourselves heavily on offering outstanding customer service to which, over the past two years, we have won a number of industry recognised awards, such as the Customer Excellence award 2017, 2018 and 2019, The Comms National Awards for Customer Service 2018 & 2019 (5m+) and more.
We specialise in mobile, but we offer fully tailored telecom and IT solutions that help support business with any requirements or needs. What really sets us apart are our employees. A ‘Customer First’ spirit permeates through the organisation and as such, our employees feel empowered to take responsibility and deliver a World-Class customer-led service. This is developed and embedded into the company through the strict training processes employees go through. They are continuously trained on the latest industry demands and needs to ensure that they can answer any questions, as well as, provide a quality service. The technical support teams are specially trained to help our customers when they need it, whether that is pre-sales technical consultancy, or helping to transfer their data from an iPhone to a Samsung device, our experts are always ready to help. Our team of engineers provide on-site training, on-going support and maintenance and doorstep swaps of handsets. In addition to our technical support teams, we have an expert team of Account Managers who look after our largest corporate accounts.
“In these days of demanding and pressured business it is refreshing to encounter consistently excellent customer service from any organisation particularly when supplied at market competitive rates. 3-4 years ago we approached AERIAL DIRECT simply for quotation for a mobile phone package. Most competitive on the day they won our business. However the level of service and attention to our expanding communications requirements over time has been absolutely top notch. Hardware and tablet integration in our mobile services to our customers has proved beneficial and cost effective, professionally advised and competitively supplied by AERIAL DIRECT. O2’s Centre of Excellence is an accolade well deserved, not just for mobile phones but business communications generally. Communications with all at AERIAL DIRECT are exemplary, however our account manager who handles all our various enquiries in the most professional yet personal manner, nothing being too much trouble and always finding the right solution! His proactive personal approach has extended to friends & family who have valued the advice & help with call packages and handsets. I have no hesitation is recommending AERIAL DIRECT to any business or private user and write to say THANK YOU to all at AERIAL DIRECT, so often good service appears to go unrecognised. Well Done! Yours, a very satisfied customer”
Martin Collins
Managing Director
AARC
Why O2?
We partner with the Best Business Network, O2 which provides our customers the coverage, reliability, and the security their business demands. O2 drives employee engagement with Priority perks and experiences and O2 Open employee discounts at no extra cost to businesses. Furthermore they help businesses thrive with tools and solutions they can tailor to their needs, including digital apps like Microsoft Office365 and O2 Conferencing and Security.
We are O2’s largest partner in the UK and are proud to offer our customers a service that has won so many accolades:
•Best Network Performance in 2019 (MNA)
•Voted UK’s Best Network for Coverage in 2018 & 2019 (uSwitch) – chosen by independent voters
•Rated UK’s Most Reliable Network in 2018 (GWS)
•Awarded Best Business Network at the 2019 Mobile Industry Awards
•The first UK network to be awarded a CAS(T) certification for both mobile and wide-area networks as set out by the UK Government
Looking to get more from your business mobile contract?
Speak to one of our specialists today to explore how we can help. Get more from your telecoms and be prepared for the digital transformation in the workplace – aerial-direct.co.uk/contact-us
As the largest direct business partner of O2 in the UK, Aerial Direct is eagerly awaiting the launch of the O2 5G network this month. The fifth generation of mobile internet connectivity will give our customers a better and more reliable connection in extra busy places, delay-free downloads and buffer-free streaming.
O2 announced its plans for the October 5G launch in July with this statement from CEO of Telefónica UK, Mark Evans: “As we switch on our network across the country, our intelligence-led roll out prioritises the key areas in towns and cities first – the places where customers need, and will use, 5G the most.”
O2 is the four time winner of the uSwitch Best Network for Coverage and was rated the highest for indoor 4G coverage in the Ofcom Connect Nation’s Report 2018. In December 2018, GWS tested 28 towns and cities across the UK and found O2 to be the most reliable in 17 cities. Paolo Pescatore, analyst and founder of PP Foresight, said, “There is no disadvantage being the last to launch as coverage is so limited at this early stage. In fact there are opportunities to focus on areas where rivals have yet to offer 5G.”
Building a 5G economy
Beginning with Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Slough and Leeds, O2 is planning to bring the 5G network to 20 towns and cities by the end of 2019, with a total of 50 by Summer 2020. By working closely with direct partners such as Aerial Direct, to maximise awareness and educate businesses on the benefits of 5G, the O2 5G network will quickly catch up with rival networks. O2’s ambition is to build a true 5G economy with a commitment to upgrading its 4G network across the country, ensuring excellent coverage continues to be at the forefront of all technological advancement.
Getting 5G ready
5G technology requires a specific set of antennae meaning you are unable to pick up 5G on existing mobile devices. The first 5G devices started hitting the UK markets in the summer, with Samsung launching the Galaxy S10 5G in June, followed shortly afterwards by the Galaxy Note10 and 10+. The Galaxy A90 5G is Samsung’s new mid-range 5G device and is available from Friday 4th October.
With the release of the latest Samsung Note10 models and the iPhone 11 family, it is time to ask yourself – should I invest in a new smartphone for my business?
Smartphones not only help streamline business activity, they also help potential customers find you. With apps and social media at our fingertips, businesses have become a lot more accessible to the public. In 2019, the rate of smartphone adoption in the UK has grown 13.7 percent since 2014, with the share of monthly active smartphone users projected to reach 79.7 percent by 2022. This would be an increase of over 16 percent from 61.71 percent in 2014.
So much choice
For the last few years the flagship smartphone line-up has been filled with great smartphones and now more than ever, it feels like there’s a new smartphone coming out every day. The choice is abundant. Designs are sleek and each has unique features that separate them from the competition, tempting us into choosing one over another.
Employees must do more with less, be extra productive, and be as available as possible — particularly if they’re taking on more workload with contractors and employee head counts are decreasing. It is vital they have the tools they need to get the job done.
Regardless of how attractive the new smartphones are, it’s easy to hold off on an upgrade – especially considering the brand new models’ hefty price tags.
When is it time to upgrade?
At a certain point, the world will outgrow your business smartphone and it will no longer be so smart. You won’t be able to perform software updates on it or download new applications. The more sophisticated phones and apps get, the more storage they typically require. New operating systems and software updates can take up a significant chunk of space. A lack of storage space on your device will slow it down. Your smartphone battery should last you through a day of typical usage. Smartphone batteries lose capacity every time they are charged from zero to 100%. If your phone is dying more and more quickly after a full charge, it’s a sign your phone’s battery is on its last legs.
Smartphones are designed to make our lives simpler so if your smartphone is a constant source of stress and frustration because it is making life harder, it is time to upgrade. New models now have the ability to power share, greater storage capacity, screen sizes are considerably larger and with the introduction of 5G, internet and download speeds have increased on 5G ready devices. The new features have been designed specifically to enhance performance.
For security purposes, it is important to update your phone to the latest operating system available. Updates often fix flaws in older systems that leave your phone and data vulnerable to hackers and cyberattacks and are aimed at making the user experience better. A survey conducted by data security pioneer Varonis, predicted that a business would fall victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds in 2019. Instead of procrastinating about software updates, see them as one of the most essential steps you can take when it comes to protecting your information. If your phone is unable to update to the latest operating system, it leaves business data and information open to hackers.
Director of Operations at Aerial Direct, Gary Strickland Smith explains the importance of upgrading your business smartphone:
“Smartphones are a part of everyday business life, allowing you to interact and stay truly connected with your customers. They could even be described as the foundation of business today, especially the latest models which bear a similar functionality to PCs. There is a greater need for connectivity away from the boundaries of an office in order to keep productivity levels high. With the equivalent of a laptop in their pockets, your employees can achieve the same level of output on the go as they can sat at their desks.
“As we make the transition into a more cloud-based society, it’s a necessity to have access to the right tools and the most up to date technology in order to seize opportunities for business growth. Upgrading to the latest smartphone models is an essential task for businesses. It can improve security, increase employee productivity levels and enhance interactions, which ultimately leads to business growth.”
Aerial Direct can help
At Aerial Direct, our tailored business mobile packages and tariffs allow you to choose the right handsets at affordable prices, enabling your business to work smarter. Whether you are a single user, small to medium business or large corporate, we carefully assess your requirements, simply by listening to you. We will find you the right plan and deliver the most appropriate bespoke mobile communications service for your company.
The way in which people in the UK make phone calls has changed substantially over the last decade. It comes as no surprise that BT Openreach led the decision to switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) – in favour of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). 40% of the UK market has already recognised that switching to a VoIP system provides a number of benefits, yet BT Openreach still has approximately two million customers.
PSTN is the traditional landline setup you may be familiar with and may currently have in your business. It is jokingly known as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS). The signal is still usually analogue from the exchange to the end user. ISDN refers to the ability to deliver a minimum of two simultaneous connections – voice and data – over a single line. ISDN is popular for businesses wishing to transmit voice, data, video and fax without the need to install and manage multiple PSTNs.
The graphic below from Ofcom’s report – The Future of Fixed Telephone Services clearly demonstrates the difference between PSTN and VoIP.
The big switch off
The PSTN and ISDN days are numbered. The date is not set in stone but in 2025 the networks will cease to be. BT Openreach have announced their plans to switch off their PSTN and ISDN networks. Reliance on high-maintenance copper wires to transmit calls will be a thing of the past.
Why? Because the number of companies using traditional phones is already falling. According to a survey by Ofcom, 17% fewer calls were made from landlines in 2017 and that figure is expected to halve again by the end of 2019 . Furthermore, technology has greatly improved, becoming more flexible, cheaper and faster than ever before. The rollout of 5G is transforming connectivity with Internet speeds and bandwidth no longer a constraint on the volume of data traffic being handled.
The larger questions you should be asking are: Is your business ready for the big switch off and what are your best options for business communications?
Future-proofing your business
The countdown to 2025 is on and it is BT’s intention to stop selling PSTN and ISDN lines and hardware from 2020. If your current traditional telephony contract is up for renewal, now is the time to start exploring your options and the benefits of IP telephony technologies. Businesses large and small need to modernise their communications systems to stay ahead of the coming changes and maintain their connectivity.
Upgrading legacy phone systems is not as daunting as one might think and it’s not just phone lines undergoing the IP revolution. IP technology itself sits within the Cloud, allowing businesses to take advantage of a further raft of features and functionalities, like multi-party conference calls, secure file sharing and instant messaging with colleagues and customers around the globe.
Aerial Direct’s hosted Voice over Internet Protocol system Connect enables your business to work smarter and faster with a range of powerful, enterprise-grade features. With three packages to choose from, you decide which features are important to your business.
Those businesses taking action to switch to VoIP are future proofing their business, staying one step ahead of the game and the future of telecoms.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is not a new technology. In 1995 VocalTec pioneered the first widely available Internet phone. It allowed one Internet user to call another, and connected to the speakers and a microphone. The technology required for VoIP has been available since then but hasn’t attracted much attention until recently.
Nowadays telephony has become much more than a form of communication and many businesses are realising the importance of using VoIP. According to Grand View Research, the worldwide VoIP market is expected to reach £119 billion by 2024, with overall VoIP subscriber numbers growing 14% year on year since 2009.
Are you a VoIP Sceptic?
As with the adoption of many new technologies, VoIP has been met with much scepticism regarding its reliability, effectiveness, security and cost. Rationale for businesses to keep a traditional telephone service is usually because of a lack of understanding, or a bad experience with VoIP in the past.
As a leading independent provider of telecommunications, Aerial Direct wishes to dispel the scepticism and myths surrounding VoIP and to assist understanding in what makes switching to VoIP an excellent choice for business.
Below are some of the real world objections Aerial Direct has experienced from customers when discussing the introduction of VoIP telephony to their business.
VoIP myth 1:
“VoIP Is too technical for me – I need a tech-guru/IT department to set-up and install it”
To install a VoIP device, all you need to do is plug it directly into your computer network via your router. Providing your broadband or Internet connectivity is fast and has sufficient bandwidth for VoIP, you can connect your device to the Internet via the WiFi, enter the relevant user details, and you’re ready to go. It’s as simple as that to get started. If you opt for hosted VoIP services – like Connect – there’s no need to understand more than the basics. Open IP phones, such as Yealink, Avaya and Gigaset work directly with your network, requiring no additional expertise. VoIP systems are also easier to manage than their landline-based counterparts. You manage and maintain the system via the web-based, user-friendly interface and have the ability to move, add or change users with just a few clicks. There’s never a need to bother an administrator or IT department.
VoIP myth 2:
“VoIP is only good for large corporations”
On the contrary, VoIP technology is ideal for SMEs. A VoIP phone system is so versatile, it can be adopted by organisations of any size and offers as many advantages for small businesses as it does for large corporations. A VoIP service will help keep overheads down, while also helping smaller companies appear larger through many professional business tools such as virtual landlines, helping drive productivity and making it easier to compete with larger companies. Small businesses can expand as they grow without the need for expensive upgrades or costly downtime. Mid-sized businesses can implement VoIP at multiple locations and save on inter-company calls, as well as taking advantage of the many features that come free with VoIP packages – such as call management, call recording and video conferencing.
VoIP myth 3:
“VoIP is unsecure and prone to hackers and viruses because of the internet”
As VoIP uses the Internet to communicate, there are many doubts and fears that have to do with eavesdropping or call hijacking. People use the Internet securely and with confidence every day, from banking to other transactions, many of which are far more critical than a telephone call. As long as your internal network is secure and you make use of modern security technologies like firewalls, encryption and proper authentication, then your phone network will be secure too. Providing you are using a recognised and trusted VoIP provider, the risk of falling victim to hacking or cybercrime is minimal. At Aerial Direct, we make security a priority when we look at your system in readiness for VoIP.
VoIP myth 4:
“VoIP sound quality is poor compared to traditional landlines”
VoIP technology, the Internet and 4G connections have developed greatly in speed and reliability. Broadband speeds and quality of Internet are one of the biggest factors affecting VoIP call quality. Therefore, the better your Internet connection is and the higher quality your VoIP devices are, the better the quality of your calls will be. With the right equipment and enough bandwidth (we suggest a minimum bandwidth requirement of 3 Mbps upload and download for your VoIP services), VoIP sound quality is substantially better than analogue phone lines which are prone to faults through interference and noise.
VoIP myth 5:
“VoIP doesn’t offer much in savings and switching is a big investment”
Cost saving is one of the major business benefits of VoIP and making the switch is typically less expensive than any other type of telephony upgrade. VoIP systems are cheaper than conventional telephone systems because they are software-based and generally have two types of cost: a monthly line rental fee, and costs for usage. Handsets may be slightly more expensive than the average traditional phone. By only looking at the cost of implementation, organisations overlook the long term cost savings and neglect to see the workload reduction and the improvement in efficiency and productivity company-wide. For example, investing in a VoIP system can translate into increased worker mobility and flexibility, improved collaboration and increased efficiency through quicker call management.
Aerial Direct’s VoIP telephony system Connect is a highly intelligent hosted communication service that empowers your business to work smarter and faster. Connect provides excellent value options and features, without the need to worry about compromising on call quality, support or reliability.
Connect is a powerful, end-to-end hosted telephony system providing businesses with fixed and mobile capabilities via a broadband connection. It has been designed to improve collaboration, productivity, and efficiency. With Connect, your calls are high-quality, secure and reliable, keeping your business seamlessly connected.
Delivered with keevio, Connect’s simple but intelligent web application, provides you with everything you need to work from anywhere. You can make calls, hold conferences, share your screen and instant message with colleagues and customers. Simply share a link with any party (even if they do not have keevio) and they will instantly have access to communication with you.
Connect is ideal for businesses of all sizes and works exceptionally well for organisations operating across multiple locations.
Left unchecked, mobile technology can be a threat to business security. Employees in virtually every organisation, regardless of size, are increasing their use of smartphones as standard working practice. According to Forbes, 60 percent of workers in 2019 use a smartphone for work purposes while 31 percent desire one. Additionally, the popularity of BYOD (bring your own device) has steadily increased, ensuring cost savings for organisations, flexible working for staff and to bolster motivation and productivity.
Such demands often put IT departments in tough situations, leaving them scrambling to create and update mobile policies, as new devices and applications hit the market. As a result, there’s increasing concern around malware and other security issues. It is critically important that businesses realise they are potential targets for malicious acts. Mobility and the internet may have brought us closer together – but unfortunately it means we are also closer to hackers from all over the world.
Android Security
At the beginning of 2019, 72 percent of devices used in business run Google’s Android operating system. This number is expected to rise, with 60 percent of device buyers saying Android is being integrated into their organisations. Over the past decade, the core device-level security on smartphones and tablets has improved significantly. However, it is important that businesses recognise that not all Android mobile devices are equal. They should look closely at the management and security functionality being offered by the manufacturer. Simply put, some manufacturers are better at making sure Android’s built-in security features work correctly. A good example is Samsung.
Samsung Knox is a leading mobile security platform that provides a secure environment for corporate data and apps on all Galaxy devices. It protects business and personal privacy from one device with no need for third party IT protection. Essentially, it’s the free security technology which comes pre-installed in the hardware of Samsung’s latest devices. Knox was first commercially available on the Samsung Galaxy S4 in 2014. Now it’s expanding to Samsung’s consumer electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The ‘Secured by Knox’ emblem seen when turning on a Samsung Galaxy means the cutting-edge Knox technology is embedded into the device.
How does Samsung Knox work?
Data on Knox devices is securely encrypted by default, using a government-certified encryption module. In the event of device theft or loss, anyone who picks up the phone won’t be able proceed past the device lock. It is designed to block any attempts at tampering. This ensures “work” phones come with the same functionality as the latest “personal” smartphones – without compromising security. Knox is more than just a virus scanner or malware detector – or even a security feature. Knox is a security layer which isolates personal and business data, allowing the user a personal device and a business device all on the same hardware.
Society and enterprise is in the early stages of a massive transformative shift in the mobile industry, led by the deployment of 5G at scale, which in turn will enable the accelerated propagation of Enterprise IoT. Knox is evolving to address the privacy needs and security management concerns of business customers in the new 5G-enabled, AI-driven world. Trusted by governments worldwide, Samsung Knox builds easy-to-manage, customisable, defence-grade security into business smartphones and tablets. With real-time monitoring and protection tools, it is virtually impossible for any unauthorised person to access business data.
Knox protection with Aerial Direct
A survey conducted by data security pioneer Varonis, predicts that a business will fall victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds in 2019. It’s never been more important to keep your company data secure. At Aerial Direct, our Samsung devices can be supplied with Knox ensuring your phone is protected from hacks, scams and cyber-criminals. Never worry about your data falling into the wrong hands.
Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without the internet at our fingertips. Mobile phones began with 1G – the first generation of wireless cellular technology. 1G is analog technology and phones using it had poor voice quality, little security, and were prone to dropped calls – not ideal when conducting business deals. The leap from 1G to 2G introduced call and text encryption, along with data services such as SMS, picture messages, and MMS.
Along came 3G
3G – the third generation mobile network – revolutionised the connectivity and capabilities of mobile phones. Mobiles were no longer just about calls and texts. The internet was in the palm of your hand; SATNAV directions popped up at the touch of a button; browsing social media was suddenly available to you any time, any place, and you were able to share files and video call with colleagues. Due to mobile internet, the way businesses operate changed forever.
Then there was 4G
Everything was transformed again with the rollout of 4G. The fourth generation network was five times faster than the 3G network. 4G was an exceptional technological advancement. Ofcom states that it takes less than a second for a basic web page to load on a smartphone using a 4G mobile connection (0.78 seconds on average across all networks). This compares to 1.06 seconds on average across all networks using a 3G mobile connection. But we still demanded further evolution in technology to allow more traffic, faster and more efficient flow, as well as greater reliably.
The hotly anticipated fifth generation of mobile internet connectivity will transform it all again. Industry experts predict that 5G will offer speeds 20 times faster than existing connections. It will change not just how we use our mobiles, but how we connect our devices to the internet. According to a study from Qualcomm, by 2035, 5G could underpin up to £9.3 trillion worth of goods and services in industries such as retail, healthcare, education, transportation, entertainment and more.
What does 5G mean for Aerial Direct?
5G will not replace 4G. It is going to add to it, providing the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data at great speed and lower latency (the measure of the tiny delay that occurs when data gets sent or is received by a device). The faster network will power the huge growth in Internet of Things technology – where smart devices talk to each other via internet connection.
How will 5G benefit Aerial Direct? The key selling point is that 5G will provide faster connectivity than anything ever seen before. This will bring new opportunities for organisations upgrading to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), internet speeds and bandwidth no longer a constraint. With 4G, a fixed amount of bandwidth is assigned in each direction by the network provider – regardless of the volume of data traffic being handled. Whereas 5G is adjustable – if there is congestion in one direction, a different bandwidth can be utilised from the other direction.
As VoIP is real time communication, latency is as important as speed. A 5G connection is expected to deliver a latency as low as one millisecond, which is 40-60 times faster than a 4G network. This is a crucial asset to VoIP systems.
Aerial Direct’s direct business partner, O2 announced the launch of its 5G mobile network in October 2019, going live in 20 towns and cities this year and a total of 50 by Summer 2020. The announcement comes the day after O2 announced its agreement with Vodafone to share 5G active equipment, such as radio antennas, on joint network sites across the UK. This means more people will get 5G mobile connection sooner. Network sharing reaps the benefits of 5G at the same time as reducing the impact on the environment.
Gary Strickland-Smith, Operations Director at Aerial Direct said,“We are highly excited about the roll out of 5G and what it poses for the future development of both our mobile and hosted product offerings. 5G’s increased speeds and improved latency will enable us to deliver an even better service to our customers as we continue to place them at the heart of everything we do.”
Preparing for 5G
You won’t be able to pick up 5G on existing mobile devices – the technology requires a specific set of antennae. Organisations may choose to become early adopters of the first 5G devices. Samsung revealed its first 5G handsets in June. Others may choose to wait for further 5G-enabled technology to become available. Apple, for example, has not yet revealed plans for 5G devices.
5G is going to transform how organisations operate, communicate and work by connecting not only smartphones but also vehicles, factories, offices and even cities. There is still a period of time before businesses will start to benefit from 5G. There won’t be a sudden swap over moment when 5G networks are ‘switched on’. Like everything else in technology, an evolutionary process and mass market adoption will be a slow burn. It is generally accepted that the tide will have fully turned by around 2022. Science fiction becomes science fact.
Aerial Direct announces the acquisition of IPCortex
Press release, Fareham, Hampshire, March 25th, 2019: Aerial Direct, today announces the acquisition of communications software developer, IPCortex, to enhance its opportunities and offering in the unified communication market. Aerial Direct has acquired all IPCortex assets, personnel, and customer contracts, and the business will now operate under the Aerial Direct Group. Aerial Direct’s Glyn Thomas will join IPCortex as Managing Director, but there will be no other operational changes at this time. The terms of the deal have not been publicly disclosed.
Under Aerial Direct, IPCortex will continue its channel-only route to market and existing partners will continue to benefit from being able to offer customers truly differentiated, feature-rich communications solutions, be that hosted, on-premise or virtual. Furthermore, Aerial Direct has the ability to execute on IPCortex’s ambitious growth plans by offering greater commercial resource, scale and an increased focus on expediting the development of features that are important to resellers, especially as they support customers shifting to cloud-based environments. The acquisition assures a long term future for the platform, which currently has more than 80,000 business users across a range of high profile clients.
“Aerial Direct offers a very exciting opportunity for IPCortex to accelerate the next stage of our growth for the business, strengthening and expanding its proposition in the market,” explains Rob Pickering, founder and CEO of IPCortex. “The acquisition supports our strategy to further invest in IPCortex commercial infrastructure to meet the future requirements of both our reseller partners and the wider unified communications market.”
Glyn Thomas, incoming Managing Director at IPCortex, says; “The journey so far for IPCortex has been a considerable one. Rob and the team have created an exciting product with a truly flexible suite of deployment options, easy migration paths and built-in security and resilience. This is a fantastic product, with an already rich and robust feature set, poised for accelerated enhancements.”
David Kilby, founder and CEO of Aerial Direct, comments; “Aerial Direct’s acquisition of IPCortex is a major growth opportunity for both businesses allowing us to expand our service offerings further. It also means we are in a stronger position to support organisations through their digital transformation journey as they look to implement truly unified communication and collaboration solutions and drive efficiencies.”
IPCortex is a British software developer whose real time communication and collaboration solutions help companies of all sizes to deliver extraordinary customer service and to maximise the value of working together. Founded in 2002, its award-winning solutions are used by household-name companies in a wide variety of industries.
The definitive agreement between Aerial Direct and IPCortex was completed on March 14th 2019 with the operations currently being reviewed and integrated within the Aerial Direct Group.
