Ethernet First Mile (EFM): The Ultimate Guide & Deals
Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) utilises copper lines for high-speed internet access, offering reliable connectivity with speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 35Mbps. It’s cost-effective and suitable for businesses needing stable internet connections.
F or further information and pricing on leased lines, click here .
What is Ethernet In The First Mile?
Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) is a networking technology designed to provide high-speed broadband connectivity over copper twisted pair cables in a telecommunications network’s “first mile” or local loop. It offers an economical and scalable solution for delivering Ethernet services to residential, business, and enterprise customers, particularly in areas where fibre optic infrastructure is not readily available or cost-effective to deploy. EFM utilises existing copper telephone lines, typically Category 5 (Cat5) or Category 6 (Cat6) twisted pair cables, to deliver Ethernet services to end-users. By leveraging copper infrastructure, EFM allows service providers to extend high-speed broadband access to customers without the need for costly fibre optic installations.
EFM utilises existing copper telephone lines, typically Category 5 (Cat5) or Category 6 (Cat6) twisted pair cables, to deliver Ethernet services to end-users. By leveraging copper infrastructure, EFM allows service providers to extend high-speed broadband access to customers without the need for costly fibre optic installations.
EFM supports symmetrical bandwidth , providing equal upstream and downstream data rates. This enables users to upload and download data at the same high-speed rates, making it suitable for video conferencing, cloud computing, and data backup applications.
EFM operates using the Ethernet protocol suite , which is widely used in local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) for transmitting data packets between network devices. It provides compatibility with existing Ethernet-based equipment, simplifying integration and interoperability with network infrastructure.
What is Ethernet In The First Mile?
Why Should You Choose Ethernet In The First Mile?
Now that you understand EFM, you must wonder why you should get it.
The primary reason to get this connection is if you work from home.
Additionally, this is the best service for your business premises.
Here are some benefits of ethernet in the first mile that will help you understand its purpose better:
One of the best things about EFM is that it uses a pairing technology for the connection. This means that if one wire of the pair fails, the broadband service will still be available. The only difference will be that the connection will slow until the company fixes it. Hence, you will always have Wi-Fi if one pairing cable stops working. That is why this connection is best for business. If communications are down, your work will be affected significantly.
The speed of an EFM connection depends on the pairing circuits. The more pairs there are, the higher the number of copper wires. This means that speed will be faster when there are more cables. For example, an EFM connection with two pairs can have a maximum speed of 10 Mbps. Meanwhile, when there are four pairs, this value increases to up to 20 Mbps. The speeds can reach a maximum value of 30 Mbps with EFM. This is equivalent to the connection speed you can achieve with fibre. The primary difference is that with EFM, both download and upload speeds are high and the same.
With standard internet connections, you may notice that speed is higher during the day than at night. This is because the typical internet is a shared resource. Hence it works on a contention ratio. For example, if the ratio is 20:1, twenty people can simultaneously use one connection. If this number exceeds the speed slows and won’t work on the device of the 21st person. However, with ethernet, the ratio is a thing of the past. Now you can use the same throughout the day. This is because contention is managed in a better way with EFM technology.
The installation costs of an EFM connection are lower than that of the fibre. Besides that, your monthly or annual broadband bill will also be lower with ethernet in the first mile for the same speed. This is because pairing technology is more efficient. Additionally, you should note that in EFM, copper cables are used. Meanwhile, in FTTP or FTTC, an optic fibre is used. The wire is, of course, cheaper than fibres. Hence the overall costs of EFM are lower.
Category 5
Category 5E
Category 6
Category 6A
Category 7
Cable Type
UTP
UTP
UTP or STP
STP
S/FTP
Max Data Transmission Speed
10/100/1000 Mbps
10/100/1000 Mbps
10/100/1000 Mbps
10000 Mbps
10000Mbps
Max Bandwidth
100 MHz
101 MHz
250 MHz
500 MHz
500-1000 MHz
Ethernet First Mile Costs
Beginning at approximately £90 per month up to around £350 per month , EFM can provide a more economical option than a standard leased line.
Here is a Handy Youtube Video About Ethernet In the First Mile
Ethernet First Mile FAQS
What are the different types of fibre connections?
Is Ethernet in the First Mile And Fibre The Same?
Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) and fibre optics are not the same, although they serve similar purposes in providing high-speed broadband connectivity. In summary, while Ethernet in the First Mile and fibre optics both serve as high-speed broadband connectivity solutions, they differ in terms of transmission medium, data transmission speed and distance, reliability, cost, and deployment considerations. The choice between EFM and fibre optics depends on factors such as network requirements, budget constraints, and the availability of infrastructure.
EFM Ethernet First Mile & other related articles:
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