Fast.co.uk

Fast and Equiinet Launch Secure Broadband Solutions for Schools

Leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) Fast has announced that it has concluded an agreement with technology developer Equiinet to provide security devices to its specification. The new units to be known as ‘FastPilots’ will be bundled with Fast’s range of high speed broadband internet connectivity options sold into UK primary schools. This will allow Fast to offer a range of ‘Secure Connectivity Solutions’ that will typically be faster, more secure and cost schools far less than at present.

Fast’s Mark Baker explains “Fast is focusing evermore on vertical markets such as education to continue its rapid growth in provision of high-speed broadband connectivity. We have been supplying businesses and schools for the past twelve years. We chose to partner with Equiinet who have complementary skills and expertise in security and caching devices. They have a great track record in education, having supplied over 12,000 caching devices. It was an obvious move for us to approach them and they confirmed that there is undoubtedly a need for an improvement in broadband performance in a significant number of primary schools.”

To underline these views, recent research conducted by BESA*, shows as many as 25% of primary schools have an internet connection offering a lowly performance of 2Mbps or less. An astonishing 45% of primary schools have only 4Mbps or less – meaning most home users are better served than the average primary school, which have a reported 46 PCs all contending for very limited bandwidth.

Equiinet Managing Director, Keith Baker (no relation to Fast’s Mark Baker) comments “Fast approached us to create a new device exclusively for them, designed specifically for the UK primary school market. I am sure the combination of their extensive high-speed broadband offerings coupled with our security and caching technology will provide a very cost-effective and capable package. We had heard excellent reviews regarding Fast’s service provision and support – schools will find them a knowledgeable and professional company to deal with.”

Keith Baker continues “I think schools will be surprised by how much this new offering from Fast can improve services yet lower their costs. Undoubtedly, it will be welcome news to many schools in the current financial climate. We are looking forward to working with Fast on this and other projects.”

Mark Baker concludes “We are very aware of the rather unfortunate position primary schools have been left in after recent budget cuts have been imposed by local and central government. Many schools have lost technical support and advice from Local Authorities as well as connectivity and filtering services needing to be procured elsewhere. Despite the upheaval, we think this is a great opportunity for schools to update and improve services while reducing costs. With Equiinet’s help, we can offer primary schools the very latest technology in a very comprehensive package that will give them faster, more secure internet services – and most importantly without imposing long-term multi-year contracts.”

Complete ‘Secure Connectivity Solution’ packages from Fast, designed specifically for primary schools, start from as little as £40 per month. This includes all broadband connectivity, Becta approved internet filtering, advanced firewall security and caching; optional services include internet activity reporting and data backup.

Further information be found at www.fastpilot.co.uk.

Fast.co.uk offers free hardware

UK ISP Fast.co.uk has today announced that a free ADSL router is now included with all new broadband accounts, across the various packages being offered by the leading broadband supplier.

Fast.co.uk's Mark Baker said "We've listened carefully to feedback, and hardware being included free of charge is one of the most common requests we receive, so I am very pleased that we've been able to offer just that."

The router available is the Thomson TG585v7, a high specification wireless ADSL modem with built in 4 port Ethernet switch. Further details can be found at www.fast.co.uk

Fast.co.uk have also recently launched their FTTC service, and whilst coverage is currently very limited, have an attractive offering for both the consumer and business market available. Packages start from £21.99 per month on a 12 month contract.

Mark continued "We have focused our FTTC products not only on those who require high usage allowances, but at your average Internet user who requires the high speeds available via FTTC, but with a lower level of data transfer each month giving a very affordable package."

We are also working hard on a number of new products which we aim to bring to market over the next few months - watch this space.

Further information be found at www.fast.co.uk/freerouter.

Fast.co.uk unbundles new LLU services

Fast.co.uk, the customer-friendly ISP, has today announced its LLU service packages, with an emphasis on faster speeds and enhanced performance for high end users, while maintaining its most cherished customer care features that have been the foundation of the company for many years.

Fast.co.uk’s Mark Baker, said: “Our move to LLU services will allow our high end users, both residential and business, to access a faster connection with greater usage allowances. The opportunity to work from the local exchanges opens up many possibilities for Fast’s customers in the future.”

Fast’s entry package allows users 200GB usage, with speeds up to 24Mbps at £33.00 plus VAT, while the premium package provides 450GB at just £39.00 plus VAT.

“We’ve retained the features of our other packages, such as short 3-month contracts, no port blocking, unlimited email and full virus and spam filtering,” said Baker. “This coupled with our UK-based customer care team that can be contacted on a non-premium phone number and free LLU migrations, shows our genuine commitment to being the ISP of choice.

“We have already seen much interest from users wanting the inherent benefits of LLU and also from those who want it installed as a backup line to existing BT network connections.”

Continuing to build upon the core service elements and based on customer feedback, Fast is also providing an early warning alert system, based on proprietary software that informs users when they approach their usage allowances.

“This is an exciting time as we add further functionality and greater speed to our packages. Looking to the future, we are well underway on building our planned 2010 super fast fibre broadband (FTTC) packages, which will provide speeds of up to 40Mbps,” concluded Baker.

Further information be found at www.fast.co.uk/llu.

Strategic acquisition of Firenet by UK ISP Fast.co.uk

BROADBAND provider Fast.co.uk (www.fast.co.uk) has today acquired ISP Firenet, an established broadband, dialup and hosting provider with a contact centre based in Northern Ireland.

This acquisition brings together two dedicated teams that are renowned for providing high quality Internet services, with a UK-based technical support service. Firenet is a perfect fit into the Fast.co.uk group, promoting a very similar ethos and focus.

Commenting on the acquisition, Fast.co.uk's Mark Baker said: "In these difficult times of a recession I am very proud that we have been able to invest a substantial amount into the UK and are proactively growing our business. This is a very exciting time for the management, staff and customers of both Fast.co.uk and Firenet."

Award winning Fast.co.uk, has bucked the trend seen in many of its struggling competitors, proving that the company has solid foundations on which it is now growing.

"We have an excellent line-up of new products and services that we will be launching over the next few months, geared to adding even greater value for both our existing and new customers.

"This new acquisition demonstrates our commitment to continue to provide the very best in service provision, which will continue to keep Fast.co.uk at the forefront of the industry," concluded Baker.