Entanet questions impact of Scottish ‘Yes’ vote on Internet industry

September 3, 2014

Leading wholesale communications provider, Entanet, asks what the potential impact on the UK connectivity market might be if Scotland votes for independence on 18 September.

While Head of Marketing, Darren Farnden, points out that, at this stage it’s all just speculation, since very little detail about the potential plans have been published, in the company’s latest blog post he asks whether a more committed stance from a new Scottish administration might force the hand of Westminster to make more ambitious promises of its own.

A USO (Universal Service Obligation) has been promised by the Scottish government, albeit with a lack of detail as to minimum speeds and target deadlines, and Farnden speculates about the effect this might have on the UK’s current USC (Universal Service Commitment). “We wonder if a USO north of the border would encourage – or maybe even force – the UK’s existing commitment to be upgraded to an obligation covering potentially faster speeds?”

Farnden also discusses the potential impact on UK-based providers and a prospective increase in costs for Scottish customers. “The list of possible problems and hassles [for providers] is extensive and could mean that, in the long term, it becomes too problematic for smaller UK based ISPs to provide connectivity services to Scotland. It may also mean increased costs for Scottish residents.”

The full article can be found here: http://www.enta.net/opinion/

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About Entanet
Entanet is a leading wholesale voice and data communications provider and operates via a network of wholesale and resale channel partners. It was founded in 1996 by Taiwanese entrepreneur Jason Tsai and employs over 80 staff at its offices in Telford, Shropshire.

In February 2014, mid-market equity investor Mobeus Equity Partners made an initial £6 million investment to support a £14 million management buyout. Jason Tsai remains a significant shareholder.

Entanet offers an extensive portfolio of connectivity services, including wholesale and packaged broadband, leased lines, EFM, IP VPNs, hosting and co-location, VoIP and traditional telecoms. The company operates its own fully-resilient nationwide next generation network which enables it and its partners to provide up to 10Gbps capacity to customers right across the UK. In addition, it has further connectivity into Amsterdam and Frankfurt and over 900 peering relationships across Europe.

The quality of Entanet’s services and its commitment to partners has been widely recognised. The company was recently named Best Channel ISP in the 2013 Comms National Awards and as the winner in the 2013 ISPA Awards for Best Business Fixed Broadband. In the Comms National Awards 2012 it was awarded Best Channel Wholesale Service Provider. It also received the ISPA award for Best Internet Telephony in 2011 and was short-listed in the Specialist Services Vendor of the Year category in the CRN Channel Awards – an accolade it has won twice in previous years. The company has also been listed on a number of occasions in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100, Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA and other listings of fast-growing, privately-held UK companies.

For more information contact:
Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing
Entanet International Ltd
Tel: 0333 101 0000
Email: marketing@enta.net