⚖️ The Firm
A mid-size Birmingham law firm specialising in commercial property and corporate law. 45 staff including 14 fee earners. The firm handles sensitive client documents and uses cloud-based case management software, video conferencing for client meetings and VoIP for all communications.
⚠️ The Problem: Shared FTTP Failing at Peak Times
The firm was on a standard business FTTP connection at 150Mbps download / 30Mbps upload, shared across all 45 staff. Two specific problems had reached board level:
- Video call quality during peak hours: Client video calls at 11am and 2–4pm were consistently degraded. Two separate client complaints in a quarter about poor call quality during sensitive case discussions.
- Compliance concern: The firm's compliance officer raised that contended broadband (shared infrastructure) didn't meet their interpretation of Cyber Essentials Plus requirements for sensitive client data transmission. The firm needed a dedicated, uncontended connection.
🔍 The Assessment
Telexico assessed three options for the Birmingham city-centre office:
| Option | Spec | Monthly Cost | Install Time | Addresses Compliance? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced FTTP | 500Mbps/115Mbps | £89 | Already live | No — still contended |
| Leased line (Openreach) | 500Mbps symmetric | £520 | 55 days | Yes — uncontended |
| Leased line (Virgin) | 500Mbps symmetric | £460 | 38 days | Yes — uncontended |
The compliance team reviewed both leased line options and confirmed either would satisfy their Cyber Essentials Plus requirement for uncontended connectivity. Virgin Media Business was selected for the shorter installation timeline — the firm had a major client deadline in 8 weeks.
🔧 Installation
The Virgin Media Business circuit was ordered at week 1. The installation survey confirmed no wayleave was required — the building already had Virgin duct access from a previous tenant. Engineer installation took place at week 6, with the circuit fully live and tested at week 7.
Telexico configured the new leased line in parallel with the existing FTTP for one week — staff continued to use FTTP while the new circuit was tested under real conditions. The FTTP was retained as a secondary backup (£52/month) rather than cancelled, providing automatic failover capability.
✅ Results: 3 Months Post-Installation
| Metric | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Connection type | Contended FTTP 150Mbps | Dedicated 500Mbps + FTTP failover |
| Peak-hour video quality | Degraded, client complaints | Excellent, no complaints |
| Upload speed (consistent) | 8–22Mbps (variable) | 500Mbps guaranteed |
| Compliance status | Concern raised | Cyber Essentials Plus satisfied |
| Downtime incidents | 2 in 6 months | 0 (failover activated once, seamlessly) |
| Monthly connectivity cost | £89 | £572 (leased line + FTTP failover) |
The £483/month increase in connectivity cost was presented to the board alongside the compliance risk mitigation and the eliminated risk of client-visible service failures. It was approved unanimously.
Telexico advises professional services firms on connectivity that meets compliance requirements. Free assessment available.
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