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BT offers enterprise customers flexible bandwidth for peak usage
New element of BT IP Connect Global WAN service will enable businesses to dial their network capacity up and down at will
BT has introduced a flexible bandwidth on demand service for its enterprise customers, giving businesses more capability to control their networking capacity and costs in real time.
The service will form part of BT’s wide area networking (WAN) service, BT IP Connect Global, and will enable enterprises to meet demand for extra bandwidth without having to provision their network to meet peak needs.
This means, for example, that a retailer could dial-up its network capacity due to an unforeseen event, such as a warm weekend inflating demand for outdoor furniture, or a scheduled event, such as the now-annual Black Friday sales at the end of November. This will deliver greater operational flexibility and cost control, said BT.
“Bandwidth on demand is a great example of how we’re giving our global customers more agility and control in the areas where they need it most, helping them become digital businesses,” said BT vice-president of network services, Keith Langridge.
“The new feature is part of our Dynamic Network Services programme, which harnesses the latest SDN [software-defined networking] and NFV [network functions virtualisation] technologies to deliver more flexible and efficient network solutions.
“Through this programme we are bringing to life yet another great new global capability to help our customers meet their connectivity needs,” he added.
Users will be able to manage their bandwidth through an online self-service portal provided by BT, and will have the ability to flex their network capacity immediately, or schedule any changes up to 12 months ahead of time if they are anticipated.
It will be available to IP Connect Global customers with BT-managed network equipment on site. Customers will also need to have access infrastructure capable of providing the desired peak bandwidth in place.
The service has been in beta with one of BT’s large customers – an undisclosed “leading” global petrochemical company – for some time, the organisation said.
