Previous Connectivity Setup And Issues
Dissatisfaction with their current speeds and services prompted the team to seek an alternative solution that could better meet their needs.
The Beacon School
Introduction
In November 2023, The Beacon School reached out to Orbital Net via an inbound call to explore connectivity solutions across their two sites. They were also interested in either implementing a new VoIP system or having us take over their existing VoIP solution.
As Orbital Net are specialists in the education sector, we were well-placed to help the school overcome their previous connectivity issues.
The Beacon School officially opened in September 2016, bringing together the Federation of Foxwood and Highview School into a single institution.
Prior to the merger, both schools received independent Ofsted Outstanding ratings in June 2014. The transition to our new building provided an exciting opportunity to build upon this success, creating a unified school with a strong foundation for excellence.
Research & Development
Why Were They Looking To Change Providers
The Beacon School were very unhappy with their previous provider and wanted to improve the reliability of their service with a future-proof and scalable solution while also lowering costs.
Why They Chose Orbital Net
Having previously worked with their facilities manager at another site, he highly recommended Orbital to The Beacon, leading to this opportunity to support their connectivity needs
The Solution
Understanding their Needs
Orbital Net provided SIP trunks for their existing phone system, ensuring seamless operation over a robust network. Additionally, we delivered leased lines to both Walmer and Folkestone, integrating a fibre link between the sites with auto-failover backup through WiMAX and FTTP to enhance resiliency.
By assessing the entire connectivity solution across multiple locations, we were able to optimise costs over the contract term while future-proofing their infrastructure to support the expansion of a new site set to be onboarded in 2025.
Subsequently, we also took over a Wirelink connection from The Beacon to Castle Hill, where they operate a remote classroom, ensuring reliable connectivity for their extended learning environment.
Our tailored connectivity solution provided The Beacon School with significant improvements, ensuring they met both operational needs and long-term digital transformation goals
The Result
Key Benefits Delivered
With our high-speed leased lines and fibre-linked sites, The Beacon School now benefits from internet speeds that meet and exceed government compliance standards for education. This ensures that students and staff have uninterrupted access to online learning platforms, cloud-based applications, and administrative systems. The enhanced bandwidth also supports the school’s digital strategy, enabling the adoption of new technologies and future education initiatives.
By optimising their entire connectivity infrastructure across multiple sites, we were able to deliver substantial cost savings. The transition to SIP trunks for voice services and the implementation of a resilient network with automatic failover helped reduce operational expenses while increasing efficiency. These savings allow the school to allocate more resources towards education and expansion projects, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.
The Beacon School is now well-equipped to support its students and staff with a robust, government-compliant digital environment