Factors influencing the choice of digital communication in a network

(a) Bandwidth.

(b) Latency.

(c) Range.

(d) Reliability.

(e) Security.

(a) Low latency — fast response matters more than huge bandwidth.

(b) High bandwidth — 4K = 25+ Mbps sustained.

(c) Latency + reliability — delays could harm patients.

(d) Security + reliability — sensitive data, must always be accessible.

(e) Range / coverage — connection where conventional networks fail.

(a) Buffering, slow downloads, video pixelation, slowdown when multiple users.

(b) Lag in video calls, poor gaming, slow web page loads.

(c) Dropped connections, low speeds, dead zones.

(d) Data theft, ransomware, hijacked accounts, regulatory fines.

(e) Lost productivity, dissatisfied users, business disruption.

(a) Streaming: 3 × 25 = 75 Mbps. Video calls: 2 × 5 = 10 Mbps. Browsing: 10 Mbps. Total = 95 Mbps.

(b) 100 Mbps is just sufficient — leaves 5 Mbps headroom. Tight. A burst (file download, software update) would saturate. Recommend 200 Mbps for comfort.

Satellite latency 600 ms vs:

• Gaming threshold 50 ms → 12× over limit. Unusable.
• Video calls threshold 150 ms → 4× over limit. Unusable for live calls; OK for one-way streaming.
• Web browsing threshold 300 ms → 2× over limit. Pages slow but usable.

Geostationary satellite is unsuitable for interactive use. Modern LEO satellite networks (Starlink) achieve 20–40 ms latency by flying much closer (~550 km vs 36,000 km).

(a) Monthly: 80 + 30 + (8 × 10) + 200 = 80 + 30 + 80 + 200 = £390/month.

(b) Annual: £390 × 12 = £4,680/year.

(Network expenses are typically 1–3% of revenue for a service business — useful benchmark.)

Bandwidth analysis:

• 100 pupils could need ~5 Mbps each for streaming = 500 Mbps peak. None of the options meet peak demand.
• Realistic concurrent use ~30 pupils streaming = ~150 Mbps. Only Starlink meets this.

Cost analysis (year 1):

• Fixed broadband: £40 × 12 = £480.
• 4G: £25 × 12 = £300 — but 100 GB cap will be exhausted in days at school usage.
• Starlink: (£75 × 12) + £450 setup = £1,350 Year 1; £900/year ongoing.

Reliability:

• Fixed broadband: weather-resistant, stable.
• 4G: depends on tower coverage in remote area (often weak).
• Starlink: weather-affected (rain fade) but designed for rural areas.

Recommendation: Starlink (LEO satellite).

• Only option meeting realistic bandwidth.
• Designed for exactly this use case (remote schools).
• The £450 setup is worth it for the dramatic bandwidth improvement.
• Caveat: a 4G line as backup may be wise for redundancy.

If budget is critically tight, combine fixed-line £40 + 4G £25 = £65/month and ration usage. But quality of service will be poor.

1. Video streaming resolution increase. Decade ago: typical streaming was 720p HD ≈ 3 Mbps. Now: 4K UHD ≈ 25 Mbps; 8K ≈ 80 Mbps. Each viewer demands ~8× more bandwidth.

2. Cloud-first software and storage. A decade ago, most files lived on local hard drives. Today, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox sync ALL files continuously to/from the cloud. Every save, every edit, every collaborator triggers network traffic.

3. Connected devices per household (IoT). A 2014 home had ~5 internet-connected devices. A 2024 home has 15–25 — smart TVs, doorbells, lights, thermostats, security cameras (often streaming HD 24/7), assistants, wearables. Each one adds background bandwidth load.

Additional drivers candidates may mention: video calling (became dominant post-2020), online gaming with downloadable updates (50–100 GB games), software auto-updates, remote work file synchronisation.

Recommended setup:

1. Primary connection — business-grade fibre 500 Mbps with SLA.

• Why: SLA guarantees uptime + repair times. Financial firms cannot afford prolonged outages.

2. Backup connection — 4G/5G mobile line.

• Why: Automatic failover if fibre fails. Compliance regulators require continuity.

3. Firewall + IDS/IPS at network edge.

• Why: Filter inbound threats; detect intrusion attempts. Logged for audit.

4. Internal LAN — wired Ethernet (Cat6a) for all workstations.

• Why: Faster, more reliable than Wi-Fi. Physical access required to tap — more secure than radio.

5. Separate guest Wi-Fi — isolated VLAN.

• Why: Visitors can have internet without any path to corporate systems.

6. VPN with multi-factor authentication for remote staff.

• Why: Encrypted tunnel + MFA stops credential-based attacks.

7. Encrypted storage and backups — both local AND encrypted cloud backup.

• Why: Compliance requires data encryption at rest. Off-site backup protects against ransomware.

8. Audit logging and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management).

• Why: Required by financial regulators. Detects suspicious patterns.

9. Regular security testing — penetration tests + phishing simulations.

• Why: Continuous validation. Human error is the biggest risk.

Estimated cost: £2,000–£4,000/month for connectivity + security tools. Compliance-driven; not a cost-optimisation.

Conclusion: Financial services prioritise security and continuity over cost. The hybrid wired-first + VPN + comprehensive security stack matches regulatory expectations.