ISP recommendations

[TheHyperTechie]

Hi All,

 

I know this question gets answered a lot, but thought I would ask anyway... currently using SWGfL and RM for both schools within our MAT. Looking to move away from them when our contract is up. Who is everyone currently using?

 

Thanks.

[localzuk]

We've been with Exa for about 7ish years now for our schools. Very happy with them. However, we buy bare connections - we don't currently buy any of their filtering/firewalling stuff, so can't give any experience with that.

[Guest Guest]

Hi All,

 

I know this question gets answered a lot, but thought I would ask anyway... currently using SWGfL and RM for both schools within our MAT. Looking to move away from them when our contract is up. Who is everyone currently using?

 

Thanks.

 

We switched to Wave9 last summer, the service from them has been excellent.

 

The installation process wasn’t the greatest but that was down to OpenReach

[lmrogers]

@Wave9_Lee will sort you out. Service from them is great from the off!

[mavhc]

Depends what other features you want, how many schools in what arrangement, and where you are, what's available?

[TheHyperTechie]

@Wave9_Lee will sort you out. Service from them is great from the off!

 

I hear a lot of good things about Wave9. I would be interested to see what the pricing is like.

[Olliedawg]

We use Schools Broadband / Talk Straight (only for ISP, don't use their filtering).

 

We have a 1gb fibre line & a 80/20 SoGEA backup (leased line). Costs us around £400 p/m for both on a 3yr contract.

[Jobos]

I hear a lot of good things about Wave9. I would be interested to see what the pricing is like.

 

+1 for Wave9, their support is great.

[hallb15]

Another happy Exa customer here. Been with them for over a decade. Currently on their DarkLight 300Mb fibre product (City Fibre)

We also use their Surfprotect product without any major issues.

[Wave9_Lee]

I hear a lot of good things about Wave9. I would be interested to see what the pricing is like.

 

 

Hi @HyperTech - my contact details are in my siganture, and you can book a quick Teams meeting anytime to suit you using the calendar link. Happy to talk through the service/options and price up as required.

 

Thanks everyone else, tenner's in the post!

[Garacesh]

We use Schools Broadband / Talk Straight (only for ISP, don't use their filtering).

As a user of their filtering: Can confirm, don't use their filtering.

The internet itself seems reliable enough, in the 1.something year I've been here the only downtime was BT changing a circuit. But if you're not hankering for off-site filtering, I'd advise getting in a Sophos XG or a FortiGate or something rather than using their NetSweeper.

[mdrabble]

+1 for Wave9 - I've just signed with them (sent you a PM)

[Olliedawg]

As a user of their filtering: Can confirm, don't use their filtering.

The internet itself seems reliable enough, in the 1.something year I've been here the only downtime was BT changing a circuit. But if you're not hankering for off-site filtering, I'd advise getting in a Sophos XG or a FortiGate or something rather than using their NetSweeper.

 

We have a Sophos XG on site, does the job indeed I have seen a few posts about issues with their filtering. I did consider it at the time of purchasing the leased line/s, glad I didn't now & stuck with our on prem.

 

Can confirm that the connection provided has been reliable the past 4 months, zero problems so far

[TheHyperTechie]

Another happy Exa customer here. Been with them for over a decade. Currently on their DarkLight 300Mb fibre product (City Fibre)

We also use their Surfprotect product without any major issues.

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

I have looked into EXA and it does look good. We are a Google MAT with GCPW implemented. As for their surfprotect product, it says online that it can authenticate with Google SSO. I would like to know more about this, for example do you map a certain policy to a Google OU etc etc.

[Face-Man]

If you are looking for a new connection it is worth making sure that your provider meets the DFE recommendations as who know when these will change from recommendation to requirement.

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges/broadband-internet-standards-for-schools-and-colleges

 

which does now include a resilient connection

 

We use LGFL now NGFL and they provide this as part their price and are a one stop shop for filtering, adobe, meraki etc. I know that not everyone like that as a solution but it works for us.

[mikkydoos]

Used Wave 9 - very good.

 

Used Zen Internet - Support and service superb.

[StephenPink]

Evolving Networks do some clever stuff. Currently using at one site and looking to expand.

[SchoolsBroadband]

As a user of their filtering: Can confirm, don't use their filtering.

The internet itself seems reliable enough, in the 1.something year I've been here the only downtime was BT changing a circuit. But if you're not hankering for off-site filtering, I'd advise getting in a Sophos XG or a FortiGate or something rather than using their NetSweeper.

 

We do offer hosted FortiGate filtering too in conjunction with our own Incident Management Reporting Platform. We're serving about 200 customers in Hampshire using that specifically as well as a number of many MATs.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[Garacesh]

I'll admit I didn't know that - your ticket reporting function only lists 'NetSweeper' and 'Firewall' under Filtering/Firewall - but that's besides the point really.

Regardless, I've already made my displeasure with SBB and their implementation of NetSweeper known elsewhere, so I don't want to rehash old ground, least of all in a way that's going to derail someone else's thread

[Adam_Exa]

Thanks for your reply.

 

I have looked into EXA and it does look good. We are a Google MAT with GCPW implemented. As for their surfprotect product, it says online that it can authenticate with Google SSO. I would like to know more about this, for example do you map a certain policy to a Google OU etc etc.

 

I’d be happy to chat to you in more detail about SurfProtect Quantum and how it integrates with Google SSO, please feel free to get in touch.

 

I look forward to connecting soon.

E - [email protected] - 074445317049

[synaesthesia]

Wave9 are probably the best I've ever had to deal with - went with them a few years ago due to recommendations on here and as these recommendations never cease, I think that speaks for itself.

[achedgy]

I use both Wave and Exa at different schools i support and both work well. I would say i've had more issues with EXA regards the filtering and recently the support has been a bit on the slow side (but that is improving) Wave 9 don't natively have active reporting which i need to speak to Lee about (according to Support another product is required to give that) so be aware of that when getting a quote.

[ajsw_uk]

Two things:

SWGfL don't provide connectivity anymore, it's all provided by RM.

You'll also need to involve your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in any decision to change filtering or monitoring provider. This is now a requirement under Keeping Children Safe in Education. The standards add more detail: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges/filtering-and-monitoring-standards-for-schools-and-colleges

[Oaktech]

If you have availability and are happy to buy a bare connection and do your own filtering then City Fibre or their resellers are the absolute mutts.

[Iain.Faulkner]

Just another one here that would recommend wave9. We have main line, backup line, firewall/filter (and backup appliance) and our phone system at one of our schools through them. Cannot fault them for service and support, absolutely amazing.

 

I've also dealt with Coconnect in the relatively recent past, they were also excellent.