We’re celebrating at Comms Consulting after being recognised in the Eastern Daily Press’ Future50 awards this year.

The awards showcase 50 businesses in the region that lead the way in their chosen field and identify them as ‘ones to watch’ for the future, so it is a real achievement for us.

The strict judging criteria examined the applicants’ track record for growth, belief in success, appetite for risk and the impact made in the region.

Our search for excellence is at the centre of our operations so it was very fitting that the judges were particularly impressed with our alternative approach to customer service.

The award comes at a time when entrepreneurship is leading the way with our recent launch of an exciting new division of the business: Comms Supply.

Comms Supply aims to reduce a company’s telecoms bills and provide access to improved customer services through innovative software that enables enquiries to be dealt with in minutes rather than hours.

And by partnering up with two leading companies that share our vision – energy contract management firm Indigo Swan and IT support company Breakwater IT – we can ensure that even more customers can benefit from lower telecoms.

What a great end to the year!

Karl Alderton, the 25 year old director of Comms Consulting, a recent EDP Future 50 business, has launched a new division ‘Comms Supply’ which is set to revolutionise business telecommunications.

Comms Consulting has become one of Norfolk’s trusted telecoms companies and after achieving its four year targets in just 14 months, Karl has launched a new initiative in response to customers’ frustrations.

‘Comms Supply’ reduces a company’s telecoms bills and provides improved customer service through innovative software that allows billing and technical queries to be reported directly and dealt with within minutes rather than hours.

As the company has a natural synergy with IT companies and utility providers, Karl has teamed up with two leading Norfolk companies to roll out the new service. Fellow EDP Future 50 company Indigo Swan and sponsors Breakwater IT are now working alongside Karl to offer telecoms directly to customers across the UK.

Karl first started discussing a potential collaboration with Indigo Swan during the Future 50 judging process after Emily and Karl discovered they shared the same ethos on improving customer service standards.

The partnership means Indigo Swan will be one of the first companies in the UK to manage business energy & telecom contracts in unison, offering some unique benefits.

Emily Groves, managing director of Indigo Swan believes the new service will help businesses make costs savings and save time. She adds: “There is a natural synergy between Comms Supply and Indigo Swan. We audit a customer’s energy requirements, explain the best options and provide support throughout the lifetime of an energy contract. We hope to replicate this with telecoms by continuing to drive down costs and improve customer service.

Managing director, Karl Alderton hopes another seven national partners will come on board by March, adding: “Businesses are fed up with dealing with large organisations and waiting in queues for their query to be answered but on the other hand, smaller companies can’t offer the same services as larger companies.

Comms Supply has a different mind-set. We’re able to provide the same services as the large organisations due to our wholesale agreements; however we’ve got dedicated resources to provide businesses with the personal touch.

Over £100,000 of orders has already been received and we hope to recruit an additional six people next year. My business is at a really exciting stage and I’m delighted to have two credible Norfolk businesses behind this initiative, selling telecoms directly to their customers.”

Comms Supply is also investing in the latest technology to be able to build complex solutions for businesses at a fraction of the normal cost.

Karl continues: “We want Comms Supply to become renowned for honesty and giving customers what they want. Our vision is to become the telecoms company that people trust, not just in Norfolk but across the UK.”

An East Anglian communications consultant has welcomed news that the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, is to ban broadband and landline contracts which automatically tie customers into long-term deals from December. “These Automatically Renewable Contracts (ARCs) kick in if customers do not actively opt out, and prevent businesses and consumers from having the freedom of choice to move to another supplier,” explained Karl Alderton from Norwich-based Comms Consulting.

“In many situations, these rollover contracts locked a customer into a service which was not best suited to their needs and was often more expensive than newer products, leaving them highly dissatisfied with their provider while blocking any opportunity to switch to an improved deal,” continued Mr Alderton who established his communications consultancy in Thorpe St Andrew in July 2010 to deliver communications cost management solutions to businesses and organisations across the UK.

At the end of each minimum contract period (MCP), an automatically renewing contract (ARC) rolls forward to a new MCP by default unless the customer proactively informs their communications provider to the contrary. BT is the largest communications provider currently offering this type of rollover contract. The sale of new automatically renewable contracts to residential and small business customers will be prohibited from 31 December 2011. Ofcom will also require communications providers to move all residential and small business customers currently on rollover contracts to alternative deals, and to completely remove rollover contracts from the market by 31 December 2012.

A leading East Anglian communications consultant is urging BT to reconsider its decision to delay vital network upgrade works as pupils at a boarding school in Suffolk struggle to maintain contact with their parents overseas due to poor connection speeds. After expert advice from Karl Alderton of Comms Consulting, leaders at St Felix School in Southwold have agreed to invest £70,000 in a superfast connection to the BT network to enable pupils to access faster internet connections which they need to keep in contact with their families overseas.

“This is a big investment from the school and yet BT Openreach have just announced that they have deferred works on a new link between Lowestoft and Southwold for six months – this overdue upgrade is crucial to the successful completion of the school’s superfast connection,” explained Mr Alderton who works with companies across East Anglia to audit their communications systems and implement communications cost management solutions. “The government is telling us that businesses must be prepared to make investments in technology to match their own commitment to improve networks but BT Openreach is not keeping their side of the bargain,” continued Mr Alderton, a former BT manager who started his independent communications company in 2010.

“We are really disappointed with the news,” explained school bursar Mr Chapman. “Our overseas pupils rely on email to keep in touch with their families across the world, and they would love to be able to use VoIP systems like Skype to chat to their parents but its simply not possible with the slow broadband speeds we have at the moment.”

St Felix School has pupils from countries across Africa and Asia. The school currently enjoys an average connection speed of 4mbps, which is too slow for the large number of users who need to log on at the same time in the evenings. The Government has promised that every community in Britain will have access to superfast broadband (at least 24mbps) by 2015. Suffolk has recently secured £11million in government funding to improve broadband connections, which is matched by £10million from Suffolk Country Council.
St Felix broadband EADT

Simple Steps to Secure your Phone

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few months, you can’t fail to have noticed a few stories relating to phone security have been hitting the headlines. Vulnerable telephone security is not just the concern of the rich and famous, however, with a spate of East Anglian businesses also falling victim to phone hackers, who have bypassed security systems to clock up hundreds of pounds worth of international and premium call charges on the bills of unsuspecting businesses.

Until recently there has been a rather lax approach to telephone security across businesses and the general public, but headline –making stories have brought the issue into sharp focus. Here are a few simple tips to protect your phone security and reduce the risk to you and you business from potential phone hacking.

1. Mobile phones and many voicemail boxes are protected by a passcode or security password but its vital to change your passcode regularly. Many people never change their passcode from the default setting which is commonly set to 1234 or 0000. Choose a unique number (which is not your date of birth) and change it routinely for added peace of mind.

2. Use your mobile handset’s security lock (PIN) code, ideally set to automatically activate after a few minutes of inactivity, as this will stop thieves being able to use it.

3. Block premium calls and texts from your telephone to minimise the charges that criminals can rack up if they breach your phone security. Network operators let you put a block on calling premium rate 09 numbers or texting premium rate short codes like (88888). So if you don’t call premium 09 numbers or use premium text numbers such as those used for voting in reality TV shows, get them blocked.

4. Monitor your telephone bills regularly and scrutinise unexpected call charges carefully so that you can raise a query quickly with your provider.

 
5. Keep your mobile phone updated
Make sure your mobile phone’s firmware (operating system) and browser are updated to the latest version and patched with any security upgrades. Check out your handset manufacturer’s website for updates and downloads that could increase your phone’s security.

 
6. Mobile phone viruses and malware are beginning to appear more regularly as internet-ready phones become widely available. To stay safe, don’t click on unknown links in text messages or emails on your mobile. If you’ve got an iPhone, or other smartphone with full mobile internet access, be especially aware of the risks of opening attachments or clicking on links to potentially malicious websites.

7. Turn off Bluetooth at all times – only activate it when you need to use it. “Blue-jacking”, where people nearby send anonymous messages to other phone users who’ve left Bluetooth switched on, is essentially harmless, but it is an invasion of your privacy and could leave your phone vulnerable to more sophisticated attacks.

Theft of a mobile phone can also leave you wide open to breaches of security, so follow these simple steps to keep your phone safe:

1. Use your common sense and keep your mobile phone out of sight – don’t leave it on display in a vehicle or leave it on the table on public transport for example. 50% of all mobile thefts are from vehicles.

 
2. Use an ultraviolet (UV) pen to mark both the battery and inside the battery cover of your phone with your postcode. In some areas police forces are offering a “DNA” marking service which makes stolen items very difficult to trade and therefore less attractive to thieves.

 
3. Notify the police and your network provider if your mobile phone is lost or stolen. Your network can block your phone so that even if the SIM card is changed, it will no longer work in the UK. If you invest in mobile handset insurance and your phone is stolen, make sure you report it within 24 hours as most insurers insist on this as part of the policy terms and conditions.

 
4. Keep a note of your mobile phone’s unique 15-digit IMEI number. This is usually printed under the phone battery, or can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones. If your mobile phone is stolen, the IMEI number helps your mobile service provider block the phone.

For further information about phone security contact Comms Consulting via www.comms-consulting.co.uk

Leading Norfolk law firm Quality Solicitors Clapham & Collinge (QSC&C) with offices in Norwich and Sherringham, has choosing Comms Consulting to manage their telecommunications for both of their offices.

Following Comms Consulting completing an initial review, QSC&C were able to make savings in excess of 40%, which in the current climate all businesses should be looking to reduce costs in any way they can. Comms Consulting then went on to review in more detail how QSC&C used their communications, this was completed in order to see if QSC&C could improve the service they can offer their clients, especially with the eagerly awaited launch of Quality Solicitors and WH Smith partnership.

Tammy Parnell, partner at the law Firm commented on the service provided by Karl Alderton Managing Director of Comms Consulting Ltd “I am delighted with the work that Karl has done for QualitySolicitors Clapham & Collinge so far. The switch to a cheaper provider went really smoothly and Karl took the hassle out of researching the market. He has identified other savings we can make too.

I look forward to continuing to work with him over the next couple of years to continually improve the service we can offer to our own clients.”

Karl Alderton went on to say “I am delighted that Quality Solicitors Clapham & Collinge choose to work with us, having respected companies working with us, gives me and my team the confidence that our solution really does benefit companies” Karl continued “At this exciting time for Quality Solicitors Clapham & Collinge with the launch of the partnership with WH Smith, we are delighted to be able to support and give advice on the changes that are needed from a communication perspective”.

Leading East Anglian communications consultants Comms Consulting have welcomed news that Ofcom is forcing BT to cut wholesale broadband prices in rural areas such as Norfolk. “This is great news for rural businesses who have been paying over the odds for a poor quality broadband service for far too long,” explained Comms Consulting Managing Director, Karl Alderton (25).

BT has exclusive control of many rural telephone exchanges and often charges internet service providers more in the countryside, leading to a lack of competition and therefore limited opportunities for customers to access cheaper deals. Ofcom has ruled that from the middle of next month, BT must cut its wholesale rates by 12% below inflation per year.

“This saving should be passed onto businesses by their internet service provider (ISP), but there are no guarantees,” warned Mr Alderton, who established his independent telecoms management company in Thorpe St Andrew in July 2010.

The news comes as welcome short term relief for Norfolk businesses who are eagerly anticipating the roll out of superfast broadband across the county over the next four years following the success of the EDP and Norfolk Country Council bid for a £60m investment in broadband availability.

The Ofcom-enforced price reduction only affects broadband services up to 8MBit/s – currently more than 50,000 private and commercial properties across the county are in broadband ‘not spots’, either having no broadband access or suffering very slow internet speeds of less than 2Mbs. “By applying the discount to slower services only, I think Ofcom is trying to encourage BT to forge ahead with an upgrade of its rural exchanges in the knowledge that it will be able to secure a direct return on its investment, which is all good news for rural Norfolk businesses,” continued Mr Alderton, who specialises in communications cost management.

Here at Comms Consulting we are advising businesses to move from the traditional 08 type numbers to the new 03 type numbers.

What are 03 numbers?

03 numbers were introduced by Ofcom in 2007 as an alternative to 08 numbers. Unlike 08 numbers they are charged at the same price as those calls to geographical numbers (those prefixed with 01 or 02), are included in minute bundles in mobile contracts and revenue sharing is not permitted. All of this was designed to increase clarity over call pricing, giving confidence to customers to call businesses without worrying over cost.

Why are they so important?

Over the past 10 years communications have been revolutionised by the growing use of mobiles and Smartphones. 13.5 million people are now using their phones to research information and business, with 61% calling that business immediately, using their mobile phone to do so. The case for 03 numbers has never been stronger. An 08 number can put off potential customers who are unsure of the cost of such a call, and they may continue looking to find another rival business.

With 14% of the British public already living in a mobile only household the importance of these numbers is only set to rise. If you have any further queries please do hesitate to get in touch.

I had many years working for BT in various roles, which has given me the knowledge of the industry working with the main UK provider. Since then I have been MD of Comms Consulting Ltd, an independent telecoms management company. We manage companies telecoms on their behalf, using our buying power to negotiate better tariffs for them.

We are all aware telecoms are a minefield, with thousands and thousands of suppliers, each proclaiming to have the best solution. One of the reasons I choose my first topic of ‘How do you know who to trust’ is because of some of the stories I hear. You would have seen the recent news in the local press (Norfolk) about a telecoms company based in Gt. Yarmouth, where the director was found guilty of fraud.

Most companies constantly receive calls from telecoms suppliers; we even receive them in our office! I am sure that one we received recently would have caught a lot of companies out. The call started along the lines of, ‘We are calling on behalf of BT, we understand you are on the BT One Plan…” (we are not but over half of BT customers are) “…there is now a further reduction of 30% for you, we just need to send you an email, click agree and we will set up the savings for you.” If I was not in the industry and was on the BT One Plan, I may have fallen for scams like this.

I would suggest to any business, not to sign any contracts without the supplier visiting your premises, if they are honest and really want your business, they will come to you.

I thought I would detail below a couple of most common mistakes we see companies making when choosing the company they trust with their telecoms.

Staying with the same supplier because you’ve never had a problem.

Generally in the telecoms industry staying with the same provider for many years does not gain you any loyalty; in fact it does the complete opposite. An example of this is of a customer Comms Consulting saw recently, they had been with the same supplier for 4 years. When they moved they made a saving, however we contacted the supplier and told them we were completing an audit and the supplier reduced their charges by 48%. This goes to show the amount of profit made by telecoms companies; yes I obviously believe you should use a service that is independent, however if you choose not to, make sure you get 6 or 7 quotes.

Not understanding the tariffs –

Tariffs are a nightmare to understand. Whether this is a ploy from the suppliers or they just generally need to be so complex, is not up to me to decide, however I do know this makes it very difficult for customers to choose the right supplier.

There are unlimited calls tariffs, minimum call charges, bundled minutes and so on. Without understanding the industry it is very difficult for companies to make informed decisions. My advice would be to take the time making the right decision, don’t just trust the sales person who has a target to hit.

There are hundreds of other mistakes that companies make through no fault of their own. Do take your time, get advice and don’t be too trustworthy of sales people needing to hit targets.

Karl Alderton