Why It’s Time for Schools to Upgrade to Fibre Optics
Across the education sector, digital infrastructure has become essential to everyday learning. Yet many schools are still working with legacy networks that were never designed to support modern teaching environments.
As a global IT partner supporting education providers across the world, Gentium frequently helps schools overcome these challenges through reliable, future-ready fibre optic solutions.
Here’s why the upgrade is worth considering...
Legacy Networks Are Holding Schools Back
Many schools continue to rely on ADSL or FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), where only part of the connection is fibre-based. These networks struggle to meet the demands of cloud platforms, streamed content, digital assessments and the growing number of connected devices in classrooms.
Slow speeds and unreliable performance don't just frustrate staff and students; they limit learning outcomes and widen the digital divide.
The Benefits of Full Fibre
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) offers a significant step forward. It delivers faster, more stable connectivity and a stronger foundation for digital learning.
Here’s what full fibre can provide:
1. Symmetrical Gigabit Speeds Full fibre supports fast upload and download speeds, allowing teachers and students to use cloud tools, video conferencing and digital content without lag or disruption.
2. Greater Reliability Unlike copper-based lines, fibre is resistant to interference and degradation, which means fewer dropouts and less downtime.
3. Built to Scale Fibre is designed for the future. As technology evolves and schools adopt more digital tools, fibre has the capacity to support growing bandwidth needs without constant upgrades.
4. A Better Teaching and Learning Environment With a strong network in place, schools can fully embrace smartboards, 1:1 device programmes and interactive content, enabling more engaging and inclusive learning experiences.
The Cost of Standing Still
Delaying an upgrade can have a wider impact than many realise:
Students may disengage when lessons are interrupted or delayed
Staff lose valuable time due to connectivity issues
Cloud-based platforms perform poorly or unreliably
Safeguarding systems and secure backups are harder to manage
Future plans for hybrid or remote learning are limited by infrastructure
Digital performance is now central to school operations, not just a support tool.
Supporting Schools Around the World
At Gentium, we partner with schools and multi-academy trusts to deliver fibre infrastructure that’s tailored, scalable and carefully deployed. We manage every step of the process, from site assessments and design through to installation and ongoing technical support.
Whether your school operates from a single campus or across multiple regions, our global team works to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to learning.
Start the Conversation
If your school is still working with slow or outdated connectivity, there are better options available. A fibre upgrade may be more straightforward than expected, especially with the support of an experienced partner.
To find out how Gentium can help you strengthen your network infrastructure, feel free to connect or get in touch directly