The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2025 issue - Magazine - Page 68
Future-Ready Connectivity: How Kelia’s
Internet Solutions are Supporting Schools
This month, we’re shining a
spotlight on the critical role of
reliable internet in education.
With schools increasingly relying
on digital platforms and
connectivity, we’ve invited Kevin
Grainger of Kelia to discuss how
their latest o昀昀er is helping
schools meet these demands.
Editor: Kevin, thanks for joining us.
Kelia’s o昀昀er for schools has certainly
caught our attention. Could you start by
explaining why reliable internet is so
critical in today’s educational
environment?
Kevin Grainger: Thanks for having me.
Reliable internet has become the
backbone of modern education. From
online lessons and cloud-based
learning platforms to essential
administrative tasks, schools rely
heavily on uninterrupted connectivity.
It’s not just about accessing resources;
it’s about ensuring students have equal
opportunities to learn in an increasingly
digital world.
When the internet slows down or goes
o昀툀ine, it disrupts teaching plans,
student engagement, and even
communication with parents, creating a
ripple e昀昀ect that impacts the entire
school community. Reliable internet is
no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for
providing a consistently high standard
of education.
Editor: Kelia’s latest o昀昀er seems tailormade for schools. Can you walk us
through what you’re providing?
Kevin: Absolutely. We’re o昀昀ering a
1Gbps leased line package designed
speci昀椀cally for schools, which includes
ultra-fast internet, 4G backup for
resilience, and a managed 昀椀rewall for
top-notch security. This package
ensures schools have access to the
speed and reliability they need for
modern educational demands.
The 4G backup o昀昀ers a seamless safety
net, so schools can continue using
critical applications – even if someone
digs up the road and their primary
connection goes down!
Additionally, our managed 昀椀rewall is
tailored to meet the unique security
requirements of schools, safeguarding
against cyber threats.
Installation is free (subject to survey)
for new contracts signed before 31st
March 2025, and schools will enjoy a
signi昀椀cantly reduced monthly cost of
just £495. This equates to a saving of
£3,020 over three years, which can be
redirected to other critical areas of
school operations.
Importantly, our package aligns with
the Department for Education’s latest
recommendations for school internet
connections, which emphasise highspeed, resilient connectivity to support
the increasing demands of digital
learning. Schools can be con昀椀dent that
our service not only meets but exceeds
these standards, ensuring they remain
future-ready.
Editor: Security is a big concern for
schools. How does your package
address that?
Kevin: Security is at the heart of what
we o昀昀er. Our managed 昀椀rewall ensures
schools’ networks are protected
against a variety of cyber threats,
including unauthorised access,
malware, and phishing attacks.
This is particularly important given the
sensitive data schools handle, from
student records to sta昀昀 information. We
also provide regular updates and
monitoring to ensure the 昀椀rewall
remains e昀昀ective against emerging
threats.
Additionally, the 4G backup guarantees
that even if the main connection fails,
schools can continue using phones and
email. We use multi-net SIMs for our
backup solutions which can connect to
any network, automatically choosing
the strongest signal available.
Editor: Cost is often a barrier for
schools looking to upgrade their
technology. How does Kelia make this
package accessible?
Kevin: We understand the budget
pressures schools face, which is why
we’ve structured this o昀昀er to be as
cost-e昀昀ective as possible. Beyond the
savings on installation and monthly
fees, we also provide 昀氀exible options for
additional services.
For instance, our managed VoIP phones
start at just £9.75 per user/month when
taken with our special o昀昀er, which can
even further reduce operational costs
compared to traditional phone systems.
We also work closely with schools to
identify funding opportunities or grants
that can further o昀昀set costs. By
tailoring our solutions to meet both the
technological and 昀椀nancial needs of
schools, we’ve ensured that upgrading
to our package is an investment that
delivers long-term value.
Editor: What feedback have you
received from schools using Kelia’s
services?
Kevin: Schools consistently praise the
reliability of our connections and the
peace of mind our 4G backup and
managed security provide. Many have
highlighted the transformative impact
of having dependable internet on their
day-to-day operations, from smoother
lesson delivery to enhanced
collaboration between sta昀昀.
Another point of appreciation is the
support we o昀昀er, which is part of who
we are as a business. Our network
operations team is on hand 24/7/365
to assist with any issues, ensuring that
schools feel supported from the
moment they sign up. This personal
touch is something our clients really
value, and something that sets us apart
in a crowded market.
Editor: It sounds like Kelia is truly
prioritising the needs of schools. Where
can readers learn more?
Kevin: Schools can visit kelia.co.uk/
ed2025 for full details or call us on
03303 205080. We’re more than happy
to answer any questions and help
schools 昀椀nd the right solution for their
needs. Whether it’s a query about
installation, customisation options, or
long-term bene昀椀ts, we’re here to help
every step of the way.
