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Options for broadband

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Broadband speeds are measured in ‘megabits per second’ or Mbps.  The higher the number of Mbps you have, the speedier your online activity should be. 

 

A good broadband speed will depend on your personal preferences and how you use the internet.  One that averages above 25Mbps is considered a good internet speed, enough to support modest online activity for a small family - browsing the Internet, streaming TV, movies and music, Netflix, iPlayer, Spotify, connecting 4-6 devices and working from home.

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The point at which you will need super fast broadband – at least 50-100Mbps – is when you want to connect a large number of devices at the same time (phones, tablets, games consoles and laptops), stream 4K Ultra HD content, download large files quickly, watch multiple streams or run a business.

 

At RuralTech we are always ready to discuss and give realistic advice on the best broadband access technology available in your area. 

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Fixed-line connectivity options :

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ADSL Broadband – depending on your local telephone exchange you will be able to access either up to 8Mbps or up to 24Mbps download speeds via a broadband ADSL Router with packages based on a data usage allowance.

 

VDSL Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) – this is a part fibre, part copper solution, capable of delivering download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps.  With FTTC, fibre is run from the Telephone Exchange to the Cabinet in the street.  Copper wire is still used in the final link from the Cabinet to your business premises or home office.

 

​Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) – this is a full fibre solution, capable of delivering download speeds of up to 1000Mbps (1 Gigabit) and upload speeds of 100Mbps.  Fibre is used all the way from the Telephone Exchange to your business premises or home office and is usually delivered using underground cables.​​  Ultrafast Full Fibre delivers better performance, impressive speeds and fewer drop-outs with fibre connected to straight to your home. 

 

Fibre optic cables, according to Openreach, are powerful and resilient, so you can always rely on being connected.  But can you?  Or what if you happen to be in an area where fixed-line access is limited and fibre to the premises (FTTP) is never going to turn up?​​  

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Here are some alternative broadband options: 

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1.  Mobile broadband - 4G/5G routers

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These types of devices are just like broadband routers, except they use 4G or 5G to connect to the internet, rather than your landline.

 

They take a SIM card and plug into the wall. Once set up, your router will create a Wi-Fi network, that you can connect your devices to. You should also be able to use an Ethernet cable to connect devices to your router.

 

These types of routers are typically the best option if you’re looking for a permanent alternative to fixed-line broadband. Provided you get a good 4G or 5G signal at home, you’ll be able to get good speeds, and easily connect multiple devices to the internet.

 

 

2.  Satellite broadband

 

Just like satellite TV, Satellite broadband is beamed all the way from space to a satellite dish that’s installed on your property. It then gets hooked up to a Wi-Fi router just like normal broadband.

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The introduction of the Starlink network, a branch of the aerospace company SpaceX, led my Elon Musk, has made satellite internet available to almost everyone.  Starlink provides high-speed internet access using a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, a ground station network, and user terminals. 

 

It offers ubiquitous coverage, allows for the transfer of large amounts of data at an affordable cost and the low orbit means that it can provide internet access to remote locations that were previously unreachable.  Starlink has been available and operational in the UK since 2021.  According to the Starlink internet coverage map of the UK available on its website, as of early 2023, the entire country is now covered.  Visit www.starlink.com to see if your location is within the coverage area and speak to us at RuralTech if you'd like to know more!

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3.  Microwave broadband

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Microwave broadband is a high-speed internet connection that transmits data wirelessly using microwave radio signals, offering a viable alternative to fiber optic and cable internet, especially in areas where physical infrastructure is challenging.  Unlike satellite Internet, fixed wireless connections do not suffer from latency and are not limited in speeds they can deliver.  And, due to the lack of dependence on third party infrastructure, fixed wireless has the added advantage of quick installation times and low install costs.  There is no need to dig up any roads to lay cables.

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Family-owned Airband Community Internet Ltd., based in Worcester, currently provides broadband in parts of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Devon, Somerset and throughout Wales.   If you are in an area that fibre just cannot reach, Airband might be the solution!  www.airband.co.uk

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For many people, going without the internet even for a few hours is unthinkable.  Here are some options if you are considering a 'back up' solution for your internet:

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1.  Starlink Roam

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Starlink Roam is a portable satellite dish that can be set up anywhere to provide high speed internet, as long as there is an uniterrupted view of the sky.  As a long-term solution, it can be permanently installed on your house/outbuilding and cabled directly in to the Office.  If your broadband suddenly fails - maybe due to storm damage or problems with your Internet Service Provider - it could be an emergency solution in the short to medium term.

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2.  Tethering, using your phone

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For light internet usage, such as reading emails, you might simply be able to use your phone’s internet connection to get online.  To do this, you can either:

• Tether your phone to your PC, using the phone’s charging cable. You will need to plug the cable into your computer’s USB port. Then, there should be a prompt on your phone to begin tethering your internet connection.

• Create a mobile hotspot on your phone, and connect to it using your PC. This is just like creating a small Wi-Fi network, that any of your devices can use to get online.

 

The disadvantage of this method is it may use up your mobile data allowance very quickly. Once you hit your monthly limit, you may face extra usage charges.

 

 

3. Mobile broadband dongles

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Rather than plugging your phone into your computer, you can plug a specialised device called a dongle into one of your USB ports.

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These devices have a SIM card slot, and a 4G or 5G antenna. Just like your phone, they connect to a mobile broadband network, in order to get online.  When you plug a dongle into your computer, it will prompt you to install some software drivers. It may also open a page in your web browser, and have you log in. Then, you can get online anytime you want, by plugging in the dongle.

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The good thing about dongles is how easy they are to use. However, they’re only really suitable for getting online on computers – they’re not great if you want to use the internet on an iPad or Xbox for example, since these devices don’t have a USB port.  You can buy dongles with different types of data plans, depending on your needs.

 

 

4. Mobile Wi-Fi (MiFi) devices

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MiFi (Mobile Wireless Fidelity) is a personal internet connection, based on cellular signal.  A MiFi device is a small, portable, battery-powered wireless router that connects via Bluetooth to your laptop or computer wherever you are.

Its signal can be shared between multiple internet-enabled devices — such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and even games consoles — that are within its range. They can be used anywhere that has a mobile network connection.

Mi-Fi is not designed to be a long-term solution.  It’s a lot slower than Wi-Fi and requires a SIM card and a data plan with a carrier to work.

 

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​​Fed up with poor Wi-Fi connectivity? 

Don't despair, there is an affordable solution!

 

​​​​​Now that Wi-Fi is an integral part of just about every new piece of consumer electronics, and even many appliances, it is more important than ever to have a usable wireless network throughout your home, office and even outside your property.

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One annoying limitation of Wi-Fi networks is their signal reach.  The range of a typical Wi-Fi network sometimes doesn’t even cover a house properly, let alone an office building or farm.  Fortunately, Wi-Fi networks can be boosted, meaning that their signal strength and corresponding coverage area can be increased.

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One solution, which we are now recommending to our clients, is the installation of business-grade wireless access points.  A wireless access point (AP or WAP) is a device that creates a wireless local area network (or WLAN).  It connects to a wired router, switch or hub via an Ethernet cable and projects a Wi-Fi signal to a designated area.

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Our nominated suppliers, Ubiquiti Networks™ and Aruba Networks, offer a range of affordable, reliable, good quality  products to provide a multitude of flexible solutions for virtually every scenario.  Features include: 

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• Power over Ethernet (POE) – Installation is easy!  You can mount a Wi-Fi access point with POE anywhere, even without ready access to a power plug.  For example, if you want to enable Wi-Fi access in your company’s reception area but don’t have a router within range, you can install an access point near the front desk and run an Ethernet cable through the ceiling back to the server room.

• Bridging – Ideal for securely connecting multiple buildings together wirelessly without the need for cables.  Wi-Fi reach can be extended outside, for example to garden sheds, stables, farm yards and outbuildings, with outdoor wireless access points combined with high-gain (directional) antenna technology and external weatherproof housing.

• Roaming – much like a mobile phone on the move, roaming allows a device to quickly connect from one Wi-Fi access point to the next without disconnecting.

• Controller-based – controller-based access points offer centralised management, configuration, encryption, updates and policy settings through a centralised WLAN controller.  Your network can be monitored at anytime and anywhere to ensure you are getting the best Internet service possible.

 

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Useful Links 

 

To test your broadband speed:  www.speedtest.net

Can I get broadband?  www.zen.co.uk

What about Shropshire?  www.shropshire.gov.uk/connecting-shropshire

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If you are becoming increasingly frustrated with your broadband or Wi-Fi connectivity – either at home or in your place of work,  RuralTech can provide an affordable and reliable solution!        

                            

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