Construction sites can often be located in remote areas, making it a real headache to get online. While there are many methods of getting online, some methods are more expensive than others, or may take much longer to set up.
This guide will walk you though several options for getting online at any construction site.
Broadband through a cable or phone line
Broadband through a phone line or fibre optic cable offer the fasted internet speeds, reaching 16 Mb a second through a phone line and up to 160Mb over fibre optic.
Speeds like these are ideal for home and office users, and would be beneficial for contractors requiring high speed internet onsite, however there are some major downfalls.
The biggest problem is that installation can be slow. Firstly, a phone line or fibre cable needs to be in the area. Second, the cable has to be installed into the onsite office. Third, the service has to be turned on by the provider. This could take a long time, so it’s not ideal on a tight deadline.
3G Dongle or MiFi
Both these devices get their internet through a 3G signal, just like a smartphone. A 3G Dongle plugs into a PC or Mac via USB, and this internet can be shared using the computer’s built in WiFi, depending on the software installed.
A MiFi works in a similar way, only it sends out its own WiFi signal, allowing up to around 5 devices or computers to connect to it. These solutions are great if you’re looking to get connected to the internet as quick as possible.
There are however two main downfalls. While a MiFi could theoretically connect to the internet at up to 7.2mbps, the actual speed would become significantly lower the further you get from a 3G transmitter. In rural areas, it may not even be possible to get a useable connection speed due to the weakness of the signal available.
Secondly, a 3G dongle only supports one user, while a MiFi supports 5. This means even if you do get a strong 3G signal, you may need more than one device, which each would require a separate data plan from your mobile network, significantly increasing the monthly cost.
WiBE
A WiBE is a 3G router that works a lot like a 3G dongle or MiFi, but with a number of improvements making it ideal for use in locations where there is a weak 3G signal.
Similar to a 3G Dongle, the WiBE can connect to the internet at either up to 7.2mbps or 21mbps, depending on the model. However unlike a 3G dongle or smartphone, the WiBE actually contains four antennas, which means it is able to pick up an extremely weak 3G internet signal that most phones would not be able to pick up. This means even in areas where most phones have no reception, the WiBE is known to connect to the internet at speeds of around 2-4mbps!
Second, the WiBE has a built in WiFi router which can comfortably support ten to twenty users all using the internet at once, meaning a whole office can get online at once with just one WiBE. This means everyone can get online using one mobile data plan, significantly cutting your monthly cost.
Tooway Satellite Broadband
With download speeds of up to 18 Mbps, satellite broadband is ideal for sites in a remote location where high connection speeds are necessary.
Unlike 3G Dongles, MiFi or WiBE, Tooway satellite broadband doesn’t require a 3G signal at all, instead connecting to the internet via satellite.
The downside is similar to standard broadband: an engineer will have to come round and install the system. This could be inconvenient if time is of the essence, and is not ideal if the system needs to be frequently taken down and set up at different construction sites, however it may be the only option available at the most remote construction sites.
Having internet on your narrow boat or riverboat could dramatically increase what you can do onboard, from entertainment like streaming videos, or setting up an onboard office. This guide will walk you through how you can get online and what this will allow you to do.
Getting internet access
Right now the only way to get online from a boat is by connecting to a 3G mobile internet signal. You can probably already do this using your smartphone, but this is not an ideal solution if you are looking to connect a PC or laptop on your boat to the internet. This is because the computer will only be able to connect to the internet if your phone supports tethering, which usually carries a price premium on most tariffs.
One alternative is to use a 3G dongle or portable MiFi router, however these have limitations. A dongle can only provide an internet connection to the computer it’s plugged in to. The downfall of both of these solutions is that they are not the best at picking up a 3G signal, especially in the countryside. Since Dongles and MiFi routers have only one small antenna, in areas with weak signal strength, they will often not provide you with an internet connection capable of more than slow internet browsing and emails.
A better alternative is to use a WiBE router. The WiBE works like a MiFi router, except it supports up to 100 devices and has four antennas. These antennas scan the signal from several 3G towers, resulting in a faster connection, even in areas where your phone shows there is no signal.
Stream music and video
Thanks to the WiBE, it is possible to get fast internet of up to either 7.2mbps or 21mbps, and even up to 4mbps on areas with weak signal. This is sufficient for streaming music from Spotify and even video from Youtube or iTunes, for you to enjoy while on your boat.
The WiBE can be powered from a standard mains adaptor, a 12v adaptor, and even an optional battery pack, meaning it can be used almost anywhere.
Setting up an on board home office
The WiBE is perfect for people looking to set up a home office on board their boat. Since multiple devices can be connected at once, several users can get online at once, as well as being able to connect other WiFi devices like printers or a server.
Happy New Year from Richard and Sue at Rural Broadband!
Due to the success of the WiBE HS21 we still have stock of the WiBE HS07, so we start 2013 with reducing the price of the WiBE HS07 from £295 to £235. This still includes VAT, delivery and SIM card.
We also have a few refurbished WiBE HS07 for £150, which includes VAT and delivery, but not a SIM card. They are in a clean condition and good working order, and have been bench tested to check they do still perform as they should.
To find out more call Richard or Sue today on 01485 572253.
If you work from home, chances are you’re no stranger to frequently getting interrupted. A home office can be a very distracting environment, whether it be noisy neighbours, the kids coming home from school, or hoovering in the next door room.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could relocate your office from the home to the garden and escape all the noise and distraction? This article will explain several ways you can create the perfect, distraction free home office.
Find the right building
First of all, think about where and how you want to create your home office. You may already have an out building or garage that could be converted into an office. In which case, it’s a good idea to do some research and see what needs to be done to convert it into a comfortable workspace. This could include installing heating, insulation and a power source. The conversion could become expensive, but the benefit is you will gain a distraction free office to use all year round.
If you don’t already have a building you could use, a summerhouse could be a good idea. Summerhouses are a cheaper alternative to building a brick out building, however they can only really be used in the warmer seasons due to their thick insulation.
Connecting power and internet
There are two ways to power your out building. The best way would be to run an armoured underground cable to it, which can then power the out building all year round. However, this can be expensive and would require a qualified electrician to install. A cheaper option would be to run a weather proof extension cord out to the building, however this is not the most permanent solution and would need to be unplugged when not in use.
Once power is connected up, however, no other cables would need to be connected. Using a WiBE, you get fast internet to the out building by tapping into the 3G signal. This even works in areas where there is poor or no 3G signal, since the WiBE has four high gain antennas that are used to connect to the fastest signal. Using a WiBE is much more convenient than having to run a phone line or fibre optic cable to the out building, which can also be very expensive to install.
Make it sustainable
An out building is great project to add sustainable elements to, which reduce or even eliminate heating and electricity costs. Adding a small wind turbine and a solar panel to the roof of the building can power it, and if there is any excess energy this can be sold back to the electricity company!
How to get cheaper internet on holiday
Did you ever wish you could get fast internet while on holiday without the high cost of hotel WiFi or bad phone reception? Fortunately there is another way – the WiBE! This article will explore a number of ways you can get online while on holiday easily and more importantly, for less.
Escape the high cost of hotel WiFi
Even today, hotel WiFi is often an expensive additional cost to your room, and often can be very slow due to the potentially large number of guests connecting to the hotel’s network. Wouldn’t it be good if you could bring your own internet with you?
Many people do this by tethering their smartphone to their laptop and sharing its internet connection, however this is not always ideal. Phone reception is not always perfect and anything less than a strong signal can drop your internet speed to a crawl.
On the other hand, a WiBE can provide a fast connection almost anywhere. Using its four built in 3G antennas, the WiBE can pick up a stronger signal than a phone or 3G Dongle, meaning you can get internet speeds of up to 7.2mbps or 21mbps, even if your phone can’t get a signal!
The WiBE can also share its internet with a whole room using its built in WiFi router, meaning the whole family can surf the net!
Getting online where there is a weak mobile signal
The WiBE is especially popular with campers, since it can provide fast internet even when the 3G signal is weak, as well as the ability to run on a 12v supply from a car or caravan. This makes it ideal for getting online in the countryside.
The WiBE has no monthly fee, instead connecting to the internet using a standard SIM card. This means it’s possible to use it with a pay as you go SIM card or rolling monthly SIM, meaning you only have to pay for it’s mobile internet while you are on holiday.
In fact thanks to its fast connection speeds, the WiBE may also be ideal for replacing your internet connection at home, especially in areas where you cannot get fast broadband through your phone line.
Take your internet abroad
The WiBE can also be used to connect to the internet abroad, again avoiding expensive hotel internet. A local pay as you go SIM card can be inserted into the WiBE, meaning you only have to pay for the internet you use.
As any frequent traveller would agree, this is a much cheaper option than using your UK phone’s internet due to the often astronomic roaming charges!
The WiBE works abroad just as it does in the UK, scanning the airwaves using its four antennas to find the nearest 3G mast with the fastest internet connection.