Communal broadband in a housing complex

I've been asked if I can give any advice on ways to improve the broadband
facilities in a retirement complex, and would appreciate any suggestions
from the experts here that might improve speed and/or reduce the cost,
whilst not adversely affecting the level of customer service given by the
ISP.

At the moment they have a single BT phone line used only for ADSL broadband
from Zen on their Office 8000 Max package. This feeds a Netgear DG834 ADSL
modem/router, which in turn feeds two Netgear WG302 Access Points each with
9dB antennas with 500/200/100 boosters positioned to maximise wireless
coverage across the site, with Netgear WG602 Access Points installed for
each end-user. This gives reasonable wifi coverage.

Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty sure this
will grow over time, as users increase in number and become more IT aware.

Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two cheaper
packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say would double the
speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur extra line installation
and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.

Any suggestions for improvement welcome!
--

Don

On 14/12/2010 15:35, Don wrote:

> Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty sure this
> will grow over time, as users increase in number and become more IT aware.
>

20-30 GB download per month? How many apartments?

Checked outside for dodgy sorts in pimped out and blacked out cars
sneaking onto the WiFi?

--
Adrian C

Adrian C wrote:
> On 14/12/2010 15:35, Don wrote:
>
>> Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty
>> sure this
>> will grow over time, as users increase in number and become more IT
>> aware.
>>
>
> 20-30 GB download per month? How many apartments?
>

we do that with just two of us..

> Checked outside for dodgy sorts in pimped out and blacked out cars
> sneaking onto the WiFi?
>
Hmm.

Don wrote:
> I've been asked if I can give any advice on ways to improve the broadband
> facilities in a retirement complex, and would appreciate any suggestions
> from the experts here that might improve speed and/or reduce the cost,
> whilst not adversely affecting the level of customer service given by the
> ISP.
>
> At the moment they have a single BT phone line used only for ADSL broadband
> from Zen on their Office 8000 Max package. This feeds a Netgear DG834 ADSL
> modem/router, which in turn feeds two Netgear WG302 Access Points each with
> 9dB antennas with 500/200/100 boosters positioned to maximise wireless
> coverage across the site, with Netgear WG602 Access Points installed for
> each end-user. This gives reasonable wifi coverage.
>
> Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty sure this
> will grow over time, as users increase in number and become more IT aware.
>
> Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two cheaper
> packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say would double the
> speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur extra line installation
> and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.
>
> Any suggestions for improvement welcome!
Nope. Unless you stuff an in line proxy server in there, you will always
be constrained by the pipe to the exchange.


Nothing you can do will change that. Except buy more or fatter pipes.

Don <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two cheaper
> packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say would double the
> speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur extra line installation
> and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.

Will Zen do bonding so the two ADSL lines look like one connection? If not
you might run each of the two wireless gateways on a different line. That
means half the apartments are on one ADSL line and half on the other. If
you do this you could also buy the connection from someone other than Zen,
so you're still connected if Zen break their system. Doesn't prevent BT
screwing up, of course.

Theo

"Don" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:ie82s2$f2d$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I've been asked if I can give any advice on ways to improve the broadband
> facilities in a retirement complex, and would appreciate any suggestions
> from the experts here that might improve speed and/or reduce the cost,
> whilst not adversely affecting the level of customer service given by the
> ISP.
>
> At the moment they have a single BT phone line used only for ADSL
> broadband from Zen on their Office 8000 Max package. This feeds a Netgear
> DG834 ADSL modem/router, which in turn feeds two Netgear WG302 Access
> Points each with 9dB antennas with 500/200/100 boosters positioned to
> maximise wireless coverage across the site, with Netgear WG602 Access
> Points installed for each end-user. This gives reasonable wifi coverage.
>
>
What's the postcode or phone number?

Then you can look up:
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

and check out LLU options, (if any) and distance from the exchange, etc.

Steve Terry
--
Quidco cashback Sign-up Bonus of £1.25 when you signup at:
http://www.quidco.com/user/613515/55307

On 2010-12-14 20:06:39 +0000, Theo Markettos said:

> Don <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two cheaper
>> packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say would double the
>> speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur extra line installation
>> and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.
>
> Will Zen do bonding so the two ADSL lines look like one connection? If not
> you might run each of the two wireless gateways on a different line. That
> means half the apartments are on one ADSL line and half on the other. If
> you do this you could also buy the connection from someone other than Zen,
> so you're still connected if Zen break their system. Doesn't prevent BT
> screwing up, of course.
>
> Theo

As above bonded ADSL or SDSL is probably the best option depending on
whether there are any LLU providers available on the exchange. The
other options is to seperate the networks, this isn't idea as if you
split them in two one could have high usage, the other very little. You
could install a proxy server or similar to "bond" two seperate
connections if you can't get Zen to do that on the BT side. I would be
very surprised if you can't though.

In news:ie82s2$f2d$(E-Mail Removed),
Don <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> I've been asked if I can give any advice on ways to improve the
> broadband facilities in a retirement complex, and would appreciate
> any suggestions from the experts here that might improve speed and/or
> reduce the cost, whilst not adversely affecting the level of customer
> service given by the ISP.
>
> At the moment they have a single BT phone line used only for ADSL
> broadband from Zen on their Office 8000 Max package. This feeds a
> Netgear DG834 ADSL modem/router, which in turn feeds two Netgear
> WG302 Access Points each with 9dB antennas with 500/200/100 boosters
> positioned to maximise wireless coverage across the site, with
> Netgear WG602 Access Points installed for each end-user. This gives
> reasonable wifi coverage.
> Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty
> sure this will grow over time, as users increase in number and become
> more IT aware.
> Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two
> cheaper packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say
> would double the speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur
> extra line installation and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.
>
> Any suggestions for improvement welcome!

Thanks for the feedback.

In reply to the questions, the BT exchange less than 300m away as the crow
flies, probably about 350-400m cable route, and Sam Knows lists the
available services as
a.. BT Wholesale ADSL
b.. BT Wholesale ADSL Max
c.. AOL LLU
d.. O2 / Be LLU
e.. Bulldog LLU
f.. TalkTalk (CPW) LLU
g.. Sky Broadband / Easynet LLU
I understand there are about 50 users on site, but that's less than a third
of the total number of properties - a lot of people aren't into the
technology, hence the low monthly download! I'm sure both users and usage
will increase over time.

Point taken on the blacked out cars - the network is secured.

Splitting the wireless gateways between two BT lines would work, but almost
certainly wouldn't give a very good split of the load - better to get Zen
(or someone else) to bond the lines, I suspect.

Any recommendations for alternative ISPs/tariffs to Zen's Office 8000 Max,
to keep the cost down?
--

Don

In article <iea68a$dlj$(E-Mail Removed)>, Don <(E-Mail Removed)>
writes
>In news:ie82s2$f2d$(E-Mail Removed),
>Don <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>> I've been asked if I can give any advice on ways to improve the
>> broadband facilities in a retirement complex, and would appreciate
>> any suggestions from the experts here that might improve speed and/or
>> reduce the cost, whilst not adversely affecting the level of customer
>> service given by the ISP.
>>
>> At the moment they have a single BT phone line used only for ADSL
>> broadband from Zen on their Office 8000 Max package. This feeds a
>> Netgear DG834 ADSL modem/router, which in turn feeds two Netgear
>> WG302 Access Points each with 9dB antennas with 500/200/100 boosters
>> positioned to maximise wireless coverage across the site, with
>> Netgear WG602 Access Points installed for each end-user. This gives
>> reasonable wifi coverage.
>> Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty
>> sure this will grow over time, as users increase in number and become
>> more IT aware.
>> Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two
>> cheaper packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say
>> would double the speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur
>> extra line installation and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.
>>
>> Any suggestions for improvement welcome!
>
>Thanks for the feedback.
>
>In reply to the questions, the BT exchange less than 300m away as the crow
>flies, probably about 350-400m cable route, and Sam Knows lists the
>available services as
> a.. BT Wholesale ADSL
> b.. BT Wholesale ADSL Max
> c.. AOL LLU
> d.. O2 / Be LLU
> e.. Bulldog LLU
> f.. TalkTalk (CPW) LLU
> g.. Sky Broadband / Easynet LLU
>I understand there are about 50 users on site, but that's less than a third
>of the total number of properties - a lot of people aren't into the
>technology, hence the low monthly download! I'm sure both users and usage
>will increase over time.
>
>Point taken on the blacked out cars - the network is secured.
>
>Splitting the wireless gateways between two BT lines would work, but almost
>certainly wouldn't give a very good split of the load - better to get Zen
>(or someone else) to bond the lines, I suspect.
>
>Any recommendations for alternative ISPs/tariffs to Zen's Office 8000 Max,
>to keep the cost down?

It's a while since I used Zen but IIUC that service is limited to 8MB
download. As you're speaking to Zen I presume you have discussed their
current 20Mbit LLU offerings with them? Are they unavailable?

Given your distance from the exchange and the wide range of LLU
providers it seems daft to bond 2 x 8Mbit lines if a 20Mbit LLU offering
is available or may become available in the near future.

My choice from the above would be Be LLU.

Obvious ones to avoid are Talk Talk and AOL.
--
fred
FIVE TV's superbright logo - not the DOG's, it's bollocks

%
"fred" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <iea68a$dlj$(E-Mail Removed)>, Don <(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>>In news:ie82s2$f2d$(E-Mail Removed),
>>Don <(E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>>> I've been asked if I can give any advice on ways to improve the
>>> broadband facilities in a retirement complex, and would appreciate
>>> any suggestions from the experts here that might improve speed and/or
>>> reduce the cost, whilst not adversely affecting the level of customer
>>> service given by the ISP.
>>>
>>> At the moment they have a single BT phone line used only for ADSL
>>> broadband from Zen on their Office 8000 Max package. This feeds a
>>> Netgear DG834 ADSL modem/router, which in turn feeds two Netgear
>>> WG302 Access Points each with 9dB antennas with 500/200/100 boosters
>>> positioned to maximise wireless coverage across the site, with
>>> Netgear WG602 Access Points installed for each end-user. This gives
>>> reasonable wifi coverage.
>>> Current total usage is 20-30 GB download per month, but I'm pretty
>>> sure this will grow over time, as users increase in number and become
>>> more IT aware.
>>> Zen have suggested getting a second BT line and changing to two
>>> cheaper packages, which offer 50 GB per month, and which they say
>>> would double the speed and halve the monthly cost (but would incur
>>> extra line installation and rental). Virgin Cable is not available.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions for improvement welcome!
>>
>>Thanks for the feedback.
>>
>>In reply to the questions, the BT exchange less than 300m away as the crow
>>flies, probably about 350-400m cable route, and Sam Knows lists the
>>available services as
>> a.. BT Wholesale ADSL
>> b.. BT Wholesale ADSL Max
>> c.. AOL LLU
>> d.. O2 / Be LLU
>> e.. Bulldog LLU
>> f.. TalkTalk (CPW) LLU
>> g.. Sky Broadband / Easynet LLU
>>I understand there are about 50 users on site, but that's less than a third
>>of the total number of properties - a lot of people aren't into the
>>technology, hence the low monthly download! I'm sure both users and usage
>>will increase over time.
>>
>>Point taken on the blacked out cars - the network is secured.
>>
>>Splitting the wireless gateways between two BT lines would work, but almost
>>certainly wouldn't give a very good split of the load - better to get Zen
>>(or someone else) to bond the lines, I suspect.
>>
>>Any recommendations for alternative ISPs/tariffs to Zen's Office 8000 Max,
>>to keep the cost down?
>
> It's a while since I used Zen but IIUC that service is limited to 8MB download. As you're speaking to Zen I presume you have
> discussed their current 20Mbit LLU offerings with them? Are they unavailable?
>
> Given your distance from the exchange and the wide range of LLU providers it seems daft to bond 2 x 8Mbit lines if a 20Mbit LLU
> offering is available or may become available in the near future.
>
> My choice from the above would be Be LLU.
>
> Obvious ones to avoid are Talk Talk and AOL.
> --
> fred
> FIVE TV's superbright logo - not the DOG's, it's bollocks

BE do line bonding for £65 p.m.with ideal speeds of 44/5 mb/s


--
Graham.

%Profound_observation