The equipment

Customer premises equipment

Most people will be far enough from their nearest network node that they will need a small aerial fitted, like the one in the picture. This is similar to, but smaller than, a TV aerial, and can be fitted to a wall or chmney, as shown, or clamped to an existing aerial pole.

The aerial is connected to a small wireless client device. The lead making the connection needs to be as short as possible, so this will normally be fitted in a waterproof box outside.

As an alternative, we may use a single box containing both a flat aerial and the wireless client.

Another cable then runs from the wireless client to a socket (like a telephone socket) near the computer. This provides an Ethernet connection interface. Many recent computers will have this built in already. Older computers may need an adapter card fitted. This is not included in the installation price, but costs under £10 on a Windows PC. We can advise on this prior to installation. Other than that, broadband makes no special demands on your computer or its operating system. You will no longer need to connect your computer to a telephone socket, modem or router unless you want to keep a backup connection the the Internet.

Power for the wireless client is provided by a plug-in transformer. This will usually be plugged in to a power socket near the signal socket, with the signal and power wires running together to the external box.

If the signal in your area is particularly strong, the external aerial may not be needed, and the installation will be rather simpler.

Users with more than one computer and an existing network that connects them will probably want to connect the broadband service to their network switch or hub. This will usually be possible, but a small extra installation fee may be charged to cover the extra costs involved.

Hosting a node

The broadband network depends on a backbone of nodes placed around the village. We have agreed the placement of some of these but may be negotiating for others. Again, the installation is very similar, although the aerial will look like the one to the right (and we may also need a second aerial like the one above). We will make a small payment (or allowance against service costs) to cover the electricity it uses.