Broadband Internet access is a key tool for business and residential users of the Internet and e-mail - improving productivity and efficiency. Contrary to recent publicity, the ADSL solution is simply not available to every household/business now or in the foreseeable future and its availability depends wholly on location.  Even as more exchanges are “enabled” this will not mean that Broadband will be available to all. 

Why not?

The maximum data range is determined by the length of copper cable from the exchange to the telephone and those on the outskirts will have to look at alternatives.  There is a test performed on all lines and the line must satisfy a signal to noise ratio requirement.  In some cases the line quality may not be sufficient.... Some existing telephone lines were installed using aluminum rather than copper cables, and some connections are delivered partially over microwave. These are unsuitable for carrying ADSL.  To receive ADSL your line must also be free of Incompatible services this includes things like ISDN, Home Highway, Light User Scheme and PABX.

But no worries, we have the solution!  Wireless is the new Information Technology!

SWBB addresses the difficulty that rural communities have in gaining access to high speed broadband services by utilizing the 802.11b WiFi standard.

The current service is suitable for home/residential and small to medium size businesses.  Internet Bandwidth delivered is currently 2 Mbps download 256 kbps upload using multiple gateways to the internet.

So let's explain our Wireless Network briefly.....

A "Mesh" is a series of nodes, each node talks to as many "Nodes" as it can reach.  Some "Nodes" will have a local connection to the internet.

These "Nodes" are known as the "Gateways" and all other nodes establish a path to the gateway to provide expand the availability of internet access.

The Mesh encrypts all inter-mesh traffic point to point using a certified address allocation and cryptographic validation system.

Confused?? Well we're all used to how a television connects to the local transmitter, well connecting to an SWBB node is quite similar in many ways. You only get a decent reception if you've got an aerial on the roof, the cable running down to the T.V. isn't too long and you can see the transmitter from your house without hills and other large obstacles in the way.  With wireless networks you have to be more particular as the power transmitted is much less.  You need 'line of sight', that is, your antenna needs to be able to 'see' the antenna of the node it is connecting to. We have 16 nodes set up within the villages and will expand these as demand dictates.

Wireless network cards on their own are only designed for connecting to other computers within the same building. Unless you live across the road from where you want to connect, you will need to use a proper antenna in order to connect to the network.

We know what equipment works and can supply this for you .

Below is an image of the coverage for South Witham.