Domestic Network Installation For Shared Internet Access
"It is becoming increasingly important to students that they are able to access the internet from their home computers. In order for this to be practical, they will need to connect each computer to a house network"
When students are searching for accommodation they look for certain factors that enable them to work efficiently at their studies and maintain some of the home comforts to which they are accustomed. Once such factors would only have included basic utilities plus a shared television and telephone, a bed to sleep in and a desk at which to work in private.
These days, however, students increasingly wish to use their own private television, telephone and computer from their rooms. Many also desire personal access to the internet, some purely for personal use, others as a near essential tool for their work. The only sensible way for each tenant in a shared house to have internet access from their own computer is to link all of their computers together, creating a network that then accesses the internet through a single broadband modem.
CLECOM Software Ltd. has installed already installed hundreds of such networks on behalf of local landlords over the last year. We have utilised many different methods of installation to find the fastest, cheapest and most efficient solutions to the many problems that can be encountered when installing such a network in a domestic house. Our cables are run under floorboards or through trunking, eliminating the risks associated with students connecting all of their computers together by running interconnecting cables around the house in an ad hoc fashion.
Services to be provided
Broadband Internet Access
The basic system will provide a broadband router to accept input from cable modem or ADSL modem and telephone line for distribution to each bedroom, using the router to control access. Tenants wishing to use the system will be required to share the cost of the service. They will need to install a 10/100-Megabit Ethernet card in their computer. We will offer to supply, install and configure such cards where required. The costs of these come to under "20 for desktop computers and "30 for portable computers. Tenants will also be able to communicate with other computers in the house and share resources if they wish. Using Ethernet as a standard for distribution ensures compatibility with future services.
Possible upgrades include the provision of higher speed cable broadband in larger houses or individual cable or ADSL links to tenants with very high requirements for network usage.
Television
The basic system will provide a television point in every bedroom and the lounge by re-routing the television aerial signal at the property via a television booster. As part of the installation we will test the aerial for signal strength and compatibility with Freeview digital television services. In cases where the TV signal is inadequate we will report our findings so that permission can be obtained to adjust or replace the TV aerial and we will arrange for skilled contractors to carry out this work before re-testing.
Provision of Cable or Satellite television services to each room would require tenants to purchase the necessary decoders themselves, but tenants will be able to access limited digital television services via Freeview digital television. Freeview has no subscription so tenants simply need to buy a decoder and plug it in. We sell decoders at competitive prices (they cost around £80 each).
Telephone
The basic system will provides a telephone extension in every bedroom via a central switch. A maximum of 4 extensions will ring on a normal domestic line so the quotation includes the use of a REN booster where necessary, allowing up to 11 extensions to ring. We will offer to sell a range of suitable telephone instruments to tenants and remind them that bedroom telephones must have a ringer on/off switch if they want to get any sleep!
Of course, even with this system all the telephones are still on a single line. Optional upgrades would include installation of a switchboard so that each room has a separate extension or even a separate line to each room.
Standards of Installation and General Issues
All cables to wall outlets will either be enclosed in plastic trunking, hidden or stapled to skirting boards. All new connections will be tested at time of installation. The central switches will be located in an area that has easy access to the television aerial, phone supply and suitable cable runs. Because the switches need electric power it will sometimes be necessary to install additional power outlets. If needed, we will arrange for this to be carried out by a fully qualified electrician for no extra charge. The quotation includes connecting the system to the existing TV aerial and telephone service but excludes any aerial installation or adjustment for which we can arrange a separate quote.
The cost of installation includes 1 years free maintenance, after which the tenants should contact us directly for any further work.
The Costs
We have carefully checked the equipment and labour costs involved in the many houses we have already cabled for landlords and agents in order to provide the best value for money service. The current rates are as follows:
| PROPERTY | PRICE | PRICE PER BED |
| 3 BED HOUSE | £400 | £133 |
| 4 BED HOUSE | £510 | £128 |
| 5 BED HOUSE | £640 | £128 |
| 6 BED HOUSE | £730 | £122 |
| 7 BED HOUSE | £840 | £120 |
| 8 BED HOUSE | £930 | £117 |
All the figures given exclude VAT.
If you would like us to proceed please complete the enclosed reply slip and return it to CLECOM as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will this network allow immediate access to the internet? A: No. The network we install will provide the infrastructure necessary for each room to be capable of accessing the internet, but arrangements for the provision of internet services must still be made as normal. A good analogy would be the provision of electricity to each room: an electrician can install the necessary wires and sockets, but these will not supply electricity until the house is connected to the national grid by a chosen supplier.
Q: Will I become involved in the running and maintenance of the network? A: No. CLECOM offers full support for the networks we install. The tenants can deal with us directly, and can even order an internet connection through CLECOM’s No Hassle Solution, as well as all necessary equipment.
Q: How can I offset the cost of installation? A: Landlords and agencies who have had us install domestic networks in the past have found that they are able to offset the cost of installation through rent increases. Internet access is becoming an important part of student life, and many are willing to pay a little extra for the benefit of a Broadband network.