|
Public bodies have to incur the cost of trunk connections when providing Broadband access
to libraries, schools, government offices, etc. Such bodies may be willing to allow other
local users to negotiate access to these connections and services. This is in fact how Buckfastleigh
Broadband has built its network to date, through a partnership with the South West Grid
for Learning (SWGfL) and Devon County Council. However policies and procedures will vary
around the United Kingdom.
As for distributing Broadband capacity around a community, it is necessary to look at both
wire and wireless equipment. There is no definitive answer here, as each solution will be
a function of the physical locations and local geography. One shouldn't underestimate the
complexity of the challenges in building such networks, and we would highly recommend speaking
with people who have designed and delivered operational solutions. As more and more rural
communities go down this route, a number of organisations are emerging from which information,
assistance and best practice can be sought.
Satellite
The third option is the use of Broadband satellite services. This can be particularly appropriate
where the community is quite small, i.e. a hamlet or village, or where there is a concentration
of businesses, e.g. a small business park. If a community considers this option, it is important
that they fully understand the contract for access and service, as commercial contracts
often restrict the number of simultaneous users or the ability to share the service. The
speed of connection for data coming down to the user and the speed back out to the Internet
will vary - commonly referred to as 'asymmetric' service. There are numerous commercial
packages offered by satellite providers so that the service and speed of connection can
be matched to users requirements. However satellite does present a challenge for some users,
as there is a 'delay' inherent in transmitting data to and from orbiting satellites. This
is called latency or the 'ping' factor and those who enjoy high-speed Internet connections
for gaming purposes will most often experience this 'delay' in data delivery. Satellite
providers of Broadband services have put in place certain technological solutions to overcome
the 'latency,' such as 'caching,' where information from frequently visited websites is
stored locally so that returning to this information is faster and easier. Any individual
or organisation looking to provide a solution to a community should be aware of latency.
Buckfastleigh Broadband Community Network
The Technical Solution (PDF - 171kb)
chosen for the Buckfastleigh Broadband Community Network is the 'DIY' option, sharing
'backhaul' with our regional educational consortium, the South West Grid for Learning, and
partnerships with a number of commercial entities. To see a diagram that shows the individual
Broadband access points in Buckfastleigh and the technologies used to make the connections,
you can click on Network5 (PDF - 90kb).
The project was conceived in early 2001, with a great deal of exploration, learning, conversations
and meetings before the successful application for funding in early 2002. The project is
not an end in itself, as the journey to date has been just as valuable as the implementation
of a community Broadband network. The decision making process undertaken by the project
founders can be viewed by clicking on Decision Map (PDF - 62kb)
and Decision Phases (PDF - 207kb).
There are a number of components to the overall project - the Broadband Network along with
the associated technologies, the Action Programmes
and the marketing and training activities through WAVE,
our Broadband Public Access Centre. The Diagram of the Project (PDF - 245kb)
shows how these components fit together, and the Project Plan (PDF - 152kb)
gives an indication of the length of time and amount of effort involved.
We have included here a How to Guide to
begin to assist other communities in their efforts to bring Broadband to their areas. In
the near future we will be producing a video and developing workshops to further assist
groups.
The medium to long-term plan we see for the network and its users is to move to a commercial
Broadband Community Network. We have explored the option of providing a commercial Broadband
through our existing organisation (PDF - 150kb), a company limited by
guarantee, where a subsidiary company would be the service provider. This is to clearly
delineate between the commercial service and the publicly funded aspects of the project.
The other model is to work in partnership with an existing commercial service provider.
The latter is the more likely.
|
