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One of the primary factors considered when designing a building site is the availability of an internet connection. One might wonder what the advantages of having an installing broadband connection at a construction site are if everyone has a smartphone?
A speedy construction site broadband solution assures site security, reliable connectivity of office equipment, smooth information transmission between employees, and much more. Unfortunately, workers typically begin their tasks before realizing the value of a good construction site broadband connection.
We will discuss the best practice that site engineers and technicians should consider before installing on-site broadband connections.
What are Broadband Connections?
Due to its high access speeds, broadband internet connection is the most popular type of Internet access; it is available in four main forms: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), fibre-optic, cable, and satellite. The only non-broadband internet connection accessible is the old dial-up connection. Even though it is less expensive, most Internet users are opting for a quicker broadband Internet connection.
The Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet service connects to the internet using telephone cables. The local cable TV provider provides the broadband cable connection. The speed of a cable Internet connection fluctuates depending on the traffic on the service at any given moment.
Fibre-optic broadband is the newest broadband service, and it is currently the fastest Internet connection available. However, because of its restricted coverage regions and the time it takes to lay down a fibre-optic cable, this sort of Internet service is still in its early stages.
Satellite provides the final and slowest internet service. Although for individuals who live in isolated rural locations, this is a suitable substitute for dial-up since it is also affordable.
Installing Broadband Connections at Construction Sites
Installing a construction site broadband solution involves phases consisting of a few steps each. Another consideration is how to secure your broadband network. This is crucial because if your signals are not properly encrypted, others may intercept information sent between workers.
Network Connectivity Assessment
This phase consists of the following:
Site Location
Construction sites can be pretty unsafe, and this applies to network equipment. Therefore, everything that is exposed to normal on-site activities must be safeguarded.
To avoid this, one can use sturdy equipment, putting technology in reinforced cabinets, or otherwise keeping it out of harm’s way, such as burying it underground or attaching it to the outside of a structure.
How far away is the site? What is the distance between the location and the nearest cabinet? Is it possible to connect to the internet using 4G? The answers to these questions will inform site engineers and technicians on the right kind of connection.
A 4G broadband, which technicians can install in a couple of days, is the most popular choice. This may be used with hybrid DAS mobile signal repeaters in more remote places to increase data throughput and provide a stable connection for your personnel. A Private LTE & 5G Network might be explored for vast locations that span tens or hundreds of kilometres.
Expected number of users
Bigger building projects will necessitate the greatest possible connection due to the increased number of users and devices. Data use must be taken into account as well, since downloading huge files and video conferencing can quickly deplete your data allocation. Our unlimited data plans will solve this issue and provide your employee’s peace of mind.
Cost
When giving internet connectivity to a building site, the expenses of the equipment, installation, and data must all be considered. For example, a small construction site with few users may not require a high-capacity connection. On the other side, larger projects with a large number of users will require quicker speeds, more data, and better equipment.
Inexperienced or non-specialist service providers may not be able to adapt to the specific needs of a project or provide support throughout the project life cycle. As a result, finding the proper supplier involves some research, negotiation, and trust.
Project initiation date and duration
Construction projects that take weeks rather than months or years are becoming more common. This can make setting up a typical fibre network problematic, as the minimum contract time may be insufficient for the project’s lifespan.
The time it takes to install fibre- or copper-wire infrastructure is also worthy of consideration. They might entail being without a connection for weeks or months at a time in some circumstances.
Delivering fibre internet to a site may be complicated, especially if it’s in a remote location, including anything from obtaining legal authorisation to place equipment on third-party land to coordinating road closures with the local government to dig up the road surface.
Network Design for Construction Site Communications
The network design stage is the next step in the process. You’ll need to know the number of users, the device requirements (including laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and so on), and the structure of the site for this. This will determine the location of antennas and routers on-site, as well as wiring for site cabins and modular offices.
Set up a Broadband at the Construction Site
It’s time to install your construction site broadband solution when engineers have completed the site survey, understood site requirements and have selected and built the broadband connection of choice.
Because of the mismatch between the urgent necessity for an internet connection at the start of a building project and the significant lead periods for deploying fixed-line networks, service providers have developed several customised services and solutions.
Wireless construction broadband connection solutions are frequently used as a temporary fix, the first stage of a phased rolling project that will eventually transition to fixed-wired connectivity when it becomes viable and accessible later in the project timeframe.
Wireless connections are simple to set up and maintain, yet the expense of utilising and maintaining wireless broadband may offset this cost-benefit over time.
In Conclusion
Everything is simpler with the internet, and construction site jobs are no exception. Although we cannot guarantee that following the steps discussed here will solve all your construction site connectivity issues, you will be able to address many of them.
