search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
Bringing to Community Common Areas Jackson Kerschen


So your members want Wi-Fi, and they want it fast! Data services are one of the most in-demand utilities in the modern residence, and you might find yourself overwhelmed by it all. Wi-Fi is a wireless delivery method for data services, and is for many the primary way that they access the internet. Bringing free Wi-Fi service to your community’s common areas is a great way to boost property values and satisfaction for current and future members.


How can you tell if your building can deliver Wi-Fi? The only way to know for sure is to contact your preferred internet service provider and have a technician survey your building for compatibility with their system. In general, if you already have data services in your building, you can have Wi-Fi installed. However, here are some basic guidelines to determine if your building is likely to be Wi-Fi capable:


1. Wiring Modern internet services require modern wiring. Older wiring like Cat3 cables can certainly carry a signal, but Cat5 or even the more recently developed Cat6 wiring for your building is required for the current 1 Gig data standard. If you’re not sure what kind of wiring your building has, a good rule of thumb is that buildings built between 1990 and 2000 are usually wired with Cat3, while buildings built after 2000 are likely to have Cat5. When in doubt, always seek the services of a fully licensed low-voltage technician to get an accurate picture of your building’s wiring.


2. Access The data has to start somewhere, and that means an access point from outside your building. You should be aware of the location of your building’s MPOE (Minimum Point of Entry)- the location where service providers can connect their wiring. Today’s service providers generally have two options for bringing Wi-Fi capable data services to a building: the traditional method of running cables through underground conduits and along utility poles to reach your building, as well as via microwave receivers mounted on rooftop risers. Though dependent on your building’s rooftop having line-


of-sight to another building serviced by the same provider, microwave deployment often has a much quicker turnaround than traditional methods, and can have your members enjoying their Wi-Fi months before the alternative.


3. Building Construction As Wi-Fi requires the propagation of wireless signals through your building, the unique make-up of your property will influence how easily Wi-Fi can be provided to your members. Older buildings are often built from materials that can block Wi-Fi signals from reaching as far as they should. The solutions to this problem range from the simple (add more access points that broadcast so signals don’t have to travel as far) to the more extreme (major renovations to the building).


Now that you’re confident that your building is capable of delivering Wi-Fi, the real question comes into play: how much is it going to cost? This will come down to the details of your property. The biggest upfront cost is usually any infrastructure changes needed to make your building Wi-Fi compatible. Many internet service providers will assist with the capital costs of Wi-Fi deployment in exchange for considerations ranging from the exclusive right to market to your members, to ownership of the wiring once it is installed.


So you’ve got a compatible building, and you’ve figured out how to pay for it. Your members want to see results, so how do you ensure that they get the best experience possible? The key here is providing an appropriate number of wireless access points in popular locations- an access point is a Wi-Fi router that broadcasts wireless signals over a certain area. The farther from the access point you get, the weaker the signal and the slower the data connection. You will want to ensure that if your members want to stream videos in the gym, that there is an access point in the gym, not three floors away. As a final note, educate your members and post signage about the proper Wi-Fi network to connect to; many reported problems with Wi-Fi speed and reliability turn out to be caused by the user attempting to connect to a distant access point rather than the one closest to them.


www.wscai.org 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32