Sharing Broadband with Parents 0.5 Miles Away!

chris73

I wonder if it would be possible to set up a network wirelessly to share my broadband connection with my parents, who live roughly 0.5 mile away?. I have read some interesting posts on other forums from people who have managed to set up networks some 3 - 5 miles apart using wi-fi and high gain external aerials, however very few give a step by step guide for the novice on how to go about it!.

Has anybody here, set up anything similar?

My parents have a laptop and only access the internet a few hours a week, not often enough to justify paying £14.99 / month + £60 connection, for their own broadband, and dial up runs painfully under 56k despite trying different modems and 4 ISP's! . So this solution, if it is workable would probably be the best one!.

Number_6_3

You could have a punt on https://www.asdlguide.org.uk to see if you can find cheaper. There are some payg BB suppliers like Metronet but I think they had a £70 activation charge.

The wireless scenario you describe is possible. However I would imagine security of it would be a nightmare. Also any decent security measures are liable to result in speed loss.

R

Number_6_3

Thinking on it http://www.onspeed.com may help improve your parent internet speeds a bit...not tried it myself. Think its about £25 a year

HTH

R

Dude

Generally speaking (low cost) wireless links over the distance you are referring to require “line of sight” and the further away the remote site the slower the connection. For example, you would be required to mount an external antenna on your roof and point this at your parents’ external antenna (trees and buildings etc can kill the signal), but also remember you would have to cable from your roof to the antenna (at both ends)!

I use this external antenna with a great deal of success http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=39&categoryid=8

If you don’t have “line of sight” it is still possible but the costs would significantly increase.

cymro1170

you could try https://www.wirelesswales.net

I have nothing to do with this forum, but am a member.
They are a group of keen amateurs who are setting up a wireless network in South Wales.

They're a friendly bunch and always willing to help others.