Providing Wi-fi for Visitors

[Nagette]

Can anyone help..?

I run a small rural business and a lot of my customers have asked if we can provide wi-fi so they can access internet and email.

The main connection and internet for my business is based in my house, some 50 metres from where the customers would need to use their internet.

Also at the moment I am on a 'limited' amount of data usage - how would this be affected...

and finally what sort of 'package' would I need/ costs etc.

Thanks lots!

[JohnE · Accepted solution]

Given the distance between your router and the area where your customers are likely to access the internet, I'd advise some additional hardware.  At the very least, a seperate wireless access point connected to your ADSL router (I assume you have a BT Business Hub) via an ethernet cable.  Your customers can then access the Wireless Access Point.  I'm sure that your usual computer supplier will be able to advise.

You may find 50 metres of ethernet connection to be difficult to "manage", although it can be easily fitted in the same way as a telephone extension.  There are alternatives.  You can, if the premises uses the same mains electricity "ring", use Powerline networking.  This uses the mains electricity as a "carrier" in a similar way to those baby monitors you plug into the mains.  Using a Powerline adapter, you can plug in a Wireless Access Point for your customers to use.  Some Links:

TP Link Wireless Access Point

Powerline Adapters

Finally, be careful.  If your broadband account is "limited" in terms of downloads, that is, if you have Basic Broadband then you may be in danger of exceeding your download limit.  Make sure that your broadband is an "unlimited" package.  Also, you may wish to look into ways of limiting what people can access over this link.