Wireless Broadband for Lower Wharfedale
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 2 Introduction After over two years of waiting for the government funded Superfast North Yorkshire broadband programme to deliver a fibre- based broadband connection to the villages of Lower Wharfedale, we are now in a position where we have no certainty whether this will ever happen. After looking at alternative options the local community broadband champions for Kirkby Overblow and North Rigton are delighted to be able to say that we have reached an agreement with a local firm LN Communications see http://www.lncomms.co.uk/ to offer a wireless broadband solution for the villages and the surrounding areas.. LN attended a meeting in Kirkby Overblow on Tuesday 17 th March 2015 and following that we have prepared this document to tell you about the wireless broadband service which LN are offering and how you can sign up This document describes how the service works, what it would cost to use, how to sign up, and where to go for further information. While the information provided within this document is based on best understanding, it does not represent a contractual commitment on behalf of any party.
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 3 About LN Communications LN Communications is a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) that has been using fixed terrestrial wireless technology to deliver Internet connectivity since the early 2000 s. Their market and coverage continues to grow as more rural homeworkers and business parks establish that they won t benefit from the current commercial and funded BT rollout of Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband. They are a business partner of Virgin Media and backed by David Hood OBE, local entrepreneur and founder of Pace Micro Technology in Bradford in 1982. Their residential services also go under the brand of ilovebroadband.
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 4 How it works Wireless broadband is now a well established technology and LN already provide services to communities in Nidderdale, on the North Yorkshire Moors, around Northallerton and also in Leceiestershire. It is not affected by rain or snow and is only very rarely affected by very high winds which can cause the receiver dishes to move a little if they are not securely fastened. LN have a large radio mast located at Yorkgate on the Chevin near Leeds Bradford airport. This is connected to the national fibre optic network via Virgin Media. From Yorkgate they beam a high bandwidth wireless link to our village primary relay masts. In Kirkby Overblow we will locate the mast on top of the church tower, in North Rigton it is likely to be on a private property rather than the church, because of the layout of the village. The masts contain a small transceiver dish that receives the signal and a small ariel - a secondary relay - to relay the signal around the area. This example is mounted on the chimney of a residential property. The dishes can be painted to blend in with the surroundings. Depending on the locations of subscribers, LN may need to install remote relay masts that help to take the signal round hills and other obstacles and onto other subscribers. Subscribers will have a small panel transceiver, about the size of a mobile phone, mounted on chimneys or gable ends.
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 5 Finally a cable will run from the small roof mounted panel transceiver to a wireless router inside the property. This will be fitted by a trained engineer as part of the installation package. To provide a consistent quality of service, LN provide a standard wireless router, shown here, as part of this installation package. If you already use a router, then you can keep that and simply connect your existing router to the new one.
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 6 VOIP One of the benefits of wireless broadband is that it does not require any sort of fixed landline running to your property. That means that if you are happy to use your mobile phone as your main phone, then you can give notice on your landline, saving the cost of that. An alternative option - which still does not require a landline is VOIP, the acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol. VOIP phones connect to the national telephone network through your wireless broadband connection. You may need to purchase a new handset or an adaptor to use existing handsets. Alternatively some computers and smartphones can use VoIP technology. For a one- off charge you can transfer or port - your existing landline number although this is not essential. If you do not take up this option you will get a new number.
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 7 Costs LN offer two types of packages residential and business. Residential packages The terms of the residential packages are as follows: They are based on a 12 month contract with a 30 day notice period Subscriptions are monthly by GoCardless direct debit There is an additional one- off installation cost of 150 to include supply, installation and testing of the house transceiver, cabling and router No landline is required for this service VOIP (Voice over Internet) phone services are available (at extra cost see later) It provides a contended service that is the speed of your connection may vary depending on the number of people simultaneously using the wireless link. The network is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Responses to calls will be within 8 hours and network fixes will be completed within 48 hours You will be provided with a public IP address Prices are set out below. LN have agreed to hold their 2014 prices for the first 6 months for subscribers who register before 1 st May 2015. Package First 6 months thereafter 10Mb/s download and 5Mb/s upload 14.99 24.99 20Mb/s download and 10Mb/s upload 19.99 29.99 30Mb/s download and 15Mb/s upload 24.99 34.99 30/15 Mb/s 00.00 000.00 Table 1 Standard Residential packages per month, no VAT charged
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 8 Business packages The terms of the standard business packages are as follows: They are based on 12, 24 or 36 month contract periods. Subscriptions are by GoCardless direct debit There is a one- off installation cost of 150+VAT. Business package routers are sold separately and specified to requirement No landline is required for this service VOIP (Voice over Internet) phone services are available (at extra cost see later) The standard business package provides a contended service but business users will get usage priority. An uncontended service option is available on application. Callout priority over residential subscribers Call response within 4 hours, fix within 8 hours Business package subscribers will be provided with one static IP address, and may purchase more at a rate of 5 per address per month. Package 12 months 24 months 36 months 5Mb/s download / 2Mb/s upload 54.99 44.99 34.99 10Mb/s download / 5Mb/s upload 74.99 64.99 54.99 20Mb/s download / 10Mb/s upload 94.99 84.99 74.99 30Mb/s download / 15Mb/s upload 114.99 104.99 94.99 Bespoke - 30Mb/s download / 15Mb/s upload 34.99 34.99 34.99 00.00 000.00 Table 2 Standard business packages per month, VAT will be added The bespoke package deal is specially negotiated for subscribers in the Lower Wharfe Valley programme who sign up before 1 st May 2015.
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 9 Service Level Agreements: The service levels associated with the packages are set out below. Service Residential packages Business packages Response times 8 hours response 48 hour fix 4 hours response 8 hour fix Weekdays service Out of Hours call- out charged at 150 + VAT Technical Support Mon to Fri 09:00 to 20:00 Weekends 10:00 to 16:00 Network monitoring 24/7/365
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 10 VOIP charges If you would like to use the VOIP service, either at the outset or subsequently, then the charges for VOIP products and services are set out in Table 3 below. Note that business subscribers will be charged VAT on top of these figures. The services are Pay as you go (PAYG) package means that you pay a small monthly charge and the additional call charges as and when you make calls. Details of call charges are available on request but in summary o o o Peak rate to landlines 1p/min Off peak / weekend to landlines - 0.5p/min Mobiles - 8.5p/min The UK 01,02,03 landline package enables you to unlimited calls to these landline numbers in return for a monthly charge You cannot use an existing phone handset with VoIP; you will need an analogue telephone adaptor those sites between your conventional handset and the new router. If you have an existing system with a base unit and several handsets you only need one adaptor. Alternatively you can purchase a specially designed VoIP handset. For a one- off charge you can transfer or port - your existing landline number although this is not essential. If you do not take up this option you will get a new number. Package Ongoing per month One- off Pay as you go rental (additional as used call changes apply) 6.00 UK 01,02,03 landlines 14.00 VoIP adaptor 40.00 Port number 20.00 VoIP phone 80.00 Additional VoIP handset 40.00 00.00 000.00 Table 3 - VOIP charges
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 11 Super Connected Cities scheme Although we are not benefiting from funding from the government s main programme to provide fibre- based broadband services, there is another scheme that can be used to help get us a robust and resilient wireless network in place. The Super Connected City Voucher scheme was launched in 10 cities across the UK in 2011 partly in response to reluctance by traditional fibre cable providers to provide cable to certain localities. From 1 st April 2015 the scheme is being extended and perhaps rather strangely given our rural location we are now eligible to apply. For those subscribers with a LS postcode, you will apply to the Leeds/Bradford scheme; for those with a HG postcode it will be the York scheme The scheme provides a voucher worth up to 3,000 and which can be used to fund the capital costs of providing the service with an approved service supplier, of which LN is one. It can only be applied for by Small and Medium Enterprises and the same rules apply for charities and not- for- profit organisations. The eligibility criteria are You employ less than 249 people or volunteers You have a turnover of < than 50m (around 41m) and/or have a balance sheet of < 43m (approx 35.5m) You have received less than 200k in public grants in the last 3 years You do not operate in sector which is excluded from the Scheme You do not have a parent company or linked enterprise which does not meet the eligibility criteria Because they are targeted at businesses, Super Connected City Vouchers can only be offered on business packages starting at 30 Mbps contended or 20 Mbps uncontended. For people using SCC vouchers, LN will offer a specially priced SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) package as follows Initial contract of 12 months Free installation Priority network traffic over Residential users Priority Fix time frames the service levels for business packages are 4 hours response 8 hours fix
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 12 No landline required VoIP available Prices are per month subscriptions plus VAT At the end of the initial 12 months, SOHO package subscribers can continue with their business package at standard business package rates or transfer to a residential package. Details of the costs associated with the SCC voucher scheme are given in the next section. If you are signing up for a business package and are eligible for a SCC voucher then a discount will be applied to the normal monthly charges for the business 30/15 package. This is a specially discounted arrangement for subscribers to the Lower Wharf Valley programme. The business may reduce the package to suit their budget or usage requirements from Year 2 of their contract. You will also benefit from free installation on your premises that could amount to savings of between 150 and 3,000. If you are a VAT registered business, you will be invoiced by LN Comms for the VAT element of the SCC Voucher amount. If you are not VAT registered, you will not be billed other than any agreed costs with LN Comms. Package 12 months 24 months 36 months Standard Business package 30/15 Mb/s 114.99 104.99 94.99 With SCC voucher (Home Office Residential property) 34.99 34.99 34.99 Installation FOC FOC FOC Term saving 960.00 1,680.00 2,160.00 Service Level Agreement: Business Residential Residential 000.00 Table 4 Super Connected Cities Voucher offer. Residential Home Office Properties. Monthly charges VAT will be added Package 12 months 24 months 36 months Standard Business package 30/15 Mb/s 114.99 104.99 94.99 With SCC voucher (Business property) 34.99 104.99 94.99 Installation FOC FOC FOC Term saving 960.00 960.00 960.00 Service Level Agreement: Business Business Business 00.00 000.00 Table 5 Super Connected Cities Voucher offer. Business Properties (paying business rates). Monthly charges VAT will be added
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 13 What to do next The easiest way to get connected is to Visit http://www.ilovebroadband.co.uk/lower- wharfedale/ Register online Follow the email instructions sent from LN Communications Set up the Go Cardless direct debit. No money will be taken until the service is operational. You will then be contacted to arrange a time for installation. In Kirkby Overblow we are in the process of investigating planning requirements for the erection of transmitting equipment on the church tower, and depending on the outcome will endeavour to process the necessary applications and approvals as speedily as possible. Once the main relay is in place on the church tower the target is to complete local installations within 2/3 weeks of signup. If you are applying for a business package and believe you would be eligible for a Super Connected Cities voucher then you should contact LN Communications for advice on how to complete the application as you will need a quote from them to complete the application. After getting advice from LN Comms, If you have a LS postcode visit http://www.superfastwestyorkshire.co.uk/business/connection- vouchers If you have a HG postcode visit http://scc.azurewebsites.net/voucher/create
Wireless Broadband for the Lower Wharfe Valley 14 Questions If you have any general questions then you can contact one of your local community broadband champions Kirkby Overblow John Farenden John.farenden@mac.com 07774 427278 North Rigton Robert le Mare Lemare- porchhouse@tiscali.co.uk 01423 810488 For technical or commercial questions, please contact LN Communications 0113 320 3737 For commercial questions and details of SCC scheme, ask for Mark Boyce Frequently asked questions Q Can I still keep my current email address? A This will depend on your current internet service provider, but in the vast majority of cases the answer is yes Q What happens if there is a power failure? A The relay equipment has a battery backup that will operate in the event of a power cut and should operate for several hours until the power is restored. Q What if there is a problem with the main link will the whole village be cut off? A The network is designed so that if there is a problem with say the direct Yorkgate- Kirkby Overblow link, then signals will be relayed from Kirkby Overblow to Yorkgate via the North Rigton relay Q What about trees and foliage? A Wireless does require line- of- sight and foliage can be a problem. LN will attempt to locate the house receiver to avoid problems such as this, but depending on the local circumstances hedges and tress may need trimming or cutting back. In extreme cases it may not be possible to offer the service at all.