It’s not common to hear that availability of an internet connection was one of the first things considered in planning a construction site. Workers have their smartphones, so what is the point of an internet connection at the site?
A superfast construction site broadband service ensures site security, efficient connection for office equipment, seamless transfer of information between staff (especially information concerning the ongoing project), etc., the possibilities are endless.
Workers normally start working before they realise the importance of a construction site broadband; today, we will address various factors site engineers or anyone in charge should consider before installing broadband at the site.
Factors To Consider Before Installing A Construction Site Broadband
Create A Network Link On-site
An efficient network is needed on a construction site. To that effect, you’ll need a reliable network that can support a large amount of data while still being quick enough to complete the task. It’s not going to be enough to get a single device with a data link. The aim is to choose the right internet provider; how can you know the cable operator that offers the best service for you?
Five Considerations Before Choosing An Internet Service Provider
The widespread use of an internet connection at construction sites is gradually becoming the norm. Because site managers want to feel good about the service they pay for, they are very careful about their ISPs; let’s go over five things to think about when deciding which service provider to use;
Site Location
When searching for the right internet service provider for your construction site, the first thing to bear in mind is the location of your site. In certain areas, even national service providers do not perform well. If your site is in a more remote community, your choices can be slim. After you’ve got some internet service alternatives in your region, you can begin the evaluation process.
Security
Another thing to think about is how to protect your broadband network; this is critical because outsiders can intercept information exchanged by your employees if your signals are not properly encrypted. You can also track the state of your site while you’re away with security; you’ll be able to detect suspicious activity and take appropriate action if it occurs.
Speed
The smoother your internet connection is, the better. Before purchasing your broadband, you will need to consider a few variables to ensure that your network is up and running at a reasonable pace. They include how many employees will access the network and what they will do with it, how many videos will be transmitted, etc. Paying extra to ensure that you have a fast service at all times is well worth it.
Customer Service
If you become accustomed to the internet on the construction site, you would want it fixed almost immediately if a technical issue arises. Since customer support is never flawless, service providers can not always turn up when you want them to. It’s normal for people to have problems with their internet connection from time to time, but never place your trust in customer service.
4G Broadband
It’s safe to say this is a basic way to solve your internet issues at the site as this only works for small-sized sites or for projects that are not so demanding.
The problems you can encounter here include; limited data usage, bandwidth restriction, limited network coverage, and challenges in transferring data between staff. If you can create a point-to-point connection through ad-hoc networking, these issues may be already half-solved, for example, through USB Tethering or a Bluetooth connection.
USB Tethering
USB Tethering is just connecting your laptop to your mobile device so you can share internet resources. It is usually done when a computer’s network resources are not compatible with the hotspot of your smartphone, but in a case where they can work together, your mobile hotspot will do the job.
When in hotspot mode, a phone functions similarly to a router, establishing an internet connection between the phone and an external network. Other users can now connect to the network by looking up the hotspot’s name and providing a secure key where available.
Remember that certain mobile networks have strict limits on how much data you can use while tethering.
Setting this up may be inconvenient for the device owner because it necessitates keeping the phone within range.
Satellite Broadband
If you can point an antenna in the satellite’s direction, the satellite broadband will connect almost anywhere. It makes no difference where you would be or how far away you are.
Satellite networks are sometimes used to supplement 4G broadband, but they can also be used as a stand-alone option.
Limited hardware availability, strict data limits, latency, speed, and other issues are just a few of the pitfalls you’ll face while using a satellite network. At the site’s layout, a satellite dish that could affect the construction would also be held in place.
Conclusion
The internet makes everything much easier; construction site work is no different. Although we don’t promise that following the contents of this article will solve all your internet problems, you will at least cover a larger part of the problems you’re facing or could face before broadband installation at your construction site.