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March 2, 2008
Coop-wide Broadband?
I was wondering if anyone has experience contacting Verizon, Cablebvision, or some other provider re buying broadband, etc. on a building-wide basis. The idea would be to save some money for this little coop (ten units)...
Comments
I have thought about it for our 6 apt co-op.
But I have problems with cablevision.
One thing to consider is if not every one uses it.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 9:15 AM
Its easy, just set-up an account in the coop's name and get a high powered wire-less router to transmit the signal. Give everyone in the building the access code and you are done. Granted you will want to opt for the largest bandwith avaialble (i.e. 100 Mbps +)
I dont see why you have to negotiate with cablevision, they do not charge by the person anyway. They charge by the connection, of which you only need 1.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 10:01 AM
Its not so easy. There is no such thing as a single router that can reach all ten units in a NYC building. Regardless of the construction of the building, no single router is going to work well.
I've installed data networks, both wired and wifi in about a hundred homes and businesses, so I know what I'm talking about.
If you have to do this wirelessly, you can do it using multiple radios (one on each floor). There are still issues that can come up such as: incompatible laptops (yes it happens), low signal or no signal to some rooms, privacy and guarantees of service etc.
Your better and cheaper option would be to run armored cat5e cable into a closet in each apartment or some easy to access and hidden location inside each apartment and then have the tenant setup their own router at that location.
And forget about doing it cheap. Netgear routers and other home routers have the power to route traffic for about 4 computers and no more. You will need a real firewall and you will need a connection to the internet with at least 1 fixed IP per unit.
Don't forget that each you also have to setup rules regarding porn, tenants trying to host web servers or ftp servers or file sharing servers and what is allowed to be on those web servers, ftp servers or file sharing servers. And of course, bandwidth usage.
All in, you are looking at over 5k to do it wired. (3k for firewall + switch, 2k and up for wiring + patch panel)
For wireless you are looking at over $6500. 3k for firewall, 1500 for four wireless radios and 2k for wiring through the hallway.
Plus monthly internet service (20Mb) of about $250.00 (if you are lucky).
The reason you need a serious firewall is not for stopping intruders but more for monitoring what is being done on the network and enforcing bandwidth limits and rules (no incoming connections etc.).
Posted by: thecomputerguy at March 3, 2008 10:35 AM
I'd go for the $50 wifi router and call it quits.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 1:17 PM
I have a "Super G" Wireless router and live in 4 unit townhouse - 1 unit per floor. Not only do the people on the top floor pick up a strong signal from my bottom floor router, but the neighbors in the ajoining building do as well.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 1:28 PM
I just got an Airport Extreme for a 4 story, 20 foot wide 100 yr old townhouse. We got the Airport Extreme b/c most of us here use Apple computers and that's what we've been told by multiple computer friends is the best and strongest for Macs. We get our broadband access from Time Warner. All floors get a great signal. Maybe you'll have problems if you've got concrete floors or tin ceilings, but unless there are materials that like which will give interference - or a band-hogger watching movies or running a major website - it should work ok. Good luck!
Posted by: Jen KG at March 3, 2008 2:08 PM
A 10 unit coop is not a 4 story building that was designed originally for 1 family. Listen to thecomputerguy. We tried and tried to do this in our 8 unit and signals can barely work from front to back of building let alone through the fire safe wall between the apartments on the same floor.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 2:24 PM
Uh, something tells me that Verizon isn't going to agree to lose seven or eight-tenths of its billing, and just agree to have one account provide broadband for all ten units. Are you sure you are describing a legal arrangement?
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at March 3, 2008 2:39 PM
you need to check with the provider. I enquired about a shared cable account with cablevision in two apartments in my house (myself and family member in two apartments) the installer indicated that previously they sort of turned a blind eye to this, but regulations have been stricter recently (don't remember what regs exactly) and that any unit - and unit is defined as a space with a kitchen - requires a separate account.
You could be setting yourself up for trouble later with a fine or losing the account for the whole building.
Really check into this before proceding.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 3:37 PM
The coop is not 10 customers, but one corporate client like any other business.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 3:51 PM
Why not look at sharing a T1 or T3 line, not a consumer cable connection? speakeasy.net or Verizon can offer you a line.
Posted by: denton at March 3, 2008 4:39 PM
March 3, 2008 3:51 PM, I know, but the previous posters left room for the implication that "someone" was just buying normal broadband, and sharing it.
Any idea as to the cost savings of this proposition?
I think a T1 line is a bit overkill here...
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at March 4, 2008 9:31 AM
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