In this day and age, everything is striving to always be ahead; be better, be smarter, be faster. Internet speed is no different – The world loves speedy internet connections whether it’s their Wi-Fi coverage at home or on their mobile phone while they are out and about. And what with it being the day of the smart phone, it’s not surprising that all the major telecom providers across the world are working tirelessly to make it faster and be the best in the business.

We are surrounded by devices that require connectivity. Smart phones (obviously), watches, our houses and even cars are all needing a stable internet connection to be able to function. In turn, this means that we will be needing a new form of wireless signal that can provide enough bandwidth – Introducing, 5G.

Next in succession to 3G and 4G, the 5G wireless connection is being built specifically to keep up with the rapid increase in the amount of devices reuiring a mobile internet connection. It’s not just mobile phones now – We are quiet literally surrounded by inert devices that are starting to connect to the web (home appliances, door locks, security cameras, wearable technology, dog collars… the list goes on).

It’s been predicted by technology research company Gartner, that by 2020 there will be 20.8 billion devices connecting to the internet. At the moment this figure is estimated to be around 6.4 billion. That’s a huge increase in the amount of devices needing a quick connection.

So exactly what is 5G and how will it be making my life better? Here is an easy guide to the future of wireless internet.

What is 5G?

Ever wondered what the “G” in 3G, 4G and now 5G stands for? It stands for “generation.” Remember the terms 1G and 2G being thrown around back in the ’80’s? No, didn’t think so, but that is technically where it all began. In the early 1990’s, wireless phone technology expanded to 2G when the world of text messaging between 2 cellular devices began.

This then moved on to 3G; people could now make phone calls, send text messages, and browse the internet on their hand held devices. After the third generation of wireless came the 4th; 4G enhanced many of the capabilities that were using 3G plus people could now even download and upload large video files without any issues.

Next came LTE – ‘long term evolution’. This was not only the most consistent but the fastest variant of 4G in comparison to competing technologies like WiMax. The best way to describe the difference between LTE and WiMax is likening it to that of the differences between Blu-ray and HD DVDs. Both of these technologies achieved very similar outcomes, however it was important to create a standard for everyone to use. This is what LTE did, making 4G technology even faster.

So just how 4g built on 3G capabilities, and LTE improved 4G; 5G will once again build on the 4G LTE foundations. It will have the same capabilities as the previous, plus it will drastically improve the speed at which data can be transferred across a network.

WIth the world going HD crazy, 5G will enable to people to upload and download Ultra HD and 3D video a lot more easily.

In addition, earlier we mentioned the huge increase we are going to see in devices requiring internet connections in our everyday lives, and 5G will be making room for this to happen. You might liken the data connection upgrade to that of changing your standard garden hose to a fire hose. There will be a noticeable difference.

Is 5G really that much faster than 4G?

Well, yes. Internet speeds will be significantly faster. To put it simply, in perfect conditions the current transfer speeds you can expect are…

4G LTE > one gigabit per second > Approx 1 hour to download a short HD movie

But how often do you experience perfect connection conditions? And how often do you get 4G’s maximum download speed? There are so many potential disructions to the signal (buildings, appliances, other Wi-Fi signals etc).

In comparison…

5G > up to 10 gigabits per second > A full HD movie downloaded in seconds

It will also significantly reduce the delay before a transfer of data begins following the instruction which will give people faster load times.

The long and short of it is that it will provide wireless broadband with the capacity it needs to power the thousands of connected devices that will reach our homes and workplaces.

How does it work?

In the most basic of forms, our mobile phones are basically two-way radios. When we make a call to somebody, our phone converts our voice into an electrical signal which it then transmits to the nearest cell tower using radio waves. The cell tower receives the electrical signal and bounces the radio wave through a network of cell towers until it eventually reaches our friend’s phone. This is the same for other forms of data across the network, such as photos and videos.

Each time a new mobile wireless technology comes along, it is typically assigned a higher radio frequency. For example, 4G occupied the frequency bands up to 20 MHz. In the case of 5G, it will likely sit on the frequency band up to 6GHz.

Higher frequencies are not generally in use, which is the reason why new wireless technologies are generally assigned to them, and thus can then move information at a much faster speed. The only problem is that higher frequency signals don’t travel as far as lower frequencies. This means that multiple input and output antennas (MIMOs) will probably need to be used to boost signals anywhere that 5G is offered.

Perhaps most importantly, experts are expecting it to be backwards compatible so that it can still work alongside 3G and 4G. Furthermore, major global telecoms organisations are working to create worldwide standards so as to aim for interoperability across the world.

When will 5G be available?

It’s already available via test locations in some parts of the United States by their 2 largest internet service providers.

The UK telecoms regulator has set a timetable for the launch of 5G services in Britain by 2020, with early trials set to take place as soon as next year. The Ofcom announcement comes ahead of a spectrum auction due to take place this year that will free up the airwaves needed for faster 5G networks.

But will it be worth the wait? Yes, well worth it. Even now we expect a speedy internet connection as a given, almost a right, wherever we are. This need for fast connections is only going to increase with the rise in devices. 5G is going to help us reach the holy grail of blazing fast internet if that vision of billions and billions of future connected devices is going to be realised.

With thanks to www.kitguru. net for the image.

https://gizmodo.com/what-is-5g-and-how-will-it-make-my-life-better-1760847799

Last week you might remember us blogging about Wi-Fi dead spots within the home and how to remedy it. Our worst case scenario, last resort suggestion (apart from rebuilding your house…) was to use a bridge or repeater.

While using one of these might just give you that one last bit of coverage you need to reach the furthest corner of your home, there are some disadvantages to using a repeater.

As with any type of signal, wireless reception weakens with range. While the reasons behind this attenuation can vary, the broadcasting power of the router is the biggest contributing factor.

As we spoke about last time, there are other factors that can affect the range of your wireless signal, such as other radio emissions on the same frequency, the way your home is constructed, and even the version of the 802.11 protocol that is used by your router. In our last blog we detailed some ways around these issues that you could try to increase your wireless range, including the use of a wireless repeater. Here, we’re going to explain the possible downsides to using one of these.

Network Bandwidth

The main disadvantage to using a wireless repeater is that the bandwidth of any computers connected to it (instead of the main router) is halved. This is due to the repeater receiving the signal, processing it, and then rebroadcasting it in both directions, from the router to the computer and vice versa. This all takes time.

How Will Bandwidth Effect My Internet Usage?

When we say that the bandwidth will be halved, it sounds pretty bad, but that does depend on what you are using the signal for.
If you are just having a browse of the web or checking on your emails, you probably won’t see any noticeable effects – Most routers provide a greater bandwidth than a typical internet connection.

However, if you were to want to stream multimedia, or within a business setting wanted to send large files using a centralised server then you are likely to experience a slower connection and see a lower performance of those using the repeater bridge.
Good news though – The way that repeaters are set up means that it is fairly easy to avoid the main disadvantages of halved bandwidth.

Hardware Setup

Get your laptop and have a wander around – You’ll be able to notice where your Wi-Fi signal is strongest and where it starts to drop. When you’ve found a spot where it drops from 3 bars down to 2, you’ll know you’ve found the perfect place for your repeater.
The broadcast pattern of a router or repeater is roughly circular in shape, so you can use this imagery to determine the combined area of the two as overlapping circles.

Routers give out signals in an omnidirectional pattern, so be mindful of any potential building materials or devices that could block or reflect Wi-Fi when setting up and placing your repeater.

It’s also worth noting that whilst companies do sell wireless repeaters manufactured for this very reason, you can actually use almost all types of wireless router as a repeater too. If using a second, or even a third router will be a cheaper option then consider going for that.

Future Wi-Fi Standards

Wi-Fi products and services are seemingly changing all the time, with better, faster options being touted for devices and providers. Before you decide to invest in a Wi-Fi repeater, it may be worth considering buying a new, more powerful router.

The range you’ll find on a 802.11b and 802.11g router is approximately 90-100 feet. A possible alternative would be the 802.11n router which has a range of 160 feet. As this is likely more than the range you would with a ‘g’ compatible repeater, it may be the better long term option. As the signal isn’t being repeated, you’ll also get faster bandwidth. You do need to check however that your computer or devices are compatible connectivity wise with an ‘n’ router. An even longer range is promised from the current draft specification for 802.11ac, but very few computers would be able to connect to it as they don’t tend to have built in ‘ac’ capable Wi-Fi adaptors.

So there are a few things to think about. If the thought of routers and repeaters is giving you a bit of a headache then take a look at our website and the Wi-Fi services we offer – Perhaps we can help! To discuss your Wi-Fi requirements, contact us through one of the below.
London 0203 322 2443 | Cardiff: 02920 676 712 | Winchester: 01962 657 390 | info@geekabit.co.uk

With thanks to Devolo.com for the image.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-using-repeaters-71848.html

What’s your biggest pet peeve within your home? A leaky tap, poor mobile reception, a flickering lightbulb, clunky heating pipes maybe? All very irritating, but perhaps the most frustrating of all is the Wi-Fi Black Hole. Sometimes there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it – It’s just a complete Wi-Fi dead spot. Which is all the more annoying if it happens to coincide with your comfiest spot tucked up in bed.

This is actually quite a common problem and you’ll be pleased to know that there is likely a fixable cause! Don’t be shackled to within viewing distance of your router in order to get a good Wi-Fi signal – Let’s identify the biggest Wi-Fi killers and how to beat them.

Home Construction

So we’ll start with the one that’s the hardest to remedy – The way your home was built.

The way Wi-Fi can penetrate the house is directly impacted by the way a house is constructed. Nowadays I’m sure this is considered when architects are drawing up their plans. However, the majority of homes will pre-date the ‘smart age’. Mobile phone reception, 3G/4G service and Wi-Fi were probably not a tangible concept and far from the minds of any architect or builder.

Steel structures, thick concrete walls, and the layout of air-conditioning vents and returns could all kill your signal.

Another possibility is the dreaded Wi-Fi shield within your very walls. Literally a cage made of chicken wire, some houses that were built more than 60 years ago will have wood wrapped up in chicken wire holding up plaster and lath walls. Due to the spacing in the wire, it creates the perfect blockade to Wi-Fi signals, thus resulting in terrible Wi-Fi coverage.

Unfortunately there’s not a lot you can do about these Wi-Fi killers, but there are plenty of other possibilities that you can do something about.

Obstructions

We’ve talked in previous blogs about household items that could block signal. Remember those twinkly Christmas lights delightfully positioned across a router? There are plenty of other seemingly innocent accomplices aswell.

Aquariums can be a real problem if not placed in a thought out location, but thankfully can be easily re-positioned.

The spot where your St Bernard decides to have a little snooze can also, believe it or not, negatively impact your Wi-Fi reach. So you might have to move Beethoven’s bed to another location in the house.

You’ll also want to avoid thick walls, metals, and other electronics like microwaves, telephones or radios.

You can also move your router to provide more centralised coverage throughout the house – Maybe a bit easier than attempting to move a 190 litre aquarium full of fish, or 90 kilos of puppy dog eyes.

Interference

Those pesky neighbours, interfering again! No it’s not about noise levels this time, or the overgrown trees in your front garden. It’s their router!
We’ve touched on this before too. There isn’t a great deal of variety when it comes to routers for home users, and the manufacturing is pretty standard for residential use. Perhaps a bit of a sweeping statement, but most users will probably just plug in and go without fiddling about with the settings. For this reason, most routers will run off a default setting, meaning many will be using the same channel.

On your computer, go to view internet access and see how many Wi-Fi names are available within range. I have 9 in my list!

You could just be very unlucky where your neighbour has chosen to place theirs, or there may be so many within range that they are all interfering with eachother. Eitehr way, if you switch channels on your router, you should see a difference.

But which channel should you switch to? There are some online tools (e.g. Meraki Wi-Fi Stumbler, inSSIDer, iStumbler) which you can use to analyse your network and then identify the least-used channel nearby. If you have a mobile phone that runs on Android you can even download Wifi Analyzer and use it to walk around your house and see which channel is getting traffic.

And hey presto! Hopefully the interference issue is resolved.

Poor Placement

When you plugged in your wireless router, what potential issues did you consider, if any? The proximity to a power supply, perhaps, or maybe the box itself was rather ugly and didn’t match the decor so you wanted it out of sight.

If you decided to place it on the floor downstairs in the corner of the living room, in that convenient cosy space behind the TV, hidden by the home theatre receiver, then there may lie your problem.

To find the best spot for your router, you can use the VOICE acronym:
V is for VERTICAL – The antenna needs to be pointing vertically. Did you know that the Wi-Fi signal actually beams out from the sides of your antenna (not the tip) so you’re going to want it to be vertical. Whilst it might seem to make sense to have it pointing in a certain direction, to get a further reach you don’t want it to be beaming signal straight down into the floor or straight up into the ceiling.
O is for OBSTRUCTIONS – Keep the router away from dense concrete walls, electronic gadgets, metallic objects and that sleeping St Bernard.
I is for INTERFERENCE – Keep the neighbours’ wi-fi signals at bay by changing channels.
C is for CENTRAL – Choose the most central location possible in your house so that your coverage is as wide-reaching and even as possible.
E is for ELEVATED – Elevate your router wherever possible. It’s easier for Wi-Fi signal to travel sideways and downwards so placing it on a shelf, on top of an entertainment unit or dresser type piece of furniture will help give it a bit of a boost.

Not Enough Power

Assuming it’s not a structural issue (if your signal dies just outside the room the router is in then you might be looking at CAT cabling throughout the house…) then you can likely give it a little bit of a boost.

Here are some ways (some more interesting than others…) that you can boost your power and increase your Wi-Fi signal:
– Boost your signal strength in the router itself by Install DD-WRT or Tomato in the router itself to boost signal strength.
– Tinfoil-coated Windsurfer parabolic antenna attachment.
– Go all ‘Blue Peter’ style; Using copper wire, a wood screw, a drinking straw, and a black marker, physically extend your router’s antenna.
– Use a cooking strainer to improve reception at a particular spot in your house.
– Here’s one I made earlier: Use a shoebox and tinfoil for an ugly-but-effective extender.

Repeat the Signal

You might have waged war on your poor Wi-Fi signal with all of the above tips in your arsenal and come back from battle still not having won.
Frustrating, yes, but not a lost cause. If you just can’t get that last bit of your home covered then there is one last thing you can do; You can either use a bridge or repeater.

A bridge would provide devices with hard ethernet plugs with internet access through the Wi-Fi signal.

A repeater is a secondary router that will pick up the signal you have and then re-broadcast it into the negatively effected area of the house. You might lose a little bit of speed, but if it means you can cosy up in bed and have a little leisurely scroll through social media then it’s worth it.

So if you’re struggling with poor Wi-Fi coverage in your house, hopefully now you will stand a decent chance of sorting it out and kicking that pet peeve to the kurb. Just that leaky tap to sort out now!

With thanks to Networkcomputing.com for the image.

Different organisations require different Wi-Fi installations, and perhaps none is so complicated than that of a healthcare environment. There are many obstacles and potential issues to consider.

As with all networks, reliability is key. With a wide range of different services on a healthcare WLANS, such as Electronic Health Records, RTLS, guest internet, VoWi-Fi, not to mention the many biomedical devices present, it’s imperative that these networks are designed properly and cohesively.

Where to Start – Consultation and Identification of Symptoms

First and foremost, the Wi-Fi coverage is not the main concern when designing a hospital – The needs of a healthcare organisation are complex and varied. For the WLAN design to meet the unique set of requirements that the above services need, they must be combined together to determine the best possible outcome for all.

The first stage of this process is a Site Assessment or Wi-Fi Survey. Perhaps there is already a WLAN in place, in which case the primary port of call would be to see what issues, if any, arise within this one.

The survey should show up any interference, identify any gaps in coverage and find any misconfigurations. A great start! Another important starting point is attenuation – seeing how signals perform and locating areas where there is no or limited propagation through walls.

There are many possible sources of interference in a hospital, including but not limited to surgical cameras, security cameras and everything inbetween. There are specialist adapters that can be used during site surveys to pick up and record the sources of interference so that these can be avoided when deciding where to place Access Points, for example.

Much like an MRI can act as a patient’s basic map, a floor plan in your hands as you walk around the facility can act as a tool to mark areas of consideration. For example, noting wall and ceiling construction – This information will be invaluable when planning accessibility for cabling installation during the design process. It is also useful to note down good potential areas to install access points – There may also be areas you will wish to avoid for signal reasons (e.g. lift shafts, areas over 90m from the telecommunications closet, places with high moisture levels, and rooms wrapped in metal) as well as personal preference of employees.

These floor plans need to be as recent as possible, or at least checked for accuracy to include any changes made between the original plans and the most recent construction adaptations.

We mentioned attenuation earlier. There are 2 main ways of gathering data for Radio Frequency. The first is using a portable access point (APoaS) which enables you to place it in different proposed locations and assess where the signals propagate. Another option is to use a signal meter to directly measure the decibel loss between an access point and the other side of a wall.

The Next Step – Diagnosis

Once you’ve completed the Site Survey, you are ready to start your diagnosis and begin to design a Wi-Fi network that meets the needs of the healthcare organisation.

Real-time locating systems (RTLS) are used to automatically identify and track the location of objects or people in real time, usually within a building or other contained area.Within a healthcare organisation, any assets which are part of this system will need to be surrounded by access points. It is suggested that you start your design from the outer edge of the building and then work your way in. The goal of the WLAN design is to ensure that these assets are ‘heard’ by at least 3 access points, and at an acceptable level of signal.

There is specialist software that you can use to create a model of what your wireless network will look like. This software uses real-world data and can be an extreely useful tool during the design process.

We spoke about the important of checking the propagation of signals. This information will give you the values you need to use in your design. This again enables you to model your WAN with your chosen software.

When designing the interior of the organisation, you need to make sure that the capacity, RTLS, voice and data requirements are met with a 5GHz WLAN. One particular function that requires two 5GHz worth of signal coverage is VoWifi. Where Wi-Fi is used to transmit telephone conversations, the access points need to be placed as close to where the clients will congregate as possible. For example, meeting rooms, break rooms, waiting areas and nursing stations.

It’s not only VoWiFi sets that will be using these either, as the staff members will likely be carrying smart phones or devices as well so it needs to be able to cope with the amount of connections.

When designing for voice, you will need the information gleaned from checking “2nd strongest” on the frequency band to check AP overlap requirements.

During the design stage, depending on how many channels you are using you will likely need to reduce to 40 or 20 MHz. This is because the hospital environment tends to have more access points.

As you will be designing for a multi-floor facility, attenuation and propagation characteristics will need to be taken into account not only for walls but ceilings and between floors aswell. You should be able to monitor the 2nd strongest signal strength, channel overlap and network health during this process.

Once you have finished designing, you can then build. configure and validate your WLAN.

As with all diagnoses, you will need to be ready to modify your treatment plan following the discovery of new symptoms or treatments that don’t work. During the construction of your network, you may find that you need to modify your design according to any unexpected issues that arise. For example, locations of access points may need to adhere to multiple requests from different people. You can use your software to ensure that any changes will also meet the other requirements specified.

Administering a Treatment Plan

Hopefully when you’ve administered your prescription, the treatment will be effective – Following the build of your new WLAN, you will need to validate it’s effectiveness by carrying out a validation survey. The most important part of this, is to show whether the deployment matches your original design – Does the treatment meet the diagnosis? Be sure to use the channels used in your design in your deployment – The software you have used should have used real world data and thus should have pre-determined what will work.

Use your chosen software to assist you in tuning. Look at the Signal Strength, Channel Overlap, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Network Health views. There is of course a possibility that what you designed may not quite carry over onto the actual access points or controllers, in which case you may need to adjust channels and work around unexpected interference.

Take your time with the tuning element, as this is what will help ensure overall effectiveness. Make sure your access points are installed as designed, and are placed in such a way as to not negatively affect coverage patterns.

Just as we all need regular check ups from time to time, the best way to keep your WLAN healthy is to carry out regular validation surveys. Once the network is in use, you may start to get feedback from users in terms of problem areas which will need to be addressed. Having a visual representation of signal strength within your design software is a particularly handy tool to have.

Here are a few general Do’s and Don’ts when designing a Wi-Fi network for a healthcare organisation.

Do….
– Utilise the software available. Learn how to use it properly, even take a class on it if needs be!
– If you are not sure how to design a WLAN, then learn properly first. Look at books, online guides or even hire in a professional to do the hard work for you.
– Make sure to gather all of your requirements – Voice, Data, Location, Capacity, Applications.
– Get as much information as possible – Ask plenty of questions during site visits, and even try to talk to those that will be using it.
– Observe the users in action – Particularly for VoWiFi, watch for traffic flows, where people tend to congregate, identify any current problem areas or issues.
– Look at their current WLAN and find out exactly what it does. Is it meeting their needs? Will their needs change?

Don’t…
– During the design process, do not place access points too close together, higher than ten feet, or hanging on a wall.
– Do not be tempted to cut corners and design the WLAN sitting at your desk. You need to complete the on-site survey and do so in detail.
– Remember you are not just designing simply for coverage. For healthcare you need to take all of them into account.
– Installation of access points can be easier if they are all lined up, but do not be tempted to do this. These so called “Hall-Fi” designs create co-Channel interference (CCI) which will reduce your WLAN capacity.
– Don’t be tempted to generalise by using ‘lazy’ WLAN design statements. Saying “one access point per three patient rooms”, or “one access point per 1,000 square feet” is counter-productive and may not achieve the best results. More detail than that is needed.
– Don’t skip the validation stage. Once your WLAN is built, be prepared to adjust your design following the results. A good doctor won’t keep repeating a prescription when the medicine isn’t working – They will reassess the symptoms and adjust their treatment plan accordingly.

At Geekabit, we are experts at designing and installing networks. To discuss your Wi-Fi requirements, contact us through one of the below.

London 0203 322 2443 | Cardiff: 02920 676 712 | Winchester: 01962 657 390 |  info@geekabit.co.uk

Photo via http://drwifi.rescatec.com/ with thanks.

See also: https://www.ekahau.com/blog/2017/06/06/dos-donts-healthcare-wi-fi/

We are living in an age where everything is ‘smart’. Now it’s not just your phone that is connected to the internet – The majority of electronics and devices have a smart function that enables you to connect them to Wi-Fi. I mean, you can even connect your Christmas lights to the internet and program them using your phone!

Most websites now automatically show in mobile-friendly mode when accessed from a mobile device and search engine’s such as Google have updated algorithms to favour mobile-friendly websites.

The internet is no longer something you only access at home, and is now in constant use by people on the go. For this reason, people expect to be able to access Wi-Fi hotspots while they are out and about. Thus, businesses are desperate to please their customers by meeting the demand (and expectation) of free Wi-Fi.

If you have a physical business space, there are many advantages of offering free WiFi to your customers.

More Time Spent on Premises

This is one of the biggest benefits of offering free Wi-Fi. Customers are more likely to stay longer if they can stay connected. It has been found that customers spent more time in shops and other facilities in 62% of businesses. Not only that, but 50% of customers also ended up spending more money too. You may be wondering if the customers are just ‘hanging around’, only using the Wi-Fi and not using their services but this is largely not true; only a few businesses found this happening.

A good example of this might be a coffee shop. Offering free Wi-Fi gives people the connection they need to be able to stay a bit longer – Catching up with friends, checking emails, workingremotely, all whilst no doubt enjoying the constant supply of coffee and nourishment. Remote working is becoming a lot more common place, so businesses like coffee shops would do well to offer secure, free internet.

Offering free Wi-Fi probably has a different goal depending on the type of business. The goal for some might be to merely offer better customer service for their clients, whereas others might do it to attract more customers in the first place. Free Wi-Fi may also be deployed to try and get the customers to spend more.

Both of these goals were found to be met with great success rates – 79% of businesses that deployed it to serve customers better reported high success rates, and 72% found that it increased sales.

Increased Foot Traffic

As we said earlier, everything nowadays seems to be online. Brick and mortar businesses now need a little more than a sign outside to let people know of their whereabouts and entice potential customers in.

The tools at people’s fingertips consist of GPS and social mapping services like Google Maps, Yelp, Foursquare and even Snapchat. People are using these to find businesses, and at times even searching for specific amenities such as free Wi-Fi.

Offering fast and free Wi-Fi can quite literally put your business on the map for potential customers who may not discover you otherwise. In addition to this, these potential money-spenders who happen to be passing by will see your network and could be enticed in through the form of free advertisement on mobile devices.

This also helps differentiate your business from competitors. The people who select venues based upon availability of free Wi-Fi will pick your business over a competitor that does not offer this service, thus giving you the advantage.

Attracts New Customers

Earlier we spoke about coffee shops being a prime example of a place for free Wi-Fi. Imagine you are alone, and venture into a cafe for a coffee. Standing in the queue and finding there is no Wi-Fi, you have a decision to make: Stay in and sit awkwardly by yourself whilst slurping scaldingly hot coffee to finish it quick, or taking that coffee to go and avoiding a potentially uncomfortable situation. Both of these options aren’t gaining optimum revenue for the cafe. The alternative: Standing in the queue and finding there is access to free Wi-Fi, you check your emails and social feeds and get caught up, having reached the till you decide to stay and drink the coffee at a table and give in to temptation and order that slice of cake aswell, seeing as you’ll be sitting down rather than walking the High Street.

According to a survey, 53 percent of people are happy to sit alone in restaurants and cafes if Wi-Fi is available. Being able to connect with friends or communicate with colleagues removes the stigma (how very British) of sitting alone.

Meets Customer Expectations

It’s a fact that consumers are now accustomed to free Wi-Fi access and thus, expect this servie to be available wherever they go. With free Wi-Fi being presently available on private and public transport, libraries, hotels, city centres, pubs and even churches, any business that does not offer this service will find it to be rather damaging. Customers expect to be able to remain connected to the online world, and thus it can be detrimental to future business to fail on this. It was found that 1 in 10 people left a venue in the absence of free Wi-Fi access.

Improved Search Engine Ranking

Google doesn’t just favour the mobile friendly websites, but also indexes content from iOS apps. Any Google searches made on an iPhone and iPad will search not just the internet but the device apps too. Businesses that are listed on a few apps will likely have a raised profile which in turn makes it significantly more likely to show up in the search results and thus get clicked by the customers.

Enhanced Customer Tracking

So far the rewards of offering free Wi-Fi have been largely customer based, however it doesn’t just benefit the customers. As a business, by controlling the network connection you can set your website as the homepage, accumulate customer data and target ads directly to devices. This makes the customer aware of add-ons, specials and other services on offer.

So having outlined the many benefits of offering free Wi-Fi, we don’t think that you will want to stop offering this service to your customers. And if it’s not something you offer at the moment, it’s probably something you should be considering!

The availability of Wi-Fi is no longer an innovation that is limited to bigger businesses – The consumer expectation is to find it wherever they go, whether a small or large establishment.

At Geekabit, we are experts at designing and installing networks. To discuss your Wi-Fi requirements, contact us through one of the below.

London 0203 322 2443 | Cardiff: 02920 676 712 | Winchester: 01962 657 390 |  info@geekabit.co.uk

Photo via Shutterstock

https://smallbiztrends.com/2015/11/small-businesses-need-offer-free-wifi-customers.html

Last week we blogged about how Christmas lights could possibly affect your Wi-Fi, and how other household appliances may also negatively impact your internet speed.

We touched briefly on one potential reason why your wireless network may have poor Wi-Fi signal – Because of interference caused by other devices. Our homes are full of things that also use radio frequency, and as most home wireless networks transmit their signals in a narrow radio frequency range around 2.4 GHz), it’s not uncommon for devices on the same frequency to affect the wireless signal.

Electronics commonly found in the home, for example cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, and microwave ovens, may also use this same frequency range.

Thus, any such device could easily slow down Wi-Fi performance and break network connections by interfering with a wireless home network.
Similarly, most of us live in close communities where neighbours are closeby, i.e. within Wi-Fi signal range. The wireless networks of our neighbours will generally all use the same form of radio signaling. Apartments, terraced housing and semi detached homes where residences share walls with each other are particularly prone to interference between different home networks.

Fortunately, there is a way to limit this from happening. Most routers can communicate on a different frequency through the option of changing the wireless channel which will avoid any interference from occurring.

The Geeky Bit – How Do Wi-Fi Channels Work?

The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal range is divided into a number of smaller bands or channels, similar to television channels. Wi-Fi network equipment provide a set of available channels to choose from in most countries.

Which 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Channel is Best?

The default channel on Wi-Fi equipment in the UK is often set to 11 or 6. If you are encountering interference from other devices within your home, you could consider changing the channel up or down a couple of channels to avoid it. However, it is worth bearing in mind that all Wi-Fi devices on one network must all use the same channel.

Unlike with the channels on a TV, some Wi-Fi channel numbers overlap with each other. Channel 1 uses They begin with the lowest frequency band at Channel 1 and then increase in frequency slightly for each subsequent channel. Thus, the further apart two channel numbers are, the lower the likelihood of interference due to a lesser degree of overlap. So if you were encountering interference with a neighbour’s WLAN, you could try changing to a more distant channel to reduce overlap and interference.

The three Wi-Fi channels 1, 6 and 11 have no frequency overlap with each other, hence why they tend to be the default settings. You can likely use one of these three channels for the best results.

Which 5 GHz Wi-Fi Channel is Best?

5 GHz wireless connections are supported by newer 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi networks. Unlike the way 2.4 GHz suffers, these frequencies are much less likely to suffer from wireless interference issues in homes. In addition, the 5 GHz Wi-Fi channel choices available in most home network equipment have been pre-selected to choose only the non-overlapping ones.

A Wi-Fi transmitter is required for some usable non-overlapping 5 GHz channels that fall into a specially regulated category, in order to detect whether other devices are already transmitting on the same channel. It then automatically changes its channel to avoid any potential conflict.

Although interference issues are avoided with this Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) feature, many network administrators just avoid using these channels altogether in order to minimise any complications.

How to Find or Change the Wi-Fi Channel You’re Using

To find out which channel your wireless router is using, you should access the router’s administrative pages and look under the Wireless related section. This would also be the way in which to change the Wi-Fi channel.

Once you have found the correct page in settings, It’s extremely simple. Most routers will have the option under a menu along the lines of Advanced Set Up > Wireless > Advanced, or maybe one called WLAN.

There are also some mobile or desktop wireless apps which would enable you to easily see what the wireless channel is set as. Some of these free Wi-Fi apps not only show you the channel of your own network but also the other WLANs that your device can see in range.
This ability to view nearby wireless networks and their channels is crucial if you are to understand which channel to change yours to.

Changed Your Wi-Fi Channel But Internet Is Still Slow?

There are several possible causes as to why your Wi-Fi is slow, and Wireless interference is only one of them. If you still have a slow connection after altering the wireless channel then you could also try one or more of the following:

• Make sure your wireless router is positioned in the best place, i.e. Not too high, not too low, not directly behind a wall, and not near water.
• Test your internet speed and compare it with what you are paying. Perhaps you will find that what you are paying is for a slower speed, in which case you may be able to pay a bit more and get a higher speed connection. If you are already paying for high speed but not achieving it, you can contact your Internet Service Provider or possibly purchase a new router.
• It may not actually be your internet at all, it may be your computer or device itself that is running slow. Check that your web browser, email client and software are regularly updated and running at their optimum, as if they are running slow it will make it appear that it is your Wi-Fi connection even though it’s not.

Head to our website to find out more about our Wi-Fi : https://geekabit.co.uk/ or contact us via any of the below. We are the UK’s specialist Wi-Fi consultants and can help your business with Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Planning and Design, Installation and much more.

Contact us: London 0203 322 2443 | Cardiff: 02920 676 712 | Winchester: 01962 657 390 |  info@geekabit.co.uk

Image credit Fausto Favetta Photoghrapher/Getty Image

https://www.lifewire.com/wifi-channel-number-change-to-avoid-interference-818208

It’s been widely reported in previous years that your Wi-Fi signal could indeed be inhibited by the festive season. And no, it’s not because your router’s enjoying the holidays and has passed out after eating too many Quality Street. It could all be down to your Christmas lights!

It’s a tough decision… Speedy Wi-Fi working at it’s optimum speed, or your tree adorned with twinkly Christmas lights. But do you really have to choose between the two?

We’ve taken a look at the info out there so you can stay connected, and still feel festive.

The main thing to avoid is placing your Christmas lights (or anything, for that matter) on or too close to your router. I can’t see many people plonking their Nordic spruce on top of their box but you never know.

Post Office Telecoms reported that routers that were placed too close to Christmas tree lights may be negatively affected by signal interference.
And it’s not just lights and Christmassy things that can cause an issue; there’s a wide range of household items that can cause your Wi-Fi speed to slow down. You might want to consider having a reshuffle of interiors if your films are buffering on Netflix or things are slow to load. The following appliances and household items can be found to affect your Wi-Fi if placed too close to your router:

• Microwaves, radiators, fridges, freezers, toasters, kettles, washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers, ovens, steel baths and computers . All are metal objects!
• Water pipes and fish tanks – Water loves radio waves, the water absorbs the energy from them.
• Cordless telephones and baby monitors – they use the same frequencies as Wi-Fi and phones especially are often unfortunately placed next to the router.
• Insulation – the same dense stuff that keeps heat in the walls and ceilings also causes issues for Wi-Fi.
• TV – Normally not a big issue unless you place your router behind it
• Speakers – Basically electromagnets so can cause interference
• Humans – People are great at absorbing Wi-Fi, especially ones with a belly like jelly, dressed in a red suit and gobbling a mince pie whilst delivering presents.

Amazingly, research has shown that a lot of us Brits seem to be rather quiet when it comes to complaing about rubbish web speeds (wait, what?) with some even going out and buying new devices and routers in an attempt to solve the problem, rather than getting to it’s core.

Apart from being selective in your router’s (and Christmas tree’s) placement, there are a couple of other things you can try before heading out and buying a replacement gadget:

• Ensure that your router is plugged into a master socket instead of an extension lead. This will let it work faster.
• Make sure you are updated to the latest internet browser – this can also boost website and load time.
• Protect your laptops, computers and devices with reliable security software to avoid having your tech turned into ‘bot’ networks where they can potentially be hijacked and hacked into. Don’t let your gadget’s be turned into ‘zombies’.

Watchdog Ofcom released an app a couple of years ago in order that people could test internet coverage in their homes. The release of this app coincided with festive finds that millions of British homes still lacked high-speed access and that Christmas lights could be the cause of slower Wi-Fi speed.

Ofcom estimated that up to 6 million homes and offices could improve on their broadband connection, saying wireless networks were often not set up correctly or suffered “interference” from electronics like the above list.

Sharon White, Ofcom chief executive, said: “Mobile and broadband have become the fourth essential service, alongside gas, electricity and water. There’s been a technological revolution over recent years, with 4G mobile and superfast continuing to extend across the country.

“Our challenge is to keep supporting competition and innovation, while also helping to improve coverage across the country – particularly in hard-to-reach areas, where mobile and home internet services need to improve.

“It’s vital that consumers have the tools they need, such as the new Wi-Fi Checker, to get the most out of their communications.”
The free Wi-Fi Checker app, for smartphones and tablets, allows homeowners to test the quality of their internet signal and then suggests ways they could try to enhance it.

But is there any truth to it though – Can Christmas lights really slow down your Wi-Fi? Or were the vague references to Christmas lights by Ofcom just a way of marketing their new app through the festive season?

The Science Behind The Rumour

Wi-Fi uses radio waves. A very weak electromagnetic field is emitted by Christmas lights, that could theoretically interfere with the radio waves being transmitted from your router. For a string of lights to slow down your Wi-Fi, it would have to transmit electromagnetic radiation at or around the same frequency.

If your tree is rigged up like Blackpool tower then you may start to see a problem – The more lights, the stronger the electromagnetic field. As we said before, the closer the router is to the lights, the higher the chance of interference.

There are generally 2 types of light whose qualities have the potential to cause interference.

Older types of Christmas lights that are arranged in a string of low voltage lamps in series with each other and are designed to blink. These can cause radio interference which can lead to dips in Wi-Fi speed.

More modern Christmas lights use solid-state LED’s and have an external control for flashing which don’t create radio noise. However, some LED’s have a chip inside the bulb to control the blink and these devices can also cause interfence.

What both have in common is that between the LED or lamp being completely on or off, it can exhibit negative resistance which in turn causes radio energy. Although, modern lights are definitely less likely to cause a problem, so maybe save yourself the annual horror of trying to untangle your 10 year old string of lights and treat yourself to some new ones.

The Proof Behind the Christmas Pudding – Putting it to the Test

So firstly, let’s say that internet speeds naturally fluctiate and thus no test would be completely scientific or conclusive, but merely suggestive of a possible cause.

However it would be interesting to run a speed test before the Christmas lights go up, and then afterwards. One such tester found that their download speed was 128.07 Mbps and upload speed was 8.3 Mbps prior to decking the tree with twinkles.

After the house was adorned with LED lights and the tree was lit up, the download speed slightly reduced to 124.83 Mbps and the upload speed to 7.82 Mbps. Despite it being a very slight difference, there was a variance. However, the router in this test was right next to the tree (an 8-foot tree covered in three strands of lights) and also near a window, so you would perhaps have expected a bit more interference.

For fast internet speeds, this difference is rather negligible. Although for households or businesses with slower Wi-Fi, the drop would potentially be more noticeable.

Conclusion – Do we need to choose between having usable Wi-Fi or a festively decorated Christmas tree?

In short, no. We think it’s pretty safe to say that unless you decide to give your router a festive make over and wrap it in lights, your Wi-Fi will probably be unaffected by the Christmas decorations.

Use modern lights wherever possible and keep your router clear, and you’ll be sitting happily scrolling through an Instagram feed full of Christmas dinner pics and sleeping grandparents covered in paper crowns.

Image credit: www.wired.com

Our Director Steve was staying in a hotel at the weekend which had a completely unsecured Wi-Fi network, wide open with no passwords. Whilst this might be rather nice for the guests, there are many implications associated with an open Wi-Fi network without a password and so we thought we would share them here.

Rather surprisingly, open Wi-Fi networks in homes are still too commonplace. Wireless router manufacturers have tried to help improve this issue by shipping their products with default enabled passwords, but even so there are still far too many unsecured Wi-Fi networks out there just like the one at Steve’s hotel at the weekend.

If you’re hosting an open Wi-Fi network, it can cause a number of problems for you. Perhaps you think you are doing a good deed by sharing your connection with others, or providing guests with a service they want (without them knowing the dangers) and perhaps it’s merely just a case of not having yet set up a password.

Whatever the reason, there are a great many better ones to get that network of yours secured.

Legal Problems

Quite possibly an overlooked consequence but certainly the scariest and most serious result of having an open network are the legal problems you could end up facing. It’s probably rather unlikely that you will be arrested or served with a lawsuit, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

Arrests: A few years ago, a man was arrested for downloading child pornography. He was however completely innocent – someone nearby had used his Wi-Fi network to download it. Thankfully he was cleared and released, but it is worth considering that anything bad, unlawful or incriminating done using your open Wi-Fi network can be traced straight back to your name.

Lawsuits: It’s completely possible that you could be faced with a lawsuit if someone closeby is downloading the latest Hollywood blockbusters via BitTorrent using your Internet connection.

Whilst neither of these is a probable occurence, it is still possible that they could happen. Hosting an open Wi-Fi network is a little bit like playing with fire – You wouldn’t leave your house with a window open or door unlocked, so why leave your Wi-Fi network unprotected?

Internet Connection Consequences

Your Internet Service Provider could display alerts accusing you of piracy if you’re accused of pirating something. Some ISPs have announced plans to cut off access to certain websites after several accusations.

This might seem restrictive on face value, but this is actually a much more reasonable policy than some, and there to protect against and limit unlawful internet activity. Internationally there are some systems in place , such as the “three strikes” law in place in France, that are much harsher in their punishment for pirate usage. If you reach strike number three, your access to the internet is taken away for up to a year and you are also blacklisted by all ISPs for that time period. In today’s internet-connected economy this would be a harsh consequence to bear.

It’s worth remembering that even if you aren’t personally downloading anything, having an open unprotected Wi-Fi network could result in others using it for these purposes and thus get you in some trouble.

Eavesdropping on Unsecured Traffic

When using a public Wi-Fi network like the one at Steve’s weekend hotel, much of your Internet traffic travels in unencrypted form. With the exception of secure HTTPS websites, anyone can view the web pages you’re viewing and monitor your web browsing. Big Brother much?

Remember that if you have, or use, an open wireless network, anyone nearby can monitor the unsecured web pages you’re visiting and view their contents. Worryingly, this is how Google’s Street View cars managed to capture so much personally identifiable data while just driving by. This even included email contents! Of course, the Street View cars didn’t deliberately hack into any network to collect personal data, they just happened to capture unencrypted browsing activity on open Wi-Fi networks.

Exposing Windows File Shares and Local Services

Windows always asks you whether you’re connecting to a Home network or a Public network every time you connect to a new network in Windows. A Home network is more trusted – Windows enables file-sharing features that allow you to share files, printers, media, and other devices between your computers.

This, however, is assuming that your home Wi-Fi network is secure and password protected.

If your home Wi-Fi network is open, it’s really more of a public network instead of a home one. By not protecting your home network, it means that anyone can connect to it and thus have access to your home network features like file shares and whatever other services you have enabled. These resources can of course be protected, and normally are, by your network’s password.

Connection Slowdowns and Bandwidth Limits

If you have an open network, and people are using it as mentioned earlier to download movies via BitTorrent or similar, then things are going to slow right down for you. Even the fastest Internet connections can only handle so much data at once! When you’re righting for data, web pages won’t load as quickly and files won’t download as fast.

Some ISP’s limit the amount of bandwidth you can use (this is a very common occurrence in some parts of the world). This would mean that people on your open Wi-Fi network could quickly bring you to your bandwidth limit – or cause you to exceed it. A person casually checking their email wouldn’t cause problems, but this illegal movie downloader watching all the latest Blu-Ray releases could easily and quickly take you to your monthly traffic limit within just a few days. Whatever your ISP’s penalty for this – Either an additional charge or throttling your connection – the consequences are frustrating and potentially costly.

Securing Your Network

If you’re still hosting an open Wi-Fi network from your home or business the solution is really very simple: Take your wireless router, enable WPA security, and set a strong password.

The hotel Steve stayed in over the weekend perhaps thought it was providing a good service and while it might have been nice and easy for their hotel guests to log in and browse, open Wi-Fi networks are actually not the norm however convenient that might be for some. We might wish we could all access open Wi-Fi networks for free everywhere, but unfortunately we don’t live in that perfect world.

We said earlier that hosting an open Wi-Fi network is a bit like leaving your house’s door unlocked or the windows open. But in actual fact it’s even worse than that. By leaving your network open and accessible by anyone, you are constantly broadcasting your Wi-Fi network’s name and inviting people to connect through your wireless router. Using the unlocked door analogy one more time – Having an open unprotected Wi-Fi network is like leaving your front door wide open with a sign hanging on it saying “Come in, come in, one and all!”

(Image Credit: Matt J Newman on Flickr)

https://www.howtogeek.com/132925/htg-explains-why-you-shouldnt-host-an-open-wi-fi-network/

Wireless access points (AP) and routers are often thought of as the same thing.

While a wireless access point is indeed similar to a router, there are some differences.

What is a Wireless Access Point?

Over the years, AP have evolved to mean something different than they did when Wi-Fi first arrived on the scene.

Routers haven’t always had built in Wi-Fi. Before this came as standard, an AP was often added to a network to enable wireless devices to connect.

This addition means that devices that only have hard-wired connections can get wireless network ability. For example, a printer with no built-in wireless capability can have an access point added to with it wireless ability.

This was done by plugging in an Ethernet cable – the AP would than communicate with Wi-Fi devices, giving them network access.

Nowadays most routers have built in Wi-Fi and play many roles including being an AP, and so many don’t use dedicated AP as they have in the past.

However, many networks still use Access Points – they are particularly useful when dealing with Wi-Fi dead spots and extending wireless networks.

What is a Router?

A router is a network device that can transfer data wirelessly or wired – Anyone who has an internet connection has a router.

A router can be an access point, but an access point can’t be a router.

Routers forward data packets to the desired device and control LAN (Local Area Networks) or WAN (Wide Area Networks) networks.

An access point can be compared to a modem; While it can get online, a modem is limited in its functionality on managing multiple devices or controlling an entire network with many devices.

On the other hand, an entire home or small business can be managed by a router, giving network capability to many computers and devices simultaneously.

So Why Do People Buy Access Points?

Any network can have weak Wi-Fi signals or dead spots, which a router alone cannot manage.

An access point can be added in a particular location that has bad wireless network ability and result in good coverage throughout a home or business.

Head to our website to find out more about our Wi-Fi Installation Service: https://geekabit.co.uk/ or contact us via any of the below. We are the UK’s specialist Wi-Fi consultants and can help your business with Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Planning and Design, Installation and much more.

Contact us: London 0203 322 2443 | Cardiff: 02920 676 712 | Winchester: 01962 657 390 |  info@geekabit.co.uk

http://www.wirelesshack.org/wireless-access-point-vs-router.html

With task list apps, invoice managing software and the obvious fast and immediate access to emails, it’s no surprise that mobile devices are becoming just as essential to the workplace as the photocopy machine and the coffee maker. Of course, that also means a fast, reliable wireless network is essential as well. But building one isn’t as simple as you might think – You can’t just plug in your ISP-supplied router and connect your smartphone. Putting together a Wi-Fi network robust enough to support your business can be pretty tricky if you’ve never done it before. To shorten the learning curve, you can find some common pitfalls and how to avoid them below. Or skip the content all the way to the bottom and call us instead…!

Overloading the wireless router

When the business is small, it’s common to begin by setting up your network with an entry-level wireless router. But as the business grows and high-throughput appliances such as NAS or IP cameras get added into the mix, the heavy usage will overload many consumer grade routers.

Is an off-the-shelf wireless router up to the task of running your small business network? Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell ahead of time. If you do start to experience unexplained slowness, one solution is to set up a standalone network switch and wireless access point. To reduce the burden on your router’s processor, offload some clients to the access point and install a new gigabit ethernet switch to increase your local network’s speed.

Under provisioning your Wi-Fi network

Relying on only one access point regardless of the network load is another mistake small businesses commonly make . Even with just 8 to 10 employees, the pervasiveness of smartphones, tablets and laptops in the workplace means you could still easily have dozens of wireless devices, so it’s best to err on the side of over-coverage. To avoid potential bottlenecks and slowness reducing the risk of productivity, instal multiple access points up front.

By migrating ethernet-ready devices such as desktop PCs and printers to wired networking whenever possible, you can also reduce the burden on your wireless network.

Bad placement of Wi-Fi access points

As we’ve seen numerous times before, the physical location of a Wi-Fi access point is critical. It will quickly become apparent if you place one in an alcove, beside large metallic fixtures or cupboards, or next to thick concrete beams. Your Wi-Fi signal will be weakened by any of these “Line if sight” barriers.

An elevated location generally works a lot better than a lower one because there are generally more obstructions near the ground, such as cubicle walls and furniture. A great way to try and establish a good location is to visualize the wireless signals emanating from the access point in a straight line. Parts of the office that are blocked by three or more obstructions will likely experience weak or nonexistent signals.

Expecting to get the speeds shown on the box

It’s easy to be seduced by the 300Mbps or 450Mbps speeds 802.11n wireless routers promise. However, these are theoretical and don’t account for real-world conditions or the substantial protocol overheads inherent to wireless networks.

A router could offer a performance of just 226Mbps at 9 feet, dropping to 43.1Mbps at 65 feet. The figures are applicable only for a single client–this bandwidth would be divided among any additional devices operating on the same frequency band. If you need to routinely transfer large files across your local network, consider setting up a wired Gigabit network.

Using your router’s default channel

It’s understandable that you want your network up and running quickly and thus to start using your router without bothering to change the default channel. However, unless you live far from civilization, it’s likely your neighbour is already using this channel and that could cause interference that degrades your wireless performance.

This can be easily avoided by changing the channel on your device when you set it up. There are only three non-overlapping channels: 1, 6, and 11 so this isn’t a difficult process. For locations that are swamped with multiple Wi-Fi networks, there may be a need to experiment with overlapping channels for the best results. A tremendous help is that some wireless access points detect nearby Wi-Fi networks and offer information about the channels they use as well as their signal strengths.

Ignoring the 5GHz band

Don’t ignore it! If your router offers simultaneous dual band, make sure your 5GHz radio is enabled. This allows laptops that support 5GHz to be offloaded onto this less-cluttered band, freeing up the 2.4GHz band for other devices such as smartphones and tablets. Also, the 5GHz band’s shorter range allows for the use of additional APs in high-density deployments with less risk of interference.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2048052/6-mistakes-to-avoid-when-setting-up-your-small-business-wireless-network.html

If you skipped to the end, or don’t fancy giving this a go yourself, head to our website to find out more about our Wi-Fi Installation Service: https://geekabit.co.uk/ or contact us via any of the below. We are the UK’s specialist Wi-Fi consultants and can help your business with Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Planning and Design, Installation and much more.

Contact us: London 0203 322 2443 | Cardiff: 02920 676 712 | Winchester: 01962 657 390 |  info@geekabit.co.uk