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Could Technical Jargon Be Confusing Consumers When It Comes to Buying Internet Services?

What do you call the network in your household or business? 

Are there shrieks of ‘Muuuum is the Wi-Fi down?’ or perhaps partners asking ‘What’s going on with the broadband babe?’ 

Or if you’re the boss of a SME, maybe you’ve got employees interrupting your meetings asking why the internet is lagging. 

What’s the most popular name for internet connections? 

Broadband Internet Service Provider TalkTalk engaged Axicom to commission a new online survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by OnePoll. The survey claims to find that the most popular name for home internet connections is Wi-Fi. 

A third of respondents said they describe their internet connection using the term Wi-Fi, with ‘broadband’ and ‘internet’ coming in second and third place respectively. 

The survey also quizzed respondents on their understanding of different wireless technology terms, with 76% of those asked saying they ‘confidently understand’ the term Wi-Fi. 

Less confidently understood was ‘fibre’ with only half of the respondents confident with their understanding of its meaning. Interestingly, ‘fibre’ is often a term flung around by telecoms companies to describe their broadband products and services, which begs the question – Do consumers actually understand what they are being sold? 

Do Consumers Understand the Internet Products and Services Being Sold to Them?

The results to this particular survey would suggest the answer is unfortunately no, with 69% of respondents admitting that technology-related jargon is difficult to understand. 

Perhaps then, the aim of this most recent online survey was to gather information on how ISP TalkTalk can market their products and internet services to potential customers – Both business and residential. 

If consumers are not understanding terms like ‘fibre’ then perhaps the focus on the term ‘Wi-Fi’ instead will increase understanding and thus sales. It does seem to be the renewed focus of their recent brand refresh, despite the technical terminology not being entirely correct. 

Does this therefore reinforce a misconception around the understanding of technical internet terminology, rather than provide an accurate explanation? 

What is your understanding of some of the terms used in the survey? You can see a breakdown of the most understood terminology below, given in percentages. 

There seems to be a healthy understanding of the terms Wi-Fi, Wireless, Router and IP Address. Those less understood were concepts like Latency, FTTP/FTTC, Mesh, PSTN and LLU. 

What Do TalkTalk Have to Say?

The Product and Propositions Director for TalkTalk shared the companies thoughts on their recent survey and how the results are influencing how they talk to their customers in order to ensure the best understanding of their services and products. 

“Wi-Fi is a staple in all our homes, yet as an industry we haven’t kept up with the times when we talk to our customers. At TalkTalk, we’re shifting to talk about Wi-Fi more and more, as it’s the connectivity – making sure streaming or browsing is seamless – that matters most for our millions of customers.

Our latest research tells us that people prefer to communicate in the same way that they speak, without jargon, and our industry should reflect that. We know we’re not perfect, and we have much to do, but this is the first step in delivering a Better Way to Wi-Fi for customers who just want transparency and information they can confidently understand. And this builds trust between us and our customers too.”

What Does Wi-Fi Mean to You?

Whilst the term Wi-Fi might still feel like technical jargon to some, most homes and businesses use Wi-Fi to describe a WLAN, or Wireless Local Area Network connection that originates from a router that distributes the broadband internet connection from your Internet Service Provider. 

Wi-Fi and Broadband are not the same thing, but consumers seem to be regularly using the term ‘Wi-Fi’ to loosely apply to their wireless internet connection as a whole. 

When this starts to run into difficulties is when an issue arises. Someone shouts ‘The Wi-Fi’s gone down!’ – What’s the problem? It could be that the router is faulty and not transmitting a signal to user devices. In this instance, the actual broadband connection coming from outside the property could be completely fine – It’s only the transmission of the signal that has the issue. 

Likewise, the router could be transmitting a signal to end users and their devices remain connected, but conference calls aren’t connecting. The problem isn’t the hardware, but the actual broadband connection coming from the ISP. 

2 very different problems but both labelled as a ‘Wi-Fi’ problem.

Do You Get Lost in Technical Internet Jargon? 

If you need reliable Wi-Fi for your business but find it hard to follow all the terminology, then don’t worry. Not everyone can be Wi-Fi Experts! Thankfully the wireless engineers here at Geekabit have all the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate your network and get you the best wireless connection for your premises. 

Get in touch with our Hampshire, Cardiff or London based teams today to see how we can help. 

by admin
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Business Wi-Fi Connectivity Home Network Network Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 8
Wi-Fi 8 – The Smarter, More Stable Wi-Fi Standard

Can Wi-Fi 8 bring the stability of a wired network to wireless? Let’s look at handovers, coordination between wireless technologies, and the influence of AI.

Based on the upcoming 802.11bn standard, Wi-Fi 8 is purported to be smarter and more stable than it’s Wi-Fi 7 predecessor, instead of merely faster.

According to an announcement by Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 8 will respond to new needs in both home networks and business by focusing on reliability and consistency, even in poorer conditions. 

Qualcomm’s Vice President of Technical Standards Rolf De Vegt said;

“Wi-Fi 8 marks a fundamental pivot — moving beyond peak speeds to prioritize reliable performance in challenging real-world conditions. It’s designed to deliver consistent, low-latency and near-lossless connectivity even in highly congested, interference-prone and mobile environments.” 

Whilst the main design feature of Wi-Fi 7 is to maximize speed and bandwidth, Wi-Fi 8 will focus on stability of performance. In lab conditions, there were impressive results for Wi-Fi 7 speeds, however this is harder to replicate in reality within everyday environments like office buildings and residential areas. Wi-Fi 8 will provide stability even when faced with congestion, interference or multiple devices moving in real world environments.  

According to Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 8 plans to offer:

  • 25% higher throughput in challenging signal conditions such as blocks of flats
  • 25% lower latency at the 95th percentile of latency distribution
  • 25% fewer dropped packets when roaming between access points

Handover, What Handover?

Wi-Fi 8 will see the wonders of Single Mobility Domains. Traditionally, small interruptions during the handover process between access points are completely normal happenings. A major innovation of Wi-Fi 8 will mean that devices will be able to move between access points without any interruption or lag. Just imagine – Continuous, uninterrupted connectivity as you move throughout domains within a multi-storey office or large buildings where users (and their devices) are always moving around. 

Previous standards saw the edges of a network as a weak spot. Wi-Fi 8 will also bring improvements to this area. Technical adjustments in the optimisation of the physical layer of the protocol means that Wi-Fi 8 doesn’t just increase transmission power, leading to more stable performance even at low signal strength. 

Another improvement will see access points working together rather than separately. Wi-Fi 8 will enable the coordination of behaviour and sharing of information between access points in a network. This will help to reduce conflict on the radio frequencies and improve the efficiency of transmission time. Thus, Wi-Fi 8 will bring a smoother network environment for places with many users and devices for example, stadiums, schools or blocks of flats. 

Better Coordination Between Wireless Technologies

Research is being conducted to look at how radio systems such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ultra-wideband can work better together instead of causing interference. The use of multiple wireless technologies by a single device simultaneously (devices using a single antenna for multiple radios) is becoming more prevalent, making the need for better coordination between the technologies vital. 

Prevalence of AI Leading Wi-Fi 8 to Focus on Stability Instead of Speed

AI is placing a huge raw demand on networks, especially in terms of reliability and latency. 

We’re seeing an increase in prevalence of wearable AI, smart device embedded AI and autonomous AI. In order for AI systems to work effectively, they need to be able to pull from access edge or cloud based systems in near real time, making reliable connectivity vital.

The current Wi-Fi standard is struggling to support the abundance of AI use in everyday life. These struggles aren’t anything new – The ever increasing use of personal devices using wireless connectivity has been putting a strain on Wi-Fi networks for a while. 

With the evolution of smart homes, the size and scope of our networks has needed to expand quickly in order to support the number of devices used in our houses.Indeed, larger homes are requiring enterprise-grade networks in order to meet the level of connectivity people expect. 

Wi-Fi 8 and Medical Monitoring Devices

AI garners much of the attention when discussing Wi-Fi 8 and the need for stability over speed, however there is another prevailing need increasing in our homes and that is medical monitoring devices. 

Doctors are starting to rely on patients self-monitoring from home more and more. For the health of non-critical patients, these home-based options are a real life-line. Doctors can keep tabs on patients without the need for them to visit the practice as regularly. 

This is yet another area where network reliability and response time is imperative to enable doctors to communicate with patients via their home network, especially in potentially life-threatening situations. 

Will Wi-Fi 8 Bring the Stability of Wired to our Wireless Networks?

In the press release, De Vegt writes that they want Wi-Fi 8 to bring wireless networks closer to having the same reliability and responsiveness of wired infrastructure. Whether or not Wi-Fi 8 manages to get close to that ambitious aim we’ll have to wait and see. 

The Wi-Fi 8 standard is expected to be finalised in January 2028, so there’s still a little while to wait. You can read the full press release from Qualcomm here.  

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Connectivity Hardware Home Network Home Office Mesh Network Technology Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Extender Wi-Fi Help Wi-Fi Speeds Wireless Network Wireless Technology
Can Wi-Fi Extenders Just Stop Working?

They can indeed. And it can be handy to know the signs if an extender is about to fail.

Disclaimer: Here at Geekabit, we don’t actually recommend Wi-Fi extenders as a solution to Wi-Fi problems. There are usually other more effective solutions that can be put into place with a little help from Wi-Fi experts like ourselves. However, we also know that people don’t always heed expert advice… So, here are some useful tips to keep in mind if you do go down the Wi-Fi extender route. And if that doesn’t work, you’ll know who to call. 

Just like other electronic devices, Wi-Fi extenders can fail. Whilst they do tend to last a decent amount of time and generally don’t need too much maintenance or repairing, they still won’t last forever. As with anything in the tech world, components will start to wear out and older extender models will become obsolete with the emergence of new technologies. Let’s take a look at some of the main issues that could stop a Wi-Fi extender from working.

Why has my Wi-Fi Extender stopped working? 

There could be a number of reasons why Wi-Fi extenders might stop working earlier than you would expect. The number one reason for a Wi-Fi extender to break down is heat. 

Overheating

Like other electronic devices, Wi-Fi extenders generate heat. However, they don’t have fans or anything else to keep the heta from building up, so rely on passive cooling. This can be a big problem when they are switched on all the time, never getting the chance to cool down. 

To prevent a Wi-Fi extender from failing too soon due to overheating, there are a couple of things you can keep in mind. 

  • Place the Wi-Fi extender in a place where there is plenty of air flow around it e.g. an open book shelf
  • Avoid places where there is less air flow like shelving units, cupboards, cabinets or enclosed spaces

Dust

How often do you clean your Wi-Fi devices and hardware? A simple, regular clean of your Wi-Fi extender can help extend its life. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend taking a Wi-Fi extender apart to clean inside it, it’s definitely worth the effort to check the vents on it and blow away any dust.

New Technologies

As with any kind of Wi-Fi hardware, things do become obsolete over time as new technologies are developed and introduced to the market. 

A popular reason for people to replace their Wi-Fi extenders is to make sure that their extended network is as fast and can handle as many devices as their primary network. 

When should I replace my Wi-Fi extender?

If everything is working to your satisfaction, then there’s no need to replace anything. However, if you’ve been googling ‘do I need to replace my Wi-Fi extender?’ then you’re probably already experiencing problems and looking for the solution! 

Preemptive replacement of Wi-Fi hardware would usually be for crucial network components, for example, your router. Wi-Fi extenders aren’t usually as important, so there’s usually no need to replace them until they break. 

However, if you are relying on your Wi-Fi extender to provide internet access to parts of your home or to devices that must be connected (for example, perhaps a garden office or CCTV cameras) then you may feel it’s more important to stay ahead of problems and replace them before issues arise. 

There isn’t really a set time frame for replacing a Wi-Fi extender – They can last for as long as ten years, maybe more. But there will come a time when internal components will start to fail as they naturally start to degrade. In scenarios like the above where your Wi-Fi extender is fulfilling a vital function, you might want to consider replacing it on a shorter timeframe e.g. every 5 years perhaps or when you notice any reduction in performance.  

Can I tell if my Wi-Fi extender is starting to fail? 

Unfortunately, there’s rarely obvious signs that a Wi-Fi extender is beginning to fail. They tend to work one day, and not work the next. There may be some clues that it’s starting to degrade, which we’ll outline below, but this may not always be the case. 

Possible signs that your Wi-Fi extender is starting to fail:

  • Having to regularly reset the Wi-Fi extender. Whilst doing a factory reset may fix the issue, if you’re having to do this a lot then it’s probably time to consider replacing it. 
  • Difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi extender. If interference isn’t an issue, but your devices are having trouble connecting or staying connected then it might be time to replace the extender. 
  • Slow internet speeds. If your connection is suddenly slower one day, then there is likely a problem with the extender. Also bear in mind that if your extender is older than your router, then it likely won’t support the latest Wi-Fi technology available to your router, hence causing a slower connection in the extended area. 
  • Dropped connection. If you can connect a device to your primary network, but it drops out when connecting to the extender then there is likely a problem with the Wi-Fi extender. 
  • Error lights. If lights on the extender are the wrong colour, flashing or not on at all then there is likely an issue. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out what the lights mean and how to resolve the problem. 
  • Unable to turn the Wi-Fi extender on. It may have overheated, so let it cool down and then try again to turn it on. You could also try plugging it into an alternative outlet. Pressing the rest button may also help with this issue. If after trying these things it still won’t turn on then it’s probably time to replace it. 

How can I help my Wi-Fi extender last longer?

No hardware can last for ever, so eventually all Wi-Fi extenders are going to fill and need replacing. That being said, there are some things you can do to take good care of it and help it to last as long as possible. As we noted above, the most common problems are caused by heat, so the main solutions lie in keeping the gear cool. 

Help your Wi-Fi extender have a long life using these tips:

  • When you’re setting up, always place your Wi-Fi extender in a well-ventilated area. Never place it in an enclosed space like a closed shelf or cabinet. Not only will an enclosed space block the Wi-Fi signal, but it will also cause the extender to get hotter than necessary, which will shorten its life. 
  • Use a surge protector in the same location as the Wi-Fi extender if possible. This can help stop voltage spikes which can cause severe damage to a Wi-Fi extender. 
  • Regularly give the extender a clean and remove dust by dusting the outside of it and blow dust from the vents. Dust build-up can also contribute to overheating.
  • Sometimes firmware updates from manufacturers can help keep performance at its best. If you notice worsening performance then it’s worth trying to install a firmware update (if there is one) to help speed up an older Wi-Fi extender model. 

Is my Wi-Fi extender causing network issues?

Problems with Wi-Fi connectivity and speed are the first clues when it comes to identifying if a Wi-Fi extender is failing or starting to fail. 

Got a unique SSID for your extender? Then you’ll notice right away that you’re having problems connecting to it compared with your primary network. 

Using a mesh network? If you’re using the same SSID and password for your extended network as your primary network or using a mesh network then you might notice you have connection trouble or slow internet speeds when you’re in the extended network area. 

As you’ll remember from our disclaimer at the start of this article, here at Geekabit we don’t recommend Wi-Fi extenders. One of the reasons why we don’t is that they can cause problems for your network even when they’re working. 

One of the biggest problems with Wi-Fi extenders is that they can actually cause interference on your primary network if they’re running on the same channel. So by trying to extend your network to a further area of your house and garden, you could be jeopardising your main network connection. 

This issue is reduced when using a mesh network as they create one big network where devices are seamlessly passed from one extender to the next. However, your bog-standard Wi-Fi extenders can cause real issues with your main Wi-Fi router if they’re operating on the same or overlapping channels. 

If you’re trying to create a reliable network across a large space and finding a regular router isn’t quite cutting it, then it might be time to call in the experts rather than reaching for the extenders. Give our friendly Wi-Fi engineers a call and we can identify the best Wi-Fi solution for your premises.

by admin
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Broadband Hardware Home Network Home Office Home WI-Fi Network Router Security Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Advice
Is Your Broadband Router Open to Hackers? Survey Says Yes 

Broadband Genie, the independent UK comparison service for telecoms and broadband, have published a new survey revealing some pretty shocking statistics when it comes to internet safety. 

3,045 internet users were surveyed between the 1st January and 26th April this year, revealing that:

  • 89% of respondents have never updated the firmware of their home router 
  • 86% have never changed the device’s administrator password 
  • 72% have never changed their Wi-Fi password
  • 75% have never checked to see what or who is linked to their router
  • 52% have never changed or updated their routers settings

Are you guilty of any of these? No shaming from us, but let’s take a little look at why ignoring these things when it comes to your router and security isn’t a great idea. 

Why should I change my router from the default password? 

If you leave your router set to the default password, it could allow hackers to identify which make and model of router you are using and work out the password.

Thankfully, many ISP’s supply long, randomised passwords with no real structure, making it harder to identify.  

Do I need to update firmware on my router? 

Many routers that come as part of a bundle directly from your ISP are thankfully set up to auto-update their firmware – Meaning you, the customer, don’t have to actually do any specific actions in order to keep your device up-to-date. 

However, it’s probably a good idea to check with your broadband provider to confirm this is the case.

And don’t forget, many security and firmware updates are done at night – So don’t switch your router off overnight. 

If you have purchased your router separately from an ISP bundle, then you may be required to carry out this action yourself to check for recent firmware updates. Remember that not all firmware updates are particularly accessible or easy to find, so you may need to seek support from the manufacturer. 

It’s vital not to leave security vulnerabilities unpatched – And even some relatively modern pieces of kit could be susceptible to security risks. 

What’s the reason behind people not changing their router password?

The survey respondents who had answered that they had never changed their router’s factory settings were then asked why they had not. The answer that 75% of those surveyed gave was that they didn’t know they needed to change it. 

Your router is the single most important security device in your home network

It’s often the case that the router is the most important device in your home network when it comes to internet security. 

Changing your router’s password from the default to a strong alternative protects your network, particularly if the password from your ISP is not properly randomised or ineffective. 

It’s a good rule of thumb to assume that your router does not come secure out of the box. And if consumers are unaware of the risks, then clearly more awareness needs to be raised surrounding these security risks. 

That’s where the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act comes in. 

The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act

On the 29th April 2024, the Government brought in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act. This includes their new Secure by Design policy, which means that device makers (retailers and manufacturers) that fail to comply can be hit with financial penalties. 

Changes include:

  • The banning of easily guessable default passwords (like ‘admin’ or ‘12345’) so that vulnerabilities and hacking are prevented
  • The prompting of users to change the default password
  • Improved support for security issues by supplying contact details of manufacturers so that bugs and issues can be dealt with 
  • The requirement to state how long related network products will be supported by security patches (firmware updates)

These changes don’t just apply to routers – They also cover smartphones, televisions, games consoles, internet-connected fridges and other smart home devices such as doorbells etc. 

Are you confident that your router is secure? 

by admin
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IoT Devices Mobile Broadband Mobile COnnectivity Mobile Network Network RSRP RSSI Teltonika Wi-Fi Wireless Network
Teltonika Network Setup – What is RSSI and RSRP? 

Enable yourself to get better understanding and control of your Teltonika networking solution’s performance with wireless connection support display RSSI and RSRP signal strength. 

Familiarising yourself with RSSI and RSRP metrics wireless network support will help to enhance your Teltonika Networks next steps. 

Wireless Networks are the preferred choice for IoT connectivity

When it comes to IoT (internet of things) applications, wired connections once held dominance. But it is becoming increasingly evident that the preferred choice for IoT connectivity is wireless networking. 

The wireless connectivity market is expected to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.8% in the next 3 years, solidifying the trend of networking solutions becoming increasingly dependent on Wi-Fi or mobile networks. 

Due to the versatility and convenience offered by wireless connectivity, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. 

Without the limitations of wiring, network devices can be configured, monitored and managed remotely – Even if they’re in a different city, country or continent. 

The benefits of using a wireless connection are indisputable.

What are the primary connectivity options? 

There are 2 primary choices when it comes to wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi and mobile technology. 

Wi-Fi 

  • Operates on the IEEE 802.11 standard
  • Supports multiple protocols including 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac (determining the connection’s speed and range)

Mobile Technologies

  • Have evolved from 3G to 4G to 5G
  • Each defines the connection’s speed and capacity available to users and end devices

RSSI and RSRP

Whether your network device operates on Wi-Fi or mobile technologies, if you’re checking out your network then you’ll likely come across RSSI and RSRP metrics. These metrics are vital for displaying the strength and power of your connection. 

What is RSSI, what does it do and how is it measured? 

  • RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator. 
  • At the moment radio frequency power and quality reaches the receiver, it’s measured by RSSI. For example, a network device or antenna. 
  • RSSI can be used to gauge the strength of the signal in any wireless system, it’s not exclusive to any one type of wireless technology. 
  • Whether you’re using Wi-Fi or mobile technologies, RSSI can provide signal strength data across different types of radio frequency communications. 
  • This means that RSSI can be a good indicator of whether your network devices have robust connectivity.
  • RSSI signal strength is measured in negative values, with stronger, higher quality signal values being closest to zero.
  • NOTE: RSSI values are not standardised across industries, so bear this in mind when interpreting network data for devices manufactured by different companies. 

What is RSRP? 

  • RSRP stands for Reference Signal Received Power and is measured in negative values.
  • RSRP is particularly relevant for mobile technology network solutions like 4G and 5G.
  • It is a type of RSSI measurement, but used to measure the power of mobile signals spread over full bandwidth and narrowband.
  • RSRP measurements can help you to see your network’s overall signal coverage and capacity across all frequencies used for your networking solutions by measuring across the full bandwidth.
  • The quality of your connection in specific frequency ranges can be assessed by measuring RSRP over a narrowband. This can be used to troubleshoot specific issues that could affect signal quality as well as optimising network performance.
  • By using the RSRP signal strength, you can determine a more precise measurement of the cellular connectivity that your network receiver obtains. Having this information can enable you to make informed decision about your network infrastructure as well as Quality of Service Assessments and further improvements.
  • NOTE: Just as with RSSI, the RSRP signal strength can differ by manufacturer.

Your Teltonika Network

Both RSSI and RSRP signal strength indicators are displayed for Teltonika Network devices enabled with Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity devices.

The display of these metrics can be accessed via RutOS. The latest 7.06 version of RutOS has enhanced data visualisation capabilities for mobile connections.

For help with your Teltonika Network, get in touch with our Wi-Fi experts today. Our professional wireless network engineers can help with both Wi-Fi networks and mobile connectivity. 

We can also help with alternative networks other than Teltonika. 

by admin
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5G 5G Mobile Broadband Broadband Drones Mobile Broadband Mobile COnnectivity Mobile Network Network Rural Broadband Satellite Broadband Search and Rescue Communication Wi-Fi
Connections Boosted by VMO2 5G Drones for Search and Rescue Missions

Here at Geekabit we talk a lot about the problems that rural areas face when it comes to connectivity – Whether it’s mobile or broadband. 

Mostly we’re talking about businesses and homes that struggle with more traditional forms of broadband internet connectivity as well as mobile broadband options. 

But what about organisations that rely on connectivity outside the normal 4 walls of business premises?

For Search and Rescue teams, staying connected couldn’t be more vital. Yet, they’re often plunged into rural and remote locations trying to find someone missing and potentially hurt. 

So how can we make sure that these Search and Rescue teams stay connected with their base and are able to utilise location data? 

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has come up with just the solution. They’ve recently developed a 5G-connected drone that is specifically designed to bolster the communication that is so vital to Search and Rescue teams. 

Who is trialling this 5G drone for Search and Rescue teams? 

The first Search and Rescue team to trial VMO2’s 5G drone is Warwickshire Search and Rescue team.

As we said above, communication in remote and vast terrains is absolutely vital but can be a challenge for Search and Rescue teams. As the work of these teams is so time critical, it’s essential that their effectiveness is unhindered by communication and connectivity problems. 

As a Lowland Rescue Unit, the Warwickshire Search and Rescue team play a vital role in locating vulnerable missing persons alongside the police. 

With a 45% increase in callouts between 2020 and 2022, the demand for their services continues to surge with 65 callouts in 2023 – That’s more than 1 per week. 

How does VMO2’s 5G drone work?

The 5G Technical Trials Team over at VMO2 saw this need for critical connectivity and devised a portable solution that uses a network of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The portability and compactness of the tech means that it’s small enough to be integrated into a drone. Ideal for vast, remote spaces. 

This easy-to-deploy drone acts like a flying mobile phone mast, enabling Search and Rescue teams to stay connected via seamless 5G connectivity regardless of their location.

What do VMO2 have to say?

Here at Geekabit we love to see how innovative thinking and technological advancements combine to create fresh ideas and impactful solutions to a whole range of problems. 

Head of Technical Trials for Virgin Media O2, David Owens, says:

“This project is a further example of how fresh-thinking and 5G technologies can be combined to provide real societal benefits.

“The solution has the potential to transform how search and rescue teams operate and respond to life-threatening situations, enabling them to make faster and more decisive decisions. We’re enormously proud that our connectivity will be able to help these teams to save lives.”

What do Warwickshire Search and Rescue make of the 5G drone?

Trustee and Search Technician at Warwickshire Search and Rescue, Steve Brown says: 

“With more and more callouts each year, this drone with mobile connectivity is a powerful tool for our team to understand and assess a situation immediately, saving crucial time in life-threatening situations.

“It means we will always be connected, ensuring seamless communication and efficient coordination throughout our missions. As a result of this, we will connect the unreachable, save lives, and inspire a new era of technological possibilities.”

There’s no doubt that this innovative use of 5G mobile connectivity is a fantastic example of how technology can be used in even the most hard-to-reach places. 

In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds. The more swiftly that person can be located, the better the outcome. For those that have gone missing in a remote area, a Search and Rescue team that can stay reliably connected will be a huge advantage. 

As Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety at Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Andy Crump said: 

“The Warwickshire Search and Rescue team do such vital work for our local community by assisting the police in searching for missing people. 

“This new solution from Virgin Media O2 will help the team on these missions and ultimately save many lives. It is further evidence of the positive impact improved connectivity can have upon our society.”

We’re looking forward to seeing how 5G drones and satellite broadband technology can be accessed in more remote areas and rural locations.

by admin
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Ethernet Ethernet Cables Fibre Broadband Media Converter Network WLAN
Do You Need a Media Converter for Your Network?

 Networking and Media Converters have gone hand in hand right from the start. They play a vital role when it comes to solving interconnection problems in networks. 

If you oversee a business network (or one in a large home) then you probably already use this handy device. But are you using the media converter correctly? 

What is a media converter?

A media converter is a networking device that allows you to connect one type of communication protocol cable to another different type of cable. For example, connecting a twisted pair to fibre optic cable. 

By connecting two different media, like Ethernet copper and Ethernet fibre, they can typically connect devices that are beyond 100 metres from the nearest available switch. 

The reach of the copper port can be extended with a copper to fibre converter by connecting a copper port on an Ethernet switch to the fibre that connects the device in the remote location.

The ability to do this provides great flexibility when building and connecting networks, easily connecting fibre and copper cables.

A media converter is usually a two-port device equipped with a copper interface on one side and a fibre interface on the other side.

Another key building block within a network are Switches. They enable you to connect multiple devices, such as computers, wireless access points, printers, and servers;  All on the same network within a building or campus. A switch enables connected devices to share information and talk to each other.

Switches are mostly made up of LAN ports which are usually copper Ethernet with a few fibre-based uplink ports. They are also often SFP-based (small form-factor pluggable used for data communication). The copper ports are used to connect devices within a short-range (up to 100 metres) while the SFP uplinks can connect devices that are further away (which would be useful for other switches and/or servers).

The goal for any well-designed network is to use all the available uplinks. This maximises throughput. Oftentimes, spare LAN ports are kept in order to be able to easily connect new devices in the future. However this only works well if the device is within 100 metres from the switch. It can also cause problems if it is in a ‘noisy’ environment – A copper cable can be susceptible to electromagnetic interference. 

In what sort of situation could we see these issues arise?

  • A computer placed in a remote location
  • An access point in an outdoor area
  • A video surveillance camera
  • An access control system far from the last switch, 

For instances where the LAN must be extended over 100 metres, you will require a network extender, and a media converter would be the ideal solution. 

To extend a network to a distant location, you would use a fibre connection from the switch and a media converter to connect to the device.

The remote device problem is solved with the Ethernet link providing a very long reach thus extending the connection. It also saves you from having to add other switches to the network. 

How Does a Media Converter Work?

Media converters can be split into two main groups. 

The first type of media converter can only convert physical media. For example,copper to fibre, or fibre to copper, without adjusting the speed of the link. This type of device is most commonly used when latency is a critical factor, in other words, when a time delay when transmitting the traffic is unacceptable during conversion. 

The second type of media converters are often called switch converters or rate converters. These are a standard Ethernet switch equipped with two ports. These devices can adjust both the media and the link speed so that it is possible to connect a 10/100/1000T port to a 100FX port. For time-sensitive applications, this type is unsuitable as the switch adds a small amount of latency to the connection.

Do media converters work in both directions?

Yes, they can work in both directions. Media converters work with bidirectional links, so the same model can be used to convert copper to fibre but also fibre to copper. 

If you use these devices in pairs, you can use the same model for both ends since they work both ways.

What Are the Different Types of Media Converters?

There are different types of media converter, including:

  • One that connects fibre and copper cables (the most common)
  • One that can convert Ethernet to VDSL 
  • One that can inject Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Typically, media converters are small standalone unmanaged devices. However, they can also form managed and unmanaged chassis solutions to integrate multiple devices within your network in a 19″ standard rack. For deployments in harsher environments, industrial media converters can be mounted in DIN cabinets to protect the electrical components.  

What is the most common model of media converter? 

As we mentioned above, the most common model of media converter is one which connects copper to fibre with one RJ45 port and one fibre port or SFP bay. To allow another converter or a switch equipped with the appropriate interface to be connected easily, the transport protocol is always Ethernet. 

What about legacy infrastructure?

It’s not always possible to use a fibre link due to legacy infrastructure, for example twisted-pair phone cables or co-ax cables. If these are already in use, replacing with new fibre is not practical. Media converters that convert Ethernet to co-ax or Ethernet to twisted-pair allow the use of legacy infrastructure. 

These devices can reach long distances over legacy cables due to using VDSL (Very high Data rate Subscription Line) technology.

As mentioned above, another type of converter can provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) on the copper Ethernet port to power remote devices. This is particularly useful for things like CCTV cameras or access control gates, and helps to simplify deployment of physical security solutions.

Covering the most commonly used interfaces today, media converter port speeds include Fast Ethernet, Gigabit and 10 Gigabit. Transceivers through an SFP port are able to operate on fibres from just a few metres in length up to 120km, satisfying a wide range of distances and speeds.

Media converters are useful for desktops too

Did you know that media converters can be used on the desktop too? 

The USB to fibre Ethernet media converter acts as a Network Interface Card for your desktop or laptop – Quickly deploying a Fibre To The Desk (FTTD) solution for security-sensitive applications, or those more than 100 metres from the switch.

What Are the Features of a Media Converter?

The majority of media converters are not smart devices, however there are some media converters that have smart features that can help to simplify the management of large networks. 

‘Have you turned it off and then on again?’

We’ve all heard that old IT joke. But actually there’s a reason why IT guru’s and network engineers say those notorious words. One of the most common ways to solve computer-related issues is to ‘power-cycle’ the device – Often, simply turning it off and then on again makes the problem disappear. 

For PoE (Power over Ethernet) powered devices, disconnecting the power on the switch port connected to the device having issues will automatically reset it. 

However, most media converters are not managed remotely and thus any that are on a remote site cannot simply turn the power off. In this case, a network engineer (or other person) would have to physically go to the remote site and disconnect and then reconnect the PoE cable. 

Some configurable PoE Media converters enable PoE power to be reset whenever the fibre connection is turned off and on. This ‘smart’ feature would prevent the need for a physical remote site visit by enabling you to control the PoE power via the fibre connection on the switch, resetting the remote device. 

Has all this talk of fibre cables and Ethernet ports got you in a tizz?

Call the experts! Here at Geekabit, our experienced Wi-Fi engineers can help at any stage of network deployment – From site surveys to design to installation. 

We’re only a phone call away, and can help get your business or large home properly connected. 

Thinking you’re too rural? We’ve got 4G for that! Our mobile and satellite broadband options could be just the thing you’re looking for. 

Get in touch with our Wi-Fi experts today.

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