scope:

Introduction

Broadband internet services provide data rates that are considerably higher than conventional telephone 'voiceband' systems. The availability of broadband services is considered to be a vital requirement for homes and businesses and is often referred to as the 4th utility. Over 99% of UK households are able to access digital communication services such as broadband^[1]. Of these households, 80% are actually connected^[2] with the majority of those not connected doing so through choice. Access to broadband is often achieved via the dwelling's telephone line, but many properties use cable and fibre optic connections. Wireless access to external base stations using 3G and recently 4G technologies also enables both fixed and mobile wireless applications to provide considerable.increases in bandwidth and download speeds that could further encourage applications within the home on laptops, smartphones and other mobile devices. Other technologies such as power line technology are being considered for providing device connections within or external to the home, particularly where the data rate requirements are lower, such as smart meter applications. Wireless communication systems facilitate simultaneous access to a dwelling's broadband connection for multiple applications. This is usually achieved through a home hub which combines the functions of a wired modem and a wireless router. The modem handles digital communication to and from the dwelling over the broadband connection while the router allows the various devices to communicate wirelessly with each other or through the broadband connection to the outside world.

Broadband connectivity provides occupants of enabled dwellings access to a number of applications including the internet, entertainment and home office services. The variety of applications available is continuously increasing and it is common for households to require multiple simultaneous access to the broadband connection. This is achieved relatively easily and a number of solutions, including wireless home networks, are available^[3].

Economic, social and environmental drivers are bringing forward new applications to ensure limited resources are used optimally and intelligently. Each service has different needs in terms of price, ease of installation, availability, reliability, data capacity and security for example, all of which need considering to ensure the services operate as intended.

In many cases, particularly for existing buildings, using wireless systems instead of cabled systems is likely to be the most cost effective and least disruptive approach. However, this may not be straightforward to achieve due to blocking or interference of wireless signals by commonly used building materials, household contents and activities.