[SOLVED] How difficult would it be to run internet service to house 500ft from the service poles?

[GershwynnJay]

I finally got the technician to come out and look at the situation, and he says max service distance is 300', and I feel adding 200' more feet is doable.
I read a bit about signal loss and I understand the limits, but would a booster or amplifier work in this case? Also, they offer 1Gb internet, so is it naïve to think that even if we lose some signal along the way, it could still be plenty to enjoy fast speeds?
Side note: bureaucracy/red tape alert! The technician in person said the only issue is distance and would require a tap be installed, but the customer service person on the phone across the country and their 'leadership' say they would need to build a plant which is somewhere between $20,000 and $50,000, which sounds ridiculous. I called them out on it; I said I can see the lines for service and even a little box with six outlets on it, only two of which are being used, but they just won't work with me.
I'm trying to do research and get as much info as possible to move forward. Thanks in advance!

 

[richiestang_78]

I've seen some farms/cabins owners build small shacks next to the pole to house the modem
then use wireless bridges such as this https://www.amazon.com/EZ-Bridge-Lite-EZBR-0214-Outdoor-Wireless-System/dp/B002K683V0 .

Might be worth looking into a similar setup. I have no idea what are good as far as brands, or setups but its an idea.

 

[GershwynnJay]

I've seen some farms/cabins owners build small shacks next to the pole to house the modem
then use wireless bridges such as this https://www.amazon.com/EZ-Bridge-Lite-EZBR-0214-Outdoor-Wireless-System/dp/B002K683V0 .

Might be worth looking into a similar setup. I have no idea what are good as far as brands, or setups but its an idea.

I was actually thinking of doing this!
Good to know others are doing it.
Thanks for the link!

 

[bill001g]

There have been a number of posts like this over the years. First problem is you need power at the remote location. Depends what the modem needs. Best if it can be DC then you can try solar and batteries.

You could bury fiber optic cable if the distance is over 300ft. I would measure it because if you can stay under 100 meters you might be able to use PoE equipment. It would be simpler than solar.

You can use point to point microwave units but I would not recommend the ones linked. Those are EXTREMELY old technology and cost a lot more than some of the modern equipment. I would look at ubiquiti equipment like nanostation loco5ac. These are only about $50 each and lot faster than 802.11g equipment.

 

[kanewolf]

I was actually thinking of doing this!
Good to know others are doing it.
Thanks for the link!

The pole in question, YOU have an electrical service on that pole? Point-to-point wireless can be done if you have power and a clear line of sight. You will need the point-to-point hardware, I recommend Ubiquiti nanostation loco AC (about $150 / pair) https://www.amazon.com/NanoStation-NS-5ACL-US-802-11ac-Wireless-POE-24-7W-G/dp/B07K351LGD You will need a weatherproof box for power -- https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-HW-NA14-1-Weatherproof-Enclosure-Module/dp/B00YDDALRC
You can do gigabit on fiber for 500ft.

 

[Andyme177]

I love the idea of installing your modem next to the service pedestal and using wifi to get your signal to you. I would suggest using a directed antenna you can make a wifi signal booster with a cantenna which is a device that aims the signal to a specific point. I'm sure there are many ways to make one and many for sale out there.

here is a link to some instructions to make one and explaination how to use it.
build your own long range wifi antenna
I suggest using a pringles container works great much easier to assemble too!

As for putting a drop from the pedestal to your house the tech is right 300' max and that's likely with RG11 Coax. Any more length and the signal fails the speed won't matter has nothing to do with how far down the line it has to travel. Putting a signal booster AKA Amplifier just makes the signal a higher Decibel level not a better range. it's like a funnel you can force more signal through the funnel but the wave length won't get bigger only the amount of signal.

The little box with 6 connections is a six port tap which means it is capable of connecting six coax to it to provide service tap faces can be changed so long as the signal strength to that tap is high or low enough. The main line cable is about the size of your thumb feeding into the back of the tap. That is the line that needs to be added from the end of the line closer to you. But if the plant doesn't have enough wattage to get signal from the source to the end of the line they would have to put in devices to carry power and signal further from the source.