- What is the commonly used wireless home networking solution? What are the limitations of this solution?
Wireless communication is the transfer of information over a distance via air and WiFi* is a commonly used for wireless home networking. There are many WiFi standards available in the market which can support different broadband speeds.
| 802.11 Protocol |
Data Throughput Speeds |
Data Throughput Speeds |
802.11a |
54Mbps |
35m |
802.11b |
11Mbps |
38m |
802.11g |
54Mbps |
38m |
802.11n |
600Mbps (150Mbps x 4) [based on Multiple-Input Multiple-Output] |
70m |
Source: Wikipedia, 14 May 2010
*WiFi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance that manufacturers may use to brand certified products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Because of the close relationship with its underlying standard, the term Wi-Fi is often used as a synonym for IEEE 802.11 technology.
Benefits of wireless include mobility and no unsightly wires; on the contrary, its performance and reliability is limited by interference with other wireless devices and obstructions like walls.
- What is powerline networking? What is the bandwidth ability of powerline networking?
Powerline networking utilises existing powerlines and power sockets in the home to create a network to connect multiple network devices e.g. home computers, network printers and IP set-top boxes. With multiple outlets in every room, residential powerlines are the most pervasive infrastructure in the home. Using this existing infrastructure to provide high speed networking capabilities would not require rewiring of the house as devices that need to be networked are already connected to the power sockets. However, interference with other electrical devices could cause signal degradation.
Some powerline networking standards are able to support up to 200Mbps. Powerline networking requires at least a pair of powerline ethernet adapters to work and cost of adapters will depend on the capability and available features of the devices.
- What is structured cabling and what are the benefits and limitations? Who can I approach to help install structured cabling in my home?
Structured cabling is an organised approach to laying Ethernet cabling that connect and allow network devices and computers to communicate with one another. Much like the electrical cables in your home, it involves wires that run inside the walls, ceiling or trunking and are connected to a wall sockets to carry the data between network devices.
Commonly used Ethernet cable types are Category 5e cable and Category 6 cable. They are more commonly known as 'Cat 5e' and 'Cat 6' respectively and have the capability of providing 1Gbps up to a distance of 100m. Structured cabling offers reliable high speed data transfer for high bandwidth applications like IPTV and HD Video, with high quality of service. It is also more secure as data is transferred over point to point wired connection. As structured cabling requires pre-laying of Ethernet cables, home owners may want to consider installing structured cabling when renovating their home.
Home owner may wish to access HDB's website for a list of contractors who can provide structure cabling installation services. Kindly go to www.hdb.gov.sg, Click on 'Home Renovation' under 'Living in HDB Flats', then select the link on 'List of HDB Registered Renovation Contractors and BCA Approved Window Contractors'.
- Which is the best home networking technology to use in my home?
Various home networking technologies are available and each has its own merits and limitations. Benefits of wireless include mobility and no unsightly wires; on the contrary, its performance and reliability is limited by interference with other wireless devices and obstructions like walls. Compared to wireless, benefits of wired solutions include higher reliability and better performance though it is not as mobile and requires the running of cables. Home owner will have to take into consideration the above factors, as well as cost and aesthetics, to decide on which home networking solution to adopt.
- Currently, for home owners to watch TV in different parts of the home, a cable TV point outlet has to be installed for each TV in the different rooms. For Next Gen NBN, must I similarly install a Fibre Termination Box in each room so that my family can watch TV in different rooms?
With Next Gen NBN, home owner would only require one Fibre Termination Box to deliver multiple services, including telephony, television and high speed internet to your home. From the fibre termination box, you can choose to use various networking options (e.g. wireless, structured cabling or powerline networking) to extend your high speed connection to other locations in your home to enjoy the services.
- Can I connect my computer directly to the Fibre Termination Box, to connect to the Internet?
PCs and notebooks can connect to the Internet through a modem like device called the Network Termination Equipment (NTE), provided by the OpCo, which is connected to the Fibre Termination Box.
It is not possible to connect a PC directly to the Fibre Termination Box to use it to access Internet. Home owner will have to purchase a broadband service package from a Retail Service Provider (RSP) to enjoy high speed Internet access on Next Gen NBN.
**Note** More details and illustration of Home Networking Options can be found here
