The demand for WiFi on parks has increased hugely over the past few years as more devices become reliant on the technology. The introduction of ‘smart TVs’ has seen a huge shift in the requirements for the way people watch TV, with many viewers now rarely watching ‘live TV’, instead opting for catch up and streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Sky Go.
This has lead to many parks re-evaluating their provisions, with the need for ‘future proofing’ becoming more apparent as technology changes around us. One of our recently completed installations is at Seafield Caravan Park, situated on the beautiful Northumberland coast. The park consists of approximately 500 units, ranging from predominantly owner occupied vans, along with a hire fleet and a small number of touring pitches.
In the early days, the park management had a WiFi network installed primarily to give users limited connectivity (general web browsing, email access, etc.), before upgrading the rental vans 4 years ago with a ‘direct to van’ solution, which proved far more reliable that the existing ‘through the window’ provision.
Since this upgrade, the park have continued to research various technologies, with the hope of giving some longevity to their systems and to future proof their development; however, being situated in a remote area meant that superfast broadband took it’s time to arrive…..
Once the service was live in the village of Seahouses, the team felt it was time to upgrade their existing provision, so following discussions with a consultant, and investigating other available options, including 4G private WiFi and EOC (Ethernet over Coax), they agreed that a hard-wired fibre optic underground system was the way forward and the project was sent out to tender. Upon receipt of the tender documents, we set about putting a specification together for the park owners. Following some recent in house testing, we recommended to the consultant the benefits of a GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) system compared to the AON (Active Optical Network) and felt that this would be a good way forward for the park as it would allow for future upgrades of the TV/satellite system and easy park expansion if required.
The entire installation would need to included full site planning and connection to 520 pitches. The park already had their own experienced maintenance team on site so some aspects of the installation (cabinets, cables, etc.) could be carried out by them, thus reducing installation costs and enabling us to specify as follows:
What is GPON?
GPON, or Gigabit Passive Optical Network systems are currently the leading form of passive optical networks, relying on optical cables to deliver information, and as such, are up to 95% more efficient than a standard copper wire. In addition to this increased efficiency, GPON networks are a low cost solution to adding users through splitters, making it a desirable option in populated areas.
GPON Benefits:
Client Testimonial:
“Being a total novice when discussing internet technology, how refreshing it has been to be involved with a family run business, similar to ourselves, who have made the entire process so seamless. Whilst the groundworks have been carried out by our own workforce, all of the design and fibre optic element of the installation has been completed by Howson’s fantastic team of employees who have been a pleasure to work with. Any minor teething problems have been rectified almost immediately, regardless of day, or time of day; what a refreshing change from a previous experience. The GPON system which was suggested by Matthew Howson has, in the relatively short time it has been completed, been excellent, with very positive feedback from our customers. All in all, the entire process has been very professionally handled and we look forward to giving our customers the superb internet facility which they require.”
Ken Britton
Owner, Seafield Caravan Park
