As of today, the Marlborough Sounds wireless broadband project has been completed. Aptly named Clova Connect, the project provides residents of Clova Bay and Waitaria Bay with high speed broadband internet at a very affordable cost.
I have created a dedicated section of the website to this project, viewable here, that will include full details on the project conception, set up, operation, equipment and cost.
I have heard on the grapevine that many other communities out there wish to establish similar projects so I will provide a full tutorial on how to get started.
Soon to come will be photos of the entire setup. Also under full development is a ‘contrib’ package for SME Server that will allow for better management and reporting of internet usage for community users.
The Marlborough Sounds broadband project is still active, and we are now ordering equipment. I’m also developing a Linux-based ‘WISP-in-a-box’ solution to compliment the Mikrotik access points, more will be posted on this later.
Testing has confirmed we have a site with an adequate connection to The Pacific, a local WISP. They have been very cooperative with residents and myself and have agreed to install a low-power version of their standard CPE specially for the project.
I have been approached by a number of people in the Marlborough Sounds wanting a solution for fast internet access. Current broadband internet access in the Sounds does not provide good coverage due to the unique mountainous terrain, and is quite expensive in the few areas that access is possible.
At the moment a proposal is underway to enable this to happen by creating a community of wireless users in the Sounds in a similar fashion to the main project. The main objective is to share access to a single broadband connection between several homes from a point that has acceptable coverage.
As work progresses, I will post complete details and photos so show how the Marlborough Wireless Project can benefit the Marlborough community.