Question regarding long-distance cables.

[brandonb]

Hi all,

I live in a rural area, and my only option for any internet is possibly a T-1 line (or Eternet to Internet/MPLS is what they say is available in my area). Now what I was thinking is that I could contact a few neighbors around me and see if they want to pitch in and share the line. However, the problem is that they live a fair distance away from my home, more than 100 yards, but under 1 mile.

Is there any cabling available that might work like Ethernet but travel longer than the 100 yard max for cat 5-6?

We have many people in our area with excavators/ditchwitch etc so burying underground is not really an issue.

I just want to see if it's possible to wire something up before looking into it seriously.

 

[drebo]

Using DSL-based Ethernet Extenders ( http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-VDSL2-Ethernet-Extender-Single/dp/B002CLKFTG ) you could use copper to get to that distance.

However, I'd recommend fiber if you're going to be running cable. For a run 1000+ feet, you'll want single mode.

 

[brandonb]

Interesting. I think that would work well. Thanks drebo!

 

[imagoon]

If I was going to do all that work I would install several armored SM strands (8 or 12.) Also depending on what performance you need, OM4 multimode 50uM is good to 2000 meters @ 100 Mbps. Also talk metric when installing this stuff as all of the specs are metric and while you can do conversions, you can get more errors that way.

Also "sharing the line" is often a violation of your ISP agreement so just check ahead of time unless you want to do all the work and then have the possibility of getting shutdown. You also will want to check for easements and the like in case the city / county gets annoyed by you cutting through.

 

[brandonb]

Thanks for the info. I better wait for the companies to get back to me so I can ask about the ISP agreement before I bother. I didn't even think of that.