How to 'win a lot' of internet access

A rural businessman located outside BT's broadband grid has found himself a pedigree chum to access high-speed internet services.

David Taylor, an IT manager with Derbyshire-based IT consultancy and training company Equation, has used dog food cans to boost an 802.11 wireless signal to cover his company.

His business near Alfreton was too remote to be covered by any existing service. So Taylor found a nearby village with broadband access and went door-to-door looking for a home where he could pay for a connection.

"People were a little suspicious at first but it didn't take long to find a willing household," he said.

The home connection was relayed through a wireless transmitter about two and a half kilometres to Equation's offices.

With the office connected, Taylor wanted to extend the signal to a nearby Travelodge where he lives.

Realising that standard 802 transmitters can be boosted by modifying the antenna, he set about experimenting with various tins.

A milk powder tin worked well, but wasn't waterproof. "Other tins ended up rusting, but the dog food tin has worked very well," he explained.

Taylor reckoned that a standard signal could be boosted by up to five miles, provided it remains in line of sight.

"Now not only do the 20 staff in the office have internet connectivity, but I have full access from my home even with the entire area lying off the broadband grid," he said.

Taylor does not believe there is any legal issue with what he is doing.

John Younghusband, a consultant within the ICT division at Frost & Sullivan, said: "Any legal issues, I suspect, would concern the ISP providing the initial connectivity."