Applewood Farm is a busy destination for families and we needed to ensure internet connectivity across the whole property to support customer transactions and the overall experience.
Given the size and rural location of the farm, we were keen to design a solution using Starlink as the internet source, and Ubiquity as the backbone of the network.
Project
Starlink Satellite Setup
First, we set up the Starlink satellite dish. Starlink is known for providing high-speed internet in remote and rural areas so it was the perfect solution for the farm considering the big three internet providers had no ready solution for them. Other than a costly (approx $30,000) installation of an internet connection from the nearest internet source.
The installation of the dish required a specialized mount due to the construction of the building. The mount also allowed for the installation of the Wi-Fi access points in the same area resulting in an ultra-clean aesthetic.
After setup, the system was delivering impressive speeds, 107 Mbps download and 16 Mbps upload as shown in our speed test results.
Wi-Fi Extension Across the Farm
Once the Starlink satellite was up and running we created an internal network that extended Wi-Fi to seven different locations across the property. Some of the buildings were without power and quite far from the main building. These buildings included:
-
- Two entrance buildings selling tickets for farm entry, hayrides, corn maze, and other activities.
- The outdoor farmers market buildings, where the Internet was required for point-of-sale (POS) systems.
- A chip truck where Internet was required for point-of-sale (POS) systems used by a third-party vendor.
- There are two additional entrance buildings on the far side of the property, 400 ft from the main buildings, and no power supply. Despite the distance, these buildings were getting up to 75 Mbps and the POS terminals were working seamlessly.
Results
Internet in Hard-to-Reach Areas
One of the biggest achievements of this project was getting high-speed internet to buildings that had no power or network infrastructure.
By using Starlink and specialized wireless equipment we were able to get even the most remote areas of the farm to process payments and serve customers without interruption.
Better Customer Experience
With internet across the whole property, Applewood Farm is now more efficient, and payments for activities such as hayrides, and products at the market are smoother.
The system we designed and installed has greatly improved the customer’s experience. They now have fast and consistent internet, allowing for efficient payment collection, leading to a better experience for visitors across the farm.
Flexibility and Future Proof
Not only did the system improve the current experience, but the system installed on the property allowed Applewood Farm to adapt and expand in the future as they evolves as a company and their network needs change.
Whether they add new points of sale or move locations the infrastructure is flexible enough to meet their growing needs.
Summary
This shows how Starlink’s satellite technology combined with professional network design and installation can overcome connectivity issues in almost any rural area where connection and distribution seem next to impossible.
Applewood Farm now has the internet it needs to support its growing customer base and visitors.
Need connectivity solutions for your business, especially in remote areas? Get in touch to find out how we can help.
