2024/2025 Service Definition

Site-Interconnect Solutions

About the Service

Our Site-interconnect solutions offer schools a fully managed service for extending the school Local Area Network (LAN) between two school buildings that are either on the same land or are within a short distance, using either radio or fibre optic technology. This solution is suitable where a structured cabling option (direct fibre, or copper cabling) cannot be used to connect the buildings or is not appropriate.

What are the benefits?

Using our site-interconnects schools can:

  • Extend the school's Local Area Network (LAN) and share a single broadband connection.
  • Ensure students and teachers can access and use the same ICT resources and facilities on all connected sites.
  • Deliver the same user experience on all connected sites, for example ensure both sites have the same web filtering applied.
  • Reduce additional server costs, eliminating servers for smaller sites and reducing the need for server replication in larger ones.

What's Included?

Service Features

 Site Interconnect Option  Site-Interconnect Bandwidth Option Description

Radio Point-to-Point

1Gbps
  • A managed radio connection using direct line of sight between two buildings (maximum distance covered 400metres).

Fibre Point-to-Point

1Gbps

 

10Gbps

 

 
  • A managed service using a fibre link between two buildings.
  • Suitable for longer distances.
  • Subject to availability in your region.
  • See also Additional Information.

 

 Feature Description
Site-Interconnect A managed network link between school buildings that provides either 1Gbps or 10Gbps of bandwidth, either on the same geographical site or for split-site schools using either radio or fibre optic technology, so that the school's ICT facilities are accessible in each building.
Equipment This service includes all active networking equipment to provide a link with managed service monitoring (see Additional Information).
Site Survey

The purpose of the site survey is to identify and agree the best site-interconnect solution for the school.

  • Our engineers will visit the site and survey communications cabinets and buildings to confirm where equipment is required to be installed. The survey will also consider installation methods required e.g. use of ladders / cherry picker to mount radios, estimated link performance, risk assessments and method statements. A detailed quote will then be produced for the school with the recommended solution.
  • If a more detailed or complex survey is required to prepare the quote for the work involved, then this additional survey work may be chargeable.
  • We will consider the requirement of the school and review the outcome of the onsite survey in order to recommend a suitable Site-Interconnect solution. We will inform you of your options if during the survey we identify that an additional structured cabling solution (Cat5 or Cat6) is required instead of our Site Interconnect service. We can quote for this solution instead if so (this may require an additional site survey).
Installation and Setup
  • We will complete the installation as per the quote and test the service ready for your school to use.

Managed Service for fault investigation and resolution
  • We will monitor the link performance and be available to provide support through our ICT Service Centre (see hours below).
  • We will provide specialist field engineers for fast response to faults, either remotely or on-site if required.
  • All hardware (Fibre NTEs or radio hardware) provided as part of the service will be covered under warranty and any maintenance, repair or replacement will be arranged by our engineers for the duration of the contract (please see exclusions below).

Support from our ICT Service Centre

Telephone and online fault reporting via our ICT Service Centre with escalation routes ensuring that if your school does experience problems with the service, that our staff are focused on solving your issues.

Online: By our "My ICT Incidents" reporting form on our website

Telephone:   0300 123 6797 Option 1

Operational from 8am to 5pm (Monday – Friday excluding Bank Holidays and statutory leave days)