This topic

Wi-fi in a care home

JQ — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:36:19 GMT

Hi,

My dad is in a care home. I need to get him a reliable Wi-fi, as the guest Wi-fi is a bit hit and miss.

the previous occupant of the room he is in had an OpenReach socket put in, so there is a suitable port that I could start using.

How would I go about getting my dad set up with his own Wi-fi in his room, please? He might also want to watch some too, although the OpenReach port is behind his head and he can’t change the room around to put a TV there (small room and limited options).

Has anyone done this before?

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

Gary_C — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:03:55 GMT

I take it the 'openreach port' is a normal phone line socket, did the previous occupant have their own phone line ? in which case, a broadband contract would be needed to provide a hub in the room and then wifi would be his.

I can't think what else the 'openreach port' would be ?

You could post a picture.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

JQ — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:42:43 GMT

I think it is a phone line. That’s what it looks like.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

licquorice — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:49:45 GMT

Just order a broadband service from your chosen supplier.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

Gary_C — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 17:50:43 GMT

Ok, so it needs a broadband contract with a provider such as BT, who will then provide a hub.

Unless its an extension socket from the main phone ? In which case it wouldn't provide anything you want.

Need to talk to the home or BT/OR and find out what the socket actually is.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

imjolly — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 18:07:44 GMT

If you can get broadband and decide to use BT then maybe look at the BT ESSENTIAL package which is designed for people on benefits

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

licquorice — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 18:16:27 GMT

In some respects, it is irrelevant if there is a socket there or not and what it actually is. If the care home allow residents to have phone/broadband service directly to their rooms, any service provider can provide service. If a line and socket already exist it will make things easier and possibly cheaper but it isn't a necessity.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

JQ — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:10:17 GMT

This is the socket in Dad’s room.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

licquorice — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:24:08 GMT

Yes, that's an Openreach main phone socket which can be used for broadband. It should make ordering broadband easier as the routing will already exist.

Re: Wi-fi in a care home

JQ — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:37:55 GMT

Thank you. I’ll get it sorted now, for him. 😁