  With
technology and equipment developed in the last five years, you can
turn your home into a communications center with your computers and
peripheral equipment talking to one another. You can integrate high-speed
Internet access with voice, fax, audio/visual entertainment, and environmental
and lighting controls.
But buying new gadgets and subscribing to newly minted communications
services may not be enough to get you onto the Information Superhighway.
It's likely that you also need to upgrade the telephone wiring and
other communications cables in your home to keep up with the traffic.
Why Upgrade Wiring? Installing the right types of cables and
outlets throughout a home enhances home communications by making each
piece of equipment function faster, more reliably and more conveniently
for the user. Among the benefits you can enjoy today are:
Faster, more flexible Internet and e-mail access. DSL (Digital
Subscriber Line) service is currently one of the most exciting technologies
for upgrading Internet access, but to use it to its fullest potential,
your home should have Category 5 or better telephone cable installed
throughout. By implementing a home network, you can access your high-speed
DSL connections by plugging in personal computers anywhere in the
home for access to Internet and e-mail. Single phone lines can share
Internet access for multiple, simultaneous users without tying up
phone lines needed for voice service. Wire your home for high-speed
Internet access and enjoy multiple e-mail accounts while maintaining
a single access/ service provider.
Home computer networking. Multiple computers, printers, fax
machines and other devices anywhere throughout the home can be connected
to create a cost-effective home area network that enables users to
share files, printers and games.
Professional communications capacity for working at home. Work
at home as conveniently as at the office with a wiring system that
enables the computer, modem, fax and telephone to operate simultaneously,
while providing high-speed Internet access.
Full-function home entertainment systems. Wire your home so
it can readily accept all entertainment systems and distribution services,
including direct broadcast satellite, DVD and cable. Give yourself
the flexibility to direct audio and video on demand to any rooms where
they're likely to be used.
Enhanced security. Advanced wiring can contribute to numerous
security applications, including programmed lighting controls, alarm
and monitoring systems. Security systems can be linked with PCs, intercoms
and lights to give you optimum control and flexibility.
Environmental control and energy management. Advanced wiring
combined with sophisticated heating and cooling controls can help
you gain maximum comfort and convenience at reduced cost by enabling
automatic shutdown/turn down when energy-consuming appliances aren't
needed, along with remote control of appliances.
Wiring for Today-and Tomorrow. While technology developers and
equipment makers are putting so much communications power within reach
today and promising further advances tomorrow, the wiring infrastructure
of the typical American home hasn't changed much in the last 50 years.
Old-style telephone wiring and electrical systems can't fully support
the communications technology available now and within the foreseeable
future.
If your home isn't equipped with adequate cabling, you won't be able
to use home computers and peripherals, telephone and audio equipment
or cable and satellite receivers to their fullest capacities.
Alternatives such as wireless systems, systems that use old phone
wiring and systems that piggyback on existing power wiring are available
but don't provide the full capacity that a "structured wiring" package
with Category 5 or better telephone cable and RG-6 coaxial cable for
TV signals can.
And just as important, your home should have a service panel or central
hub where telephone, cable TV, DSS satellite and other services are
distributed to various rooms, and through which your home network
is routed. Appropriate outlets, such as phone jacks and cable hookups,
are also necessary.
Packaged systems that include the cables you need for advanced communications,
along with service panels and special outlets, are available under
many brand names. Some equipment providers also provide qualified
installers, or installation can be carried out by qualified electricians,
security system installers and telephone technicians. The installed
cost for advanced communication and control wiring may range from
$750 to $2,000, according to Wiring Americas' Homes, a trade group
formed to promote the benefits of emerging wiring technologies.
While many people believe that upgraded communications wiring is practical
only for new construction, it's not especially difficult or expensive
to have it installed in an existing home. Electricians, computer network
technicians and many security installers are familiar with the installation
practice. Whomever you select to do a retrofit installation, make
sure he has experience and familiarity with the best practices. |
