Sharing Internet Connection via Point to Point Bridge

0FoxGiven on 08/07/2024 - 21:07
Last edited 08/07/2024 - 21:14

So I have an investment property that would bring in more rental income if I could include bills for the price. Now since heating & cooling could cost hundreds or dollars based on how tenants use things, I'm not even considering covering that cost. But since internet is pretty much a fixed cost for practically unlimited usage, I'm considering offering it as an inclusion. But the only way I can see myself come out on top is if I charge the tenant more than what I'm paying for the service (which would not be viable for the tenant) OR if I can share the internet connection of my principal place of residence with my investment property (which is just 6km apart).

Looking into things, I could share the internet between my properties with a Point to Point bridge like those offered by Ubiquiti and it would be a one time cost. One of my properties is a double storey and the other is a single storey. I'm not sure if there is direct line of sight between both properties. Has anybody here tried to set something up like this?

TLDR : Interest to know if anybody has tried to share internet connection between two properties few Kilometers apart via Point to Point bridges?

Internet

closed Comments

  • JIMB0 on 08/07/2024 - 21:13
    +1

    If this is successful maybe you could share it with other houses along the path and make some extra money.

    • 0FoxGiven on 08/07/2024 - 21:24

      All that traffic could possibly tip off my ISP.. sooo ye naaa

  • Muzeeb on 08/07/2024 - 21:18
    +6

    Lol

  • bdl on 08/07/2024 - 21:27
    +2

    Yes, use Ubiquiti Nanostation or Tp link (https://www.tp-link.com/au/business-networking/omada-wifi-ou…) if you like Omada. They both will need line of sight between the devices.

    Some internet providers have in their T&Cs that you shouldn't be sharing a connection with others too - worth checking whoever you're thinking of going with.

    What are you going to do if the tenant has a problem with their Internet? IMHO it's way too much trouble than it's worth.

  • AustriaBargain on 08/07/2024 - 21:31
    +5

    Who the tenants gonna call if somethings goes wrong with the internet connection? You got someone who can do 24/7 tech support for whatever you come up with for free?

    • 0FoxGiven on 08/07/2024 - 22:35

      Technically, if there is an internet issue, it would be on my end and if I sort it out it should be sorted at their end too

      • AustriaBargain on 08/07/2024 - 22:36
        +1

        I remember like 20 years ago Adam Internet had an option to share your connection with another Adam subscriber. Some kind soul shared it with me when I ran out. Though they had some fun with it, they somehow turned all the images on any website I visited upside down…

        • forkus on 09/07/2024 - 10:27

          That reminds of some old honey pot wifi tricks haha

  • ihfree on 08/07/2024 - 21:37

    Thought about a 5G modem and SIM cards with cash backs?

  • bazingaa on 08/07/2024 - 21:43
    +3

    tenet does something illegal using OP's internet connection, OP goes to jail, so much win

    • hazzad on 09/07/2024 - 08:45

      What offence is jailable under use of an internet connection? And even if there were any I'm sure it could be tracked back to the device originating the action if the op needed to. Seems like a out there and unlikely occurrence.

      • forkus on 09/07/2024 - 10:28

        Plenty of things, best to use your imagination.
        They will track it down to the IP address which resides at OP's house. Suspect it will be up to OP to prove that the device used does not belong to him.

  • Ynk on 08/07/2024 - 21:47
    +2

    No one is going to want their internet traffic going through your controlled network to save $17 a week

    • 0FoxGiven on 08/07/2024 - 22:37

      Really? Plenty of tenants living in shared houses where utility bills are included with the owner paying for it and controlling the network

      • Ynk on 08/07/2024 - 23:02
        -1

        Mate is this a serious question. You refer to it as an "investment property" and talk about "tenants". Or is it some low grade share house? No one with a proper rental agreement is going to want to deal with this to save a few dollars a week, not only the security issues but as others have mentioned the technical support issues. Rain fade, other environmental issues will cause poor performance etc.

        If it's some crazy share house situation have at it.

        • hazzad on 09/07/2024 - 08:48

          You'd be surprised. That's like nearly $70/month, and $840/year. Seems alike a good saving to me.

  • freefall101 on 08/07/2024 - 21:48
    +2

    which is just 6km apart

    lol

    I'm not sure if there is direct line of sight between both properties

    Can you see the other property?

    Now since heating & cooling could cost hundreds or dollars based on how tenants use things, I'm not even considering covering that cost

    Good thinking, definitely don't supply unlimited gas either.

    • Muzeeb on 08/07/2024 - 21:58
      +4

      Can you see the other property?

      Only when they drive past it everyday making sure the tenant is doing the right thing.

      • JIMB0 on 09/07/2024 - 05:09
        +1

        With the new internet connection they can install cameras and won't even need to drive past.

    • 0FoxGiven on 08/07/2024 - 22:40
      -2

      Not sure why the 6km got you to lol, PtP bridges can operate for distances further than that.

      I can't see 6km away. Hence, I'm not sure if there is line of sight. The only way I can check is by standing on the roof and using biniculars maybe. Prolly not a good look if my neighbours see me doing that :D

      • freefall101 on 08/07/2024 - 23:17
        +1

        I lol'd at the "just", like it's a minor inconvenience.

        You can absolutely see 6km away, go out on a hill on a clear day and have a look.

        You can't see your rental property 6km away because there's a pile of other buildings and stuff in the way.

        If you were talking about doing this on a farm property with no buildings in the way, it'd be possible. Residential areas? Unless the earth is flat and nothing over one story between your and your target, or you mount it pretty high on your roof, it's not going to work. Or if you're very lucky and both properties are on hills. Have you checked out a topography map?

      • sumyungguy on 09/07/2024 - 11:35

        6km is good, 7.8km and the horizon is starting to curve away

  • OMGJL on 08/07/2024 - 22:46

    just 6km apart

    • geekcohen on 09/07/2024 - 06:11
      -2

      Whats wrong with that? PtP links can work over that distance.

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 09/07/2024 - 10:11
      +1

      Modern technology is pretty cool isn’t it.

  • scrimshaw on 08/07/2024 - 23:13
    +1

    Having watched Linus's project on the 12KM PTP Wifi you would most likely need to erect a tall mast to mount the hardware on so that you have a clear line of sight between the 2 wifi antennas. This is already kind of iffy depending on your by-laws and strata.

    Things like buildings, foliage, hills and even fog / mist / rain will affect the signal too, so it's not as straightforward as you might think.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T98VsMe3oo

    Also it's generally a bad idea to share your internet with a complete stranger, if they do any dodgy stuff on your network you'll be the one on the hook since you're paying the internet bills and both of you share the same IP address.

  • 0FoxGiven on 09/07/2024 - 05:29
    +1

    Thanks all for your comments. Looks like the general opinion is "don't do it".

    Request the mods to close this thread

  • stirlo on 09/07/2024 - 05:51
    +3

    When I purchased a house on the same street as a family member I did this using Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC Gen2's which worked great. The distance was only ~150m though.

    Later on my family member expanded this for 4 neighbours in the suburb with the longest link being about 600m. They each pay him around half a basic NBN plan cost and he was able to pay for a fibre upgrade and gigabit plan so they all get faster speeds than they normally would from this.

    Over 6km is possible in regional areas with line of sight but wouldn't work in a regular suburb where there are other networks and interference. The 600m link was really difficult to setup even with line of sight and doesn't perform at the full speed.

    The other issue is trust. If you're sharing your internet then you have to trust those using it are not committing crimes which if difficult if you don't have a personal relationship with them (and even then not 100% guaranteed).

    Overall I wouldn't consider this a good idea.

    • 0FoxGiven on 09/07/2024 - 06:04
      +1

      Thank you for your clear and non judgemental opinion :)

  • gyrex on 09/07/2024 - 09:12

    I did this in the 90s when cable internet was really expensive and I linked 2 homes together at a distance of 5km using 2.4GHz wifi routers and 2 yagi antennas at each end. The signal quality and bandwidth was exceptional. 2.4GHz will give you more leeway when it comes to any obstacles (trees etc) between the houses.

  • netjock on 09/07/2024 - 10:26

    I used TP Link CPE210 between house and second farm house (500m) it is WiFi 2.4G. Think I picked them up for like $70 each. Says range is 5km+ which might work for what you want. Webpage: https://www.tp-link.com/au/business-networking/outdoor-radio…

    As for the dodgy stuff. Maybe put an VPN on the connection but that is just a thought bubble.

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