Nordnet ... Do It Yourself Installation

The equipment for this internet-by-satellite system is designed to be simple to fit and set up, so anyone with some basic DIY skills and common household tools can do it. All the hardware you need to connect the system to your computer is supplied in the kit ... the only thing you will need to buy yourself is a sturdy wall bracket or patio mount. This image shows a NordNet dish installed at a remote fishing lake not far from here ... it's fixed to the end of a jetty as that is the only spot on the property not shrouded by trees.

The installation is a simple step-by-step process and all you have to do is unpack and assemble the dish and iLNB, then fix the bracket to a south or east facing wall (or bolt the patio stand to a concrete base if it's going to be ground mounted). The comprehensive instruction manual will tell you how to set the correct elevation angle for your particular area and there's a compass in the kit to help you point the dish in the right direction. Connect up the Point&Play tool and then accurately point your dish ... the Point&Play tool only responds when you are on the correct satellite so it's a little more subtle than the cheap 'finders' that you get in the DIY stores.

Once the dish is pointed, the modem will synchronise automatically and you then access the activation page and put in your user name and password. Five minutes later, or thereabouts, you are able to surf the net.

Professional Installation

If you don't want to install the system yourself, you can have it installed by a professional installer. There are hundreds of approved NordNet installers throughout France and a list of them is sent with the kit.

The price for an installation is set by NordNet at 159 euros and this is based on your property being eligible for 5.5% TVA and that your installer is within 25 or so kilometres from you. Anymore than that and he has to tell you first so you fully understand what the installation charge will be.

The installer works to strict guidelines laid down by NordNet and that, basically, he mounts the fixing bracket to the wall or ground, assembles and fits the dish, aligns the dish and runs in the cables to the satellite modem. The satellite modem should be situated at the nearest point to the dish where there is a suitable mains socket for it and the wifi router. In other words, it doesn't necessarily have to be fitted next to your computer. An installer can charge more if you, the client, want the modem in a particular room but you and he should agree that before he gets the ladders off the van.

Once he has fitted the dish, cables and modem then his job is officially finished and you, the client, are expected to set up the wifi router and activate your account. He is not expected to troubleshoot any computer problems you may have at that time.

Having said that, our (ie Big Dish) installation service goes that bit further and we do set up the modem and make sure that your account is activated as part of the installation. That way, we know that all the equipment that we've just installed is actually working.