Modular network connection equipment

A method of providing a broadband network connection to a location, comprising:

• (i) installing an apparatus on a supporting surface at the location, the apparatus comprising:
• a chassis including attachment points for connection to a supporting surface and a guide to permit entry of a communication cable;
• a cable termination unit mounted on the chassis such that a cable led through the guide point can be connected and provided with a termination to which functional connections can be made;
• and
• a cover that is mounted on the chassis and is removable and reattachable to allow access to the chassis, the chassis also including mounting points for at least one functional module for connection to the communication cable and allowing different communication functions to be provided to user equipment connected to the network via the apparatus;
• (ii) connecting a broadband network cable though the guide in the chassis to the cable termination unit;
• and
• (iii) subsequently connecting at least one functional module on the chassis via the mounting points and connecting user equipment to the cable via the functional module.

Apparatus for connecting user equipment to a broadband network, comprising:

• a chassis including mounting points for functional modules including an uplink module and for switch, voice over IP and wireless network modules which also functionally connect to the uplink module for power and network connection;
• a cable termination unit mounted on the chassis;
• a cover that is mounted on the chassis and is easily removed to allow easy access to the chassis;
• and
• one or more place-holder modules for installing on the chassis when a corresponding functional module is not installed on the mounting points and that can be removed for installation of a corresponding functional module.