Case Study: ITbuilder Powers Reliable Connectivity at Hertford Rugby Club

As proud patrons of Hertford Rugby Club, ITbuilder has long supported the community both on and off the pitch. When the club’s committee approached us with concerns about unreliable Internet and network infrastructure, we saw an opportunity to make a tangible impact on matchdays and everyday operations alike. 

Case Study: ITbuilder Powers Reliable Connectivity at Hertford Rugby Club 

As proud sponsors of Hertford Rugby Club, ITbuilder has long supported the community both on and off the pitch. When the club’s committee approached us with concerns about unreliable Internet and network infrastructure, we saw an opportunity to make a tangible impact on matchdays and everyday operations alike. 

The Challenge 

Hertford Rugby Club’s network setup had grown organically over time, resulting in three separate Internet connections serving different areas of the site: 

▪️The new corporate suite, which ITbuilder had equipped with a new network cabinet and Ubiquiti infrastructure in 2023 

▪️The bar and till systems, essential for smooth matchday trading 

▪️The administration office, supporting club management and communications 

All three relied on ageing fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) services, using domestic-grade routers and suffering from inconsistent performance. The most critical pain point was the bar’s unreliable connection, where card payment failures on busy matchdays posed a serious business risk. 

The Solution 

While BT Openreach’s availability database listed only FTTC as an option, ITbuilder’s project team identified that full-fibre (FTTP) was available to nearby properties. Working closely with Openreach’s local technicians, the team developed a creative workaround: 

▪️Ordered FTTP service to a neighbouring address 

▪️Coordinated a rerouted fibre installation through a pre-prepared channel into the clubhouse 

The result - a 300 Mbps high-speed fibre connection delivered directly into the main network cabinet. 

With robust business connectivity in place, ITbuilder completed a network expansion project during the offseason, extending switched and wireless coverage across the clubhouse. The upgraded infrastructure now supports reliable access for staff, visitors, and point-of-sale systems.. 

The Outcome 

The transformation has been immediate. The club now enjoys fast, low-latency Internet that performs flawlessly even on the busiest matchdays. And with ITbuilder’s 24/7 network monitoring and uptime management, any potential issues are proactively detected and resolved before they impact operations – ensuring uninterrupted service for staff and guests alike.

“This upgrade has been a game-changer for the club,” said Will Davies, Chairman of Hertford Rugby Club. “Our bar, admin systems and guest Wi-Fi now run seamlessly - no more dropped connections or frustrated customers. ITbuilder’s team delivered exactly what we needed, with professionalism and genuine care for the club.” 

Looking ahead, the committee is already planning the next phase: extending the wireless network to the playing fields to enable live streaming of matches, connecting players and fans wherever they are.. 

About ITbuilder 

Established in 2001, ITbuilder delivers managed and co-managed IT services for businesses across the region, combining deep technical expertise with a commitment to local partnerships – including Hertford Rugby Club, where we’re proud to play a continuing role both as technology partners and club sponsors.