Can I extend WiFi to second property?

MethodMon

I'm trying to get WiFi in another flat along the street. Basically my Mum keeps exceeding her mobile data allowance and it would be nice if she could use iPlayer etc. I checked Google Earth, distance is 135 metres, her flat is on opposite side of the street and there's no obtructions.

So my plan is to put my Router on my windowsill and put a WiFi range extender on her windowsill. WiFi N is suppose to have a range of ~200m but I foresee a few issues. Both properties have double glazing, bad weather may affect it and my router doesn't have an external antenna.

I'll be testing my plan over the coming week, I was just wondering if anyone had tried it before?

I_have_spoken

You'll probably need a directional antenna, but you can make them from a Pringles can.

googler

Wouldn't it be easier to change her mobile data plan, or get something which will receive iPlayer through landline via a router, like a Chromecast, or ..... ??

McKneff

is that legal, I would have thought because you are doing someone out of paying for the wifi, the provider wouldnt be pleased at all.????

Not having a go, just curious.

shaun_from_Africa

McKneff wrote: »

is that legal, I would have thought because you are doing someone out of paying for the wifi, the provider wouldnt be pleased at all.????

Not having a go, just curious.

Provided that the OP is the account holder for the internet account that his mum will be accessing (or has permission from the account holder), what they are proposing is no different to letting a friend who is staying in your house use your wifi setup.

MethodMon

I'll need to look at terms and conditions of my ISP, it wouldn't surprise me if it said something about not allowing others outside my property to access WiFi but not sure. Apart from that it seems way cheaper than my Mum upgrading her data allowance again or installing her own phone line and broadband. Also as mentioned by "I have spokem" a directional antenna may be needed for a better signal, I'll see what kind of signal I can get when I test it.

tronator

googler wrote: »

Wouldn't it be easier to change her mobile data plan, or get something which will receive iPlayer through landline via a router, like a Chromecast, or ..... ??

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this a money saving forum?

McKneff wrote: »

is that legal, I would have thought because you are doing someone out of paying for the wifi, the provider wouldnt be pleased at all.????

Not having a go, just curious.

I'm not a lawyer, but isn't illegal "breaking a law"? If at all, then the OP will break someone's terms of service, not a law, which can only lead to the termination of his account.

googler

tronator wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this a money saving forum?

It's also a forum where some people (but evidently not you) will appreciate discussion of the best or most convenient way to do something, not necessarily the cheapest cludge.

You have a nice day, too.... (sarcasm? moi?)

ChiefGrasscutter

There is a clause in my ISP T&C's which forbids me from sub-leasing the connection, amongst other things like forbidding me to assign, resell it or in any other way transfer the connection.
The definition of the "connection" is for the use at this property.

The proposal by the OP seems to be a sublease.

tronator

googler wrote: »

It's also a forum where some people (but evidently not you) will appreciate discussion of the best or most convenient way to do something, not necessarily the cheapest cludge.

Don't you think the OP already considered to upgrade his mom's data plan? And if she had a broadband connection she would use it already with her mobile device via wifi?

It was a given to me that the OP doesn't want to upgrade the data plan and there was no broadband at his mom's address.

kwikbreaks

I'm ignoring the legal nay sayers mainly because it is just a relative using the wifi and not some cost sharing deal with a neighbour.

It's a shame that the router has no external antenna as that would make fitting a directional aerial so much easier. Putting the whole router into a corner reflector would go a long way towards helping this to work but may make in-house WiFi a lot worse.

A simple corner reflector design - http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/Ez-10/ Costs pennies. Size can just be extended if needed. Alternately just a curved sheet of tinfoil on cardboard behind the router would probably work just as well if not better. Check if it can be picked up using a mobile phone before shelling out on a wifi extender.