WiFi Signal Strength

csswiift

I’ve moved into a new basement flat which is an old 1825 building with thick walls. I’ve had Sky WiFi installed which gets around 400mbps at the back of the house but only about 17mbps in the front of the house.

What can I do to make this better as it’s driving me mad?

datz

csswiift said:

What can I do to make this better as it’s driving me mad?

Have the router moved to a more central location?

Upgrade the router to a 3rd party solution with better wireless capabilities?

Install additional WiFi access points (/booster/repeater/extender)?

Run ethernet to fixed devices (maybe look into powerline adapters)?

csswiift

datz said:

csswiift said:

What can I do to make this better as it’s driving me mad?

Have the router moved to a more central location?

Upgrade the router to a 3rd party solution with better wireless capabilities?

Install additional WiFi access points (/booster/repeater/extender)?

Run ethernet to fixed devices (maybe look into powerline adapters)?

Thanks. Any idea what router to upgrade to?

datz

csswiift said:

datz said:

csswiift said:

What can I do to make this better as it’s driving me mad?

Have the router moved to a more central location?

Upgrade the router to a 3rd party solution with better wireless capabilities?

Install additional WiFi access points (/booster/repeater/extender)?

Run ethernet to fixed devices (maybe look into powerline adapters)?

Thanks. Any idea what router to upgrade to?

I won't risk recommending a specific device for you to spend your money on - this is something you will have to research yourself (or perhaps someone else has a recommendation for your ISP/package). I was just providing a general overview of your options to get you started... based on the limited information, I would probably opt for an extender using your existing wifi network/router for an easy/cheaper fix, but it likely won't be a perfect solution.

Ayr_Rage

All routers in the UK have power output that is limited by law so the attenuation due to thick walls will be the same.

Some have better processing and antenna designs.

The 2.4 GHz channel penetrates solid surface better than the 5 GHz channel, so use the lower one at distance.

If all of your rooms are on the same power ring main, use powerline adapters and place a wireless access point in the problem area.

Router > Ethernet cable to powerline transmitter 

Powerline receiver > Ethernet cable to wireless access point

oldernonethewiser

Having used mesh systems in the past they have proved to be much better than powerline type adaptors

Example here https://www.tp-link.com/uk/mesh/

Other manufacturers & suppliers are available. 

Neil_Jones

csswiift said:

datz said:

csswiift said:

What can I do to make this better as it’s driving me mad?

Have the router moved to a more central location?

Upgrade the router to a 3rd party solution with better wireless capabilities?

Install additional WiFi access points (/booster/repeater/extender)?

Run ethernet to fixed devices (maybe look into powerline adapters)?

Thanks. Any idea what router to upgrade to?

No point.  The limiting factor is the construction of your building which you can't do anything about, as Wi-Fi wouldn't be a thing for another 200 years, so it wasn't a factor at construction time   Whatever router you buy doesn't change the law of physics.

The facetious thing to say would be to move house (or knock a wall out assuming it isn't a supporting wall or load bearing that is), but a more practical solution are the ones already mentioned - Ethernet cable, wireless access point, mesh...

facade

Neil_Jones said:

No point.  The limiting factor is the construction of your building which you can't do anything about, as Wi-Fi wouldn't be a thing for another 200 years, so it wasn't a factor at construction time   Whatever router you buy doesn't change the law of physics.

The facetious thing to say would be to move house (or knock a wall out assuming it isn't a supporting wall or load bearing that is), but a more practical solution are the ones already mentioned - Ethernet cable, wireless access point, mesh...

I didn't realise that the reason modern houses have internal walls made out of cardboard was WiFi propagation- I just thought it was because they are built as cheaply as possible

ballyblack

as above use a mesh system................powerlines can suffer from electrical interference.

csswiift

ballyblack said:

as above use a mesh system................powerlines can suffer from electrical interference.

Thanks for the info. My knowledge of mesh systems is less than basic. Are they any mesh systems which get good reviews?

Having a look online, there are mesh systems on Amazon - is this a good shout?

TP-Link Deco S4 AC1200 Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System, Qualcomm CPU, 867Mbps at 5GHz+300Mbps at 2.4GHz, MU-MIMO, Beamforming, Work with Amazon Echo/Alexa, Pack of 3 https://amzn.eu/d/fA7ojIk

oldernonethewiser

I've not had any issues with a TP mesh system although not that model you linked. All set up using their app. 

Helped a friend set theirs up in a large house and it made a significant difference.  Well worth the money