Changing Broadband Router

GrubbyGirl_2

Please bear with me as although I'm quite ok with tech I'm no expert.

I currently have BT Broadband and the coverage in the house is pretty good except for one room where the signal is less good and the TV will occasionally buffer.  Doesn't happen often but it does happen.

One of my friends suggested getting a new (better) router.  Is it as simple as that?  Can I just plug in a new router and it will work?  I don't really want to get a booster as that's just another thing to plug in, I'd just rather have one thing going.  

If it is just a matter of changing router does anyone have any suggestions as to which ones are the best for coverage?

Thanks in advance

Neil_Jones

May depend more on the make-up of the house and other wireless congestion.

Buffering may be internet congestion behind the router, and if that's the case you can change the router until the cows come home and it would make no difference.

Ayr_Rage

It's never as simple as getting a new router.

All routers certified for use in the UK have the same maximum allowed power, though some have better antenna arrays which will help.

Firstly get a WiFi analyser app on a mobile device and ensure you are using the least congested channel, you may have to override router settings and in general at distance you'll get a stronger signal on the 2.4 GHz band, so connect to that and once again router settings may need to be changed.

Even changing the orientation of the router by a few degrees or positioning it higher in the room may help.

What is your internet product's maximum speed?

If there are a lot of devices streaming at the same time there just may not be enough bandwidth for all those devices.

The best solution may be an extra access point fed either by an ethernet cable or powerline adapters.

debitcardmayhem

It may be the telly too, one of my TVs cannot cope with TNT sport despite being more or less near the router. Try temporarily moving the TV first 

MyRealNameToo

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

Please bear with me as although I'm quite ok with tech I'm no expert.

I currently have BT Broadband and the coverage in the house is pretty good except for one room where the signal is less good and the TV will occasionally buffer.  Doesn't happen often but it does happen.

One of my friends suggested getting a new (better) router.  Is it as simple as that?  Can I just plug in a new router and it will work?  I don't really want to get a booster as that's just another thing to plug in, I'd just rather have one thing going.  

If it is just a matter of changing router does anyone have any suggestions as to which ones are the best for coverage?

You'll need to configure the router to your ISP but in most cases it's not hard to. Some ISPs require you to use their kit but thats ok, you can turn off the wifi of the existing router, connect a new one to it by ethernet and have it as the wifi access point but then thats another thing plugged in. 

Personally have been really impressed with mesh routers but again you are talking about having two or more of them though they work better than boosters

onomatopoeia99

The existing router will have a PPPoE username and password stored somewhere in its settings to 'log on' to the ISP - this is not the same username and password that you use you log on to the router in a browser.  You will need to provide this in the settings of any new router you buy.  Your ISP may or may not have told you what these are when you signed up (mine does, some guard the information like the crown jewels).

OFCOM regulates the maximum unlicensed transmission power on each part of the frequency spectrum and all routers sold in the UK that offer wifi (not all do) transmit at the maximum permitted.  Some have better antennas than others so will potentially give better performance, but when there are concrete walls and/or floors involved  nothing is guaranteed and you have to remember that changing the router doesn't change the device connecting to it, that will still be transmitting and listening with exactly the same antenna that it was before.  This is why "mesh" wifi solutions tend to be popular.

Cisco001

Get mesh system or wifi extender instead.
No one guarantee the signal strength of your new router is better than the existing router.

flaneurs_lobster

Cisco001 said:

Get mesh system or wifi extender instead.
No one guarantee the signal strength of your new router is better than the existing router.

Have you got the BT Smart Hub 2? BT will sell you a disc (it's a mesh system repeater) for £100 - they are also available pre-loved from the usual outlets for less.

But as others have said, if the problem is congestion then it's not going to help.

What speed do you pay for and do you have a lot of thirsty devices attached?

GrubbyGirl_2

Thank you everybody for your input.  It sounds like the most straightforward solution is to get a BT booster.  Thanks again 

Newcad

Just to note that if you have a BT 'Advanced' VOIP phone then they only work with a SmartHub2, so if you changed to a different router you would need a different VOIP phone solution 

GrubbyGirl_2

Newcad said:

Just to note that if you have a BT 'Advanced' VOIP phone then they only work with a SmartHub2, so if you changed to a different router you would need a different VOIP phone solution 

fortunately I don't have a phone line at all.