WiFi and network support are one of the most requested services at Budd圜ompany. Using a range extender works well when you want to boost the signal in one specific location, where you plan to use just one or two devices. It’s a fairly basic tool that’s typically cheaper than mesh WiFi, although far less efficient. Range extenders work by effectively repeating the signal from your router. These nodes effectively communicate to make sure you’ve always got optimal speed and coverage throughout your home.Īnother option is to use a range extender. It’s a whole WiFi system that comprises a central router and several ‘nodes’ that you place in certain locations around your home. The best way to strengthen the WiFi signal in weak spots throughout your home is to invest in mesh WiFi.
The right set-up and placement of router plus mesh WiFi or repeater is key for ensuring smooth internet connection in your entire home. This way, you can locate low-coverage points and then strengthen signals in key areas like the living room, your home office, and so on (see next point).
To find out how exactly your home’s layout affects the signal, use a free tool like InSSIDer Lite to map out WiFi strength around your home. These can reduce the signal strength by up to 25%. The wireless signal sent out by the router is affected by brick walls and metal frames. Newer routers with support for wireless 802.11ac operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and have a range of up to 70 meters. Up until recently, most routers typically had a coverage range of up to 35 meters. Routers tend to spread the signal downward, so try to place your router high up, with nothing blocking it. Set up your router in the center of your home and try to keep it away from other electronic devices. The placement of your router and the layout of your home have an impact on the signal quality and speed of your WiFi, so it’s important to get everything in the correct position.įirst, the basics. This allows you to easily connect your smartphone to your router, for easy configuration before you’ve set up your WiFi. In the same vein, having a router with a USB port in the back is now standard. Having a simple, easy to access user-interface via your smartphone is a huge weight-off when it comes to configuring and managing your home network. This is definitely something to look for when choosing your router. Many modern routers come with an integrated app, for ease of use. Most routers over the years could only be managed via an online browser, but that’s changing. If you live in a large household with lots of internet users and plan to use your home network for a high amount of video streaming, file downloads, data backups, and online gaming, then 256MB is advisable. 128MB of RAM or more should be enough processing power for everyday usage, including working from home. So, it is advisable to opt for dual-core, at least.Īlso, make sure the router’s processor has enough RAM (Random Access Memories), which is key for fast and stable internet connections, especially when there is a lot of network traffic and when having several devices connected to the router. Multi-core processors, on the other hand, broadcast the wireless signal across several frequencies, giving you better coverage and faster speeds. Single-core processors are no longer adequate for meeting modern demands, especially if you’re doing lots of streaming or making video calls in high definition. So choose a router with support for wireless 802.11ac and with a multi-core processor.
It’s basically like a brain - it communicates, sends and receives data, and the smarter it is, the better the performance.
The router’s processing power is particularly important. If your router is several years old, it might be worth investing in a new one.
Get the right gearįrom choosing the router to exploring range extenders, make sure you have the right hardware in place to ensure a smooth internet connection for all your devices. Also, do a quick internet search to compare reviews and customer experiences of various providers.įinally, if available in your location, opt for fiber optic broadband over a standard cable connection to ensure guaranteed bandwidth and increased speed. Visit and check out their global index for a list of the best internet service providers in your area in terms of performance. So, do some research before making your choice. You could have super-fast, state-of-the-art hardware, but without a solid internet provider and contract, your working day isn’t going to flow as it should. First and foremost, get the right package.