Guide
Three travel routers compared: always have your WLAN with you
by Lorenz Keller
Wi-Fi on every floor: six fixes for you to try
4.8.2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
If your existing Wi-Fi network is too weak to cover your entire apartment or house, a fix is desperately needed. This can vary depending on your use, but there’s only a handful of options anyway.
There are a few ways to greatly extend your network coverage. You can:
A refresher course: of antennas and frequency bands
In short, complicated terms, frequency bands are sub-ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum used for communication.
How frequency bands differ
Do newer Wi-Fi standards offer better performance?
How far and fast a signal is transmitted depends primarily on a router’s condition, transmission power and number of antennas. Therefore, given the same antenna design and processor, I’d prefer a router with more antennas and the older Wi-Fi 5 standard over one with fewer antennas and a newer standard. Still, I’d make sure that any new purchase offers at least Wi-Fi 6 support.
In addition to the number of router antennas per frequency band, the number of antennas on your receiving device (smartphone, notebook, etc.) also plays a role. If a router supports 4×4 MU-MIMO, for example, it can send four spatial streams simultaneously to a single device. This means it transmits with four antennas simultaneously. However, the end device also needs four antennas to receive this.
Assessing the situation: in what location should which device receive how much data?
First of all, it’s important that you’re aware of what you want to use the internet for in previously unconnected or poorly covered areas of your house. What are you doing with your devices, how many should be used at the same time and with how much juice?
Be cautious with manufacturers’ speed specifications
Therefore, please ignore what manufacturers state as the general speed on their packaging. Not only because it’s purely theoretical, but also because they often don’t make sense. Many manufacturers take this to the extreme by adding up the theoretical speeds of different frequency bands to one big number.
But let’s get to the six ways to solve the problem. The last two are more «exotic» in nature.
Option #1: extend the Wi-Fi of your existing router
You can find our Wi-Fi repeater range here.
Option #2: replace the Wi-Fi of your existing router
This second solution involves disabling your existing Wi-Fi. If your previous setup just barely couldn’t manage the entire building, you can opt for a single, better router and hope that’ll do the trick. If you’re unsure whether a new single router will be enough, it’s best to buy one that supports mesh. That way, you can expand your network at any time.
Its counterpart, the second device, should be placed on the floor where the connection/signal strength to the first device is expected to be strongest. Usually, this will be where the distance between the devices is smallest possible. If you want to go down another floor, place the third device squarely below the first two, if possible. Of course, you’ll get the best coverage if you place the devices as centrally as possible?
Mesh capable routers and systems can be found here.
Option #3: opt for a cable and use it as a backhaul
If you choose cables, keep in mind that not every network device can be integrated with them. This method is primarily suitable for access points. Similarly, most mesh routers and repeaters support backhaul via RJ45 cable.
When buying LAN cables, you shouldn’t just look out for the right length, but especially the data throughput. To future-proof your setup, I’d advise going straight for a cable that also supports 10 Gigabit. Any cable with CAT version 6a or better (CAT 7 or 7a) will do wonderfully. Please don’t go for CAT 8. While it does double the operating frequencies, it can only be used over short distances.
Go to our access point range here.
Network cables, pre-filtered for CAT 6a, are available here.
Option #4: use the mains as a network connection with Powerline adapters
Importantly, multiple adapters from the same manufacturer can be combined for Powerline, as with a mesh system. Like repeaters or access points, the adapters don’t have router functions. You add them to an existing network.
Find our Powerline range here.
Option #5: attach a directional signal to the outer wall of your house
This option is unlikely to be effective in most cases, as the installation is complex and it can only be used if you have two windows outside your house with an unobstructed view between them. You’ll have to buy two directional antennas and install them on the outside wall of the house. And it only gets worse, as you’ll have to connect the antennas by means of cables inside. You’ll need ribbon cable and some extra elbow grease to do this.
The data throughput can be high with a directional signal. Digitec user Manu Outdoor got up to 650 Mbps in their review for the Ubiquiti LBE-5AC-Gen2.
Directional antennas are listed under Access Points in the store. You can find them here.
Option #6: use an existing TV or telephone line
If you have a TV line and multiple jacks, you can use Ethernet over Coax (EOC). At the endpoint, if your EOC solution doesn’t have integrated Wi-Fi, use an access point or a mesh router/repeater for the new network.
When it comes to Ethernet over Coax, our range includes products from Axing. You can find them here.
Telephone lines that are no longer in use can also be used for a network. This is possible with the help of VDSL converters (Ethernet over VDSL2). However, the speed isn’t exactly mind-blowing. Most models have a bandwidth of less than 100 megabits per second.
You can find VDSL converters here.
What’s your preferred solution for expanding your Wi-Fi network?
Header image: Pixabay
Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.
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