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- 2 Sep 2013
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One of my kids had a new installation of FTTC enabled, and getting 55mpbs down and 20mbps up to the Modem Router (Sky Q Hub). The only issue is this is situated at the front door. And the house being a rather old one (built early 1900s, as in actual 00's, not 1940 or anything like that. So over 100 years old), the WiFi signal has trouble getting to the 1st floor and garden at back.
Speed tests on first floor give around 1 to 0.1% of the connection speed via WiFi. So 1mpbs or less (0.5mbps or even less) in most circumstances. On the same floor, they get around 20mpbs up and down. Appears to be using 2.4Ghz and capped at n speeds, a 5Ghz Virgin device is giving 50 odd mbps over WiFi but looks like it's using a higher band, but can sort that out later.
So we're primarily looking at options to get the signal up to the first floor somehow, since their computer is on the first floor. Less than 6 meters away in a straight line, but goes through floor and walls and a bed too when that happens. Although they also have a television in the living room around 3-4 meters away that is connected to online devices that could do with some ethernet connections if possible too.
1. WiFi extender. This would seem to be the logical suggestion, but with the signal being so weak, I'm thinking all it'll do is broadcast that weak signal out again at 1mbps or less to any device connected that way, so still not ideal. Unsure if this is really the case, and sounds like it might only be of any good to the living room devices.
2. They'll be getting a Sky Box as well, think mini? Which apparently also has a WiFi Extender capability, but I think it'll fall under the same issue as above, so we'll likely need another alternative if others agree this to be the case.
3. Power Line. Now, I know this is nowhere near ideal, and has several flaws in the idea. One being that it's got poor bandwidth most of the time for the devices (depending on quality of line), but ince they're only after something to get 55mbps up from the modem to the first floor, I think this would be the best solution for them. Of course, with needing more than one device connected via ethernet (and certainly more via WiFi) on the first floor, they'll need a cheap WiFi Access Point/Switch if the Power Line device doesn't have a second socket. Assuming this is viable, can I assume the Living Room can also utilise this method?
4. Ethernet cabling up. Age of the house and not sure if a long term stay at the moment, prohibits this idea. Will push for it if they decide to stay there longer, as their electronic devices will surely grow.
So options 1 through 4, with me favouring 3 as the solution ahead at the moment. Anyone see any flaws in my thinking and can offer any better advice? Also, with whatever suggestion you provide, can you also provide suggested devices as well? Thanks all.
Speed tests on first floor give around 1 to 0.1% of the connection speed via WiFi. So 1mpbs or less (0.5mbps or even less) in most circumstances. On the same floor, they get around 20mpbs up and down. Appears to be using 2.4Ghz and capped at n speeds, a 5Ghz Virgin device is giving 50 odd mbps over WiFi but looks like it's using a higher band, but can sort that out later.
So we're primarily looking at options to get the signal up to the first floor somehow, since their computer is on the first floor. Less than 6 meters away in a straight line, but goes through floor and walls and a bed too when that happens. Although they also have a television in the living room around 3-4 meters away that is connected to online devices that could do with some ethernet connections if possible too.
1. WiFi extender. This would seem to be the logical suggestion, but with the signal being so weak, I'm thinking all it'll do is broadcast that weak signal out again at 1mbps or less to any device connected that way, so still not ideal. Unsure if this is really the case, and sounds like it might only be of any good to the living room devices.
2. They'll be getting a Sky Box as well, think mini? Which apparently also has a WiFi Extender capability, but I think it'll fall under the same issue as above, so we'll likely need another alternative if others agree this to be the case.
3. Power Line. Now, I know this is nowhere near ideal, and has several flaws in the idea. One being that it's got poor bandwidth most of the time for the devices (depending on quality of line), but ince they're only after something to get 55mbps up from the modem to the first floor, I think this would be the best solution for them. Of course, with needing more than one device connected via ethernet (and certainly more via WiFi) on the first floor, they'll need a cheap WiFi Access Point/Switch if the Power Line device doesn't have a second socket. Assuming this is viable, can I assume the Living Room can also utilise this method?
4. Ethernet cabling up. Age of the house and not sure if a long term stay at the moment, prohibits this idea. Will push for it if they decide to stay there longer, as their electronic devices will surely grow.
So options 1 through 4, with me favouring 3 as the solution ahead at the moment. Anyone see any flaws in my thinking and can offer any better advice? Also, with whatever suggestion you provide, can you also provide suggested devices as well? Thanks all.
), and looking at total price wise, that seems like it might jump into triple digit territory. I might go for such a price and setup (if I didn't already have hardwire points with Cat6 to each room), but I think I'll have a hard time convincing them that'll be the best way forward for their place, and not be able to guarantee them it'll work either (getting the full connection). 
). Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Will see how they like each of the ideas proposed.