Six years ago, homes were not dependent on WiFi access. Homes that used to have one PC and maybe a printer now have WiFi TVs, tablets, phones, a number of PCs and multiple printers. Even cell phone carriers suggest you use WiFi to save on the data charges.
A common complaint IT professionals receive is, “My room right next to the router has low coverage but the room above the router has perfect coverage.” A strange phenomenon is when some users pick up a better signal from their neighbor’s router than their own.
Since WiFi works with line of sight, it’s very possible that your neighbor’s WiFi has a better reception in certain areas than your own router. I check my WiFi network in my own home and I see my neighbor’s router who lives on the next block!
If you have a choice to connect Desktops/TVs to a wired solution, that is the best way to go. Most users have their router and provider’s Cablevision or Verizon router in the basement. The signal has to propagate upstairs through walls and pipes. Some of these obstructions can block WiFi signal.
Here is an easy solution. Have your modem moved to a central location. Don’t let the providers tell you differently. You can have the modem moved anywhere you want. My home office used to be in my attic. Then my teenager outgrew living with her younger sister and moved to the attic. After three weeks of yelling up to my “selective hearing” teenager, I called my provider. They moved all of the equipment to a central area.
If you are doing new construction on your home or office, my consulting company can be helpful in consulting with you on how to best run network wiring throughout the home. Alarm professionals and general contractors should run these wires. Besides holding the proper licensing and insurance, people running wires in your home should make sure it’s done properly. Ask where lines will be terminated and who will be terminating them—I just saw a homeowner who had no idea that network wires had been run through the house, but were never terminated—but be aware that running such wires may not be possible or affordable in older homes.
Routers are getting stronger signals with each new release. With that said, before you start calling Cablevision or Verizon and staying on the phone for hours, purchase a new router, and install it yourself. Most can be installed easily or if you are wary, call your IT professional.
If you are still getting low signal, an Access Point/Repeater can be installed in the area where the signal is weak. Some of the Access Points will advertise that this can be done via WiFi. Meaning the AP will regenerate the signal from the weakest point and will do this via WiFi. I have not found this method effective. If anything it causes more frustration than a solution. The best way to implement an Access Point is to have a hard wire Network run to the middle point of the home. Then install the Access point to the Ethernet wire. This method is very effective, and when the installer is there, it might be prudent to think about running more than one line if you have the installer there.
If you have any questions email sh[email protected].
By Shneur Garb
