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Weak wifi range - different router?

janeybeans
Grafter
Posts: 47
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎27-08-2012

Weak wifi range - different router?

We've got fibre broadband and use a Plusnet 582n router.  The router is situated in the front of the house and we find it difficult getting/keeping a WiFi connection at the back of the house (it's not that big a house!).  

 

I've been looking into WiFi range boosters but I was just wondering whether a different Plusnet router would make any difference?  And if so would Plusnet provide one if we asked (or would it be chargeable)? 

 

If router won't make any difference, can anyone recommend a good/reliable WiFi booster we could buy? 

 

Thanks! 

 

 

7 REPLIES 7
Welsh2016
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎21-08-2016

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

I have the same problem, have had a second router sent to me with no improvement at all. I am not on fibre just regular internet. I live right opposite the BT building I could not get closer to them if I tried but since joining plusnet months ago from sky I have had disconnection issues all the time. My iPad drops the signal all the time when upstairs and agin like you my router is in the hallway - middle of the house.

never had any issues with Sky by the way.

janeybeans
Grafter
Posts: 47
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎27-08-2012

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

I don't have a problem with the actual broadband connection, it's the wifi reach within the house that's a problem. Router is in the living room at the front of the house and wifi is patchy at the back (signal has to go through 2 walls with stairs in between) so I just need something to extend the range. Annoyingly I can pick up a wifi connection half way down the road, it's just within the house that's an issue.
SpendLessTime
Hero
Posts: 3,000
Thanks: 928
Fixes: 86
Registered: ‎21-09-2009

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

@janeybeans

Have you tried to turn the router around, so the back is now facing forward? Might improve the signal internally, who knows.

As for a new Plusnet router if you really want one there are 3 options

  1. If you've recontracted in the last 3 months then you can get one for just £6.99 p&p
  2. Buy one for approximately £100 from Plusnet
  3. Buy one from ebay (or the BT Home Hub 5 Type A which is the same thing) for £25 to £30

 

Ex - Plusnet Customer (2009 - 2023) now with BT
janeybeans
Grafter
Posts: 47
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎27-08-2012

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

Hi, I need to see if I can move it a bit and see if that helps.

We did recontract recently so will see about getting a different one - is it likely to make much difference to the range though?
SpendLessTime
Hero
Posts: 3,000
Thanks: 928
Fixes: 86
Registered: ‎21-09-2009

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

Will the new Plusnet Hub One have a  better range than the 582n?

It might but good WiFi is so dependent on physical and local factors like construction materials of the property, local WiFi congestion that it is not possible to guarantee it.

Ex - Plusnet Customer (2009 - 2023) now with BT
janeybeans
Grafter
Posts: 47
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎27-08-2012

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

Thanks. I wasn't sure if different routers have different ranges generally.

The fact that I can pick up the wifi outside and down the road a bit but not in the kitchen, it's obviously something structual in the house.

I'll have a look at how far I can move the router and see where we go from there Smiley
SpendLessTime
Hero
Posts: 3,000
Thanks: 928
Fixes: 86
Registered: ‎21-09-2009

Re: Weak wifi range - different router?

Different routers can use different WiFi chips so giving different results.

The Plusnet Hub One (aka BT Home Hub 5 Type A) is as follows

The wireless radios used are the following...

  • Atheros AR9227 - 2T2R 2.4GHz, 802.11bgn (300Mbps)
w/ 2x Microchip SST12LP15A - High Power 2.4GHz Power Amplifiers
2x internal antnenae, inline Hirose switching coaxial RF test connectors
w/ 3x Skyworks SE5003L1 - High Power 5GHz Power Amplifiers
3x internal antnenae, inline Hirose switching coaxial RF test connectors

 

from https://wikidevi.com/wiki/BT_Home_Hub_5

And the 582n uses the BCM43227 from https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/thomson/tg582n

 

So different manufacturers chipsets.

Ex - Plusnet Customer (2009 - 2023) now with BT