Plusnet hub2 options to extend wifi

[#1]

Hi….

Currently Bt customer with Bt smart hub 2 and 2 x black “complete wifi” disks that I think make a tiny bit of difference improving the wifi performance in the rooms further away from the router in our house (my daughters bedroom for example).

As from tomorrow, we will be a Plusnet customer. Tomorrow is literally our activation date. Plusnet Hub 2 sent and waiting to be plugged in when Bt drops. For the past week or so with the mentioned Bt black disks, we have deliberately had them turned off to see how we are with wifi reception around the house. As mentioned no dramatic difference but maybe a bit weak in our furthest rooms from router…daughters bedroom.

As I understand it though Plusnet’s hub 2 is nigh on identical to our Bt Smart hub 2, the one thing I understand is that we will no longer be able to run these disks with Plusnet’s router as well as the fact we are expecting to have to return BT’s equipment anyway.

So can I ask those more knowledgeable than me what are our options as a Plusnet Hub 2 customer in replacing the good wifi signal that the Bt disks previously provided? The one thing that is worth mentioning here is that fortunately with home improvements a number of years ago we did have the forward planing of installing cat 6 cable in a lot of rooms around the house. So my daughter’s bedroom had one of the Bt disks plugged in to an Ethernet jack in the wall. I’m assuming her Ethernet port could be utilised to help with signal in her bedroom for example with something like a wifi range extender. I’ve read that a lot of people aren’t big fans of wifi extenders as they typically pass on an already weak signal but would that be the case here with the signal integrity maintained up to the bedroom. She’ll want to connect wirelessly with iPhones and iPads etc of course…..or would Wireless Access points be the way to go? I know very little about them. Can you have a wifi extender with a WAP mode on some of them? And if so would this serve our situation better? Ideally would like it all to be seamless i.e not having to look for separate networks to jump on to….

Any advice would be much appreciated as well as any suggestions on makes and model numbers etc

Thanks in advance…

[#2]

@Kezman50 

Is it possible to run ethernet cable at all. This is the best starting option as it gives you a solid signal to plugin a WiFi Access point.

Brian

[#3]

The one thing that is worth mentioning here is that fortunately with home improvements a number of years ago we did have the forward planing of installing cat 6 cable in a lot of rooms around the house. 

Seems there already is an ethernet link ....

[#4]

There is a very helpful post here:  https://community.plus.net/t5/Tech-Help-Software-Hardware-etc/Distributing-Data-around-Larger-Proper...    Baldrick wrote about ways to extend your network coverage .. Hope that helps

There is also this in the tech section of the forum: https://community.plus.net/t5/Tech-Help-Software-Hardware-etc/BT-Whole-Home-Wifi-with-PN/td-p/165250... 

Edited to add second link

[#5]

@MisterW  @Kezman50 

Sorry about that. I didn't read the full post as I knew from the OP's other post he was planning on asking about Mesh units.

However, with ethernet cables in place then surely all the OP needs are WiFi access points plugged into the ethernet sockets. Depending on the unit(s) they could have ethernet ports to allow other equipment to be plugged into the wired net.

Brian

[#6]

@bmc However, with ethernet cables in place then surely all the OP needs are WiFi access points plugged into the ethernet sockets. Depending on the unit(s) they could have ethernet ports to allow other equipment to be plugged into the wired net.

Yup!

Could even re-purpose an old router (with reconfiguration) if available

[#7]

I like you are waiting until tomorrow to switch over from BT to Plusnet broadband. It’s going to save me £40 a month. I’m interested to know if you solved your extender problems as looking at good reviews I bought a plug in WiFi extender on line for little money and plan to send back the two BT halo extenders with the BT hub. Might have to buy a second extender to help cover 4,000 square feet but way cheaper than BT halo prices.

[#8]

@pennyandrobin 

In terms of performance you are comparing chalk with cheese.

If you find that wireless extenders do not meet your requirements then cut your losses and invest a few months savings in a mesh system. I have found that these work well https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Deco-S4-3-pack-Beamforming/dp/B0851D6MXY

[#9]

That’s very helpful thanks, the mesh system looks just what I need.

[#10]

Sorry had a nightmare logging in been meaning to reply.

As of yet I’ve not done anything. The Plusnet router is performing brilliantly with the coverage, all over our house. It is easily matching the BT router, I’m tempted to say it’s performing a notch better in the sense that all my speed tests seem to be matching bt on upload and marginally better on ping and download speeds so….why? Don’t know. Thing is when you stay with bt year after year, unless your equipment fails, your expected to keep the equipment year after year. Move providers and you get brand new equipment. Probably little in it but new equipment can’t hurt. Shipped with updated firmware. Again, I’m guessing, but all I know is I’m not missing the complete wi if disks at all it would seem.

When I was with BT I was on the complete wi if package rather than the Halo. I always thought the Halo sounded a bit of “contrived” product to be honest.

With Wireless access points etc I didn’t want the hassle of having to jump onto different networks depending on where we are in the house etc but wanted it to be seamless like admittedly it was with bt and their mesh disks. Anyway. As said, at the moment everything seems to be working perfectly with the plusnet router on its own so haven’t got to explore any further. For now anyway. X