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Router Reach - Ask Our Expert
If you’re having technical, service or supply problems, or just have a question you want answering, why not write to OurExpert@BroadbandChoices.co.uk
Michael Phillips is product director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk and can help with anything from contractual problems, to giving technical advice or telling you how to speed up those slow movie downloads.
Our expert says...
The router that you get from BT is quite low spec but shouldn’t have such a poor range as this. Firstly you should check that there isn’t anything blocking the signal; anything between the router and computer will degrade the signal somewhat - and this is normal - but what you need to check for is metal sheets in walls, and other fixtures that could excessively reduce the wireless reach.
The next thing to do is to replace the aerial because standard router aerials are 2dBi in length, but for around £10 you can buy longer ones of up to 9dBi - and the longer the aerial, the better the reach. 9dBi aerials can increase signal strength by 30-50 per cent.
Finally, you can buy a wireless access point, which acts as a router extension. You connect the access point to your router using a Wireless Distribution System (WDS), extending the reach of your wireless signal without reducing its strength. You’ll need to check the specifications of your router, or contact the supplier to see if it has WDS capabilities though.
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