This topic

Mesh setup

Warkman58 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:14:15 GMT

I currently have BT Halo 3+ with Digital voice, ADSL.

To move the signal around the house, I have powerlines to lounge with WiFi using the same info as the main WiFi router plus cat 4 to the tv sheikd etc and the utterly useless ee backup signal box

A bit heath Robinson, put together over time lol

As I want to keep the Digital voice, am I right in thinking that a mesh system like the TP Link ir asus us not really a useful option?

Thanks for your replies

Re: Mesh setup

ptrduffy — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:55:16 GMT

If you have Halo 3+, doesn't that already give you a mesh system using the black WiFi discs?

Re: Mesh setup

naylor2006 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:56:06 GMT

TP Link DECO Access Point Mode just connect to the existing Router via a spare ethernet port, chances are it will perform better than powerline too.

Having Digital voice pretty much locks you to using BT's Router, but as far as MESH is concerned you can install pretty much any on the market.

Are you really using CAT4 cable to the Shield?

Re: Mesh setup

Warkman58 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:11:17 GMT

Thanks, yes, cat 4 was what I had available lol

Re: Mesh setup

Warkman58 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:13:06 GMT

I only have one disc and niw they are unavailable either direct through BT or places like Amazon, that what started me looking at otger options

Re: Mesh setup

Keith_Beddoe — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:21:38 GMT

@Warkman58

They are available from BT, at £100 each!

https://www.bt.com/broadband/accessories/

You can buy a complete third party mesh system for that, or slightly more.

TP Link Deco range are very good, obviously they would not mesh with any home hub.

Re: Mesh setup

naylor2006 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:28:20 GMT

Yeah I wouldnt recommend the BT Systems anymore, I ran Wholehome for yonks and it was pretty decent but compared to the pricing of the DECO line I'd have probably got that in hindsight. Complete WIFI is also locked entirely to BT so either you are effectively renting the equipment for more money per month or if you do buy it separately...you cannot use it if you ever change provider.

DECO is so easy to setup, tons of people use it, plenty of the folks on here use it and is a better choice IMO over the BT gear, feature for feature the DECO has more.

Re: Mesh setup

ptrduffy — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 11:19:21 GMT

My point was that @Warkman58 is already paying for Halo 3+, and therefore for the Complete WiFi discs - they simply need to contact BT to get additional discs to set up the mesh.

If the preferred option is a different mesh system, then there is no need for Halo 3+.

Re: Mesh setup

naylor2006 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 11:24:47 GMT

Yeah I get that, he can get up to 3 discs with 3+.....I still wouldnt recommend this route though, maybe they are using some other features of Halo that are worth it.

Re: Mesh setup

Warkman58 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 11:45:36 GMT

I thimk the only reason I'm sticking with Halo 3+ ,(I'm niw out if vontract) is the Digital voice, as quite a few relariv3s are still using landlines

Re: Mesh setup

licquorice — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:23:06 GMT

Halo 3+ has absolutely nothing to do with Digital Voice

Re: Mesh setup

Warkman58 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:03:58 GMT

Wasn't aware of that, as BT seem to push it as a benefit

Re: Mesh setup

licquorice — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:18:55 GMT

The only requirement for Digital Voice is a Smart Hub2.

Re: Mesh setup

Warkman58 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:32:41 GMT

Foll8wing on from the question on mesh setup, what units are peopke using?

I'm looking at TP-Link devo xe75, Asus zen wifi xt8/9, linksys velop pro 6e

Thanks in advance

Re: Mesh setup

klipse — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:17:35 GMT

I use Deco mesh and have a mixture of 2x M9 plus units and 1x X60 unit, its great equipment and I wouldn't use anything else.

Re: Mesh setup

WSH — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:43:49 GMT

I'd be surprised it it's cat 4. That's as out of date as square wheels. It was only rated for 16Mb/s at 20 MHz!

Re: Mesh setup

countrypaul — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 06:11:07 GMT

Cat 4 was also rated at 100 MHz for ISO/IEC 11801 specification. It was used for 16Mb/s Token, 10Base-T and 10Base-4 (remember that? a fast Ethernet implementation using 4pr at 25MHz),