Increasing WIFI speed across the house (FTTP 500)

[WayneMez]

Hi,

Could someone help please, I have looked through previous posts but find it all confusing.  Currently i have FTTP and am on Fibre 500 with a Smarthub 2, we are heavy wifi users with smart plugs/lighting throughout the house plus PS & Xbox also Sky Q and Ring cameras.

What I'm after is increasing the wifi speeds across the house to get the most out of the fibre 500, I have been around the house doing speed checks with my phone and it ranges from 34mb download to 256mb (stood next to the box) (This was done with the Xbox/PS4 and Sky Q not being used/watched.)

I have looked at mesh systems like Eero and google, but have read that there can be problems using these with the smarthub and Sky Q.  Is this true? What would be the best way for me to increase the speeds?

(Hardwiring unfortunately hardwiring isn't an option at the minute.)

Thanks

[stevebrass]

I use Netgear Orbi mesh (RBK50) with one satellite connected to a SH2.

I don't use Sky Q

Otherwise coverage is very good.

[DavidM]

Hi @WayneMez and welcome to our community.

As @stevebrass has pointed to there are lots of different mesh systems to chose from. Check our our Complete WiFi which will also give great coverage.

Cheers

David

[WayneMez]

What sort of speeds are you getting over the Netgear system? Just looking at that system is it worth me looking at the wifi 6 version or would there no real added benefit?

[WayneMez]

Ideally I didn't want to pay more on the monthly subscription for that disc, would the whole home system work the same? (was looking at the Premium Whole home system)

[Keith_Beddoe]

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@WayneMez wrote:
? (was looking at the Premium Whole home system)

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There is a long thread discussing the problems with this system.

https://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Devices/Premium-amp-Whole-Home-Wi-Fi-6-SGAB-C20832C-Early-Adopter-now...

[Keith_Beddoe]

Another choice https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/

They do Wi-Fi 6 nodes, but its not worth it unless your devices support it.

[countrypaul]

The SH2 supports both 2.4 and 5GHz bands, have you checked what each of your devices supports? Things like smart switches use very little bandwidth and generally use 2.4GHz anyway, Smartphones and tables often support 5GHz which gives higher bandwidth. making sure each device is on the most appropriate of the 2.4 and 5GHz options could allow you more bandwidth without forking out on additional hardware to start with. I believe that the SH2 cannot set different SSID's for the 2 frequencies however which may be a significant limitation.

[Keith_Beddoe]

Quoted from an old post by @SeanD Which may be of interest.

Quote "I think for the first time ever we are in a situation whereby the speed you can now get through Full Fibre outperforms the capabilities of many devices.  

The Smart hub 2 does not come with Wi-Fi 6 but this is something we are looking to include in our next generation of Hub.  I don't have any info as to when we will launch a new router by Wi-Fi 6 will bring some improvement.

As an example of what I mean in terms of devices not being able to support the full breadth of speed available on Full Fibre 900, take a look at the table below.  This is just for a couple of Apple Smart Phones and Tablets along with  popular Samsung models,

Apple (Smartphones)	Dualband (2.4 & 5Ghz)	Theoretical Max speed on 2.4Ghz connection	Theoretical Max speed on 5Ghz connection
IPHONE SE	Yes	60mbps	300mbps
IPHONE SE 2020	Yes	135mbps	600mbps

Samsung (Smartphones)	Dualband (2.4 & 5Ghz)	Theoretical Max speed on 2.4Ghz connection	Theoretical Max speed on 5Ghz connection
galaxy-s10e	Yes	135mbps	600mbps
galaxy-s10-5g	Yes	135mbps	600mbps

Apple (Tablets)	Dualband (2.4 & 5Ghz)	Theoretical Max speed on 2.4Ghz connection	Theoretical Max speed on 5Ghz connection
IPAD pro 3rd gen (Nov 2018)	Yes	135mbps	600mbps
IPAD pro 4th gen (March 2020)	Yes	135mbps	600mbps

Samsung (Tablet)	Dualband (2.4 & 5Ghz)	Theoretical Max speed on 2.4Ghz connection	Theoretical Max speed on 5Ghz connection
galaxy-tab-s5e	Yes	100mbps	300mbps
galaxy-tab-s6	Yes	60mbps	600mbps

Ethernet should ensure you get the maximum possible speed but I also appreciate that connecting this way is not always possible."

[stevebrass]

See other posts re wifi 6

I get 150mbs consistently around the house on a 150 mbs service.