PlayStation Portal WI-FI Issue

[Muntz10]

Hi all,

I have an issue with my PlayStation portal and using it around my house.

I received it yesterday and have been naturally testing it in different rooms etc. it basically streams games from my ps5 to allow me to play anywhere in my home (so it should anyway). 

Here is my issue - It works superbly in my office where my router etc are. Once I go to another room like my lounge or bedroom I start to lose picture quality and games stutter making it pointless to try and play in there. 

I have Fibre 500 so to me this is unacceptable. I should be able to stream some games.

I am thinking my smart hub 2 is just not giving me the coverage I need throughout my home. I have even tested my internet speed from my bedroom over Wi-Fi and I am only getting 10-20mb! 

Would a better quality router help solve this? Can anyone recommend me a good quality router? I have fibre going straight to my property as I have a new build house. 

Any help would be much appreciated! 

[Keith_Beddoe]

@Muntz10 

Welcome to this user forum for BT Retail phone and broadband customers.

It does not matter how fast your Internet connection is, the speed is limited by the fact you are using a wireless connection and not a direct Ethernet connection to the home hub. Wireless is limited in most cases, by the capability of the device you are using. Speed will drop off as you move away from the wireless source.

You would get the same result, no matter how much you are paying for your connection. In fact anything from about 50Mbs upwards, is likely to give you the same result on a single device.

You only benefit from a faster speed if you have multiple users in the house, connected directly to the home hub.

BT only guarantee the speed to the home hub, not to any single device on your network.

[Muntz10]

Yes I am aware. I am mainly asking how I can increase my signal because the portal works in the same room as my router but when I move further away it gets worse. 

A better router will come with stronger coverage surely? I am looking for recommendations for a good router that I can use to use this thing. 

[Keith_Beddoe]

Its unlikely a better router would help, as the wireless power on all routers is the same, as its limited by Ofcom.

You would need some form of additional wireless points, either the BT Complete WIFI system which uses discs which they rent out at an additional monthly cost., and connect back to the home hub.

https://www.bt.com/broadband/complete-wifi

Or if you prefer, a third party solution like the TP Link Deco mesh.

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

The Deco M4 would be more than adequate for what you are trying to do.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/deco-m4/v1%20(1-pack)/#overview

Usually a three node system is more than adequate, as on of them has to connect to the home hub (access point mode), unless you are not using BT Digital Voice, in which case on would connect directly to the ONT (Router mode).

These connect a device to the best signal, and there is is very good app which tells you the speed and signal strength of each connection.

There are other wireless mesh systems, but I can only comment on the one that I have.

Bear in mind that your PS device may not be capable of more than 20Mbs, so you may not get a faster connection on that device.

[Muntz10]

Do these mesh systems just connect to my smart hub or do I have to replace that with one of them?

Once they are connected do they just need a power source (plug) to stay working?

I don’t have digital voice…

[Keith_Beddoe]

If you do not have digital voice, then one of the units can simply connect to the ONT and act as the router. That is the default mode anyway, and you would not need to use the home hub unless BT ask you, if you have a fault. It belongs to BT anyway.

The app has a page where you can enter the PPPoE login details for BT Broadband which would normally be handled by the home hub.

They do need to be plugged in, and then they communicate with each other by a dedicated wireless link. Setup is automatic and is described in the setup info.

Three nodes are the most useful, as they provide more than one route between nodes.

[Muntz10]

When you say app, do you mean the app that you use for the routers? Or the BT app? 

So the M4 would suffice or are there better quality options? 

Or, do you think if I go with the BT discs they will do the trick? 

Thanks for the help on this. 

[Keith_Beddoe]

The Deco system is controlled from their own phone app. I suggest you read about it on their pages. Only the BT Complete Wi-Fi system uses the BT app. You can always ask BT to send you a single one of their discs to try. Other people have done that.

The M4 should be sufficient for your needs, but you can look at the full range on the TP Link website.

[Muntz10]

I have just realised I do have digital voice… so how would the mesh system connect in the case? 

[Keith_Beddoe]

It would have to connect to one of the Ethernet ports on the Smart Hub 2, and you would turn the wireless off on the Smart Hub 2.