Purchasing WholeHome/Complete Wifi Extenders from a third-party - config required a BT end?

[DazedandConfused100]

Hi

I have had a quick search on the boards and I haven't located an answer to this exact question so I thought I would ask, if there is an existing answer to this I'm very happy to be directed towards it.

I have both a couple of wifi dead spots in my home and several teenagers in my household, so I'm sure that you can imagine some of the conversations that take place on that topic.

If what I'm asking here is considered inappropriate I apologise, it certainly isn't my intention to put anyone from BT in a difficult position.

I'm looking at potential solutions to remediate my dead spots such as a third-party mesh router with extenders which I'd like to obtain in a one-off purchase.

I have looked at the BT complete/wholehome wifi options but these only seem to be available as an extra subscription service onto my bill which is something I'm not looking to increase right now, in addition to the fact that I'm not 100% sure that the service will resolve my issue.

The wholehome/complete wifi extenders themselves (i.e. the hardware) seem to be available, both new and used, as a one off purchase from third parties.

If I was to purchase some of these extenders from a third party, fully accepting that any hardware issue would be the responsibility of myself and the seller to sort out, would it be possible to configure my smart hub 2 router to use them?

In summary what I'm asking is whether there is a switch that needs to be flicked at the BT end that enables the complete or wholehole extenders to work effectively or should I be able to configure it myself via the router admin app?

Thanks in advance for your help and again apologies if this question puts anyone in a difficult position.

[Keith_Beddoe]

@DazedandConfused100 

The BT Whole Home system does not connect wirelessly to the BT Home Hubs, you would need at least two of them, with one wired directly to the home hub.

If you must use a mesh system, there are much better ones out there, like the TP Link Deco M4, but they would still require you to connect one of them to the home hub.

Only the BT supplied Complete Wi-Fi discs will connect wirelessly, but that involves an ongoing cost, although the can be purchased (£100 each!).

Mesh systems are not the only solution, as you can buy cheaper wireless hotspot units that link via the mains wiring, but that can be more expensive if you need more than one.

BT do not have to do anything at their end.

[Crimliar]

There are so many variables to make any kind of suggestions with such minimal information.  On an FTTP plan, the first thing to do is to get the existing router as close to the centre of the house as is practical/sensible.  You can then use a mobile phone to map out where exactly you need that extra coverage, and what speeds those areas need - do I really need 500Mbps in the bathroom?  In older houses with solid walls, you get better transmission through the floors than the walls.  The other horrifying mistake we see often on these boards is the number of people with too many extenders - the minimal number of extenders to get the job done is usually going to provide the best performance!

[licquorice]

Complete WiFi and WholeHome WiFi are completely different devices.

To add to @Keith_Beddoe post, the complete WiFi can ONLY be used in conjunction with a BT Smart Hub2, WholeHome can be used with any router.

Powerline hotspots are a good solution too.

Have a look at the Tp Link range.

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

[DazedandConfused100 · Accepted solution]

Thanks very much to @Keith_Beddoe, @Crimliar and @licquorice
To add some contect, I'm in a late 60's house and the walls do seem to be the issue rather than the floors and ceilings. The router is already centrally placed and really needs to stay where it is due to the broadband and power access.
I have used powerlink adapaters before with some success but only where both plugs were on the same ring circuit, which is not the case in this instance.
In summary, I should potentially be able to integrate either complete wifi or whole home wifi purchased from a third party with my current smart router2. Complete wifi is wireless wholehome will need. at least two extender, one connecting in the back of the router.
Please feel free to add any additional info or correct any mistakes I've made there and thanks again.

[Tinyelvis]

So if I but one of the many and cheap discs on EBay, and drop the cost of my monthly bill, I can still use the by mesh system with the second hand disc??

[Colin_London]

Just to warn, you should not be buying secondhand BT Complete WiFi discs on any online marketplace. Most of these discs will belong to BT and should have been returned to them at the end of contracts. It is possible to buy them directly from BT for £100 each, but if they were discs that were not returned to BT then it is likely they won’t activate when you try to connect them to your hub.

[chrisjp]

I would just add that I use the Wholehome system and it works very well indeed with WiFi broadband speeds pretty much the same as those I obtain via an ethernet connection to my router.
I bought a pack of 3 Wholehome discs (the white ones, NOT the BT Complete WiFi black discs), plugged one disc at first into my TP Link modem/router and then later on, when BT sent me a Smarthub 2 into that, and set up the other 2 discs at locations guided by the Wholehome mobile phone app. This covered the whole house seamlessly with a single SSID and all items connected to this WiFi switched the discs they were connected to as I moved them around the house. I subsequently purchased another add-on disc to provide coverage in my garage and this also works very well.
So yes, I guess there may be better mesh systems but TP-link ones are quite expensive and the Wholehome system serves me very well.
I had previously tried WiFi extenders and Powerline adapters, spent quite a bit of money on these, and didn't get anywhere near the full WiFi coverage that the Wholehome system gives me.

[craigsbits]

Is your activation statement correct?