I can’t get any signal!
That’s the last thing you want to hear, especially from your own home.
Staying connected is more important than ever in today’s era. You can’t live in a house with dead zones or areas with poor Wi-Fi signals. Even the best NBN plan is useless if your router fails to provide a signal to every corner of your house with equal strength.
That’s where a Wi-Fi extender comes in.
Whether it’s for streaming or working from home, an NBN Wi-Fi booster can be a game changer. Although it can boost your Wi-Fi signal, an extender is not all roses. It has its limits. Before ordering a Wi-Fi extender, you should know its pros and cons.
Let’s walk you through it.
Pros of a Wi-Fi Extender
Let’s start with the advantages of using a Wi-Fi extender. This small device can be incredibly useful in homes with poor or zero Wi-Fi signals. Here’s how:
1. Extended Coverage
The biggest benefit of a Wi-Fi extender is its ability to boost your Wi-Fi’s signal to the farthest corners of your home. In June 2022, 93% of Australian adults had a home internet connection, with the majority connecting via the NBN (82%).
Still, getting equal signal strength remains a challenge. The average Australian home has more than doubled in size in the past 60 years. It is often hard to get equal signal strength in all areas when you live in a sprawling home.
An NBN Wi-Fi extender can effectively erase these dead zones. When placed correctly, it can boost the signal to the areas where you couldn’t get any bars before. In short, you can enjoy your favourite Netflix show or cricket match from virtually every corner of your home.
2. Cost-Effective Solution
An NBN Wi-Fi booster is a wallet-friendly option. You don’t have to shell out a thousand bucks to buy and install an extender. You can order it online, with a top-tier model costing around $200. The basic model could set you back $50-100. Of course, investing in the latest model with advanced features is usually a good idea.
3. Easy to Set Up
Another major advantage of a Wi-Fi extender is its easy setup. You don’t need to be a DIY pro or tech-savvy to install an extender. Most models are plug-and-play. That means you just need to plug it in, turn it on, and let it be. While some models may require a setup, you can quickly do it with an app. The extender will catch the signal automatically and turn your dead zones into Wi-Fi hotspots.
4. Supports Multiple Devices
The number of connected devices in a typical Aussie household has increased exponentially in the past few years. The average Australian household currently has a whopping 21 internet-connected devices. This figure is likely to reach 33 by 2026.
One advantage of an NBN signal booster is that it can support multiple devices. That means you can seamlessly stream Netflix on your smart TV while your spouse connects with their office for a Zoom call and your kids play a video game. It all can happen at the same time.
Cons of a Wi-Fi Extender
While an NBN Wi-Fi extender is a good investment, it has a few limitations. Knowing this would help you find alternatives more suitable for your browsing needs. Here’s what you must remember:
1. Potential Speed Reduction:
A NBN Wi-Fi booster has one major drawback – a possible dip in the speed. The extender rebroadcasts the existing signal. It merely extends the coverage area, not boost the speed of your NBN plan. It can sometimes halve your bandwidth. It may not be a big deal if you have a small family. However, large families with multiple connected devices may struggle to browse quickly and at high speeds.
2. Interference Issues
Interference can also be a big let-down. Physical barriers like walls and partitions can affect the signal rebroadcasted by the extender. Electronic devices like microwaves or cordless phones can also disrupt the signal. This can affect your browsing speed.
3. Manually Switch Networks
A NBN Wi-Fi booster creates a new network. It connects to your router and rebroadcasts the signal as a new network. So, you will have Network_1 and Network_2 in your house. When you move around the house, you will need to switch from one network to the other manually. This can be a headache if you move around a lot. Plus, you will find dead zones in areas where the two networks cannot reach or overlap.
4. Compatibility Issues:
Not all Wi-Fi extenders will work seamlessly with your existing router or modem. Older models often face compatibility issues. You may not get the desired signal strength with an old router or extender.
You can use the same brand of NBN signal booster as your router. While this is not necessary, it’s a good idea. The router and extender will get updates simultaneously and have excellent compatibility.
Is There a Better Alternative to a Wi-Fi Extender?
Yes. A mesh network is often a better alternative to an NBN Wi-Fi extender. Unlike an extender, which copies and rebroadcasts a signal from your router, a mesh network involves several devices that act as routers. So, the signal doesn’t go through one central hub. It’s like a spider’s web, where each thread connects to several others, creating a large, interlinked network.
This creates a seamless Wi-Fi network over a larger area than what a single router could cover. A mesh network can cover the dead zones more effectively than an NBN signal booster. It also doesn’t halve your NBN plan bandwidth. That’s the reason a mesh network is usually preferred in large households with multiple connected devices.
However, a mesh network requires the same type of routers. Same-brand routers are also easy to set up and maintain. Mesh networks, like Google Wi-Fi or Netgear Orbi, are becoming increasingly popular. These mesh networks are more expensive than traditional routers but offer a significant upgrade in Wi-Fi experience.
Conclusion
An NBN signal booster is an excellent way to get a Wi-Fi signal in all areas of your home. It’s cost-effective and easy to set up. However, consider potential downsides, like reduced speed and interference issues, against the benefits.
A mesh network can be a better alternative to an NBN Wi-Fi extender if you are willing to spend more. But, it needs the same brand of routers. The setup is also a bit more complicated than an extender.
Not sure what to choose? Don’t worry, we can help you. At RBE Internet, we can help you with the internet connection for your home, including a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh network. Contact us to know how.
