> range extenders
Most of us use wireless technology to connect to the internet using our laptops, tablets and smart-phones. And most of us have been frustrated when it is difficult or even impossible to connect because of a poor wireless signal.
The first step to ensuring the best possible wireless coverage is to have a good quality router (or wireless access point) that complies with the “N” standard. The best routers have tweaks such as wireless channel adjustment which can improve the wireless signal.
Click here to find out how to choose the best wireless router.
Click here for information on wireless access points.
However, even the best wireless router (or wireless access point) has a limited range and often you need wireless coverage beyond the normal range of your router. If that is the case then you should consider one or more of the following solutions:
These solutions are summarised below. The summaries contain links to more detailed descriptions which also offer the opportunity to buy (from Amazon) the featured products in each solution category.
HomePlug wireless adaptor
| One of the easiest ways of solving the problem of wireless blackspots is to use a technology known as HomePlug to install an additional wireless access point in the location where there is a wireless coverage problem. | ||
| HomePlug devices use existing mains electrical cabling to provide a network connection to any room in your home or office. They offer an alternative to the usually impractical and expensive option of installing network cabling from your router to the required location. | ||
| Homeplug wireless extender solutions start at about £60 with our recommended model the Devolo 500 (shown to the left) costing a bit more because of its high speed and the fact that it can also support up to 3 x wired network connections. | ||
These wired network connections could be useful for connecting a television, a Sky box or a games console to the internet.
Click here for information on HomePlug wireless solutions.
Wireless repeater
| Another solution is to use a wireless repeater. These are typically cheaper than a HomePlug solution, but in general offer less flexibility and are more complex to configure. | ||
| Repeaters such as the value model shown to the left are available for less than £25 from Amazon. | ||
| A repeater would plug into mains electricity socket that must be located so that it can receive the wireless signal from the broadband wireless router and re-transmit the signal into the required coverage area. | ||
The key point is that the repeater must be located within range of the broadband wireless router.
Click here for information on wireless repeater solutions.
Laptop USB wireless antenna booster
| Rather than boost the wireless signal in your home or office using a Repeater or a Homeplug solution, it may be more appropriate and more cost effective to boost the wireless performance of your laptop by using an external USB wireless antenna booster. | ||
| There are often situations where the integrated wireless antenna in a laptop is not sufficiently powerful to pick up a weak wireless signal in locations that are distant from the main wireless access point or router. | ||
| In addition to improving wireless connectivity at home or in your office, the USB antenna booster solution would also improve laptop connectivity to public wireless hotspots such as those found in hotels, cafes or other public places. | ||
Our recommended USB wireless booster (shown above) has the added advantage of having a removable antenna. This enables a more powerful antenna to be attached to boost the wireless signal further.
Click here for more information on USB wireleless antenna boosters.
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Contact Premitel for more information on any of the above products or for advice on alternative solutions to your wireless connectivity problems.
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