If WiFi doesn't reach every corner of your house, don't pay for more speed: plastic optical fiber can be your ideal option
A decade ago, if you had internet at home, it was probably mainly used as a network access for your computer. Nowadays, that Wi-Fi connection is accessed from every corner of the house, as you always carry a smartphone or tablet with you; and the amount of data sent over the air has increased exponentially thanks to HD and 4K video streaming.
In addition, there are more devices than ever before simultaneously fighting for a Wi-Fi connection: computers, smartphones, tablets, game consoles, wireless peripherals such as printers, streaming devices, and a growing number of smart home devices such as thermostats, cameras, and locks.
As you can see, the need for the internet to reach every corner of the house at high speed is very high nowadays. So, it can be a great nightmare if your network goes slow or has interference. It can also happen that you contract a home internet service and despite being a fiber optic connection, the signal does not reach all areas of your home. This is a quite common problem in all types of homes.
Barriers, thick walls or poor router placement can cause internet signal to weaken and not reach all areas of the house properly with the right speed. Therefore, you don't need to pay for more speed, other factors may be affecting your signal. Here are some of the most common problems that usually weaken Wi-Fi signal and how to solve them. Take note!
Why doesn't Wi-Fi reach every corner of the house? Possible reasons
Poor router placement
Poor router placement can be one of the critical factors for Wi-Fi coverage. If your router is poorly placed, your Wi-Fi coverage will weaken. Ideally, the router should be as close as possible to the center of the house and outdoors, not tucked away in a closet.
Location is not just a matter of being in the center, obstacles can also be problematic. Wi-Fi transmission is affected by the obstacles it must pass through. Drywall and wood are not a big problem, but bricks, water, concrete, metal, and especially mirrors can wreak havoc on the signal.
Physical size of the house
Wi-Fi signals have a limited range before they start to lose strength. As a house gets bigger, Wi-Fi signals have to travel farther, not to mention additional obstacles, such as walls, to overcome. Repeaters, PLCs or Wi-Fi mesh networks are usually used to ensure that the signal is amplified throughout the home, but they are still not enough options and do not guarantee that you will receive the signal 100% on all devices.
Possible signal interferences
Even the best Wi-Fi routers can have interference problems. The 2.4 GHz radio band, in particular, can be saturated. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and other devices often use the 2.4 GHz spectrum. If you live in an apartment building or densely populated neighborhood, you may also have problems if your neighbors' Wi-Fi networks interfere with yours.
Outdated router
Here's the good news if your Wi-Fi network is not living up to your expectations and not reaching all areas of your home. Simply replacing it with one of the latest Wi-Fi routers will most likely result in a huge improvement in performance. Additionally,
What to do to ensure proper internet coverage throughout your home?
Try moving your router to different positions around the house, ideally to a central location free from obstacles such as mirrors, concrete walls, or large water tanks. If you have a large house, you can purchase a new router with a more powerful amplifier and amplifier antennas; the second option is to install range extenders. These devices wirelessly connect to the main router to extend the Wi-Fi network.
Recommended solution: plastic optical fiber
Plastic optical fiber is an excellent option and, from our point of view, the best alternative available in the market to ensure that 100% of the contracted megabits reach your electronic devices.
Plastic Optical Fiber is a flexible and very resistant material that can be installed easily and effectively in any type of building, structure, or material. In addition, one of the great advantages is that it is a very economical solution that can guarantee high-speed internet browsing and is immune to any type of interference. The cabling can be placed alongside the electrical and can share installations without any problem.
By installing just 1 access point with Plastic Optical Fiber in a room, you can effectively expand the Wi-Fi network coverage throughout your home. Another advantage is that installation is quite simple, by acquiring one of the plastic optical fiber kits at ACTELSER.
