After utilizing Verizon's "real" unlimited data on my phone operating as a hotspot for 4 years, my home internet access was finally due for a change.My local carrier had just installed a fiberoptic network in my neighborhood so I signed up and now have fibre to the house for Wi-Fi.There are two bands of Wi-Fi in their router, traditional speed and 5G wireless. The traditional network gives me 75MB a second and the 5G runs at 300 MB.The problem is with the high speed side, if I go 50 feet away from their Wi-Fi router the speed drops dramatically, as the install tech had warned.What device would I need to increase the range of the 5G and would I need more than one and how does it attach to their router?And any recommendations for that device.ThanksRon W.

The 5GHz network will never have the same range as the 2.4GHz. If you want higher speeds, then you probably want a more powerful/higher bandwidth wireless router or access point. If you are renting the router, then I recommend buying your own. But I would start with a simple access point if you have an available hard wired LAN port available like this Ubiquiti model. This will likely have much higher bandwidth on both 2.4 and 5GHz as well as broader range. You can configure it via a phone or tablet app, or more complicated desktop programs.

I posted this recently here:2012coleman wrote:Due to the placement of my router in my house, I've had poor WiFi reception in other areas of the house and outside by the pool. A friend told me about the AmpliFi HD WiFi MeshPoint range extender.I bought one and set it up the other day. I now have extremely awesome connectivity throughout the house and to the edges of my property. No longer suffering from lag while streaming shows on the TV. It has an app for setup and shows what devices are connected.This is not a repeater that has a different network name. It connects to your Wifi - needs the password, and amplifies the signal from your router. You can get more than one as they connect in series.I did have to reconnect to Wifi on my devices - TV, Receiver, etc.Saved me a lot of money as I didn't have to buy an entire mesh setup.So you should be able to connect to your 5g Wifi band using the app - assuming the fast and slow bands have different names. Very easy to set up and works with your existing router.

Do you really NEED the extra speed ?Are you REALLY getting 75M with the "slow" one.....and really getting any better than that with the 5G. That is end to end throughput, not just from the router to your devices.It is an absolute waste of time and money to try and make any portion of the network connection faster than the slowest section of the overall link.Just because they advertise 75M....or whatever....doesn't mean that you can actually GET that.

I also just recently added a Mesh WIFI component to solve range issues. I use a Lynksys Velop. In general, Mesh WIFI systems let you add "nodes" to expand coverage as needed. I only needed the main unit and all my connection issues were solved. Like mentioned above, this one is also app driven and super easy to set up. I have tried different routers (owned an leased) and traditional range extenders with no luck. A mesh system is definitely the way to go!

Let's not confuse New largely unavailable 5G cellular branding With5 giga Hertz, Wi-Fi band used in routersThey are not the same thing and not relatedPlease do not say 5g for Wi-FiSpell it out 5giga hertz Wi-FiBoth are wireless, they are not the same thing

Wi-Fi extender/amplifier? | Good Sam Community

APT
Explorer
Oct 30, 2018
The 5GHz network will never have the same range as the 2.4GHz. If you want higher speeds, then you probably want a more powerful/higher bandwidth wireless router or access point. If you are renting the router, then I recommend buying your own. But I would start with a simple access point if you have an available hard wired LAN port available like this Ubiquiti model. This will likely have much higher bandwidth on both 2.4 and 5GHz as well as broader range. You can configure it via a phone or tablet app, or more complicated desktop programs.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2018
I posted this recently here:

2012coleman wrote:
Due to the placement of my router in my house, I've had poor WiFi reception in other areas of the house and outside by the pool. A friend told me about the AmpliFi HD WiFi MeshPoint range extender.

I bought one and set it up the other day. I now have extremely awesome connectivity throughout the house and to the edges of my property. No longer suffering from lag while streaming shows on the TV. It has an app for setup and shows what devices are connected.

This is not a repeater that has a different network name. It connects to your Wifi - needs the password, and amplifies the signal from your router. You can get more than one as they connect in series.

I did have to reconnect to Wifi on my devices - TV, Receiver, etc.

Saved me a lot of money as I didn't have to buy an entire mesh setup.

So you should be able to connect to your 5g Wifi band using the app - assuming the fast and slow bands have different names. Very easy to set up and works with your existing router.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Oct 30, 2018
Do you really NEED the extra speed ?

Are you REALLY getting 75M with the "slow" one.....and really getting any better than that with the 5G. That is end to end throughput, not just from the router to your devices.

It is an absolute waste of time and money to try and make any portion of the network connection faster than the slowest section of the overall link.

Just because they advertise 75M....or whatever....doesn't mean that you can actually GET that.
Humpty
Explorer
Oct 30, 2018
I also just recently added a Mesh WIFI component to solve range issues. I use a Lynksys Velop.

In general, Mesh WIFI systems let you add "nodes" to expand coverage as needed. I only needed the main unit and all my connection issues were solved.

Like mentioned above, this one is also app driven and super easy to set up. I have tried different routers (owned an leased) and traditional range extenders with no luck.

A mesh system is definitely the way to go!
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 30, 2018
Let's not confuse

New largely unavailable 5G cellular branding
With
5 giga Hertz, Wi-Fi band used in routers

They are not the same thing and not related

Please do not say 5g for Wi-Fi

Spell it out 5giga hertz Wi-Fi

Both are wireless, they are not the same thing
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2018
Humpty wrote:
I also just recently added a Mesh WIFI component to solve range issues. I use a Lynksys Velop.

In general, Mesh WIFI systems let you add "nodes" to expand coverage as needed. I only needed the main unit and all my connection issues were solved.

Like mentioned above, this one is also app driven and super easy to set up. I have tried different routers (owned an leased) and traditional range extenders with no luck.

A mesh system is definitely the way to go!
Just so the OP doesn't get the wrong idea, I did not need to buy a "mesh" router to go with my suggested signal booster. It works with the router you already have - of course you can buy the router they sell, but you don't have to. Not sure about the product listed here.
rjsurfer
Explorer
Oct 30, 2018
OP back, decided on the MeshForce system. I'll be getting it in a few days and will get back to the forum after some trial and error. Comes with three units, one main box connected to the providers (ATMC) router, and two for distant rooms. There is one Ethernet port in each remote box for such things as Cams and TV's?

It's a two band unit not three, the three band units converse on a seperate frequency so it might be a bit faster but for what I need it will be fine.

An added benefit is, I dont need the internal fibre interface box's wifi that ATMC charges $5 a month for, so in 38 months the unit will pay for itself.:W

Ron W.
camperforlife
Explorer
Oct 31, 2018
I went with an Orbi tri band. I have 1.5 acres and have pretty strong wifi anywhere on the property. I was shooting for good coverage on all 4 levels of my 3800 sq ft house and both outdoor entertainment areas and was pleasantly surprised at just how well it performs.
rjsurfer
Explorer
Nov 03, 2018
OP back, tried the MeshForce system and it solved the distance issue of lower speeds at far ends of house, but the overall speed was lower!

One spec I didn't catch was the 100Mb limit on the WAN port. That's a very important figure, with my fibre optic to the house and a 400Mb cap I was losing 300Mb of speed. It doesn't matter that the nodes talk at 'fast' if your max through put is only 100Mb.

MeshForce will be coming out with a 1G WAN port soon and I'll be looking at that when it does. The system itself was easy to setup and configure and the seemless max wifi speed through out the house was nice.

Ron W.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018
rjsurfer wrote:
...The traditional network gives me 75MB a second and the 5G runs at 300 MB..

What are you doing online where 75 mb is not fast enough?

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