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

14 Replies

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!
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.
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.
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.

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Wi-Fi extender/amplifier?

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