Help with Wi-Fi and Cell Connection

DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 11:15
Last edited 12/05/2024 - 11:45 by 2 other users

Hey guys. I could really use some help here. My folks have major issues with phone and internet at their house.

First issue is there is hardly any service so calls constantly fail, although FB messenger seems to be better. They all have iPhones, so I’ve tried turning on Wi-Fi calling but as Wi-Fi isn’t the best. It drops all the time or they get missed calls without the phone even ringing.

Second issue is they have poor Wi-Fi in their house. Currently they have an Optus router (F@ST 5393) in the lounge, and an extender (Ultra Wi-Fi Booster Gen 2) a few meters up the hall.

I walked around and checked the signal strength using an iPhone app and can see it’s great in the lounge, but as soon as you walk towards the extender. The signal strength goes really bad until it switches over to the extender. Then when you continue past the extender into any of the bedrooms it’s just horrendous -74 to -100 dBm and only 3 meters away with a wardrobe between.

I also found that I can sit on the couch 2m from the router and watch a YouTube video then when it ends just completely be unable to browse the next set of videos so even though there’s a strong connection and it’s connected to Wi-Fi there’s still something strange going on. They are getting FTTP in a week or two so I’m thinking of getting a better router now that I don’t have to worry about DSL connections.

At someone’s recommendation from OzB, I purchased an ASUS RT-AX58U which has been great for me, but I live in a two storey house and the router is in the middle.

I'm trying to work out what’s the best thing to put into my folk's house. Should I just put the same router I have as close to the middle of the house as possible and see if that works or should I try and go some kind of mesh network or should I just join two of these routers together although that would be very expensive? Really not sure what the best solution is.. any ideas.

For cell service I know there are boosters but they cost $1000+ so hoping that’s not even going to be required if I can sort out the Wi-Fi issues.

Computing Broadband FTTP nbn

Comments

  • Twix on 12/05/2024 - 11:45
    +1

    The Asus RT-AX58U is a good router but I wouldn't be spending $600 on a pair of them. You might get away with a single router or get a cheaper a mesh system.

    1. How big/small is the home? How many bedrooms?
    2. Are they staying with Optus for nbn?
    3. Do they use the Optus home phone?
    4. Is the mobile reception bad with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone?
  • Platinumtelecom on 12/05/2024 - 11:55
    +1

    I think the first step is to identify if there is an issue with the internet connection itself. There is no point spending money on equipment until you are confident the NBN connection is stable. Do you know what type of connection they have? FTTN, FTTP, HFC?

    If FTTN, it would be worth checking if they are eligible for free fibre upgrade.

    Feel free to DM me if you want me to look it up.

    • Twix on 12/05/2024 - 11:57
      +1

      They are getting FTTP in a week or two

      • Platinumtelecom on 12/05/2024 - 12:00
        +2

        Oh great. Then I would highly recommend purchasing a TP-Link Deco mesh package. There are many different models depending on size of the property and if you want wifi 6 etc…

        We have installed hundreds of these and never had an issue.

        You will get wifi throughout.

        • esosite on 12/05/2024 - 16:55

          Second this, get a set of 2 deco mesh and maybe add a 3rd if needed. Works amazing and super simple to setup. Can try find a X20 on FB marketplace or something.

        • HeWhoKnows on 13/05/2024 - 17:08

          Yes
          AFTER FTTP is installed

  • DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 12:19

    I am checking with my folks if they have a floor plan from the original listing to show the layout but its a renovated 3 bedroom house where they converted the old dining\kitchen into another bedroom and then they built a extension at the back which is about the same size and is now a big open plan kitchen\dining\lounge.

    Issue is that with the current extender, it drops when you switch from the main router to the extender which happens when ever you move around the house.
    Does this happen with Mesh or is it different technology? I've been trying to work it out, but I'm still not very clear on what's just new marketing speak.

    • mitt on 12/05/2024 - 14:27

      If it was sold on realestate.com.au anytime recently just go to the address on there & pull the floorplan from the sale. Just remember to delete the address off the image before posting.

      • DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 20:53

        Wasn’t there and folks didn’t have a copy unfortunately

        • Mary Poppins on 14/05/2024 - 09:04

          Just a thought… if you search the net for “sold” properties with your folks address, you might be lucky enough to find a plan? Guess it depends how long ago they purchased the property 🤷‍♀️

  • jace88 on 12/05/2024 - 14:14

    I'm no expert but have you worked out whether it's the router or the house itself causing the wireless signal to be so weak? Some walls/materials just aren't conducive to wifi or cellular (in which case you may need to consider some kind of mesh wifi with a hardwired connection between them either through just an Ethernet cable or maybe even powerline).

    • DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 21:07

      No. That what I’m trying to determine.

  • mitt on 12/05/2024 - 14:34

    Sounds like your NBN connection may be spotty, FTTP should fix that. If the NBN drops out & has to reconnect your internet wont work for a few minutes no matter how strong the wifi.

    If the issue is the wifi not transferring to the extender dynamically a mesh network will fix this. A proper mesh will have devices dynamically switch to the strongest access point. An extender on a separate SSID (network name) means your device wont connect to it until the other signal drops completely/you manually switch. Mesh/extenders need to be in a place with good signal to work properly, put your mesh nodes half way between where you want the signal to reach & the source as a general rule.

    The sharp dropoff once you go to another room suggests the walls may be thick/insulated with something that wifi is struggling to penetrate. In this case your best/only good solution is a number of access points with wired backhaul. Do they have an accessible roof crawlspace? Running Ethernet to ceiling mounted wifi access points isnt too hard. You will get a swarm of people mad at you if you dont use a registered cabler though.

  • altomic on 12/05/2024 - 16:40

    Is it a brick house with brick interior walls?

    • DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 21:07

      I think brick exterior but not sure of interior.. I don’t think it’s brick but could be wrong.
      Even still, my current house is brick and I can pick up my wifi about 15-20m from my unit, whereas my folks is shit when it’s 3m and a wardrobe in between.

  • skid on 12/05/2024 - 17:01

    I'd go from the simplest options first:

    1. Change the wifi channel on the router. If the problem is interference from the neighbours wifi, changing the channel will fix it.
    2. Lower the bandwidth (80mhz to 40mhz to 20mhz). If the bandwidth is too high to penetrate walls, lowering the bandwidth will fix it.
    3. Test out your AX58U router at your parents house. If the antennae on the 5393 are weak, changing the router will fix it.
    • DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 20:58

      Tried changing the channel they are the only one using 60 and although there are people using the ones on either side it’s weak and only othe network on each side.
      I can’t take mine. They are a long way from my house and my flat mate needs it when I’m not home.

      I did split the 2ghz and 5ghz at my last visit but it didn’t help them. Then Optus gave them a new wifi 6 router and it’s using bandwidth steering or whatever it’s called again.

  • Devastator0 on 12/05/2024 - 17:59

    I honestly think you should eliminate the Optus router and get a good aftermarket one like the Asus one you mention (I personally use an RT-AX86U which is amazing) and also eliminate the extender. Extenders to tend to be garbage and I don't like to recommend them to anyone. Generally I tell friends etc to get a really good, solid, core router and see how that goes. In most cases, if you purchase an actual good piece of equipment (not the slop the RSP's ship out), you're going to have a good time.

    • DamagedDingo on 12/05/2024 - 21:04

      My networking skills are non-existent but I feel the issue is with the router. Internet connection is stable enough and they are non heavy users so 50/5 is more than enough.

      The issue is definitely a combination of bad cellular reception and crappy wifi. I’m just not convinced on what the solution is. Is the Optus router really that crap? Specs say 4 internal antenna and one external and it’s not a massive property so it should have coverage. I can’t remember if it’s brick interior walls but I don’t think it is.

      But it’s shit wifi even when I have line of site to the extender.

      I don’t mind buying the same router I have for them if it will work but that’s going to hurt my wallet for months so I want to be sure it’s a viable solution.

      • Devastator0 on 13/05/2024 - 11:45

        No that's fair, I totally get where you're coming from and what you're trying to achieve. I had to do exactly the same thing to help out my grandparents and I am not a networking expert either. In my case, my grandparents have a double brick house and a metal frame in it so wifi signals can get wrecked in it. I bought one of the RT-AX86U's for them to replace their Telstra Smart Gateway thingy and it now blankets their place with wifi coverage (for 2.4Ghz, which this router truly excels at). 5Ghz range is good too though. They also have poor mobile reception at/in their house so the Telstra Smart Gateway thing can't even properly fail over to it's LTE backup due to like 1 bar or less of mobile signal so yeah, same deal.

        Is the Optus router really that crap?

        As for that, in all of the years I've been working in IT and have dealt with tech, I have yet to find a device provided by an ISP/RSP to be as good as any decent aftermarket solution. I have lost all trust and any faith in them.

        I don’t mind buying the same router I have for them if it will work but that’s going to hurt my wallet for months so I want to be sure it’s a viable solution.

        I think as another commenter has said, it might be an idea to take your Asus router to your folks place, set it up in the same location as their current unit and see how you go.

  • BigBirdy on 13/05/2024 - 09:07

    Regarding the poor cell phone signal, I have similar issue but I very quickly learnt where signal was stronger, ie near windows and outside. I have my charger near a window, and typically leave my phone near a window when at home, and I go outside when I have an important call to make. And I don't wander around the house while on calls as that's asking for dropouts.

    • DamagedDingo on 14/05/2024 - 11:02

      That's not a solution.
      The expectation is they can take calls while making dinner or in bed etc. I'm not going to ask my 92 year old nana to go outside in the cold to make a phone call.

      Hopefully better wifi is enough to get them through, but if not i'll need to look at a cell extender too.

  • Ramrunner on 13/05/2024 - 15:23
    +1

    Wired access points or if wiring is not an option a good mesh system.

    For the love of anything holy get rid of the booster/repeater/whatever they're calling it this week. Something that should be uninvented.

    • DamagedDingo on 14/05/2024 - 11:00
      +1

      I was having trouble working out if mesh was any better, but I've rolled the dice now so will find out in a few weeks.

  • DamagedDingo on 14/05/2024 - 11:00

    Thanks everyone.
    I've grabbed another ASUS RT-AX58U as its been so good for me, and a TP-Link Deco X50. They can add more of those themselves if required.

    • Twix on 14/05/2024 - 14:03
      +2

      Asus and TP-Link together doesn't create a mesh network. Stick to one or the other.

      • DamagedDingo on 22/05/2024 - 08:22

        Oh crap. I just realised this 2 seconds ago when I looked at the box.

  • DamagedDingo on 29/05/2024 - 09:32
    +1

    Thanks everyone. I missed the bit where the mesh network needs to all be the same brand but in the end as I had opened the router already I go two ASUS mesh APs and they are running smooth now.
    The issue with poor mobile reception doesn't matter anymore as the extender is gone and the wifi moves around with them without dropping using wifi-calling.

    • Devastator0 on 29/05/2024 - 16:22

      Thanks for giving us an update on this one! So annoying when someone posts something like this but then doesn't give resolution on it haha. Glad that things are all working ok now for them.

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