Add a Wi-Fi Extender

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Wi-Fi extender?

  A Wi-Fi extender works like a helpful relay, picking up your existing Wi-Fi and rebroadcasting it to areas where the signal is weak, such as upstairs bedrooms or home offices.

  Your cheapest option to get one is to upgrade to one of our Boost packages which comes with a Wi-Fi extender included. Cheaper than buying one outright, and better value than renting on a rolling contract, giving you reliable Wi-Fi coverage without the hassle. Enjoy smoother streaming, faster browsing, and fewer dropouts with Boost!

• How do I get the best signal from Wi-Fi?

  There’s a few things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi network. Here’s just a few of them:

  • Make sure your router is centrally placed
  • Where possible, use the 5Ghz wireless band if you are close to your router
  • Reduce interference by switching off microwaves, cordless phones, etc.
  • Ensure your device is completely updated
  • Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network
  • Check the device network settings and ports
  • Limit what others are doing on your network at the same time

  Take a look at our article about troubleshooting your Wi-Fi for more information.

• How many devices can Wi-Fi 6 handle?

  Wi-Fi 6 is designed with the modern smart home in mind. It’s able to manage more devices simultaneously without compromising speed or reliability, making it perfect for smart homes.

• Does Wi-Fi 6 save battery on devices?

  Yes! Thanks to Target Wake Time, Wi-Fi 6 helps extend battery life by reducing how often devices wake to send or receive data.

• Is Wi-Fi 6 worth it for small homes?

  Even in smaller homes, Wi-Fi 6 offers benefits like better reliability, improved performance with multiple devices, and future-proofing your network.

• Will Wi-Fi 6 increase my internet speed?

  Wi-Fi 6 helps optimise your network for faster speeds within your home, but your actual internet speed still depends on the broadband package that you choose.

• Do I need a Wi-Fi 6 router for Wi-Fi 6 devices?

  Yes and no. To fully benefit from Wi-Fi 6, you’ll need a compatible Wi-Fi 6 router.

  The Wi-Fi 6 router is backward compatible, meaning it does still work with older devices – but you’ll see the most benefits with Wi-Fi 6 enabled devices.

• Do I need a Zyxel Wi-Fi extender?

  It depends on the size and layout of your home. The Zyxel Wi-Fi extender is a mesh system, which connects back to your main router. This creates a network of consistent connectivity throughout your home. If you’re experiencing weak or patchy Wi-Fi in certain areas, adding a Wi-Fi extender to your package can help boost your signal to cover those hard-to-reach spots.

• How many devices can the Wi-Fi handle?

  That depends on the device, the distance from the router or extender, and the activities you are trying to do.

  Consider how many devices are connected and how they are being used. Not just the usual suspects like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Consider other devices like security cameras, smart thermostats, smart speakers, and even printers. They all put pressure on your connection and slowing things down.

  It might be that you need more speed – because more speed means more to share around all those devices.

• How do I access the Wi-Fi?

  1. Pick your device (mobile, laptop, tablet, whatever you like)
  2. In settings, click on your network SSID, which you should have received by text and email
  3. Type in your case sensitive password and get connected

• How do I get the best signal from Wi-Fi?

  There’s a few things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi network. Here’s just a few of them:

  • Make sure your router is centrally placed
  • Where possible, use the 5Ghz wireless band if you are close to your router
  • Reduce interference by switching off microwaves, cordless phones, etc.
  • Ensure your device is completely updated
  • Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network
  • Check the device network settings and ports
  • Limit what others are doing on your network at the same time

  Take a look at our article about troubleshooting your Wi-Fi for more information.

• How do I know I’m on the right Wi-Fi frequency?

  One travels further, and the other faster. Make sure your devices are on the right frequency for their needs. Our service transmits both 2.4GHz (further at lower speeds) and 5GHz (closer range but faster speeds).

  Each device might have a preferred frequency, and you can check on the settings. We recommend putting your laptops, tablets and mobiles on 5GHz.

• What household items cause Wi-Fi interference?

  There’s a number of unexpected things that could be slowing down your Wi-Fi signal, as they have the ability to absorb or reflect wireless signals.

  • Mirrors. They don’t just reflect light. Mirrors with even a thin metal backing can reflect Wi-Fi signals, causing them to bounce around and potentially create dead zones or electromagnetic interference.
  • Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth devices, such as speakers, keyboards, and headphones, can operate on similar frequencies as Wi-Fi and might cause interference if they’re in close proximity. Our recommendation? If you’re not using it, switch it off!
  • Fluorescent lights. Believe it or not, certain types of fluorescent lights can emit electromagnetic interference that can impact your connection, especially in the 2.4 GHz range. If possible, give alternative lights a go – like LED.
  • Water. It’s bad news for your family goldfish. Water can absorb and weaken Wi-Fi signals. Large containers of water like fish tanks, or even a crowded room of people, can reduce performance.
  • Microwaves. They’re a recipe for disaster! That’s right, microwaves also operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency range and can cause temporary interference when in use.
  • Corded electronics. Some corded electronics, especially those with motors or transformers, can generate electromagnetic interference that might impact wi-fi performance.
  • Walls and floors. As you would have guessed, thick walls made of concrete or brick, as well as floors with metal reinforcement, can significantly weaken Wi-Fi signals as they absorb or reflect the wireless signals.
• Why does my Wi-Fi feel slower in some rooms?

  Walls, floors, and large objects can block signals. Have you considered using a Wi-Fi extender for better coverage? Find out more.

• How does Wi-Fi reach every room?

  Your router pushes out radio waves, transmitting millions of bits of data per second, to your devices – like smart phones, computers or tablets.

  It’s through these airwaves and technology that you are able to stream your favourite shows, battle your opponents online and work from home. But, there are some interfering elements that could make your connection slow and ruin your downtime, keep reading below to see what they are.

• My Wi-Fi signal is poor, how can I fix this?

  A number of factors can affect your Wi-Fi coverage, including:

  – The materials your home is built from
  – Interference from other networks and devices
  – Electronics in your home

  How to improve your Wi-Fi coverage:

  – When the router is installed, be sure to keep the area between your router and the high internet/device-usage areas clear from large obstacles and objects, including fish tanks, refrigerators and mirrors.

  – Buy or rent a Wi-Fi extender to help extend the coverage in your home.

  – Ask for an SSID split, which creates two different connections within your home: a 2.4GHz connection and a 5GHz connection. 5Ghz will show faster speeds but with a lower range. We recommend connecting laptops, tablets, and mobiles to this one. 2.4GHz will show slightly lower speeds but a vaster range for devices to connect to. We recommend connecting any other devices in your home to this for the best service.

  If you are still experiencing poor coverage after the above steps, please get in touch with Customer Support via email, phone call or our live-chat service and they can investigate your connectivity and advise you on the best options to improve your coverage.

• How do Wi-Fi and broadband differ?

  Broadband is the physical connection that runs under the ground, from our independent Full Fibre infrastructure, to the router in your property. You can connect to the broadband by plugging an ethernet cable from the router to your device, giving you greater speeds and reliability. However, as this is a wired connection, you are restricted and cannot move around as freely.

  Alternatively, you can connect devices to your router wirelessly, using the Wi-Fi. This gives you the ability to connect multiple devices instantly and from anywhere in the property. However, as Wi-Fi devices share speeds, you will always see less speed than what your package was advertised for, especially if you have multiple devices.

  Both of these connections work together to help meet your digital needs. Looking for some advice about the wired vs wireless connections? Get in touch.