Wireless Router advice

Mickwreay

Mickwreay

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Mick
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I’m currently using the free router supplied by Tiscali.
HUAWEI EchoLife HG521
Are there any better routers out there?
Main problem being signal strength/quality around the house. It is situated in the living room on a unit at shoulder height.

Any advice? :shrug:
 
You don't mention the size of the house or if it's stone wall or plasterboard. Can you not connect to the router or is the broadband speed slow?

Tips,

Place router in the centre of the house,

Try changing the wireless channel.

Make sure it is secure as anyone could be tapping into your wireless thus reducing your bandwidth.

Use the signal strength meter on a laptop to find the best position to place the router, there are plenty small free programs that can be downloaded for this purpose.
 
Jim,

We live in a modern 4 bed detached house of standard construction ie. plasterboard internal walls etc.

Was more interested in stronger signal routers if they exist!

The network has the security enabled using the supplied password.

Mick
 
I have a friend with that same router from Tiscali, lives in an old largish 3 bed terraced council house and gets great reception from it.

Perhaps it needs a firmware update?

Is the broadband speed good when close to it?
 
Yes, it seems quite fast. Streaming live premiership game yesterday & it was fine.

Just poor reception in front room where I dod most of my work. But the kids also connect for PS3. Not generally all at the same time though.

I'll have a go at moving it & see how we get on.

Mick
 
In the position you have it now, what's on the other side of the wall?
 
Does it have to be wireless? You could run a cable if it is just to one room that needs a good connection.

There are routers that are Linux based and can have the firmware flashed giving you control of transmitter power. I've never used one and only found out because I was looking recently for a replacement for one that overheated but later recovered and didn't need replacing. the one in the link is for cable not ADSL unless used with a separate modem - and its G not N.

There are also routers than can run as a 'repeater' to extend the signal.
 
That router is terrible.

Try going for a TP-Link TD-W8960N. It is a much better router. And gives out the strongest wifi signal at one of the fastest speeds possible over wifi (300mb/s) you'd is only a speed of 135mb/s. Although those speeds may not make much of a difference in Internet speed etc. You will find that you will get a better reception around your home.

And also they are fairly cheap. I paid £27 for mine (Trade Price).
 
admirable said:
In the position you have it now, what's on the other side of the wall?
Click to expand...

It's in the living room mid-way along the length of the house

Kemmish said:
That router is terrible.

Try going for a TP-Link TD-W8960N.
Click to expand...

I imagined the basic router to be simply "fit for purpose" tbh, so I was expecting to buy a decent one. Will have a look, thanks

RobertP said:
Does it have to be wireless? You could run a cable if it is just to one room that needs a good connection.

There are routers that are Linux based and can have the firmware flashed giving you control of transmitter power. I've never used one and only found out because I was looking recently for a replacement for one that overheated but later recovered and didn't need replacing. the one in the link is for cable not ADSL unless used with a separate modem - and its G not N.

There are also routers than can run as a 'repeater' to extend the signal.
Click to expand...

I prefer wireless as it is easier, we all have laptops so it give us the freedom of movement.

Thanks for the info all :thumbs:

Mick
How do I know if mine is G or N & what's the difference?

Just seen this on Hotukdeals http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/15572444/Belkin-F5Z0141UK-Wireless-N150-Cable-Router-And-Wireless-N-Network-Adapter/Product.html?P36=V52K86&affid=hotukdeals&awc=buyat&_$ja=tsid:11516|prd:hotukdeals

Is it any good?
 
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Your is a B/G/N compatable router.

The router in the link you have posted is for cable broadband.
 
admirable said:
Your is a B/G/N compatable router.

The router in the link you have posted is for cable broadband.
Click to expand...

Cheers Jim,

Just c/out a speed test:
10504 Kbps Download
758 Kbps Upload

Not sure how good these results are?

I have just been given a BT Home Hub 2.0 by my neighbour.
Can I use this as a replacement & would it be any better than I have now?

Mick
 
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It might be if it's black in colour. I presume you'll need to get into the setting to change the username and password. You have nothing to lose by trying it.

The fact that you are getting it's streaming OK to the TV would suggest it's delivering the data but it's just the range that is the problem.
 
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