I recently moved into a three-story flat on the top floor, but the Wi-Fi signal is weak because the landlord's O2 DSL modem is installed on the first floor. I placed a FRITZ! dual-band repeater on the second floor, which gives me around two bars of signal, but the connection frequently drops.
I'd ideally like to get a reliable Ethernet connection in my flat for a gaming console and work PC. The landlord only permits the existing O2 router to use the DSL connection, so I'm looking for a cost-effective solution that improves connectivity just for my flat rather than covering the entire building.
Would powerline adapters, a mesh system connected to the existing router, or another product be the best option? There may also be old coaxial cable from a previous cable-TV installation in the building.
3 Answers
A single repeater can be unreliable because it has to receive the wireless signal and retransmit it, often cutting available bandwidth and adding another point of failure. Powerline adapters are probably the simplest thing to try: one adapter connects to the landlord’s router with Ethernet, and the other goes in your flat, where you can connect an Ethernet cable or sometimes create a separate Wi-Fi network. Their performance depends heavily on how the electrical circuits are wired, so buy from somewhere with a good return policy. A mesh system is another option, but it normally requires multiple nodes; one extra unit by itself is essentially just another access point or repeater unless the system is designed to work with the existing router.
Before buying anything, check whether the powerline adapters would be on compatible electrical circuits. They can be excellent in some buildings and nearly unusable in others, especially when the signal has to cross different circuits or electrical phases. If they work, you can use a powerline kit to bring Ethernet into the flat and then attach a small access point or Wi-Fi router there for local wireless coverage.
If the building still has usable coaxial cable from an old cable-TV installation, MoCA adapters could provide a much more stable wired network than Wi-Fi or powerline. One adapter would connect to the router downstairs and another would connect to Ethernet equipment upstairs. This only works if the coax outlets are connected to the same cable path and the landlord allows the equipment to be installed, so it’s worth checking the wiring first.
The FRITZ! repeater is dual-band, but it still drops out. Since I only need to improve service in my own flat, powerline sounds like the most practical and affordable option. I was also unsure whether I could build a mesh network using just one additional product with the existing O2 router.