Are you planning to spend a significant amount of time in your garden this summer? You’ll want to make sure that your Wi-Fi signal can keep up with your outdoor demands.
There’s no need to limit your digital life whilst soaking up the sunshine as we’re here to help guide you on the best way to get reliable outdoor Wi-Fi access points.
If you’re planning on working in the garden, hosting a BBQ or keeping your family entertained outdoors, here’s how to get a network signal that won’t disappoint.
Wi-Fi extender
A Wi-Fi extender takes an existing signal from a wireless router and re-broadcasts it to extend its coverage over a larger area.
They’re simple to set up and manage and can be strategically placed in the plug socket closest to your garden to extend your Wi-Fi’s reach.
As long as your router is within 20 feet of your extender then you’re within a reasonable distance to extend your signal outdoors.
Mesh network
A Wi-Fi mesh network is a network of multiple extenders called nodes that are spread around to provide broader Wi-Fi coverage.
Mesh networks are extremely reliable within range, giving you excellent signal strength and performance when close to the node.
The best thing about a mesh system is that it will automatically connect to whichever node has the strongest signal strength. This means you can walk around your property freely and be automatically connected to the nearest and strongest signal.
Ethernet cable
Ethernet cable technology has been around since the 70s and although it’s an old-fashioned way to connect to the internet, it is still one of the most secure and reliable ways to do so.
An ethernet cable allows you to connect your device straight from your router, as long as your device has an ethernet port or ethernet adapter.
An ethernet cable is a reliable option if you only need your internet to extend over the length of the ethernet cable. If this sounds like the right method for you, we recommend investing in a UV-protected cable to avoid damage from the sun.
Powerline Network
Powerline networks still use an ethernet cable but they offer much more flexibility than an ethernet cable on its own.
The powerline network consists of a minimum of two adaptors that are plugged into electrical sockets. One plug is connected to your router and the second plug can be transported to any socket in close proximity to your garden so the signal can reach outside.
The quality of your signal and the speed at which the adaptors transfer data will depend on the price, make, model and amount of adaptors you choose.
Point to Point
A point-to-point network is very similar to a Wi-Fi extender except they’re even more reliable and can extend a much greater distance. Point-to-point networks are usually sold to businesses to connect sites which are near to each other.
The only drawback is you’ll need external cabling for power and ethernet and point-to-point can cost more than the other options as you’ll need to have them professionally installed.
Point-to-Point is an advanced way to get a strong signal and a wide outdoor wireless range to your garden.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest broadband tips and news.
