New Wireless Mesh Network Will Keep You Connected

The days of weak wireless signals at home may be a thing of the past. Nothing is more frustrating than having a weak, inconsistent and troublesome Wi-Fi network at home, because today’s households (working moms and dads, active kids, involved young adults) rely more on their smart devices and laptops than they do on their microwave ovens. And since most of the population are not technical wizards, they rely on the routers they buy to simply do the job that’s promised on the box. Unfortunately, that’s not always what they get. Because usually, the typical Wi-Fi routers people buy usually aren’t able to send a strong wireless signal throughout the entire house. That’s frustrating. Is there anything you can do? Yes. You can look into the newest routers—and actually entirely new router solutions —that will give you a stronger and more consistent signal throughout your home, condo and apartment. As mentioned in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, the promise of a better signal isn’t coming from a bigger router, or a single new-and-improved one. The typical household has a single router plugged into their modem. That router is tasked with sending a good signal throughout a home or small office, where the layout could include several rooms, and an upstairs and downstairs. As most people find out, coverage can be spotty depending on what room you’re in or if there are walls and appliances between you and the router. But now there’s a new way to get the wireless support you want and need. It’s a Wi-Fi system that employs a network of routers that produces a router “mesh.” Think of it as a wireless signal net that offers total coverage, no matter what room you’re in. The concept is simple: Instead of a single router in one room in the house, you have a router team (sold in a package) at work; a series of Wi-Fi access units that work together to generate a signal that spreads throughout your entire home. Each access unit, as each mini-router is called, is able to broadcast a strong signal wherever it’s placed. One access unit could be upstairs, one downstairs, and a few in out-of-the-way-rooms where, typically, the wireless signal was weakest before. And as you move around your house, the access unit you’re closest to can keep you connected. The cost of normal routers today ranges from $150-$200. These new router solutions and products could cost $350 to $500 dollars. Yes. You’ll pay more, but most certainly you’ll also get more—in this case, a wireless signal that is strong in every room. Doesn’t that seem worth it? Best of all, this approach can help you overcome the obstacles to a reliable Wi-Fi signal faced by homeowners and apartment/condo dwellers: Here are the brand names of some next-generation Wi-Fi systems on the market right now: Other companies that are working on similar new router designs include D-Link, Almond (Securifi) and Plume. According to the WSJ article, a test of a typical, reliable $200 router against a variety of mesh-network systems, proved the new access-unit system performs better. They reported the following: “ All four mesh systems filled out coverage area within (the) test homes where the (standard-type router) barely eked out a connection. The new systems made big performance-differences in the former dead zones. ” Before you invest in a new system, be sure you really need it. It’s possible you could improve your signal on your own: Because there are a handful of systems available, by various manufacturers, not all mesh systems are alike. When you talk to a salesperson in person or shop online, keep in mind what’s important to you and your family. A product review in the Wall Street Journal (Personal Technology, July 16, 2016), was a resource for this article.