Whole Home WiFi
Whole home WiFi (AKA a mesh system or mesh network) can keep you connected all year round. If you have a larger house, a mesh system is not only a good idea but may be vital in modern living. We’ll examine what a mesh system is, whether or not you need one, and explore its benefits. Let’s go ahead and explain why your home may need a mesh Wi-Fi system.
What is Whole Home Wi-Fi?
We must first look at a traditional router to understand what whole home WiFi is.
Traditionally, routers are centralized. In other words, you put a single WiFi router in a particular area of your home, and then you can receive a signal throughout. If you have a smaller house, this usually works fine. However, bigger homes may have areas with poor signal. This means that downloading large files can be challenging.
Mesh WiFi systems allow homes to have consistent WiFi coverage throughout the area. Mesh routers start with a central router connecting to your home’s modem. Then, the person places nodes throughout the house to give consistent signals. These nodes are satellite modules that share the same network and password.
Some people may use “mesh router” and “WiFi extender” interchangeably. However, these are two different concepts entirely. An extender creates separate Wi-Fi networks, repeating the network you already have. This means you must connect to every network, which can be annoying. Also, extenders may not be giving you the full potential of your Internet speed.
Meanwhile, a mesh system uses the same network and provides consistent speeds no matter where in the home you are.
Whole Home Wi-Fi Powered by Plume
At Broadlinc, we’re not only bringing faster speeds to rural Kentucky, but we’re also helping our customers have full Wi-Fi coverage throughout. We’re proud to use Plume, a Wi-Fi mesh system that is more than a range extender. You can just plug the Plume nodes into your wall; no cords are required. Then, Plume will adapt your Wi-Fi strength based on your usage, how many devices, and many other factors.
Plume also has an app that lets you control your network. You can set up guest Wi-Fi, manage parental controls, and more. Plume also uses the latest 6e technology. This tech can future proof your home, providing the fastest speeds for the latest devices.
Why Choose Whole Home Wi-Fi?
Not every household needs a mesh WiFi system. If you live in an apartment or a small, one-story house, you can get consistent coverage throughout your residence. But if you live in a multi-story or bigger home, Wi-Fi mesh routers are essential. If you’re in a room far from the Wi-Fi router or are filled with obstructions such as floors, walls, or furniture, your Wi-Fi signal can be weak or nonexistent.
Say you’ve built an entertainment room in the basement and want to stream 4K movies, an online game, or another task requiring a strong Wi-Fi signal. If your WiFi signal is poor, you may experience constant buffering, low-quality video, game lag, or other inconveniences. However, you can enjoy your entertainment without interruptions if you have a mesh Wi-Fi system.
Another reason why our customers choose a mesh system is if there are multiple devices in an area with mediocre signal. In rural areas the signal may be enough for one device, but what if many people live in your home? Or what if you have a company over and they want to connect to your network? Without a mesh Wi-Fi system, you may fight for who stays connected or feel rude because you declined to give your guest your password. But with mesh WiFi, multiple people can have a consistent connection.
A person may also use a mesh system to give WiFi to outdoor areas. Say you own a farm that uses smart technology or WiFi cameras. When that tech goes outdoors, its connection may be spotty or nonexistent because it’s far away from the house. Mesh systems help to keep everything connected, inside or out.
Finally, you may want Wi-Fi mesh systems because you own a brick-and-mortar store or other business. A mesh WiFi system ensures that your employees stay connected. In addition, you can set up a guest network so that your customers can keep connected without sabotaging your network security. In addition, a guest network may have its speeds, giving priority to the main network.
What is Mesh Pods?
Broadlinc is pleased to offer Plume mesh WiFi. Mesh pods are nodes that have everything you need for a smart mesh Wi-Fi system. The newest models come equipped with WiFi 6E, the latest standard. With a WiFi 6E-compatible device, you can experience faster speeds without latency.
There are several Plume pods you can purchase. They are backward compatible so that you can mix or match. This also makes upgrading easy and a gradual process if you’re on a small budget. For example, you may buy a less-expensive pod in an area where fast downloads take less priority.
Mesh pods are just one of many ways you can create a mesh network. However, we recommend them for a simple, powerful way to keep your mesh network running smoothly.
What is a Mesh System?
Mesh WiFi systems refer to nodes around the home to give a consistent signal.
When setting up a mesh WiFi system, where you place them is critical. Ideally, you would like to place a node in an area with a poor signal, if you don’t mind. Strategic placement can enhance your home WiFi system and give consistent speeds to all connected devices.
Where Do I Put Mesh Systems?
First, I’d like you to start by figuring out where dead zones in your home are. These are usually areas the furthest away from your router or in areas with obstructions. Another question you’ll need to figure out is, do you want Wi-Fi outside? If you have an expansive porch or you’re on a farm that may utilize Wi-Fi devices, mesh WiFi is vital.
No two setups will be alike, but placing a system near your router and on each floor is a good start. You may also want to put one in a basement, attic, or patio.
Ideally, your mesh Wi-Fi system should begin near your router, and placing one or two on each floor is ideal, preferably in the middle, for consistent Wi-Fi coverage. If you wish to have a mesh Wi-Fi system in outdoor areas such as your porch or garden, putting a mesh system node near the closest window may help. Ultimately, your mesh Wi-Fi system setup can depend on your home’s unique needs.
If you still have dead spots in your home, you may need to rearrange each mesh router. Alternatively, you may not have enough nodes. If you have a large house, one mesh router may not cut it. You may need at least three, depending on your home’s layout.
Is a Mesh Router Better Than a Normal Router?
A mesh router is better if you live in a larger home. If you use a centralized, traditional router, there will be areas with inconsistent speeds due to poorer signal.
However, you won’t find much difference if you live in a small house or apartment. Modern traditional routers should give enough signal to all areas in smaller homes as long as you place them in a proper location. Mesh routers will not increase your maximum speeds but allow each area to reach its fullest potential.
While we recommend a mesh system for larger homes, you may not need one if you live in a 1-3 bedroom apartment.
Why Choose Broadlinc’s Mesh Network?
If you want broadband speeds with consistent coverage, Broadlinc’s mesh network may be just what you need. You can read on to learn why our mesh network is so popular.
1. Improved Coverage
We use a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system. You may deal with poor signal in some rooms if you have a larger home or business. This makes downloading large files, streaming video, or even general Web surfing much more difficult. Our mesh system gives you consistent coverage throughout your home. You can download large video games in your basement, stream music in a backyard party without interruptions, and more.
2. Eliminates Dead Zones
Your house may have full coverage if you live in a small apartment or home. However, there may be dead zones if you live in a house with a basement, a large yard, or multiple floors. Dead zones are rooms or areas with only a bar or two of Wi-Fi or none. A mesh system prevents these zones from occurring.
3. Mobile App
Mesh WiFi comes with many smart home conveniences. One example is Wi-Fi 6e nodes, which let you control their actions via an app. You can see how the nodes are performing and make adjustments. You can set up a guest WiFi network so that a guest can connect without needing your primary password. In addition, this app has parental controls. You can see your child’s Internet activities, choose what sites they can access, and more.
4. Simple Configuration
You don’t need to be a tech wiz to understand the setup process for your mesh system. The packages have simple instructions, which often involve plugging in the nodes and connecting them to your Wi-Fi network. The most complicated aspect for many is figuring out where to place the nodes.
Also, contact customer support if you have any questions about the process. Your Internet service provider may also help you figure out the best placement for these nodes.
5. High Link Speeds
You can throw away that Ethernet cable when you use mesh WiFi. Modern mesh WiFi systems can support fiber speeds; some can even go to 4GB. This means you can stream content, download large files, and do other high-demand activities in seconds without creating a mess of cables.
Besides our mesh systems, we provide broadband speeds for rural areas. You can also customize a package that best fits your business. We’re locally owned and have helped bridge the digital divide that has prevented many in rural Kentucky from enjoying everything the Internet offers. Please reach out to us today to see how we can help you.
Get a Flawless Internet Experience with Broadlinc
- Onsite evaluation and inspection
- Customized WiFi signal-connection test and installation
- A router that smartly optimizes itself depending on the load