Kitz Forum

Broadband Related => Broadband Hardware => Topic started by: jimmyca69 on July 26, 2021, 11:26:12 AM

Title: New setup advice - Mesh system wanted
Post by: jimmyca69 on July 26, 2021, 11:26:12 AM
Hello,

I have been asked by friend to recommend a new setup for a house they are about to move into.

They are looking for broadband and phone, their main requirement is good wi-fi throughout. House is old (so thick walls) and I believe 5 bedrooms so large size. They only have FTTC available with 71/20 estimated speeds.

My requirement is I would like to look at something good for them but also very lite-touch so I am not being called often for support!

Options I am looking at are:

1) BT as provider - purchasing the 3 x Whole Home Wi-Fi discs to ensure coverage and seamless connection with the BTHH they will provide.

2) BT as provider - use the BTHH, turn wi-fi off and purchase a 3rd party mesh system to connect in AP Mode (Deco M9 Plus 3 x disc system or possibly Orbi if they wish to spend more) to use in access point mode

3) Alternative provider with better specialised support like Zen, IDNet, AA etc - then purchasing mesh system (Deco M9 or Orbi) to use in access point mode with the providers router.

4) As option 2 or 3 but use a spare VMG8324-B10A I have, I wont use the ISP's router and would have the VMG8324-B10A connected to the 3rd party mesh system, getting the Deco/Orbi to do the routing and wireless.

Anything I may have missed options wise or setups people can recommend? There is no ethernet backhaul available and cabling not an option, I also want to avoid Powerline as well.

Thanks
Title: Re: New setup advice - Mesh system wanted
Post by: stevebrass on July 26, 2021, 04:06:17 PM
I have use Netgear Orbi with VM and with BT.

My house is 1500 square feet two storey and a Netgear Router plus one satellite works fine.

Obviously more satellites can be added.
Title: Re: New setup advice - Mesh system wanted
Post by: jelv on July 26, 2021, 04:17:23 PM
If you chose Zen and wanted minimal involvement, why not use one of these with the router Zen provide?

https://en.avm.de/products/fritzwlan/
Title: Re: New setup advice - Mesh system wanted
Post by: broadstairs on July 26, 2021, 04:25:40 PM
I have a BT 3 disc set up with my own router, our house is about 100 years old and proved problematic with normal WiFi but it works well forum us.

Stuart
Title: Re: New setup advice - Mesh system wanted
Post by: jimmyca69 on July 28, 2021, 09:52:46 AM
Thanks all

The house itself is around 6,000sq ft and over 3 floors, and having a walk around it will probably need at least 3 x APs.

Given the size of the house and lack of ethernet, I am looking for tr-band solutions to ensure dedicated backhaul.

One query I have, is it worth investing in Wi-Fi 6 to help the mesh setup? There is no point having Wi-Fi 6 given the 70mb d/l speed and zero Wi-Fi 6 devices, but I am trying to confirm if Wi-Fi 6 would give the mesh setup better coverage and so worth recommending a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 setup over a Wi-Fi 5. Cost wise it's a significant step up though so want to be sure it would be beneficial.