How Can We Improve Our Home WiFi Network?

×
Back to blog

While average internet speeds are improving in Australia due to the roll out of the NBN, there is one very important bottleneck which is slowing everything down and causing a lot of frustration: the home Wi-Fi network.

The Rise of Internet-Connected Devices in Australian Homes

In the past decade, a strong, reliable home Wi-Fi network has gone from a ‘nice-to-have’ to an essential part of everyday life. There is so much in modern life that depends on the internet, tasks that were previously done offline. From banking and shopping to finding local tradies and communicating with friends, the ability to reliably connect to the internet has never been so central to our lives.

WiFi Connected Devices in Homes

There are a staggering number of WiFi enabled devices in the average Australian home. NBNCo, the company tasked with delivering fast, reliable internet to every home in Australia, has estimated the average number of internet-connected devices in an Australian home to be 13.7. When talking to our customers, we find most of our customers have more than 20! This might sound like a lot, but once you actually consider all the various mobile phones, tablets, gaming platforms, smart TVs, laptops and desktop computers in your home, it’s probably not sounding that outrageous.

Add to that the rise of the IoT movement (Internet of Things), and there will be more and more internet-enabled devices entering our homes, making our lives easier and more connected. It's estimated that by the year 2021, a typical Aussie home will have over 30 connected devices! Think fridges, coffee machines, light bulbs, electric blinds, smart door locks, wallet and key trackers, bike locks, irrigation controllers, temperature sensors and air-conditioners, light switches, CCTV cameras, ovens, speakers, and so much more all connecting to the internet!

We’re going to need much more stable, reliable internet connections in our homes if they’re going to be able to handle the increased load of all these additional devices. One way to ensure this is by improving Wi-Fi coverage through the use of Wi-Fi extenders and Wi-Fi mesh systems, which can help eliminate dead zones and provide consistent signals throughout the house. Additionally, reducing wireless interference from other devices and neighbouring networks can enhance overall performance.

For those with multiple devices, a wired connection using an ethernet cable can often provide more reliable and faster internet access, bypassing potential issues with wireless networks. However, maintaining a robust wireless network is still crucial for the convenience and mobility it offers.

Are Our Current Home Networks Going To Be Able To Cope?

While average internet speeds are improving in Australia due to the roll out of the NBN, there is one very important bottle neck which is slowing everything down and causing a lot of frustration… the home WiFi network.

The typical Australian home has a cheap modem/router provided to them for free by their internet provider, the one that came in the box when you signed up to a new internet plan. It’s probably installed in a study or bedroom down one end of the house, and has done an ‘ok’ job at providing a home W-iFi network that enables you to connect to the internet throughout your home.

When you are nice and close to the modem, you get a great Wi-Fi signal and the internet works fine. But down the other end of the house you struggle with speed and connectivity. And when everyone in the house is using the internet at the same time, everything grinds to a halt.

Does this scenario sound familiar?

The reason for this is that these modem/routers have a lot of jobs to do. They are a modem, router, network switch and a wireless access point all at the same time! There is a lot of technology packed into these little boxes. Consider also that you are getting this product for ‘free’ so it’s unlikely to be high quality.

For the technically minded, the modem connects you to the internet via your ISP. The router is like a traffic cop directing the traffic in your network and the switch provides additional ethernet ports so you can physically connect multiple wired devices. The wireless access point (WAP) is a wireless switch that enables you to connect multiple wireless devices.

Each of these elements is a critical component to provide a good home network, but the typical modem/router is a ‘Jack of all trades’. It tries to do everything, but in the end it is a ‘master of none’. The area it really lets us down in is the WiFi network. These modems are just not able to connect the number of devices in the modern family home or provide a strong enough wireless signal throughout the whole home even if it is placed right in the middle of the house.

How Can We Improve Our Home WiFi Network?

The way to improve your home WiFi network to resolve your connectivity issues is to reduce your reliance on the modem/router that was provided by your internet provider. Kenner Electrics can separate out some of the roles that the modem is trying to deliver, instead installing equipment that specialises in one particular component of the home WiFi network.

A separate Wireless Access Point (WAP) compliments the typical home modem/router perfectly.

Ubiquity Unifi Wireless Access Points (WAP)
Ubiquity Unifi Wireless Access Points (WAP) come in various sizes and designs to suit your home

While the tech savvy amongst us will also choose a separate router and switch to really get the most of the internet connection, most homes will be fine with just the WAPs installed.

Unifi Switch for Home Wifi Network
Ubiquity Unifi Switch

A WAP is a standalone device that creates a local wireless network in your home. The WAP is wired directly to the router, but can be installed in a separate location in your home for optimal Wi-Ficoverage. The WAP will increase the bandwidth of your WiFI network, enabling more devices to be connected simultaneously. If multiple WAPs are installed throughout the home (as may be required in larger or double storey homes), it creates one single WiFi network so there is no need for the devices to be swapping between different networks within your home.

Proper WAPs should not be confused with ‘network extender’ devices that you plug into a powerpoint, as these devices create a separate network which will actually slow down the entire system and cause your devices to have to keep jumping from network to network as you move throughout the home.

Network Access Point
A 'network extender' does not do the same job as a Wireless Access Point

Wireless Access Points by Ubiquity

Kenner Electrics recommends the installation of Ubiquity Unifi WiFi Wireless Access Points (WAP). These products are specifically designed to be brilliant at the one job they do, providing a strong, fast and reliable WiFi network. This means that they can handle more devices, provide faster speeds, over a larger area and with less drop outs!

Unifi Wireless Access Point
Ubiquity Unifi Wireless Access Point (WAP)
  • To provide a fantastic WiFi network throughout a 1-2 bedroom single storey home would require one central WAP.
  • A larger single storey home would need 2 x WAPs installed in separate areas of the house to allow for increased coverage.
  • A typical double storey home would require 1-2 x WAPs spaced apart downstairs, and a third WAP installed upstairs.

Ubiquity Unifi WAPs are ideally installed on the ceiling so that they can achieve optimal coverage, but they can also be installed in cupboards if you prefer them to be out of sight.

Electrician installs wireless access point
Kenner Electrics supplies and installs Unifi Wireless Access Points to improve your home WiFi network

Boost Your Wi-Fi and Get The Speeds You Deserve!

If faster, more reliable internet with better coverage throughout your home sounds like something you’d benefit from, give Kenner Electrics a call on (03) 9996 0663 or visit our website to see how we can help with your internet connection.

Why Choose Kenner Electrics?

Kenner Electrics is your trusted local electrician. We have a friendly and professional team of highly qualified, experienced and licensed electricians ready to handle all your commercial and residential electrical needs.

We provide up-front pricing with a clear explanation of the work required to avoid cost overruns. We provide prompt and efficient service and prioritise safety on each and every job. We are fully insured, licensed and accredited, we're a member of the National Electrical & Communications Association, and we are a registered electrical contractor with Energy Safe Victoria. We always provide compliance certificates for all completed electrical installation work.

We're one of the top rated electricians in Melbourne with over 300 genuine 5-star reviews from residential and business customers just like you.

Call our friendly team on (03) 9996 0663 or contact us online now.

Tidy and reliable electrician Melbourne

There's plenty of ways to get in touch With Us Today

Phone

(03) 9996 0663

We're always ready to talk to you about your job.

Email

sales@kennerelectrics.com.au

Send through an email, and we'll respond during business hours.

Enquire Online

Submit an enquiry form online

Fill out an enquiry form on our website, and we'll respond within one business day.

Fill Out our enquiry Form Below

As your local electrician, we promise friendly, professional customer service. On the job and after, you're safe with us.

Thanks! Your enquiry has now been sent and we will get back to you soon.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.