I have U-verse for internet in my home. It works fine downstairs where the unit is set up. However, the signal is very weak upstairs.

Question: What's the best way to increase my internet signal strength all throughout my home, especially upstairs?

TIA.

 

many options....wireless booster, powerline adapter, etc.

 

You may be max distance from the V-RAD box. That's why I stuck with cable.

 

Dont think it has anything to do with the telecom box outside.

Is this one of those 2WIRE combo modem/routers? Those dont have any external antennas which would probably explain the crappy range.

Repeater would do, but also know that you're also typically halving the wireless bandwidth to those connected to the repeater (this may not affect the online experience). This will become an annoyance for computer to computer data transfers.

 

The V-RAD has everything to do with it. I run a Netgear W3700 (no antennae), and I can catch a signal on my Sammy phone six lots down. Of course there is little run-out fade in cable.

And the V-RAD is not a little telecom box... it's the size of an icecream truck.

 

Can you please explain just how a box outside with no wireless capability affect your personal wireless network?

U-verse service isn't wireless... it's fiber to node.

This has everything to do with the range on the router he's using.

edit: i think we're talking about different things. OP is talking about "Internet" which I can only assume means wireless internet. We're not dealing with multiple "u-verse TV" boxes.

and if you didnt know, AT&T is served over fiber or copper, making it just as effective as regular cable.
http://www.att.com/Common/about_us/f...vered_2-22.pdf

 

This is what I've got:


Right again. So, now that we've specified my specific set up and need...any advice?

 

^ I don't know. I had ATT out, and their internet speeds were not even in the same ballpark as cable. The said I was at the end of the V-RAD.

I guess what I'm driving at is that a slow or weak signal coming into the house, the router won't make up the difference.

But I do stand corrected. Seems the OP is happy with downstairs speed.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r239...ance-from-VRAD

 

Whiskers provides some solutions, short of cutting holes in the wall and running cat5/6 lol.

Powerline adapter uses your house's existing power outlets to send data. From there, you can plug in another wireless access point upstairs. I'm not too knowledgeable on the bandwidth hit (if any) going this route. Looks like 200mbs for powerline.

something like this: which seems to include it's own access point.

Or a wireless extender/repeater. This typically cuts your wireless network bandwidth in half for those connected to the repeater. This probably wont be noticeable for web browsing. But large file transfers from computer to computer using the repeater will be significantly slower.

Seems that a power line adapter would give you the best performance. I dont have any exp with one though.

 

I've never tried this, but can ATT run a connection upstairs, and run two wireless routers? Or could you hardwire CAT7 from the primary router to another upstairs?

 

I don't want a wire running upstairs/downstairs. I'd like to stay wireless if possible.

 

I heard that this doesn't work well with Mac iOS. I need something that'll mate with my MBP with no problems.

Suggestions, please!

 

works fine with OSX. But if you have wireless, get a airport express, its also a range extender.

 

Ok, I just purchased the Netgear unit. It's still unwrapped. Which is better, this or the Airport Express?

 

I have U-Verse and I use an Airport Express. i have the same 2Wire box in my basement too.

The AE works great with iOs and AirPlay.

 

Hmm...so should I return the Netgear unit? Or, should I just use it since I bought it?

 

Get the airport express.

 

Ok. If I go with the Apple product, should I go with the Express or the Extreme?

 

Extreme if you want to replace the existing router, express if adding to it.

 

Thanks.