ᐅ Poor Wi-Fi in a Newly Built Home Despite Fiber Optic Connection
Created on: 20 Nov 2020 22:31
T
Tx-25
Hello. Today, after 6 months, we finally got internet in our new build. I set up the fiber optic connection on the FritzBox 7590 router. For that, I reset the router to factory settings and configured it according to the fiber installation guide. Then I updated it to the latest version. Somehow, the Wi-Fi isn’t as fast as expected. What could be the reason? The router is located in the utility room (ground floor corner) on a cabinet. Our living room is in the opposite corner on the ground floor. There, we have 3 out of 4 bars, sometimes even less. The speed is not particularly good either.
In the upstairs bathroom (directly above the utility room), the connection is practically non-existent. If I go to the upstairs hallway, I get 3 bars. Shouldn’t the signal actually be stronger throughout, even without a repeater?
The fiber modem and the FritzBox are connected by an Ethernet cable I already had. Should this cable be upgraded? Are there any other tips?
The switch for the LAN outlets isn’t connected yet. I still need to order it and install the wiring.
In the upstairs bathroom (directly above the utility room), the connection is practically non-existent. If I go to the upstairs hallway, I get 3 bars. Shouldn’t the signal actually be stronger throughout, even without a repeater?
The fiber modem and the FritzBox are connected by an Ethernet cable I already had. Should this cable be upgraded? Are there any other tips?
The switch for the LAN outlets isn’t connected yet. I still need to order it and install the wiring.
K
knalltüte21 Nov 2020 01:15Wow. Just tossing all the problems into one pot and stirring ... shaking my head ...
Approach the problem systematically.
First: what exactly did the original poster order?
Fiber optic does not automatically mean 250 MBit/s.
Then: what speed is actually arriving at the network termination point?
If the difference is too large, address that issue first and have the provider solve it.
After that, tackle the Wi-Fi problem. There are probably thousands of posts here and online about what can be done. Since the cables for the outlets (I assume the OP means from the patch panel in the utility room to the outlets on the ground floor, upper floor etc.) are not yet connected, make sure to have that done as soon as possible. Then connect Wi-Fi access points there. If they are also supposed to be from AVM, the 2400 repeaters work well as Wi-Fi bridges (access points) and support mesh networking!
If the OP doesn’t understand this post: call a professional and have it done, or keep asking here until you get suitable answers 😉
Approach the problem systematically.
First: what exactly did the original poster order?
Fiber optic does not automatically mean 250 MBit/s.
Then: what speed is actually arriving at the network termination point?
If the difference is too large, address that issue first and have the provider solve it.
After that, tackle the Wi-Fi problem. There are probably thousands of posts here and online about what can be done. Since the cables for the outlets (I assume the OP means from the patch panel in the utility room to the outlets on the ground floor, upper floor etc.) are not yet connected, make sure to have that done as soon as possible. Then connect Wi-Fi access points there. If they are also supposed to be from AVM, the 2400 repeaters work well as Wi-Fi bridges (access points) and support mesh networking!
If the OP doesn’t understand this post: call a professional and have it done, or keep asking here until you get suitable answers 😉
The data from the Fritzbox suggests a 50 Mbit (megabit) plan. Not very fast, but manageable.
Wi-Fi is a whole different matter. If the Fritzbox is placed at one end of the house, it’s not surprising that the signal is weak on the opposite side. Wi-Fi typically performs even worse between floors due to reinforced concrete ceilings and underfloor heating. The only solution is Wi-Fi access points. Usually, one per floor is sufficient. However, this also depends on the floor plan, building materials, neighboring networks, and personal requirements. I hope you have planned for network outlets in central locations for the access points.
Wi-Fi is a whole different matter. If the Fritzbox is placed at one end of the house, it’s not surprising that the signal is weak on the opposite side. Wi-Fi typically performs even worse between floors due to reinforced concrete ceilings and underfloor heating. The only solution is Wi-Fi access points. Usually, one per floor is sufficient. However, this also depends on the floor plan, building materials, neighboring networks, and personal requirements. I hope you have planned for network outlets in central locations for the access points.
As @superzapp already mentioned, there is quite a bit of confusion here.
This is a classic case where someone didn't put much thought into the construction or fell into the misconception that a Fritzbox alone can provide fast Wi-Fi coverage for an entire single-family house.
Therefore, multiple access points (wired) are needed to ensure proper coverage.
Please try testing the 5 GHz network directly at the Fritzbox. It should perform significantly better there.
This is a classic case where someone didn't put much thought into the construction or fell into the misconception that a Fritzbox alone can provide fast Wi-Fi coverage for an entire single-family house.
Therefore, multiple access points (wired) are needed to ensure proper coverage.
Please try testing the 5 GHz network directly at the Fritzbox. It should perform significantly better there.
We have a Magenta M home internet contract with a 50,000 Mbps (50 Gbps) connection. We placed the router in the utility room because the electrician recommended positioning it close to the main house connection point. Unfortunately, we don’t have a central network outlet in the house. Although there is a network outlet in every room, there isn’t one in certain areas, like the upstairs hallway. I plan to measure the Wi-Fi signal strength again tonight. I have already downloaded the FritzBox Wi-Fi app, which provided the data I shared in my initial post. I am considering setting up a mesh network using the FritzBox 2400 repeater. Tonight, I will also check the actual internet speed we are receiving.
The router is located in the corner of the utility room where the electrical distribution panel is also mounted. Should I try to position myself as far away from it as possible?
The router is located in the corner of the utility room where the electrical distribution panel is also mounted. Should I try to position myself as far away from it as possible?
I have my first appointment with the electrician at the shell stage coming up soon, so I’ve been reading the discussions here online with great interest. However, I still don’t quite understand the issue.
It seems to me that you’re using the terms Internet and Wi-Fi interchangeably?
Regarding Wi-Fi:
Is it the Wi-Fi connection that feels slow to you, or the Internet itself? Especially on the 5 GHz band, the signal can drop significantly after passing through just one wall due to technical reasons. But normally, having 3 to 5 bars should not be a problem, and the 2.4 GHz band can be used as a fallback. Does neither the 2.4 GHz nor the 5 GHz signal cover the whole house?
Otherwise, using repeaters or access points is the only solution, ideally connected via Ethernet cables distributed across the floors. If your electrician tells you that placing the router in the utility room is enough to cover the entire house, that might be cost-effective but it’s not the best solution.
Regarding Internet:
I wasn’t aware that you could even order such slow fiber-optic service. The router connects with a "DSL 50000" profile — which is far from fiber-optic speeds like gigabit. Now, the question is: what exactly is available to you? Do you really have FTTH (fiber to the home), or were you provided with a copper cable instead?
It seems to me that you’re using the terms Internet and Wi-Fi interchangeably?
Regarding Wi-Fi:
Is it the Wi-Fi connection that feels slow to you, or the Internet itself? Especially on the 5 GHz band, the signal can drop significantly after passing through just one wall due to technical reasons. But normally, having 3 to 5 bars should not be a problem, and the 2.4 GHz band can be used as a fallback. Does neither the 2.4 GHz nor the 5 GHz signal cover the whole house?
Otherwise, using repeaters or access points is the only solution, ideally connected via Ethernet cables distributed across the floors. If your electrician tells you that placing the router in the utility room is enough to cover the entire house, that might be cost-effective but it’s not the best solution.
Regarding Internet:
I wasn’t aware that you could even order such slow fiber-optic service. The router connects with a "DSL 50000" profile — which is far from fiber-optic speeds like gigabit. Now, the question is: what exactly is available to you? Do you really have FTTH (fiber to the home), or were you provided with a copper cable instead?
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