How To Optimise Your Fixed Wireless Signal Strength & Testing

Fixed wireless signal strength & testing are crucial for ensuring a stable internet connection, especially in regional areas. As new technologies like 5G and nbn® upgrades become more accessible, ensuring your current setup is ready to harness these advancements is key. 

Did you know that 42% of nbn users have NOT changed their setup in the last five years? Your in-home setup plays a crucial role in determining the quality of your NBN experience, and understanding how to optimise your equipment and configuration can significantly improve your internet speeds and overall satisfaction.

By checking your signal strength, optimising equipment placement, considering necessary upgrades, and improving your Wi-Fi coverage, you can significantly enhance your internet performance. This guide will walk you through practical steps to ensure better connectivity and prepare for future tech developments with Skymesh.

Step #1: Find out how strong your current wireless signals are

With the upcoming 5G technologies and the fixed wireless upgrade on the nbn network, you will be better prepared to benefit from these future advancements by knowing your current signal strength. 

Checking your signal strength now means you can avoid future disruptions and make necessary adjustments before new technologies disrupt your workflow, especially in regional areas where signal strength can be unpredictable.

To accurately measure your fixed wireless signal strength, start by accessing your router’s interface to check metrics like download speed or connectivity. Here, you can check metrics like download speed and connectivity status, which provide insights into your signal’s reliability. Accessing these metrics isn’t as complicated as it might seem and often involves simply logging into your router’s settings page.

Additionally, using tools and apps designed for the nbn can make this process easier. Apps that compare your metrics against the nbn Broadband Performance Data can highlight any discrepancies and performance issues. Speed-measuring applications give a snapshot of your download and upload speeds, often in real-time, letting you see fluctuations that could indicate underlying problems.

These metrics can indicate whether your connection is stable or if external factors are impacting your signal. If your metrics reveal inconsistencies, it might be an issue on your end, such as outdated equipment or a poor setup.

Step #2: Place the equipment in the best possible location

Positioning your outdoor unit and indoor equipment in optimal locations is crucial for maximising signal reception and distribution throughout your home.

For your outdoor unit, the nbn installer will perform all the necessary checks as part of the installation. A clear line of sight between your outdoor unit and the nearest nbn transmission tower is essential. Obstructions like trees and buildings can significantly weaken the signal, making it difficult for your unit to maintain a consistent connection.

Inside your home, strategic router placement eliminates dead zones. Position your router centrally in your home, away from concrete walls, metal objects, and electronic devices that can cause interference. Remember that thick walls, metal objects, and electronic devices that emit electromagnetic interference, such as microwaves and cordless phones, can degrade the signal.

Router age matters significantly. If your router is more than 5 years old, it likely uses outdated technology that cannot support modern internet speeds and security protocols. Upgrading can dramatically improve your experience.

Placing the indoor unit centrally in your home can help ensure that the signal distributes more effectively, providing better overall coverage. Being mindful of the proximity of the unit to other devices can minimise interference and boost performance, and this is something your installer considers during the installation process. 

Ever wondered, ‘Is Fixed Wireless better than ADSL?’ Fixing your fixed wireless performance can help ensure that may be.

Step #3: Consider upgrading your equipment if necessary

Understanding when and how to upgrade your equipment can significantly enhance your fixed wireless performance.

High-gain antennas could significantly enhance your fixed wireless signal strength by focusing the radio waves more effectively towards the nbn transmission towers. As a result, the internet connection becomes more stable and faster.

High-gain antennas work by narrowing the beam of radio waves toward the transmission source, making them more efficient at picking up signals. This focus helps reduce signal loss and interference, which are common issues in regional areas. As a result, your internet connection becomes faster and more reliable for tasks like video conferencing and large file uploads.

Understanding Wi-Fi technology is also essential when considering upgrades. Wi-Fi generations affect compatibility significantly. Newer Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5/6/6E) offer substantially better performance than older generations, but only when both your router and devices support them. Checking device compatibility is simple – we can guide you through identifying which Wi-Fi generation your devices support to ensure optimal connection speeds.

Also consider when to use wired versus wireless connections. While Wi-Fi offers convenience, wired connections provide stability and maximum speeds for gaming, streaming, and work applications.

If you notice persistent signal issues or reduced fixed wireless data speeds performance despite optimising your setup, Skymesh can coordinate with nbn technicians to evaluate the possibility of an equipment upgrade.

Persistent signal issues can arise from outdated equipment or advancements in technology that your current setup can’t support. When optimising the placement of your existing equipment doesn’t suffice, upgrading becomes a necessary step. Contacting your service provider for recommendations can lead to significant improvements.

Additionally, if Skymesh offers Fixed Wireless services in your area, then you may be able to take advantage of 5G or wireless upgrades through the nbn, which are expected to deliver improved coverage, higher speeds, and greater reliability.

Skymesh Fixed Wireless services leverage the improvements made by nbn, including future advancements such as 5G, where available, offering higher speeds and more reliable coverage. These upgrades are especially beneficial in regional areas, where internet connectivity issues are more prevalent.

Checking if these services are available in your area could bring about a substantial leap in your internet performance.

Step #4: Improve your Wi-Fi’s coverage

Consider adding a Wi-Fi extender or mesh to your home

Boosting your Wi-Fi coverage can significantly improve your internet experience, but it’s important to understand the limitations and benefits of different solutions.

Wi-Fi extenders have significant limitations. They often create separate networks and can actually reduce your overall speeds while appearing to improve coverage. While extenders boost signal, they don’t create a new network, which sometimes means the speed can degrade the further you are from the main router.

Mesh systems provide seamless coverage. Unlike extenders, mesh systems create a unified network throughout your home, automatically connecting devices to the strongest signal without manual switching. Wi-Fi mesh devices replace the Wi-Fi signal from your existing modem, usually providing more complete and robust coverage. They also have the advantage of automatically connecting your portable devices to the strongest or closest mesh node so you get the best possible connection at any given time.

Choosing between a Wi-Fi extender and a mesh system depends on your coverage needs and budget constraints. For larger homes or those with challenging layouts, a mesh system is generally the better investment for consistent coverage throughout.

Skymesh has several Fixed Wireless plans available in many regional areas across the country

Skymesh offers a variety of Fixed Wireless plans through nbn, catering to different data needs and budgets. 

Our limitless data plans are ideal for households or businesses with high data usage, providing unrestricted access without the worry of exceeding data limits. For those who have a clear grasp of their monthly data usage, capped plans offer a cost-effective option. 

With access to the network’s extensive array of towers across Australia, Skymesh ensures you have a reliable connection regardless of your location. The range of plans is designed to cater to diverse needs, ensuring there’s an option for everyone.

If you have questions about your current Skymesh service plan, our friendly team of experts is readily available to assist. We offer personalised and accessible customer service that ensures any concerns or queries can be quickly addressed. 

To find out what services are available in your area, check your address with Skymesh today. 

Key Points to Remember

To help ensure a stable and reliable internet connection, make sure to:

1. Measure your signal strength: Access your router’s interface to check download speed and signal metrics. Use tools and apps for detailed performance insights.
2. Position equipment correctly: The nbn installer will place the outdoor unit in a clear line of sight to the nearest tower. Inside, position your router centrally, away from walls and electronic devices that cause interference. If your router is more than 5 years old, consider upgrading for better performance.
3. Upgrade equipment if needed: Consider high-gain antennas or updated devices if signal issues persist. Newer Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5/6/6E) offer significantly better performance, but only when both router and devices support them. Know when to use wired connections for stability.
4. Boost Wi-Fi coverage: While Wi-Fi extenders are an option, they create separate networks and can reduce overall speeds. Mesh systems provide seamless coverage throughout your home with automatic device connection to the strongest signal.
5. Know your terminology: What was previously called the Network Termination Device (NTD) is now known as the “NBN connection box” – the point where the NBN network connects to your home.

Remember, your in-home setup plays a crucial role in determining the quality of your NBN experience. The foundation of your internet experience starts with you – your in-premises configuration directly impacts the speeds and performance you’ll experience, regardless of your NBN plan.