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How to position your wireless mesh units

This article will provide guidance on how to get the most out of your Regional Broadband Complete WiFi mesh equipment.

Proper placement of the WiFi mesh units is crucial for achieving seamless connectivity throughout your home. In this article, we'll explore the best practices for positioning three WiFi mesh units to maximize their effectiveness.

Assess WiFi reception with only one unit

Connect the primary mesh unit (one with a purple sticker) and connect it to the broadband feed. Then assess WiFi reception in your home to identify areas with poor coverage. Consider the size and structure of your home, noting areas where you frequently use the service. This will help determine the best locations for the mesh units.

Positioning of the secondary units

Position the secondary mesh units halfway between the primary unit and areas with poor WiFi coverage to evenly distribute coverage and minimize dead zones.

Here's an example of WiFi reception in a large house with only the primary unit connected, showing poor coverage in the master bedroom and kitchen/dining room area:

example1_primary_only

And this is what WiFi reception might look like with correctly placed secondary mesh units:

example1_with_mesh

In the above example the broadband connection was terminated near the middle of the property, with some WiFi dead spots on either side, therefore the secondary units were placed on either side. Units #2 and #3 are both receiving the signal from unit #1 and repeating it.

In the next example we have the connection terminated one one side of the property:

example2_primary_only

And the same setup, with correctly positioned secondary units:

example2_with_mesh

Note that this time unit #2 is receiving a signal from unit #1 and unit #3 is receiving the signal from #2.

If your home has internal cabling for broadband, it is highly recommended to use that to connect one mesh unit to another. This will not only improve performance, but it also eliminates the need of having to place a secondary unit close enough to another one to receive its signal.

Further useful tips

Avoid Obstructions

Ensure minimal physical obstructions between mesh units to maintain a strong signal. Position units with clear line of sight to each other to reduce interference and improve performance.

Height Consideration

Mount the mesh units at chest level or higher to improve signal and avoid interference from furniture and obstacles. Avoid placing units on the floor, which can hinder signal distribution.

Experiment and Test

Test WiFi signal strength in different areas of your space after initial placement. Use a WiFi analyzer tool or device signal strength indicator to identify weak spots. Adjust mesh unit positions as needed for improved coverage.

Minimize Interference

Minimize interference by keeping mesh units away from devices that emit electromagnetic interference, such as cordless phones, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and electronic pest repellent devices.