10 Essential WiFi Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask

1. Will upgrading my ISP plan improve my WiFi coverage?

The introduction of WiFi 7 has been a game changer. WiFi 7 makes wireless lag-free gaming, streaming, and VR possible. It’s worth upgrading your internet service plan to one that can keep up with blazing-fast WiFi 7 speeds. WiFi speed and coverage are inversely proportional when using a single router. You won’t get maximum speed as you move further away from the router access point.

2. If I upgrade my ISP plan, will I get double the speed?

An ISP plan upgrade should meet the needs of your modem, router, and network devices such as Apple Mac and Windows computers, gaming consoles, Android smartphones, and smart home applications. However, WiFi speeds are often talked about in ‘theoretical’ terms, as there are a lot of factors that can impact speeds at your IP address, such as:

• Number of simultaneously connected users and their level of internet usage.
• The amount of bandwidth and throughput being used by other devices.
• Interference from other WiFi network devices

3. What causes WiFi dead spots in my home?

Physical obstacles create barriers to a network’s WiFi signal, creating WiFi dead spots. Causes of WiFi dead spots in Australian homes include:

• Thick walls
• Reflecting surfaces
• Heavy furnishings
• Construction materials
• Glass, and water

Devices furthest away from your router won’t receive the same strong signal as devices close to your router, potentially leading to dead spots around the home with no WiFi signal for internet access. See How to extend WiFi coverage in your home?

4. How can I improve WiFi coverage in a large house?

There are various ways to improve WiFi in a large Australian house. Start by moving your router to a more central and open position in your home. Other ways to improve coverage include WiFi extenders, powerline adapters, and high-gain beamforming antennas. However, nothing compares to NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 7 Whole-Home Mesh Systems for improving WiFi coverage in large homes and expansive layouts. Mesh WiFi consists of the main router and multiple satellite routers that relay the superfast WiFi 7 signal to every corner of the property without any noticeable loss of speed.

5. Do more devices slow down my WiFi?

Your older router may not be able to handle multiple devices on your broadband network. Typical scenarios include:

• The router can’t communicate with multiple devices at once.
• As the number of network devices increases, the network slows down.
• The internet speed loss also depends on how much data the devices use.
• Overcrowding with multiple devices on the same network slows down internet speeds.
• Shared internet connections may falter as more devices try to access the WiFi connection.

Orbi 970 WiFi 7 mesh, on the other hand, can handle up to 200 connected devices simultaneously with networking speeds up to 27Gbps, with ultra-low latency.

6. What’s the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi?

There are a lot of differences between 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands. Here are some specs.

2.4 GHz

• Longer range than 5 GHz
• Generally slower than 5 GHz
• Only 3 channels available — channels 1, 6 and 11. (20 MHz-wide)
• More prone to radio wave interference than 5 GHz

Microwave ovens, Bluetooth, baby monitors, fluorescent lights, smart home equipment, and many other things can interfere with 2.4 GHz frequencies and affect WiFi network performance.

5 GHz

• Shorter range than 2.4 GHz
• Doesn’t penetrate walls as well as 2.4 GHz
• Generally faster, and allows for wider channels than 2.4 GHz
• Less prone to interference than 2.4 GHz

A WiFi 6 router upgrade offers significant improvements over earlier WiFi standards. WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 are even more advanced and include the 6GHz band, facilitating tri-band and quad-band WiFi with double the bandwidth of WiFi 6. WiFi 7 opens up a superfast expressway that can include a home network, guest network, and IoT network, all with a single SSID authentication.

7. How to secure my WiFi network in Australia?

An average home network (local area network) faces multiple security threats every day. Progressive brands such as NETGEAR stay one step ahead of cyber threats with state-of-the-art security systems. NETGEAR Armor, powered by Bitdefender, protects your household and the WiFi devices connected to your network. Armor Security includes the latest WPA3 encryption plus fast and reliable VPN to ensure your privacy is protected no matter where you are. Firmware is updated automatically with the latest NETGEAR routers to ensure a secure WiFi network for Australian users. Here are some more tips for online security.

8. What is a mesh WiFi system, and do I need one?

Mesh WiFi uses multiple WiFi mesh satellites (wireless access points) to spread a single internet connection with strong 360° wireless router signal coverage throughout your home. The best mesh WiFi system for large Australian homes include NETGEAR Orbi 970 and 770 systems. However, whether a mesh network is worth it depends on the space you need to cover. For smaller homes, a Nighthawk RS700S standalone WiFi router with 3,500 sq. ft coverage can be the best WiFi 7 option. Mesh WiFi advantages include:

• WiFi coverage for large and multi-level homes, from the front door to the backyard.
• Coverage for WiFi dead spots so you can connect in your favourite space.
• Create a single, unified WiFi network for all your devices to connect to.
• Streamline WiFi access and stay connected as you move around your home.
• Improved security using cutting-edge technology.
• Use additional mesh satellites to expand the network and meet your needs.

Which WiFi Mesh System is best for me?

9. Can I get WiFi in my garden or garage?

There are several ways to extend WiFi coverage outside or in the garage. If you use a single router, move it into an open position where you can aim the omnidirectional antenna toward the target area. A WiFi extender (repeater) may work, but WiFi mesh is usually the better option in today’s busy networking environment. You can also run wired network Ethernet cables (underground and professionally installed) to a detached garage or garden shed, although this option can be expensive.

10. How often should I update my router?

A downside of rapid WiFi technology advances is that devices can become outdated relatively fast. An upgrade to next-generation NETGEAR Orbi or Nighthawk WiFi 7 routers or mesh systems is a savvy way to future-proof your entire network for years to come. Reasons to consider updating your router include:

• Your router no longer receives updates.
• You’re not getting the internet speeds (data rates) you pay for.
• Your router can’t handle the device load.
• Your router doesn’t provide enough coverage for your home.
• Your router is close to five years old.

Trust NETGEAR for All Your WiFi Needs

NETGEAR has been the trusted wireless networking world leader since the 1990s. We continue to transform the industry with superior WiFi 7 routers, mesh systems and mobile hotspot devices that stand out from the competition for all the right reasons. The unsurpassed includes for every household and budget. Take a quantum leap forward into the future of networking with NETGEAR.