Virgin wifi repeaters

atypical_boro

atypical_boro

Well-known member
Anyone got them?

I'm not convinced they're actually doing anything. Speed tests suggest I am correct, but can I do something different to get them having some sort of impact?
 
Yeah i needed one as my office is in the one room that didn't get a stable WiFi signal from the main box. It works great creating the WiFi in that room enabling work stuff (video calls etc) plus gaming wirelessly
 
I've got one for my kitchen, it definitely works.

I couldn't use wifi in there before I got one of the boosters from Virgin.
 
TeaCider said:
I've got one for my kitchen, it definitely works.

I couldn't use wifi in there before I got one of the boosters from Virgin.
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Hmmm. Mine are basically doing nish.

I am logging on to the Virgin 'connect' app and I can see that the TV furthest from the router is still trying (and failing) to connect to the main hub, despite there being a repeater in the same room as it (that apparently has a 'great' connection).
 
We’ve got a plug in type thing on the landing. It’s Virgin, hexagonal sort of shape. I don’t think there’s an LED permanently lit so can’t decide if it’s working or not.
My wife works in the office upstairs and it seems to help her when in TEAMS calls etc and our Firestick in the bedroom is faultless.
 
All wi-fi follows the same standards, ieee 802.11 and operate the same. The difference between devices is the radio chip manufacturer, the antenna array and the software to configure the features. If it's a wireless mesh device then the signal it receives will be the same as any device in that location, and the bandwidth for the backhaul will probably be poor. Never place the repeat in the location of the signal issue, moving the repeater closer to the main AP should improve the backhaul throughput. Wireless signal follows Newtons inverse square law so twice the distance from the AP results in a quarter of the signal strength. Walls, doors and floors also play a big part in signal quality so the fewer obstructions between the devices the better. The frequency of the backhaul uses can also be a problem 2.4Ghz propagates better but is subject to more interference and lower bandwidth.
 
NYboro said:
I didn't think Virgin's were mesh, just repeaters. In common with all providers, their routers are poor. Much better to have your own decent ones.
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Can you recommend a mesh system that won't require a second mortgage?

Yes these are repeaters, or at least that's what their engineers call them. Though I don't see them doing much engineering.
 
atypical_boro said:
Can you recommend a mesh system that won't require a second mortgage?

Yes these are repeaters, or at least that's what their engineers call them. Though I don't see them doing much engineering.
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I've been using Asus Zen for years. Replaced with a newer model when I came back from the States in 2021. I don't recollect them being that expensive or I'm sure I'd have bought something else. I'm with Virgin and have their device in cable modem mode. It's trivial to do.
 
atypical_boro said:
Hmmm. Mine are basically doing nish.

I am logging on to the Virgin 'connect' app and I can see that the TV furthest from the router is still trying (and failing) to connect to the main hub, despite there being a repeater in the same room as it (that apparently has a 'great' connection).
Click to expand...
If the TV is failing to get a signal, then there's a decent chance that the repeater/booster is also struggling with signal if it's in the same room. Can you move it somewhere maybe halfway between the hub and the TV, to make sure the repeater is getting a really strong signal, and in turn can give a strong signal to the room that has a problem?

Alternatively, get something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA717-KIT-Powerline-Configuration/dp/B07G37DJ8R

it uses your homes electrical circuits to extend the Wi-Fi, plug one in next to your hub and the other wherever you want it - I use them for my garage conversion office and it works fantastic
 
NYboro said:
I didn't think Virgin's were mesh, just repeaters. In common with all providers, their routers are poor. Much better to have your own decent ones.
Click to expand...
Same thing, a repeater will just create a point to point link rather then a mesh.
Most home hubs are dumbed down and hide all the settings a geeky person may want to mess around with.
 
RobboTheRed said:
I would recommend you go down the own mesh setup route. I have a mesh node (asus et12) downstairs and the other in the attic connected by ethernet backhaul. No issues in large 3 storey house.
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If its connected by ethernet then it's not a mesh. A physical cable between AP's/devices is always the best option. If you cant install ethernet then use powerline adapters.

The first rule of wireless is don't use wireless.
 
During covid, our lass had to work from home and was complaining constantly that the virgin wifi was dropping off all the time. wifi was non existant in the back garden/patio area. Bit the bullet and bought the Tp link deco systen, pretty easy to set up, first node connected to virgin router via ethernet cable and the other 2 placed around the house wirelessly. been spot on for 4 years plus and strong signal everywhere even upto the back fence, nevermind the patio area
 
You will always get a good signal if you place the Access Points in the right location. Your device only reports on the signal strength of the AP it's associated to and not the full path back to the router so you can have a fantastic connection to the second AP but still have poor performance. With an omni direction antenna you get a doughnut shaped coverage pattern propagating from the access point in the middle. If you place the next AP at the edge it will have a poor connection back to the main AP. If you place the second AP between the first AP and the edge of the doughnut you will have a good backhaul signal and extend the range of the coverage. Half my signal goes out through the house wall to next door as that's where the cable comes in.
 
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