Can i boost my wifi signal without losing Sky broadband Calls

[Rosscotanna14]

So basically, i have Sky UltraFast broadband installed downstairs (my wifes work where she needs a landline) and were looking to use this broadband upstairs in our flat, where i work. The only seperation is the chipboard and insulated floors therefore the signal strength is fine in our living room as this is directly above the sky router. However, when in my office or bedroom, slightly further away, the signal drops. ITs not terrible in my office but i need to be able to make zoom calls and like to game so ideally better strength wifi is needed. In the bedroom it drops to about half where it struggles to stream on a Amazon Firestick. 

I have been doing a bit of research trying to figure out what the best solution is. we cant run an ethernet cable from the main router as my wife doesnt want any cables exposed in her shop so i feel im left with the options in relation to the router itself. 

Mesh routers is the rabbit hole ive gone down today! Can i connect the TP Link Deco M4 to my existing sky router and turn the wifi off on the sky router to just use it as a modem? If so, will this restrict the ability to use the landline in the shop for calls? 

IS there any other options i could consider? Feel like the only alternative is a range extender but previous experience with them isnt great. 

Any advice welcome!! 

[jamesn123]

@Rosscotanna14 

A mesh system with WiFi switched off on the Sky hub would work, you can still use the landline with that option.

[Rosscotanna14]

That would be ideal. 

any recommendations for mesh system? Seen a lot of talk around the TP Deco M4

[jamesn123]

@Rosscotanna14 

Many seem to be happy with it, personally I dont like TP-Link due to the way some of its features are handled. I would personally always recommend Asus Ai mesh.

[Rosscotanna14]

So ive just ordered the Deco M4's as they were on offer. Ive done a bit of reading and apparently it can be quite tricky to turn the wifi off on the sky router. Does anyone have any tips or advice on this? Before i throw the toys out the pram trying to figure it out myself! Also, I've seen alot of people have issues with Sky Q and third party routers, fortunately we dont have Sky Q but have Sky stream, presumably this will work fine as its just streaming sky similarly to sky go? 

[jamesn123]

@Rosscotanna14 

Depending on which version of Sky hub you have it should be as simple as navigating to the admin interface and unchecking the enable WiFi radio buttons.

[Rosscotanna14]

Yeah managed to do it last night. All set up now and the work phone still works! Just need to wait to see if we get charged for calls at the end of the month now ha! 

[TimmyBGood]

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@Rosscotanna14 wrote:

Just need to wait to see if we get charged for calls at the end of the month now ha! 

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Important to be aware that by default the bundled Sky Talk Internet Calls is charged at a very expensive rate per minute unless there's an optional Sky Talk add-on in place (Evenings and Weekends Extra, Anytime Extra or International Extra)

Just because the service has moved from PSTN to VOIP absolutely doesn't make it free to use, despite what the Sky subscription breakdown may appear to imply.