Weak/intermittent signal

[Sandra121]

I've got WiFi max. Not that sure why it's better than  normal, but it was only a few quid extra, so just went and got it. I have this fluctuating WiFi signal, where the Internet seems speedy enough when it's working. But it's often not.  Yes, the problem room is the furthest one from the router. I get how the distance matters.  Trouble is, the provided network cable from this little unmovable openreach wall box to the router is only 6-8 feet long, so not much hope of trying it in a different room. Unless it's the hallway and I'm not trusting that with grandkids running around. I know a longer cable is a pretty sure fix, but they don't seem cheap.  That or a booster or some thing.

Don't I get some benefits from the WiFi max package to sort this out? Even if it's just a nice long cable. I'm sure they have those.. 😁

[Chrisee]

@Sandra121 the WiFi Max package allows for you to be lent up to 3 wifi extenders so call Sky and ask for one. If you need more than one they normally send an engineer out before sending those.

A longer cable from the openreach connection should not be expensive there are 2 possible types.  If the Openreach box has lights you require an ethernet cable but for a box without lights you need a DSL cable both cost around £10.for a 10m length.

[Sandra121]

Thanks for the advice.  I now have a wi-fi extender I bought myself.  Yay for Amazon sunday deliveries.

Mixed feelings about it.  Everything works well now, so it's fine.  But I now clearly see why I was having trouble, whereas I didn't have that problem on V*rgin M*dia, ever.

It's that A) The routers are awful, or B) They're fine and I just got a bad one.

Unless I stand right next to the hub/router, it never shows full bars for connectivity.  On the other extreme, the wi-fi extender (working off of a SECONDHAND signal) blasts full bars to the end of my 60-foot garden.  The router itself had ZERO garden connectivity (I know it's not contracted to, but it highlights the difference in transmission strength) and the router had a dead zone in one bedroom which is now full bars off of the extender.

This is the very same signal the hub is putting out, of course.  So I think maybe someone needs to look at their transmitting methods and technology.  A £10 extender mass-produced in China sending a used signal 60 feet, plus about 15 feet of the house and through two walls can do it.

[Sandra121]

Isn't there some cooling off period?  My service started on March 1st.  Even though I've self-paid to fix my issue, I'm unimpressed how they've knowingly and in full knowledge mis-sold me a bad router with words and spiel that make it out to be the better and faster option, AND CHARGED EXTRA FOR IT.  Very underhand and sneaky and I don't like that.  It's like being conned in the street and voluntarily deciding you want to give them more money.   No, ta.

[Chrisee · Accepted solution]

@Sandra121 Sky haveca 31 day cooling off period see https://www.sky.com/help/articles/cancel-sky-broadband

[Sandra121]

I looked at new Internet packages from other providers and, honestly, no-one's really offering anything better price-wise.  So now I got it working well through my (self-bought) extender, it'd be silly to leave just to prove a point.  And that point would only be to myself, as no massive corporation is going to notice or care much about any one individual leaving.  I guess this thread is concluded.

[JASONCAROL]

Hi Sandra - which wifi extender did you get on Amazon as I'm having very weak signal as soon as I'm out the room where hub is.

Thanks!

Jason

[JimM1]

@JASONCAROL as @Sandra121 has the sky Max hub, that is the white upright version and is linked below for you to see.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/broadband-diagnostic-which-sky-hub