extend the wifi range of a bt#2701 hgv-c '2 wire' fibre optic router

[MGC]

At my golf club, we have BT infinity business broadband with a '2 wire' HGV-C #2701 router. We need to extend the hot spot range but even with a Netgear booster transmitter we can't get more than about 25m range.

I'm not a technical geek, just trying to help out the golf club.

Can anyone advise the best method of extending the range? The netgear booster is one of these devices that uses the ring mains and the booster is plugged into the socket. However, if we use a socket more than about 15m from the router socket, it just won't pick up the signal through the mails ring.

Any ideas?  

[nikkil]

By saying golf, I'm assuming that it's an open area. Wireless attenuation is higher on open areas. I'm not really sure on this but you can possibly go to local computer shops and as if they have something about wireless repeater for outdoors.

Good luck. 

[OldWolf]

Hi,

First question I would have is - Where is the router?

Second - What sort of building is it?

If it's in the middle of the building and it's an old one with thick walls, then that's going to severely hamper your wireless range.

You could use some wireless repeaters, placed at various windows, which could extend the range quite a lot.  Wireless works much better if you have line of sight on the router.

Hope that helps.

Dave A

[MHC]

The ideal way is to get some additional Wireless Access Points (WAPs) which could be some 2wire 2700HGV device and connect those to the primary 2701 using Cat5e cable.

I have several connected in that way here and no issues with throughput at all - I just manage the channels in use to ensure no interference and everything is fine.   

As already mentioned - what sort of building is it?  where is the current 2701?  do you want just inside coverage or ouside on the patio too?

[spank]

If powerline adapters (ringmain connectors) are not working for you then the only option to boosting the signal is using WAPS as MHC says, but that will involve structured cat 5 cabling which can be a job and a half to get installed cheaply.

There are routers available that allow wireless connectivity direct to WAPS without cables, the BT router is not one of them.  You would be looking for a router with WDS (Wireless Distribution Service).  Then buy some WAPS to connect to it wirelessly, thus extending the range.

If you are trying to cover the whole golf course then I would be suggest getting an IT company to do a site survey and advise on what you need but it my experience it's a decent wireless N router capable of connecting to a high-gain antenna..you can cover 1/2 a kiliometer with the right kit fairly cheaply.

But buying kit and hoping for the best is probably the worst thing you could do, get a company in to do it right otherwise you could end up wasting lots of money and have very little to show but a stressed out boss at the end of it all.