Multi-room hybrid workers
If calls move between a study, bedroom and living area, check whether the weak connection follows particular rooms. Ofcom's guidance identifies in-home Wi-Fi as a possible limit on the connection a device experiences.
Who needs to consider a change?
Households with competing connected devices
Calls may coincide with streaming, downloads or other active users. Ofcom advises checking what else is using the connection before assuming that coverage alone is the problem.
People taking calls from a fixed desk
A workstation that stays in one place can be assessed for a cable connection instead of relying on Wi-Fi. Ofcom distinguishes the connection delivered over Ethernet from the speed a device may receive wirelessly.
What matters when choosing?
Locate the fault before choosing equipment: compare a call device near the router and in its usual room, and check for an outage or heavy simultaneous use. If the weakness is within the home, the number of affected rooms and the feasibility of cabling help determine the route.
Provider-supplied router
Consider it when: The current router frequently disconnects or is poorly placed; ask the provider about a compatible replacement.
Limit: Replacing one router may leave distant rooms weak, while an independently bought router can complicate provider troubleshooting, as Ofcom notes.
Mesh Wi-Fi
Consider it when: Calls lose their connection in several rooms or across floors, and nodes can be placed where they retain a usable link.
Limit: Mesh does not increase broadband-line speed; wired links between nodes require suitable cabling.
Extender or wired access point
Consider it when: One area is weak. An extender needs a usable signal partway from the router; an access point needs a cable to that area.
Limit: NETGEAR explains that an extender relays the existing router signal rather than improving the router itself. A wired access point avoids that wireless relay but requires cabling.
Ethernet to the desk
Consider it when: Important calls take place at one workstation and a cable can reach it.
Limit: It does not extend Wi-Fi to other rooms or resolve a fault with the broadband service.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Several weak rooms | Map where calls fail; check mesh-node placement and whether Ethernet backhaul is feasible. | If calls move between rooms or floors, I need a usable connection beyond one desk. Around 33% of consumers would put multi-room coverage first. |
| One fixed workstation | Check the cable route and whether the call device has an Ethernet port or suitable adapter. | At a regular call desk, I would rather use a cable than depend on the room's wireless signal. Roughly 33% of consumers would prioritise this fixed-desk connection. |
| Simultaneous use | Compare calls with and without heavy downloads or streaming; check results near the router. | When others are active online during my calls, I need to know whether shared use is contributing to interruptions. Around 17% of consumers would make simultaneous use their primary concern. |
| One weak area | Find a position with a usable router signal for an extender, or check whether a cable can reach an access point. | If the rest of the home works well, I want to address the one room where calls falter. About 17% of consumers would focus first on that isolated weak area. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying mesh before checking the connection
Ofcom notes that Wi-Fi cannot outperform the broadband service. A provider outage or insufficient connection can affect calls even when wireless coverage improves.
Test near the router, check other activity and the provider's service status, and report a persistent service fault before buying coverage equipment.
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Putting an extender inside the dead zone
An extender needs a usable signal to relay. NETGEAR advises positioning one between the router and the area that needs coverage.
Find a midpoint with a working connection; if there is none, consider whether a cable can reach an access point instead.
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Treating stated coverage or speed as a room-by-room result
Walls, placement, connected devices and the broadband service affect what a call device receives. Ofcom notes that a device's Wi-Fi speed can be lower than the connection delivered to the router.
Use the home's layout and available cable routes to assess a system, rather than relying on a stated coverage or speed figure alone.
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Overlooking setup support and software updates
Ofcom warns that provider help may be more limited with an independently bought router. The National Cyber Security Centre also stresses the importance of installing device security updates.
Check the provider's support boundary and the exact model's update method and support status before replacing network equipment.
Relevant brands to consider
TP-Link
Its Deco range includes mesh equipment for multi-room networks, alongside router and extender options.
- TP-Link says Ethernet backhaul can provide a more stable connection between compatible Deco nodes where suitable cabling exists.
- Operating modes, ports and backhaul arrangements vary by model; check the exact model and intended setup.
eero
Its app-managed mesh range is relevant to households considering a replacement Wi-Fi router with compatible expansion options.
- The eero 6+ product information describes app-guided setup, automatic updates and expansion with compatible eero hardware.
- Ports, pack contents and available features differ by model; check the specific system rather than applying eero 6+ details to the whole range.
NETGEAR
Its extender guidance is useful when considering a single weak room, alongside its wider home-network range.
- NETGEAR explains how midpoint placement lets an extender relay a usable router signal towards the weak area.
- An extender does not improve the existing router's underlying capabilities or address a broadband-line fault.
Joybuy products for these routes
These choices include multi-unit mesh kits for recurring weak rooms, an extender for one contained weak area and a router that can be expanded with compatible mesh equipment. Check the intended pack, broadband setup and cable options against your home before choosing.
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NETGEAR Orbi 370 RBE373 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System, 3-Pack
Consider this three-unit kit where calls are affected in several rooms. Its listed configuration is dual-band BE3600 with 2.5Gbps Ethernet; check how it connects to your existing modem or gateway and where each unit can be placed.
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TP-Link Deco BE22 BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System, 3-Pack
This three-pack is relevant when several rooms need Wi-Fi coverage. Check its required connection to your broadband equipment and whether planned node positions can maintain a usable link; stated coverage is not a guarantee for every floor plan.
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TP-Link Deco BE25 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System, 3-Pack
Consider this three-pack for weak coverage across more than one room. If wired connections matter at a call desk or between nodes, confirm the exact port arrangement and backhaul behaviour for this model before choosing it.
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TP-Link RE220BE BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Range Extender
Consider an extender when one area is weak but it can receive a usable signal from the router at a midpoint. Check compatibility with your existing router and the intended operating mode; placing it in the dead zone will not resolve a poor upstream signal.
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D-Link M95 BE9500 Wi-Fi 7 Smart Mesh Router
This router is an option to assess when replacing the main unit, with compatible mesh expansion to consider later. It is not a multi-unit kit on its own: check the required additional equipment and compatibility with your broadband setup if several rooms need coverage.
Common questions
How can I tell whether poor calls are caused by Wi-Fi or broadband?
Compare the call device near the router with its usual room, and try Ethernet if practical. Ofcom also advises checking other activity on the connection; if problems persist near the router or affect multiple devices, check the provider's service status and investigate the broadband connection before buying Wi-Fi equipment.
Where should a router, mesh node or extender go?
Place the main router centrally and in the open where practical. A wireless mesh node still needs a usable connection to the network, while NETGEAR advises positioning an extender between the router and the weak area rather than inside a dead zone.
Will mesh make my broadband connection faster?
No: mesh can address in-home Wi-Fi coverage, but it does not increase the speed of the broadband service. Ofcom notes that Wi-Fi cannot outperform that service, so a line fault or insufficient service capacity needs separate attention.
What should I check before replacing a provider router?
Confirm how your broadband equipment connects, whether the replacement supports the operating mode you need, and what help your provider offers with third-party equipment. Ofcom cautions that an independently bought router can be harder to set up and may receive less provider troubleshooting support.
How do I keep a router or mesh system updated?
Install firmware and associated app updates, using automatic updates where the device offers them. The National Cyber Security Centre stresses the importance of security patches; before purchase, check the exact model's support status and update method.