How to Expand the Range of a Wireless Router

Wireless networking has made an unplugged Internet experience possible. The electronic device that has made this possible is the wireless router. These devices are easy to install and setup, which has simplified the set up of a home wireless network. However, most homes equipped with a wireless Internet access facility face range problems.

A router is the central point around which a wireless network is built. A router is a specialized networking device that integrates multiple networks, besides providing wireless Internet access. Check out reviews extensively, before opting for one that is suitable for your requirements. The best router will be the one that offers high data transfer speeds and excellent security features, besides offering an extended range. Make a detailed range comparison before choosing one. If you have already bought a router and have recently realized that its range is inadequate for your purpose, then you need not despair.

What Determines the Range of a Router

A router is a radio transreceiver that provides Internet access through transmission of signals over the air. What decides the range of a router is its transmitting power. It is decided by how powerful a transmitter is installed in the device. The transmitting power and the number of transmission antennas decide the range of a router. The more powerful the signal, longer will it be transmitted, before it damps out.

It is also determined by the frequency of transmission used by a router. A dual band router with two transmission frequencies will ensure faster communication. Opt for the 802.11n wireless networking standard which offers the longest range and highest transmission speeds currently. Let us now see how to extend the wireless network range.

Ways of Expanding the Range

There are many ways of increasing wireless network range, beyond its existing limits. Here are some of the most simplest ways.

Change Position of Router
One reason for your range problem is physical obstruction due to walls. Position your router in such a position in your house or office that it is least obstructed by physical barriers like walls. This will certainly improve the range of your router.

Change Transmission Power Settings
Your wireless router has transmission power settings that let you control its range. Increasing this transmission power will easily extend the router's range substantially. Refer to the router's manual for details on how to increase transmission power.

Use a Repeater
Another way of expanding range is by using a repeater device. These devices are like relays. They receive the signal transmitted by a router and retransmit them with higher power. This extends the range of your wireless network beyond its inherent limits.

Use a Range Extender
Another device that you could use to extend the range is a wireless range extender. They are devices that need to be attached to your router. They amplify the signal strength of the device to extend the range. They are also known as range boosters and signal boosters.

Install a More powerful Antenna
There are wireless booster antennas available in the market that can expand the range of any wireless network. Just replace the existing router antenna with a more powerful one. This is the simplest way of boosting the router's signal strength.

Implementation of any of the above solutions can guarantee a range extension. It is all a matter of enhancing the transmission power of the router. As I said before, check out the range offered by a router before you purchase it. See to it that it is adequate for your home or office coverage area. This will eliminate the need for extra components to enhance the range later.