Upgrade to full fibre

[#1]

We are considering upgrading to full fibre. We currently have a hub 2 router but due to connectivity issues in our property we struggle to get the signal upstairs. We have solved this by using a hub 1 router as a ‘slave’ this is connected from the hub 2 using an Ethernet cable. My question is will we be able to keep the same set up with full fibre or would this cause problems with connectivity to the upstairs of our property. Thanks in advance ☺️

[#2]

The same setup should be fine.

Depending on what speed FTTP you plump for, the Wi-Fi performance on the Hub One might be inferior to the Hub Two.

[#3]

We were thinking of 300-500 mbps.  

[#4]

Think you may struggle with that on a Hub1 - AFAIK, it is only good for up to 300.

[#5]

If we were to replace the hub 1 ‘slave’ with a hub 2 router would that give us as fast a speed upstairs as we would get downstairs?

[#6]

Don't know exactly how you are using the 'slave', and I'm not a networking expert, but in theory it should. How would you obtain a second Hub2, though?

@bobpullen ?

[#7]

eBay?   

[#8]

We are taking the signal from the hub2 and sending it upstairs using an Ethernet cable. We in effect have 2 routers. You can buy the hub 2 routers from ebay. We found traditional extenders didn’t work due to the solid walls in our house 

[#9]

@RobPN , @Traceyship  - OK

[#10]

@Traceyship - you can use another Hub Two (with some reconfiguration), however expect it to obnoxiously flash it's LED as it won't think it has an Internet connection when used as a secondary access point.

There are plenty of after-market mesh solutions/access points that might do a better job (and potentially replace both units), but it's all a question of cost and whether or not it's worth it given what Internet devices you have in your household.

Remember, the hub/access points are only one side of the coin; when you start reaching the higher speeds of FTTP, the capability of the devices you are connecting are equally as important as the capability of the hub you're connecting them to.

To ensure the maximum 500mbps, you would be wise either ethernet cabling the devices you're bothered about receiving the full speed, or looking at a Wi-Fi 6 solution (again though, this assumes your devices are actually Wi-Fi 6 capable themselves).

In short: don't expect to magically start receiving 500mbps to all of your wirelessly connected devices. It's very unlikely you will.

[#11]

Thanks for all your replies. We have the flashing led problem with the upstairs router! I think we are going to go with 300mbps and buy a hub 2 from eBay. ☺️

[#12]

We are taking the signal from the hub2 and sending it upstairs using an Ethernet cable.

@Traceyship check that your cable is cat5e or better i.e has all 8 cores wired, otherwise it will limit speeds to 100Mb

[#13]

@Traceyship 

Do you actually need 300 - 500 speeds? You could start with 145 and upgrade later if more speed is required.

With FTTP installed and WiFi problems upstairs you could consider running an external ethernet cable from down to up. An ethernet wall socket at either end and you end up with a solid starting point upstairs. Would cost a bit of money but future proofs speeds on the upper level.

Brian