Hi guys, first time posting in this sub-forum and I feel someone here will be able to help me.

Before that;
What I use internet for,

- I am a writer which means a lot of research, documentaries, heavy bandwidth not very necessary.
- But, theres always a but, I play online games which requires a stable internet connection.
- Currently using default routers and hardware from TM on 30MBps package.

The Problem;

1) Internet router placed at one corner of the house, due to placement of wall sockets(electric, telephone).
2) Devices in my room hover around distance of about 60ft (in a straight line) away from the router's location.
3) However, four concrete walls stand in between me and the joy of good reception.
3) This translates to signal of around 190-250KBps, yes kilobytes, inside my room. Insufficient even for basic surfing, in no way possible usable for online gaming.
4) Consider the fact my room does not have a telephone socket, but there are in other rooms, about 30/40 feet away, separated by, more walls.
5) The entire back section of my house is a dead zone, falling victim to the thick, yea you get it.

Options I've considered;

1) Wifi extenders, access points, socket extenders, mesh systems
2) High end long distance routers which price itself starts around RM1,000
3) Subscribing to a second internet line which would mean me dragging and extending the telephone lines from the other rooms into mine.


Which would be a good option? I am considering splashing the cash on the long range wifi routers, but am also considering a mesh system since the price range is around the same.

At the same time, I know the problem would be permanently fixed if there was a second line (Im looking at TIME's 100MBps) dispersing sweet internet to the back section of my house.

Suggestions please. Thanks guys

Mesh systems won’t work well if there is walls between them. It sounds like you need to rewire your house to include RJ45 cables to hard to reach places and place access points in strategic locations. I would recommend enterprise networking products, such as Ubiquiti. See here for an example of how this can be done: https://www.troyhunt.com/ubiquiti-all-the-t...-my-dodgy-wifi/

This post has been edited by SilentVampire: Mar 22 2018, 06:40 PM

condo... wifi 60ft... i am also interested to know others' experience and best solution(s).

i surely think a better router and use of 5ghz devices should improve things.
also, if u have walls and hence losses to deal with, u gotta pump up yr 30mbps to 50 or 100mbps.
with losses, at least u get 10-20mbps, not 200-300kps.

do read the links in the 2nd last post; may be of some help, but discussions are mostly about HOUSES.
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4548858

In ur situation, even a high end router with long range WiFi is not going to work.

Since the WiFi signal will get weaker / attenuate by walls.

WiFi repeater is also not suitable also, ur best bet will be just drag a long Ethernet cable to ur room or nearby area to install an access point.

Homeplug may also works, but u need to try and its depend on ur house wiring.

This post has been edited by Ebony & Ivory: Mar 22 2018, 07:20 PM

Really appreciate all your input. I knew i came to the right place!

Thank you for the input.
Considering your suggestion, is there anyway for me to utilise the unused telephone sockets in the next door rooms to extend the cabled connection?

Wow this is definitely something new to me thanks so much! But, same as above considering RJ45, any way to make use of the telephone sockets? Any particular suggestion on rewiring besides normal plastic piping covering it?


Thank you so much for the direction. I considered upgrading my plan, but my contract i found out expires Sept'19. So any added package size would come with a new line or hefty contract payments.

But then again, i will consider the routers mentioned in the posts you've linked. Anyone in particular you would suggest for my situation?


Thank you for your opinion. But also looking for the same remedy as above, anyway to make use of the vacant telephone sockets to extend the ethernet?

You can’t use the telephone sockets. RJ11 is not similar to RJ45. You have to ask the contractor about other ways to rewrite it bro. I am not too sure how, but I definitely recommend Ubiquiti unless you are happy with one powerful main router and several APs, that are connected to the router via wired connection.

i have no experience with condo/highrise wifi.
many have said due to proximity with neighbors, it is awfully hard with 2.4ghz, better with 5ghz.
some even say it's a waste of time trying even a monster wifi router.
so, it will be good if some actual similar user who has success or failure to comment on it to be sure.

however, my experience with my house, a fairly typical one:

.. 5ghz is definitely better than 2.4ghz, even up to 60ft.
.. same level, 50ft, 2 walls, 5ghz, can get full 100 (100%) or even 103 mbps for nominal 100mbps.
.. same level, 60 ft, 2 walls, 5ghz, 40-50%.
.. same level, 60 ft, 3 walls, 5ghz, 10-20%.
.. many devices, esp older/cheaper ones can only run on 2.4ghz; so, u gotta think about that, maybe use dual band adaptors for say, pc/notebook.

above findings is with asus rtac1300uhp.

i do not know other routers, cannot comment on them.

it will be good if u can borrow one of these routers and try it first.

all the best, keep us posted if u try anything, if any success.

As mention by other, u can't reuse the existing phone socket.

U can conceal the cable with raceway casing, just ask the contractor do it nicely.

Or just try the homeplug, this one can reuse ur existing electrical wiring. But I not sure whether it work for u, as it depend on wiring layout, phase, quality n etc.

This post has been edited by Ebony & Ivory: Mar 22 2018, 09:47 PM

forget about high end long distance router, as long there are multiple layers of wall

your wifi signal will reduce significantly and wont be able to achieve full speed of ur internet speed.
like most of ppl suggest above

solution from best to worst :
- drag ethernet cables if you can (best performance)
- ethernet to Access Point (and access point at somewhere center that can broadcast ur signal strong and stable enough
-powerline adapters, or powerline adapter + wifi built in ( not wifi repeater that rebroadcast wifi by connecting to existing wifi at main router)

(forget about wifi repeater, thats really not good for heavy bandwidth usage, not solid, not stable enough and performance could be bad)

This post has been edited by squall0833: Mar 23 2018, 12:21 PM

Hi there,

I have a setup like yours for my VIP client

If you want a quote pm me :-)

Single phase or 3-phase?
If single phase, then go for Ethernet over Power Line.
At your room, add an access point for wifi coverage.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/products/list-18.html

Just saw that you stay in condo, then go for Ethernet over Power Line.

likely you have plaster ceiling. can consider putting a poe wifi inside/on the ceiling

Thank you all for the useful information. Apologies for leaving this thread abandoned for few days, i am leaning towards extending my LAN cable from my main modem to a access point closer to my room, to allow cabled and wifi coverage. As already mentioned here, its the most cost effective way for now will update when i can get the contractor to sort out the wiring, most probably externally.


Thanks for the suggestions. My unit uses phase-3 electrical board.
would the wall extenders work sufficiently?


Thanks for the suggestion. What do you mean POE inside/on ceiling? too advanced for me

No. you will have issue for the connectivity

Share your house layout to get better idea how to solve...

But cheapest is to go get the DLink/TPlink High DP antenna Wifi non-router (1 LAN cable from ur router to the wifi unit).. Below RM300 can settle..
or LAN cable whole house...

I will not recommend other solution due cost too high... or too troublesome.

You mean from your main router? Cat5e or Cat6 cable? Keep in mind it is a maximum of 100 meters for Cat5e and Cat6 as well, so it might work for your case, but it really depends on the wiring done, and anything more than that will be very inefficient and a waste of time.

Wall extenders will work, but with your concrete walls, it is not recommended.

PoE is Power over Ethernet, so you can have APs installed without the requirement of a power switch, and the RJ45 can provide the power needed for the APs.