Those who do remote work know that a fast and seamless WiFi connection is crucial for productivity, which is why many opt for fiber optic internet and get a PLDT Home Fiber Plus Plan to power their home and home office. But if you want to ensure your house has zero dead spots, you might want to consider upgrading the tools powering up your connection.
You may have heard that a mesh network can optimize your connection better than a typical router, but actually, each one has their own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a guide to help you figure out which setup suits you best.
What’s the difference between a traditional router and a Mesh system?
A traditional router is the central hub for internet connectivity. Traffic requests from devices go through the router’s Internet service and a single access point. You can tap a router via a wireless channel or by plugging in an Ethernet cable.
Routers have centralized access points but mesh networks, on the other hand, are decentralized. Rather than force every device to connect to the Internet through the router, a mesh system will use multiple WiFi nodes to provide web connectivity. When you use mesh devices, one node will act as the primary router and must be directly wired to your gateway connection, while additional nodes will act as satellites. Collectively, the nodes will behave like a single, seamless network and should be within range of one another.
If the primary node is in the living room, you will automatically connect to it. When you move to your home office and you have nodes installed all over the house, then your devices will automatically connect to the closest WiFi node. This not only improves connectivity and internet performance but also lessens network congestion.
When do I need a router?
In most cases, a router will be enough to connect your devices to the Internet. However, you might need to purchase a standalone router instead of the standard one your ISP has provided. Do keep in mind that a slowdown may be experienced by devices further away from your router than those closer to it, so it will be best if your router is located in your home office.
When do I need a mesh system?
If you have a larger home and need extended coverage, you’re less likely to experience dead spots, connectivity failures, and slow connections with a mesh network. Rooms that experience heavy traffic, such as the home office, and are far from the main router, will also benefit from mesh.
Another benefit of mesh systems is ease of use. You can use an app or website to set up the network and modify settings, while routers may require a separate interface. When set up properly, your devices will automatically connect to the node that delivers the strongest signal then seamlessly switch to another node as you move around the house, so you’re assured your devices maintain a strong connection instead of connecting to a weak signal and slowing down the rest of the network.
If you live in a home with multiple occupants and everyone relies on the internet, then a mesh system will help distribute the load so your network doesn’t get overwhelmed with the different users and devices. This is again very helpful for your home office since it means your connection will not suffer and productivity will not be dampened.
Boost work efficiency at your home office with PLDT Home!
Ready to get a mesh system? Invest in a WiFi Mesh network you can get with your PLDT home Fiber Plus plan. Get the most out of your internet speed, starting at P99 monthly!