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What is WiFi Mesh?

What is WiFi Mesh?

May 21, 2021 | WI FI

What’s the difference between the Internet & Wi-Fi?

The Internet is connected networks all over the world., while Wi-Fi is your personal wireless network within your home. Sometimes, your WiFi signal can be weak – which is why WiFi6 technology come with ALL our packages. And if the WiFi signal is still struggling to get to the important areas of your household, then we offer WiFi Mesh!  

Why can’t I get a good signal in my bedroom?

Think about it like a speaker, the further you get away, the softer the sound is. Your Wi-Fi works the same way. The further away you get, the weaker the signal. If there are things like metal, concrete, thick walls, and mirrors, between you and the router these can weaken the signal even more.

Will my Internet speed tests slower when I’m on Wi-Fi?

The further you get away from the WiFI Router (i.e. lower bars), the slower the speed will test. But with the latest in WiFi6 technology that we offer, our signal is not only better – but it tests out at MUCH FASTER SPEEDS. So with proper placement, we know there will be no problems.

Please remember that all our internet packages come with a FREE WiFi router – if you sign up for a 2-year contract!

How can I get a better signal in my bedroom (or other places, like my patio)?

The placement of your router or gateway determines where the Wi-Fi signals are strongest in your home, or outside your home. Our technicians will find the most logical place for your WiFi Router. The more centrally located, the more of your home it will reach. However, if your router or gateway is in a location where it can’t be moved you can add extenders to push the signal further into other areas of your home.

What if I still can’t get a signal everywhere?

With our WiFi MESH/EXTENDER solution, we can easily add a mesh extender to make sure all areas of your home is covered. Our WiFi Mesh is only $15.00 more a month! Some homes are just too big for a normal router signal and will need the mesh device to get signal to all areas. 

What Is the Difference Between Bandwidth and Latency?

What Is the Difference Between Bandwidth and Latency?

May 6, 2021 | Why Fiber Optics?, WI FI

Most of us understand the basics of the internet – just enough to log onto Wi-Fi and maybe turn the router on and off when it starts to malfunction.

However, are you familiar with the terms ‘bandwidth’ and ‘latency’? If you’re not, that’s okay – you’re not alone! Both terms are related to your internet’s ability to send and receive data, but despite their similarities, they refer to two very different concepts. So what’s the difference between them, and why should they matter to you?

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is a word that is thrown around a lot when discussing internet function. Many people assume it just means ‘internet speed,’ but that’s not exactly true. Bandwidth is essentially how much data can move from network point A to point B in a given amount of time. 

Think of your bandwidth as a high-speed motorway with, say, three lanes. When an average number of cars are on the highway, everything is going smoothly, and the cars are moving at a good clip. But when it’s rush hour—that is, you’re trying to download something with more data than your bandwidth can handle—the highway gets congested. The traffic bottlenecks then slows to a crawl.

Latency

On the other hand, latency refers to the amount of time it takes for the signal to get from point A to point B and then travel back again. The lower the latency, the better your internet will be because it means there’s less time between when you take your action and when you see the result. 

For instance, think about when you do a Google search. You enter your query into the taskbar, click ‘enter,’ and then you wait. If you have low latency, the search engine will return your answer within milliseconds. But if you have higher latency, you might end up waiting a few seconds – or even longer – while the internet retrieves your data. The ‘ping’ you sent is traveling, and you have to wait until it reaches the server, collects what you need, and makes its way back to you. 

How Bandwidth and Latency Affect You

Both bandwidth and latency can affect the speed of your internet but in different ways. If you’re a gamer, you’re likely already familiar with ‘lag,’ which is when you perform an action, but it takes a few moments for that entry to manifest in the game. This is a latency issue, as most of the assets you need to game are already loaded onto your computer, and therefore very little bandwidth is needed. Conversely, if you’re trying to stream a show online, but it keeps buffering or appears infuriatingly grainy and broken, that’s likely an example of low bandwidth. All that content has to squeeze its way down the digital superhighway. Unfortunately, both bandwidth and latency issues can be a result of subpar high-speed internet. If you want the best internet experience available, you’ll want to invest in a good fiber connection from Canadian Fiber Optics and Northern Lights Fiber today!

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