Mesh Wi-Fi is a whole-home wireless internet system that eliminates dead zones and provides uninterrupted Wi-Fi throughout your home. While traditional Wi-Fi uses a single router to send internet all over your house, mesh routers create multiple access points, enabling your network to have faster speeds, better coverage and more stable connections. Learn how mesh Wi-Fi can unlock the full potential of your internet experience.
How Does Mesh Wi-Fi Work?
Two or more devices called mesh nodes create a strong, secure Wi-Fi network throughout your home. The main node connects to your router, and the other nodes sit throughout your house, wirelessly relaying the signal from the main node to each other. Since devices automatically connect to the nearest node, it works as if multiple Wi-Fi routers are sharing one seamless network.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems look for the most efficient connection paths between the routers and devices. If a node goes down or suffers from network congestion, the signal automatically reroutes traffic around the underperforming nodes to maintain a consistent signal strength.
Mesh Network
Networks can be full or partial mesh. A full mesh network means all nodes communicate with each other, whereas a partial network consists of nodes that only transmit the signal with certain nodes. No matter your setup, data jumps from node to node in the most efficient path to its destination.
Mesh Router
One of the nodes in the mesh network links to the modem, acting as the main router. Other nodes are then strategically placed around your home to wirelessly relay the signal from the main node to one another, providing a consistent connection throughout your house.
What Are the Benefits of Mesh Wi-Fi?
For mid-size and larger homes suffering from weak connections and dead zones, mesh Wi-Fi systems allow you to connect all your devices at a consistently faster speed than traditional routers and range extenders.
- Simple setup: Wireless mesh networks don’t require much infrastructure, and most come with easy-to-use apps that walk you through installation and monitor network performance.
- Improved coverage: With multiple connection access points, Wi-Fi signals can reach your entire home.
- Faster speeds: All access points broadcast the same signal so you won’t experience lag.
- Self-healing: If a node stops working, mesh systems fix themselves and reroute all data through the most efficient path.
- Best route selection: The system finds the quickest way to send and receive information.
- Easy to add range: If you need to expand coverage in hard-to-reach areas in your home, it’s easy to add extra nodes for a consistently reliable connection.
Mesh Wi-Fi vs Extender: What’s the Difference?
While mesh Wi-Fi and range extenders seem to work the same way, there are some key differences. Range extenders require you to manually log in to a new network to maintain a strong connection away from the main router. Meanwhile, mesh technology casts a consistent signal as you move from room to room. Mesh is also faster, more efficient at delivering a Wi-Fi signal, and easier to set up and use than range extenders.
How to Set Up Mesh Wi-Fi
If you experience slow internet speeds or Wi-Fi dead zones in your home, a mesh Wi-Fi system may be your best solution. Most service providers have an app that makes it easy to get up and running quickly with step-by-step instructions. Once you’re online, you can monitor performance and receive alerts on any connectivity issues to help you optimize your coverage and performance in real time.
Securing Your Mesh Wi-Fi Network
To better protect your home network, mesh Wi-Fi systems come standard with the latest cybersecurity features. WPA2 or WPA3 encryptions make it harder for hackers to access your private network. Through the same app used to set up your network, you can monitor online traffic, set up parental controls, change your password and get notified in the event of a security breach.
Upgrade to Lumos Fiber Internet to Enhance Your Wi-Fi Network
Don’t choose between speed and coverage with 100% Fiber Optic Internet2 and Lumos Total Home Wi-Fi. Our sophisticated mesh network, powered by the latest Wi-Fi technology, provides wall-to-wall coverage, eliminating dead zones and frustrations. During installation, our technician will customize a solution based on your home and needs so you don’t have to. Plus, the Lumos Wi-Fi App puts you in total control of your network for maximum performance and security.
Check for Lumos Fiber Internet near you and turn your home into a Wi-Fi powerhouse.
