Yeah, the WiFi outside expectation is big now. Probably due to Nestcams and Sonos speakers and stuff.
Problem is, people are lazy, they don’t want to hear that the right way is to run a cable to a satellite AP. They want everything to just work automagically, with cellphone apps and the cloud and no wires. Something like a Mikrotik hAP ac Lite is cheap enough I don’t have to charge a lot per month, and they can be powered via POE out from the main router, but they just balk at a cable. The mesh systems are a triumph of marketing to a lazy, impatient customer base, even it they are expensive and don’t always work that great. We’re not using Calix (yet) but I watched the video on their satellite unit and I like the way the LEDs help you find the optimal location, not too close, not too far. It’s not necessarily going to help with the Sonos-on-the-deck and Nestcam-on-the-garage people though. If it’s within the same building and people don’t want a cable, I point out that Netgear sells powerline networking kits with WiFi built into one end for around $100. Yes, they have to plug an Ethernet patch cable into the unit near the router, but if that’s still too difficult for them, I start not caring about their problem. From: AF <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kurt Fankhauser Sent: Monday, October 1, 2018 9:29 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [AFMUG] Improving WIFI coverage in homes Been having a lot of customers lately calling about poor wifi coverage, I always install the router in a prime location in house and when digging into details further finding out that they are trying to use the wifi outside, or by the pool or in the garage. What is everyone doing to accommodate these peoples requests? Add another Mikrotik AP and charge additional $10/month for each extra AP's? I want to offer a solution but at the same time make it worth my time dealing with them. Seems to me i should be walking away with minimum $500 for getting flawless wifi coverage in their house plus more monthly fee.
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