Improving Wireless Coverage of a Hotspot

If you are currently offering a wireless hotspot at your place of business, you likely took this step in an effort to draw in more customers. With more and more coffee shops, cafes and bars offering hotspots some business establishments are finding they have no choice but to also offer these amenities in order to keep up with the competition. However, care should be taken to ensure your hotspot functions well. This is so important because, if the coverage for your hotspot is spotty, customers will become frustrated quickly and will likely seek out other establishments offering a more reliable connection. For this reason we have written this article offering advice on the subject of improving wireless coverage of a hotspot.

In common with setting up a wireless router in a home, it is not unusual for business owners to make the grave mistake of setting up their wireless router in a less-than-ideal location. This common mistake often occurs because the user sets up the wireless router before it is tested in a variety of locations throughout the place of business. Without careful placement there may be strong signals in some areas of the establishment while there are other areas where the signal strength is weak or non-existent. When selecting the location for a wireless router, consider the center of the coverage area as a starting point.

Next, note any architectural features of the area which may impede the signal such as walls, soffits and columns. Also consider large pieces of furniture which can also impede the signal from the router. Based on these observations you may want to consider deviating slightly from the center of the coverage area to prevent the obstruction of the wi-fi signal by any of these obstacles. You might also want to consider elevating the wireless router to a location on the ceiling or high on a wall, if possible. In most cases this will result in the fewest obstacles for the signals.

Even after you have selected a location for your wireless router that you consider to be ideal, be prepared to make adjustments as necessary. Considering obstructions before installing your hotspot is always a good idea but the strength of the signal should also be tested after the installation. This testing should take place in a number of locations throughout the place of business to identify any areas where the signal is weak or non-existent. If any of these areas are discovered, it is worthwhile to consider adjusting the location of the wireless router especially if an obstacle not previously identified is noticed. After the router is repositioned the testing should be redone to ensure the low-strength areas were eliminated and new low-strength areas were not created.

Next consider adding antennas or repeaters in your attempt at improving wireless coverage of a hotspot. A high gain antenna can be used to extend the range of your wireless coverage. These antennas can be used to extend your range by focusing the energy in the desired direction. Repeaters can also be installed to improve your range. However, it should be noted that the repeater you purchase should be the same brand as your router because these devices are typically vendor specific. The installation of a repeater can be tricky but there are some router/repeater combinations which come pre-configured. These devices greatly simplify the installation process and make it much easier for a novice to properly install the router/repeater combination.