Need a Wireless / Broadband solution for a shared house

[xjay1337]

I know, first world problems, don't tell me. But it is really annoying.

Bit of Backstory to understand the predicament. I live in a lovely shared house with a very nice family (Lodger)

Only issue is since their Daughter and Son have finished school/Uni for Summer and are home during most the day, often when I am trying to play online games, I get random HUGE horrific lag spikes meaning it's basically unplayable causing me to lose my ranking (that I have worked hard to achieve!)

It also means when I am working from home (which is 3 or 4 days a week) on remote sessions or downloading files (regularly have to download Software approx 3Gb) they are very slow and unresponsive which is annoying as those of you who do them will know!

I suspect it's a combination of Netflix / TV streaming combined with the fact their rooms are in the part of the house with the weakest Wireless signal, which drops the network speed down to the lowest common speed. I have verified this with Router Logs and attached devices, when certain devices are online I generally have problems.

I have tried faffing with the router settings (it's some crappy home netgear job), I have enabled QoS (or rather their crappy interpretation of it), faffed around with other settings (I have worked with enterprise Wi-Fi for a few years) etc but ultimately I can't get a consistent amount of bandwidth allocated per client, nor can I disable the lower speed data rates which would work (typical on home routers).

Wired Connection is not an option. Neither is buying another home router. I have an Aerohive Enterprise Grade AP, however there are some wired devices already and not enough space (hence why a wired connection is not an option).

They have as much right to use the network as me - so rather than get angry with them over a small problem I am looking at solutions

As I do not "own" or "rent" the house as a whole I believe I am not going to be able to get a proper broadband connection installed. The only issue is, that there is an existing connection here.

I don't need anything super fancy but mainly something I can connect my PS4 and Work Laptop to, which is stable and only has my bandwidth on it so I can get a consistent lag free experience for gaming and a decent connection rate for work. Wireless is fine for this but not when it's being shared as I said.

I was looking at 4G Wireless Routers but I don't want to spend £150 on a Router and then £30 or £40 a month on Data on a SIM only thing and I am not sure it would provide the consistent gaming experience.

I was hoping for a fixed plan around £20-£30 a month, with something where I can get Sky or Virgin or whoever to come out and install a second connection and another router. The existing connection is with PlusNet and the internet itself is fine when I can get some decent bandwidth. I believe we are in a Fibre enabled area. I understand I will need another phone line (possibly) as I think we have Plusnet/BT lines

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas pleaaaaaaase.

[eybic]

Have you spoken to the Landlord to see if they will let you get another connection? Might be worth doing as realistically that's the only option I can see unless you can somehow prioritise your traffic over others in the house.

[nyt]

How about ethernet over the mains

Plug one unit directly into the wireless hub and the other directly into you computer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_8_5?url=...

If you need wifi locally then something like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WPA4220KIT-Pow...


A decent router with proper QOS might be worth a try

Edited by nyt on Wednesday 17th August 10:26

[xjay1337]

eybic said:

Have you spoken to the Landlord to see if they will let you get another connection? Might be worth doing as realistically that's the only option I can see unless you can somehow prioritise your traffic over others in the house.

Nope, not yet.

I'm sure there would be no problems with a second connection but they would not want to be tied into it if I move out.
I get on really well with the Landlords so no problems approaching them.

I have enabled QoS and got my Laptop and PS4 on high priority via MAC address but it doesn't really work.

[xjay1337]

nyt said:

How about ethernet over the mains

Plug one unit directly into the wireless hub and the other directly into you computer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_8_5?url=...

If you need wifi locally then something like: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WPA4220KIT-Pow...


A decent router with proper QOS might be worth a try

Edited by nyt on Wednesday 17th August 10:26

Powerline is not an option. There is already some Powerline in the house but all of the 4 Ethernet Ports on the router are full.
I have Wireless access without issue but it is slow when the others are streaming (which seems to be every day now).


I need a solution that allows me to have my own connection that is only mine to use. Changing the router is not an option as it's needed for the Plusnet lines to work.

[xjay1337]

This is what I mean. If the device(s) in question are not on the network, in the same location I get consistent pings around 30ms and no dropped packets.

[TEKNOPUG]

4G is going to be the simplest option, providing you have a decent signal. £150 for a MiFi? They're free depending upon what deal you go with. Do you have a 4g phone? Just make it a mobile hotspot and increase your data allowance if required. I worked for 6 months with an EE Mifi instead of cabled and it managed streaming, gaming etc as well as work access and downloading.

[Blanchimont]

Setup a VLAN, and bandwidth manage both?

[xjay1337]

TEKNOPUG said:

4G is going to be the simplest option, providing you have a decent signal. £150 for a MiFi? They're free depending upon what deal you go with. Do you have a 4g phone? Just make it a mobile hotspot and increase your data allowance if required. I worked for 6 months with an EE Mifi instead of cabled and it managed streaming, gaming etc as well as work access and downloading.

I was looking, I haven't done broadband searches anywhere but I was typing in stuff like 4G Mobile Broadband and it was coming up with routers for £100+ with a Sim Card Slot.

I have a work and personal phone, S5 and iPhone 6, on o2 both have 4G. I'm going to set up a hotspot and test that.
Are there pay-monthly 4G Router deals?
I can't use a plug in USB Dongle as this won't work with the PS4, and it nearly bricked my PS3 when I tried it needs to be a broadcasting SSID I can connect to like a normal home router.

[TEKNOPUG]

xjay1337 said:

TEKNOPUG said:

4G is going to be the simplest option, providing you have a decent signal. £150 for a MiFi? They're free depending upon what deal you go with. Do you have a 4g phone? Just make it a mobile hotspot and increase your data allowance if required. I worked for 6 months with an EE Mifi instead of cabled and it managed streaming, gaming etc as well as work access and downloading.

I was looking, I haven't done broadband searches anywhere but I was typing in stuff like 4G Mobile Broadband and it was coming up with routers for £100+ with a Sim Card Slot.

I have a work and personal phone, S5 and iPhone 6, on o2 both have 4G. I'm going to set up a hotspot and test that.
Are there pay-monthly 4G Router deals?
I can't use a plug in USB Dongle as this won't work with the PS4, and it nearly bricked my PS3 when I tried it needs to be a broadcasting SSID I can connect to like a normal home router.

Test 4G reception on your phone first. If you get a consistent signal, then you are good to go. You can then either just use your phone as a mobile hotspot and connect to this, then adjust your data allowance where applicable. There maybe a limit to how many connections you can have. Alternatively, get a Mifi from any of the Phone companies, which is simply a mobile signal receiver that then acts as a wifi router - same as a mobile hotspot on your phone. You'll be able to connect more devices to it and it's designed for the purpose. Shop around for deals depending upon how much data allowance you need, upfront cost, contract length etc. It's better than paying for an other fixed line as you can take it and use it anywhere.

[nyt]

xjay1337 said:

Powerline is not an option. There is already some Powerline in the house but all of the 4 Ethernet Ports on the router are full.
I have Wireless access without issue but it is slow when the others are streaming (which seems to be every day now).


I need a solution that allows me to have my own connection that is only mine to use. Changing the router is not an option as it's needed for the Plusnet lines to work.

If there is already powerline have you tried putting a unit in your room an trying it out.
If it worked then you can simply buy another power line adaptor for your room and it should work with the existing adaptors.

Won't the increased ping times of 4G affect your gaming?

[nyt]

xjay1337 said:

This is what I mean. If the device(s) in question are not on the network, in the same location I get consistent pings around 30ms and no dropped packets.

Your ping times seem slow.
FYI this is what I get on Virgin:

PING google.com (216.58.213.78): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=0 ttl=56 time=11.992 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=1 ttl=56 time=42.117 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=2 ttl=56 time=26.078 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=3 ttl=56 time=11.224 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=4 ttl=56 time=13.997 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=5 ttl=56 time=11.978 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=6 ttl=56 time=15.528 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=7 ttl=56 time=19.180 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=8 ttl=56 time=13.580 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=9 ttl=56 time=10.946 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=10 ttl=56 time=14.159 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=11 ttl=56 time=10.871 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=12 ttl=56 time=13.859 ms

[PorkInsider]

xjay1337 said:

I was looking, I haven't done broadband searches anywhere but I was typing in stuff like 4G Mobile Broadband and it was coming up with routers for £100+ with a Sim Card Slot.

I have a work and personal phone, S5 and iPhone 6, on o2 both have 4G. I'm going to set up a hotspot and test that.
Are there pay-monthly 4G Router deals?
I can't use a plug in USB Dongle as this won't work with the PS4, and it nearly bricked my PS3 when I tried it needs to be a broadcasting SSID I can connect to like a normal home router.

I've got an EE MiFi (osprey) which was very good when BT royally screwed up my house move.

I can get around 48Mbps and can connect 10 devices to it.

Not sure how much per month it would be as I bought it outright but I know you can get the unit for nothing if you take a contract with them.

Just google 'EE MiFi' or no doubt the other networks do something similar.

[xjay1337]

TEKNOPUG said:

Test 4G reception on your phone first. If you get a consistent signal, then you are good to go. You can then either just use your phone as a mobile hotspot and connect to this, then adjust your data allowance where applicable. There maybe a limit to how many connections you can have. Alternatively, get a Mifi from any of the Phone companies, which is simply a mobile signal receiver that then acts as a wifi router - same as a mobile hotspot on your phone. You'll be able to connect more devices to it and it's designed for the purpose. Shop around for deals depending upon how much data allowance you need, upfront cost, contract length etc. It's better than paying for an other fixed line as you can take it and use it anywhere.

Sorry I meant to clarify, both have full 4G signal. I am trying it out now. Initially it seems very good.

nyt said:

Your ping times seem slow.
FYI this is what I get on Virgin:

PING google.com (216.58.213.78): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=0 ttl=56 time=11.992 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=1 ttl=56 time=42.117 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=2 ttl=56 time=26.078 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=3 ttl=56 time=11.224 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=4 ttl=56 time=13.997 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=5 ttl=56 time=11.978 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=6 ttl=56 time=15.528 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=7 ttl=56 time=19.180 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=8 ttl=56 time=13.580 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=9 ttl=56 time=10.946 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=10 ttl=56 time=14.159 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=11 ttl=56 time=10.871 ms
64 bytes from 216.58.213.78: icmp_seq=12 ttl=56 time=13.859 ms

Yes, slow because of other people on the network hogging bandwidth.
Regarding your point about Powerline adaptors, I haven't tried that out.

About the MiFi adaptors I can only see 3 Mobile ones and an EE, but I can only test with O2 devices.
Is any network better than an other? If it works well on O2 4g is it going to be the same experience on another network?

[nyt]

xjay1337 said:

Yes, slow because of other people on the network hogging bandwidth.
Regarding your point about Powerline adaptors, I haven't tried that out.

About the MiFi adaptors I can only see 3 Mobile ones and an EE, but I can only test with O2 devices.
Is any network better than an other? If it works well on O2 4g is it going to be the same experience on another network?

Set your phone up for tethering and do the ping test. Your phone is effectively a MiFi.
Other networks may have different signal strengths in your area so the results will only really apply to 02
As far as a dedicated MiFi is concerned - something like this is ok:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DJ7MKB8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3F366I3Y9T9U&coliid=I20E3OY07MPDRX . But I use an old tablet without any issue.

Regarding your :rolleyes. Not very nice. The information was so that you had a baseline to compare to when testing against 4G / Powerline / when your network is otherwise unused. People help voluntarily and attitudes like that don't help.
And your ping times are slow regardless of usage.

[eybic]

nyt said:

Set your phone up for tethering and do the ping test. Your phone is effectively a MiFi.
Other networks may have different signal strengths in your area so the results will only really apply to 02
As far as a dedicated MiFi is concerned - something like this is ok:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DJ7MKB8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3F366I3Y9T9U&coliid=I20E3OY07MPDRX . But I use an old tablet without any issue.

Regarding your :rolleyes. Not very nice. The information was so that you had a baseline to compare to when testing against 4G / Powerline / when your network is otherwise unused. People help voluntarily and attitudes like that don't help.
And your ping times are slow regardless of usage.

I think the were directed at the people in the house using bandwidth.

[Sheepshanks]

xjay1337 said:

... but all of the 4 Ethernet Ports on the router are full.

You've mentioned that a couple of times - you could buy a little switch for about a fiver.


You're a bit vague over who the ISP is now, and what the service is - does the house have "fibre" broadband now? A better router *might* help a bit, but router results seem almost random.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Wednesday 17th August 11:25

[xjay1337]

Ok, I've tested it on a game and it is consistent and not laggy, ping is around 85 as opposed to 30 but I can actually get a match finished.

So I'll look at getting a 4G WiFi/MiFi thing whatever it's called.
Are there any cracker of a deals? I probably only need 10 or 15GB a month. I've found plenty around 15 quid a month but none which seem any better than any others.

Anything that give you like cashback? 3 mobile gives you £25 Amazon voucher... aside from that??

[xjay1337]

eybic said:

I think the were directed at the people in the house using bandwidth.

Yup lol, some people are a bit touchy

Regarding the Alcatel box I think by the time I've bought that and using £15 of data a month I'd be better off getting one on a monthly deal?

[eybic]

Slightly leftfield but how about a cheap 4G handset (with good signal) then you can tether through a mobile contract (BT offer 20gb for around £20 a month on a 12 month contract sim only)