Consider your needs and budget, then choose a router that offers strong performance and good coverage for your setup.
Consider your needs and budget, then choose a router that offers strong performance and good coverage for your setup.
You might attempt to configure the router in AP mode. If that doesn’t work, you may need to switch to a mesh WiFi setup. Companies like Netgear, Google, and ASUS offer such systems, though they can be expensive. My sister reportedly invested more than $300 on her Google Mesh System.
I’m cautious about giving this advice—it seems they often face issues with DSL and powerline causing slowdowns or instability. I’d use a good router, position it centrally, and focus on coverage once you’re ready. Unless you can afford it and have the means to run Ethernet everywhere, planning might not be worth it compared to hands-on testing.
It's good to hear. I'm having trouble getting DSL at my place. I only have coax services available. Honestly, I'd rather not use DSL—it feels like an outdated technology to me.
DSL remains relevant in certain regions, offering a noticeable upgrade compared to nothing. When a telecom provider focuses only on fiber to the street and not the homes, potential complications like wayleaving arise, plus significantly higher costs for extending fiber directly to each property. VDSL to street cabinets represent a major leap forward from ADSL all the way to the exchange. I believe COAX is nearly obsolete, as both approaches still rely on transmitting signals through copper wires. You might see reduced competition on VDSL because each user has exclusive access to a dedicated copper line, though this means you can't reliably predict the speed you'll achieve per individual line, unlike COAX where direct contention occurs immediately before reaching the cabinet.
AT&T has discontinued VDSL service across its US network. Those who still have it must secure it directly. The reality is VDSL maxes out at 100Mbps, while most advertised speeds only reach around 50Mbps. My coaxial connection offers 200Mbps and I’m enjoying gigabit capabilities. Upload quality is poor, but so is DSL performance. DSL simply doesn’t travel as far as coaxial lines. That explains why cable firms can push 1Gbps downloads nationwide while VDSL remains stuck at slow rates. Each DOSIS standard continues to advance fiber infrastructure. With my current provider, Node+0 upgrades are reducing node capacity per user. Additionally, my service includes Fiber-to-the-home in new developments, though they rely on RFoG technology. In the US, no DSL upgrades are being announced; instead, cable companies are shifting toward newer DOCSIS standards. Phone companies here are either maximizing copper extraction or leaning into wireless solutions. I know that major US carriers—AT&T and Verizon—are effectively phasing out DSL. They’re hoping 5G adoption will drive the change. AT&T has rolled out fiber in certain areas but remains hopeful about 5G growth.
COAX definitely shines for broadband applications, and it's impressive how far DOCSIS has come. DSL has been limited to gigabit speeds mainly in short distances, which doesn't really serve traditional phone networks well. It might offer a more affordable solution for high-density homes by bypassing Ethernet cable constraints and the complexity of fiber installation. Regardless, DSL has played a crucial role in bringing broadband access to many people, including myself. I'm still waiting a few years for FTTP, and for many others it remains a distant goal. I've heard from a friend in Texas who relies entirely on DSL for his connectivity.
Oh dear, I suspect both him and maybe his parents are indeed on AT&T. But we've taken this thread WAY off topic now.
I actually have fiber. I noticed the cable interior is clear when the ISP installers were working on my connection. That must be why my internet is so stable. I still need to enter the login and password in my router settings for it to function properly.
This indicates a lack of concrete details without a real budget. In ideal situations, internet speeds for clients using WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 won’t vary significantly. To fully benefit from WiFi 6, devices must support it, which means having adapters that match. Based on my experience, WiFi 6 connections tend to be more reliable and the coverage better, especially in challenging environments like homes with thick walls. Not every router is created equal—budget options may struggle against higher-quality models. Assuming your space has no obstacles such as solid walls or too many devices, a standard WiFi 5 router should suffice. If you own a Tenda model and feel comfortable returning it if needed, I’d consider giving it a shot.