Good Wi-Fi for tenants, guests and visitors
Most people use Wi-Fi to get their phones, laptops and tablets online. Tenants in a shared house, guests in a holiday let and visitors to a venue do the same.
Some owners set up and run the equipment themselves. Others pay a provider to install it and look after it. These notes cover what makes Wi-Fi work well across a building, whichever way you choose. They draw on Ofcom, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Start with the broadband line
Ofcom makes a simple point first. However good the Wi-Fi is, it can never be faster than the broadband connection behind it.
If the Wi-Fi slows down when many people are online at once, the broadband itself may be the limit. A faster broadband service might fix that.
Reaching every room
Wi-Fi signals weaken as they pass through things. Brick inside walls block more than hollow ones. Water, metal and glass block the signal too, so radiators and fish tanks get in the way.
Ofcom suggests a central spot off the floor for the router, away from microwaves and cordless phones. In a bigger building, a mesh system links several boxes to spread the signal without slowing the broadband. Boosters and extenders can widen coverage, but they can affect speed. A cable is often the most reliable connection for a device that stays in one place.
Lots of devices at once
The broadband is shared between every device that is connected. Newer routers can handle more devices before people notice a drop in speed.
Wi-Fi comes in generations, such as Wi-Fi 4, 5 and 6. Higher numbers are newer and can give faster connections. Phones and laptops that only support older versions will not get the full benefit.
Questions to ask a provider
Ofcom lists some things to think about when choosing equipment or a service. They make good questions for any provider.
- How fast can it send data to devices?
- Will it cover the whole building?
- How many devices can it handle?
- Does it adjust its own settings for the best connection?
- What security features does it include?
Ofcom also says your broadband provider is responsible for fixing faults, even when another company owns the network. Note when a problem started and what you have tried, and pass that on.
Signing guests in
Some Wi-Fi sign-in pages ask for an email address. The ICO's rules say you must not send marketing emails or texts to individuals without their specific consent, for example by ticking an opt-in box. There is a narrow exception for your own previous customers, who must be given a simple way to opt out each time.
Keeping it secure
Cyber Essentials is the government's recommended minimum standard of cyber security for organisations. It rests on five controls. They are firewalls, secure set-up, keeping software updated, controlling who has access, and protection from malware.
The NCSC's guide for small organisations also has practical steps, many of which take as little as five minutes.