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Router, Wi-Fi repeater, and Amazon Fire TV Stick

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Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -  
Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   -
Hello, I would like to know if a WiFi repeater, such as the Range XTD or the Wifi Ultraboost, will have the same function as the Google Nest that was recommended to me at Boulanger, to increase my speed. I am on ADSL and not ready to switch to fiber (high up and near the woods ????) and my computer takes a long time to load pages, especially games, and videos on demand lag a lot, the sound of Amazon Prime movies is out of sync... I also ordered an Amazon Fire TV Stick: is it compatible with any repeater? How do I choose one?
I do not have a router (maybe it is integrated into my Freebox? I don't even know what that is); what is its purpose?
Difference between a repeater and a router?
Thank you very much, have a good day.

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4 answers

  1.
    Redbart Posted messages 20952 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   3 382
     
    Hello
    a repeater does not increase internet speed
    it captures the wifi and re-emits it, creating another area where wifi will be available (with a significant loss)
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    1. Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       
      Thanks for the info Redbart, I have reception all over the house, but the speed is too divided by what is connected on the ground floor.
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  2. brupala Posted messages 4 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   14 454
     
    Hi,
    there's indeed a lot of work to do, but you'll need to look up all these terms yourself on your favorite Google.
    Some devices have multiple functions, like Swiss army knives: they do a little bit of everything but poorly.
    Originally, a repeater connects to a Wi-Fi network and creates a new one from the first by reproducing its flaws and adding its own.
    A Wi-Fi access point connects via an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet network and generates a Wi-Fi network.
    A router connects multiple IP networks, either wired only, or wired + Wi-Fi, or wired + Wi-Fi + 4G, or many other things.
    Some routers can be configured as Wi-Fi access points, or even as repeaters ...
    For me, Google Nest is just a connected object (mainly a speaker), definitely not a router or an access point, nor even a repeater.
    If you want a good network at home, you need to use Ethernet cables, especially when you get fiber.
    You can also have a good Wi-Fi network with mesh Wi-Fi. Simple repeaters are outdated tools nowadays; they often work poorly.
    That said, all of this is for your home; if your internet connection is slow and outdated too, it won’t change anything until fiber arrives, which will be at the latest in 3 years.
    Have you tried 4G/LTE?

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    1. Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       
      Thank you very much, Brupala. I looked it up on Google, but it's all vague to me; I don't know half of the terms used, and comparing functions when you can't really see what they do without layman's terms...
      The Nest that was shown to me in the store is the Wi-Fi access point, not the speaker, the one for €139; it's a bit frustrating... what is 4G/LTE? (oh my, such a big ignorance... :D)
      Ethernet is complicated for me; I can't connect my Freebox to my laptop: the laptop is on the dining room table when I use it, and the box is on the kitchen counter because there’s no other telephone socket with a power outlet nearby. :((
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      1. brupala Posted messages 4 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   14 454 > Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        It's true that Nest is a generic name for quite a few gadgets and gizmos.
        Indeed, you are mainly referring to this quasi-meshed system I mentioned earlier, which is offered by Google, there are better options that are cheaper and less spy-like (why a microphone and a speaker as well as a Google account?)
        Previously, it was just called Google WiFi.
        4G/LTE is the mobile network of mobile operators.
        LTE is more commonly used abroad; in France, we usually speak of 4G or 5G now.
        Finally,
        an Ethernet cable can span up to 100m.
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  3. bazfile Posted messages 58526 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   20 281
     
    Hello.
    A repeater will not increase your speed, it simply extends the WiFi signal into rooms where you do not receive the WiFi signal (large house), and since boxes are not the best in terms of WiFi, a router is sometimes a good solution. I have this router configured as an access point connected to my Freebox, and the signal quality is good. It is important to know that you will never have more speed than what your line can provide.

    To find out where fiber is available at your address:
    https://www.free.fr/freebox/carte-fibre-optique/

    https://cartefibre.arcep.fr/index.html

    https://racc-thd42.axione.fr/prerac/public/accueil.htm

    bazfile
    Moderator/Security Contributor.
    A hello, a response, a thank you are always appreciated.
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    1. Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
       
      Thank you very much, Bazfile. Is the Google Nest a repeater or a router then? The guy at Boulanger told me it’s what I need because we always have at least 3 phones + the computer + the heating on the Wi-Fi network, and so when we want to watch on-demand movies, it lags...
      My address is only in the process of being deployed for fiber. I just want the loading of web pages, games, and on-demand movies to be smooth.
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  4. Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1
     
    Thank you very much, Bazfile. Is the Google Nest a repeater or a router then? The guy at Boulanger told me it’s what I need because we constantly have at least 3 phones + the computer + the heating on the wifi network, and so when we want to watch on-demand movies, it lags...
    My address is only in the process of being deployed for fiber. I just want the loading of web pages, the games, and the on-demand movies to be smooth.
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    1. quentin2121 Posted messages 9010 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 313
       
      The Google Nest is a router, it looks pretty good!
      You are from Loire, "go the greens"!!! lol
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    2. bazfile Posted messages 58526 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   20 281
       
      Test your speed on https://www.speedtest.net/en and give me the results.

      Which Freebox do you have?

      I think you’re referring to the Nest WiFi, which is a router that allows you to have a mesh network by adding other modules; it’s the same system as the repeaters from Free. Don’t let the salespeople influence you; they often say anything to sell their products. As I’ve mentioned before, you won’t be able to get more speed than your line can offer you. If the speed test shows a low speed, as long as you’re not eligible for fiber, you’ll have this kind of problem.
      I’m waiting for the speed test results.
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    3. Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 > bazfile Posted messages 58526 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention  
       
      I have the mini (F8GW05LA)
      Yes, it's indeed the Nest Wifi that was shown to me in the store. I can't send my screenshot, so I'm relaying the test values: PING ms 37
      DOWNLOAD Mbps 5.12
      UPLOAD Mbps 0.81
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    4. Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 > quentin2121 Posted messages 9010 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      Thank you Quentin2121, since we're at it, I'd prefer not to spend 120 bucks o_O
      Personally, I'm allergic to football and I'm from Metz, but everyone has their own tastes, right? ;)
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    5. bazfile Posted messages 58526 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   20 281 > Virginiedu42500 Posted messages 35 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
       
      So with such a low speed, you can't expect anything from a router or a Nest WiFi; don't spend any money, the result would be disappointing as there would be no improvement. You just have to wait for the fiber, which shouldn't take long since you say it's being deployed.
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