Getting internet to a property is only the first part of staying connected. The network inside the home or business determines how reliably phones, computers, televisions, cameras, smart devices, and other equipment can actually use that connection.
Spacelink helps residential and commercial customers improve Wi-Fi coverage, build more capable networks, connect difficult areas of a property, and professionally install supported Wi-Fi and networking equipment.
Solutions can range from improving Wi-Fi in a typical home to designing connectivity for larger homes, businesses, rural properties, detached buildings, and other locations where a single wireless router may not provide the coverage or capacity needed.
Good Internet Does Not Always Mean Good Wi-Fi
Internet service and Wi-Fi are related, but they are not the same thing.
Your internet provider delivers a connection to the property. Your local network then distributes that connection to the devices that use it.
If devices perform well near the router but struggle in bedrooms, upstairs areas, offices, garages, outdoor areas, or other parts of the property, the internet service itself may not be the primary problem.
Distance, walls, floors, building materials, interference, equipment placement, and the capabilities of the networking equipment can all affect Wi-Fi performance.
Whole-Home Wi-Fi
Whole-home Wi-Fi is designed to provide usable wireless coverage throughout the areas of a home where connectivity is needed instead of concentrating the connection around a single router.
The appropriate design depends on the home’s size, layout, construction, internet connection, device usage, and areas that need coverage.
Some homes can be improved by better equipment placement or a more capable router. Others may benefit from mesh Wi-Fi, additional access points, wired connections, or a combination of technologies.
Mesh Wi-Fi
Mesh Wi-Fi systems use multiple network devices to extend wireless coverage across a home or property. They can be particularly useful where one router cannot provide adequate coverage throughout the areas where devices are used.
Mesh is not automatically the best solution for every property. Node placement, the connection between nodes, building construction, property size, and available wired networking can all affect system performance.
Wi-Fi for Businesses
Business networks can have different requirements from residential Wi-Fi. Employees, customers, point-of-sale systems, cameras, cloud applications, connected equipment, guest networks, and other devices may all depend on the network.
A business may also need coverage across offices, warehouses, shops, outdoor spaces, or multiple areas of a property.
Spacelink can help businesses evaluate Wi-Fi and networking solutions based on the property, devices, coverage requirements, and intended use.
Explore Business Wi-Fi & Networking
eero Wi-Fi Systems
eero offers Wi-Fi systems designed to make it easier to provide connected coverage throughout a property. Spacelink can help customers determine whether an eero system fits their needs and assist with supported equipment and professional installation.
The right eero configuration depends on factors including property size, construction, internet service, device usage, and where coverage is needed.
Ubiquiti UniFi Networks
Ubiquiti’s UniFi platform supports networking environments that can include wireless access points, switching, gateways, cameras, and other network infrastructure.
UniFi can be appropriate for customers who need more control, scalability, wired networking, multiple access points, or a network that extends beyond a basic residential Wi-Fi system.
Wired Networking and Ethernet
Wi-Fi is convenient, but not every device or network connection needs to be wireless.
Ethernet can provide a wired connection between network equipment and compatible devices. Wired connections can also be used to connect access points or mesh equipment where the property and installation allow it.
A network that combines wired and wireless connectivity can often provide a more practical solution than attempting to make every connection wireless.
Connecting Detached Buildings and Larger Properties
Connectivity becomes more challenging when the areas that need service extend beyond a single building.
Garages, workshops, barns, offices, guest houses, outbuildings, security cameras, and other locations may be too far from the primary router for dependable Wi-Fi coverage.
The appropriate solution depends on distance, line of sight, existing cabling, available power, building construction, property layout, and what needs to be connected.
Depending on the situation, the solution may involve wired networking, wireless links, additional access points, mesh equipment, or other network infrastructure.
Wi-Fi for Rural and Large Properties
Rural connectivity does not end when internet service reaches the main building.
Farms, ranches, rural homes, cabins, vacation properties, and larger residential or commercial properties can have networking requirements that extend well beyond a typical house.
Spacelink approaches these projects by looking at both sides of the connection: how internet reaches the property and how that connection needs to be distributed once it gets there.
Professional Wi-Fi & Network Installation
Network equipment performs best when the system is planned around the property rather than installed solely according to convenient outlet locations.
Professional installation can help with equipment placement, access points, mesh systems, wired connections, network hardware, cable routing, and other parts of the installation.
Spacelink provides professional Wi-Fi and network installation within its local service area and may be able to arrange installation in other U.S. markets where qualified installation resources are available.
Learn About Professional Wi-Fi & Network Installation
Wi-Fi Performance Depends on the Environment
Wireless performance can be affected by distance, physical obstructions, interference, network equipment, device capabilities, and the underlying internet connection.
The Federal Communications Commission provides consumer information about broadband and factors that can affect the experience of using an internet connection.
Read the FCC’s Consumer Guide to Broadband
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between internet and Wi-Fi?
Internet service connects your property to the internet. Wi-Fi is one way your local network connects devices within the property to that internet connection. It is possible to have a good internet connection but poor Wi-Fi coverage.
How can I get better Wi-Fi throughout my house?
The appropriate solution depends on why coverage is poor. Better router placement, mesh Wi-Fi, additional access points, wired networking, or upgraded equipment may help depending on the home’s size, construction, layout, and existing network.
Is mesh Wi-Fi always better than a traditional router?
No. Mesh Wi-Fi can be useful for extending coverage, but it is not automatically the best network design for every property. A smaller property may perform well with one properly placed wireless router, while other properties may benefit from wired access points or a combination of technologies.
Can Spacelink help connect a detached garage or other building?
Potentially. The best method depends on distance, property layout, available cabling and power, line of sight, building construction, and what devices need connectivity in the second building.
Does Spacelink install Wi-Fi systems?
Yes. Spacelink provides professional Wi-Fi and networking installation for supported equipment in its local service area and may be able to arrange installation in other markets where qualified installation resources are available.
Can Spacelink improve my Wi-Fi without changing my internet provider?
Potentially. If the underlying internet service is adequate but coverage inside the property is poor, improving the local network may solve the problem without changing internet providers.
Need Better Wi-Fi or a More Capable Network?
Tell us about your property, your current internet connection, where coverage is weak, and what devices or areas you need to connect.
Spacelink can help determine whether the appropriate next step is whole-home Wi-Fi, mesh Wi-Fi, additional access points, wired networking, professional installation, or another networking solution.