When setting up a new fiber installation, one of the initial considerations is the optimal placement of the router. An enticing choice is situating it near the television. This arrangement brings forth both advantages and drawbacks. Although repositioning equipment can be requested from your service provider if need be, you may still ponder the optimal placement. Is positioning it in proximity to the TV ideal or not? Here’s what you need to factor in.
While the installation technician should offer guidance on selecting the prime location for your router, it’s crucial to take into account several factors that can either enhance or impede connectivity within your abode. Numerous aspects can influence your overall experience—such as extended hallways, the positioning of kitchens and bathrooms, or the presence of thick stone walls.
Strategic Placement: Installing the Router Near the TV
As a general guideline, situating the router close to the television holds significant advantages due to the typical layout of most homes, where the living room tends to be centrally positioned. This configuration facilitates even WiFi signal distribution across all areas within the residence. Conversely, placing the router in a distant room or an office to optimize connectivity at a specific spot might result in weaker signals reaching certain areas.
Benefits and Advantages
Choosing the living room or vicinity of the TV for router placement is often the wisest choice, primarily because of its central location within the home. Given that you spend a considerable portion of your daily routine in this area, having the network hub situated where you frequent the most makes practical sense. Moreover, many modern Smart TVs can be directly connected to the internet, making proximity to the router ideal for wired connections, enhancing connectivity.
Additionally, if you’re considering subscribing to a television package from your service provider, having the router near the TV proves advantageous. This facilitates the connection of a decoder to your router and TV. If such a decoder is not provided by your provider, utilizing a TV Box for streaming content and internet connection becomes a viable alternative. Devices connected via cable experience increased speeds, reducing WiFi network congestion and enhancing coverage throughout your home.
Drawbacks
In certain instances, home layout can hinder optimal coverage in all rooms. When the living room is positioned at the entrance and there’s an extended corridor leading to the bedrooms, the WiFi signal might not reach the farthest rooms effectively. Obstacles like bathrooms or kitchens between the router and specific rooms can weaken the WiFi signal, as can thick stone walls, leading to signal attenuation between rooms.
Alternate Placements
In compliance with regulations, newly constructed buildings must include a centralized wired network access point, known as the User Access Point (PAU), typically located at the house’s entryway. In these cases, installing the router within this access point is recommended. This configuration enables you to connect your devices via cables from any location in the house, providing extensive options to ensure strong signals in every room.
Is Installing the Router Near the TV the Right Choice?
Undoubtedly, there are numerous benefits to opting for router placement near the television. While we’ve addressed potential drawbacks earlier, these can be easily mitigated through the use of a WiFi amplifier. Considering this, it’s certainly advisable to position the router within the living room and in proximity to the TV.