Poor range - router solution?

Question

Hi I've purchased a nighthawk from Telstra in Australia. It was sold as a companion modem/router for their 5g service but honestly it has really poor wifi range. This is probably to be expected, I think it's really designed as a small area hotspot modem rather than a home internet solution.

anyway I'm wondering before I go out and buy just any router - is there a recommended compatible wifi router that would well with the nighthawk to provide a better wifi coverage in the home?

Secondly is there a more suitable combined 5g modem/router for use in home/office situations than the M5? I near on had to sell a kidney for the price of the M5 and feel like it's just the right thing for the application Telstra is selling it for - so might be better upgrading to start with.

Would love some advice :)

michaelkenward · Answer

Gcaussie&nbsp;wrote:
Hi I've purchased a nighthawk from Telstra in Australia.
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A Nighthawk what? "M5" isn't a model number that I recognise or that I can find here.
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plemans · Answer

Netgear calls it the M5 but its actual model number is MR5200.

https://www.netgear.com/home/mobile-wifi/hotspots/mr5200

the Mr5200 has ethernet out so you can connect another router to it (in access point mode) to provide better wifi coverage if you'd like.

Gcaussie · Answer

Thanks for that - yes I assumed I'm going to need a router to extend wifi range - the question then is - is there a reccomended router?

I've seen some comments from people using these they they had poor speeds when connected to their existing router due to some intereference or other unknown reason.

plemans wrote:
Netgear calls it the M5 but its actual model number is MR5200.
https://www.netgear.com/home/mobile-wifi/hotspots/mr5200

the Mr5200 has ethernet out so you can connect another router to it (in access point mode) to provide better wifi coverage if you'd like.

plemans · Answer

Gcaussie&nbsp;wrote:Thanks for that - yes I assumed I'm going to need a router to extend wifi range - the question then is - is there a reccomended router?&nbsp;I&nbsp;&nbsp;Basically what hits the points you want. You can either run the router in access point mode and make sure the wireless channels are on a different one's than the hotspot or put the hotspot in passthrough mode.&nbsp;

michaelkenward · Answer

If all you want is an access point, buying an extender and using it an AP mode might be better.
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Folks here report that routers in AP mode are less effective than purpose built extenders. After all in AP mode a router loses many of the reasons for buying one.
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Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support
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Alternatively, see if it is&nbsp;possible to use the MR5200 in modem only (bridge) mode. The manual is not promising on that front though.
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For help in choosing what to buy, start at the production pages and feed in your needs and the size of your spread.
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WiFi Range Extenders: Boost Your WiFi Range | NETGEAR
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Poor range - router solution?

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