Moving to a new location is confusing enough, but it’s even more stressful when you realize that your WiFi is connected but you can’t get an internet signal in certain areas (like your home office!) . In Singapore, it can be difficult to have a seamless internet connection and his WiFi at home due to the thick concrete reinforced walls. However, there are some things you should check when viewing a property or before signing a contract. – This will save you a huge amount of effort and money. SARAH and BO from Tekkie Help shares his 6 tips.
#1 Locate the fiber termination box
One of the first things to check when looking at a property is the location of the fiber termination point. This is where your property connects to your internet service provider’s fiber optic network. This is a rectangular box that says “OpenNet” or “Netlink Trust.”
Ideally, the fiber termination box should be located on-site. Additionally, check if there is a data point and a power socket adjacent to it. The data points allow a direct wired connection to other areas of the house, providing faster and more stable internet compared to his WiFi home connection in Singapore.
#2 Consider the placement of the main router
The placement of your main router has a huge impact on signal strength and coverage. The main router is located where the fiber termination box is and should be centrally located away from obstacles or objects that may interfere with the signal, such as walls or stairs.
If the termination point is located in a basement or back room away from the main living areas, it is especially important to check your home for data points and ensure that there is a data point and a power socket next to the termination point.
Alternatively, if the location is confusing and there are no adjacent data points, request the homeowner to move the fiber termination point to a more central location. This can be a fairly expensive task, so it’s important to try and complete it. At their expense, not yours!
#3 Check data points in the room
Black spots, intermittent service, and buffering are all common with WiFi connections, but there are no internet issues in Singapore. This is partly due to the dense structure of the concrete and steel buildings here. To ensure good coverage, routers must be strategically placed and wired around your home. Therefore, when considering a property, make sure that the rooms that require good coverage have data points with adjacent power sockets. This will allow you to connect your router. You can then connect it back to your main router and modem using internal wiring.
Older homes may not have data points installed. Check to see if you have a phone outlet, as it may be possible to convert old phone wiring for data communication. You can also use points from old coaxial cables. Just plug a small “MoCa box” into either end and you can plug your router into it. The cable point must also be placed near the fiber termination box for it to work.
What to do if you don’t have a data point, phone socket or cable point for your WiFi Home Singapore connection? Have a home IT services company come and do a WiFi assessment and quote for data network cable installation. is highly recommended. Tekkie Help provides Expat Living readers with his free WiFi rating.
#4 Consider home entertainment
These days, many of us rely on watching movies and TV shows through online sources such as Netflix. These require a strong and stable internet connection. Therefore, it is very important that the TV is wired to the router. Check the location of your TV and make sure it has a data point and power socket.
Running your TV on WiFi isn’t ideal if you don’t have a point where your TV is installed, as you’ll likely experience buffering in your streaming experience. Alternatively, you can request that the data points be installed in the desired location.
#5 What about mesh networks?
As mentioned earlier, the best option is to install wired WiFi access points in strategic locations using existing data points. If these aren’t available, or your landlord isn’t willing to install data cables, another option is a “mesh network” such as Google WiFi or his TP Link mesh set.
In the right situation, these can be very effective when WiFi is connected but there is no Internet connection. However, the mesh “nodes” must be within each other’s WiFi range so that they can pool their signals. Concrete walls can prevent this, so additional nodes may need to be installed in hallways and stairwells to bridge signals between rooms or floors.
#6 Lease negotiations and budget consideration
Installing data cables and moving fiber termination boxes can be expensive. We highly recommend getting a quote from Tekkie Help during the lease negotiation stage to get seamless WiFi coverage. This allows you to request that the landlord pay for the work. After all, it’s about adding value to their assets and bringing it up to modern standards.
If you don’t have an internet connection and your landlord is reluctant to invest, you need to factor the cost into your budget and consider your options.
Securing a property with reliable WiFi in Singapore is crucial in today’s connected world. Taking these steps while viewing a property will help you make an informed decision. It can potentially save you a lot of frustration and additional costs when you have WiFi but no internet connection. This allows you to enjoy a connected and convenient living experience.
If you would like to book a free WiFi assessment or need help troubleshooting and optimizing your home, please contact Sarah and Bo on 8113 8682 and quote ‘Exat Living’.
For more information, please visit tekkiehelp.com.
This article first appeared in the December 2023 issue of Expat Living. You can purchase Latest issue or subscriptionnever miss a copy.
Read our latest city guide to make the most of living in Singapore here For free! Here’s a guide for expats on where to live in Singapore and what to do in Singapore.
