In the past the garden was somewhat of a digital deadzone but, in 2023, modern technology is primed to keep you connected outside the comfort of your home by creating a full fibre hotspot.
With the use of gadgets like Wi-Fi extenders and the gigabit-speeds of full fibre networks, broadband is no longer tethered to the indoors, meaning you can easily turn your very own slice of outdoors into a hotspot for connectivity for both work and leisure.
With summertime peaking over the horizon and the nation prepared to flock to the outdoors, read on to find out how boosters work and how you could make the most of them this summer…
Extenders vs Repeaters
With the world of technology flooded with terminology like Wi-Fi extenders, repeaters, and boosters, you’d be forgiven for not knowing the difference and which is the best for your home.
The key distinction is between ‘extenders’ and ‘repeaters’ as a ‘booster’ is a generic umbrella term encompassing both. Both extenders and repeaters allow your premise’s Wi-Fi to reach areas of the property that it previously couldn’t, with the difference being in how they do it.
Extenders rely on a wired connection from your router to create a new Wi-Fi access point and literally ‘extend’ your broadband, while repeaters work via wireless connectivity to reamplify the signal broadcasted from your main hub.
Both typically take the form of small, discreet boxes which plug into a normal socket and require minimal setup to get working. Remember, as with your router, to avoid storing them on shelves or on the floor as this blocks signal and reduces their effectiveness.
There’s a huge choice available on the market with competitive prices so it’s worth looking around. But, regardless of which you choose, how can you make the most of your boosted broadband from your garden?
Work from gnome
Broadband in your garden can be a serious upgrade to your flexible working schedule, offering plenty of opportunities to sun yourself whilst surfing spreadsheets or simply enjoying the mental health benefits of the outdoors.
Plus, with full fibre speeds at your disposal, you can take full advantage of uninterrupted productivity from your open-air office, be it team meetings, copywriting, digital design, programming, and beyond.
Music, maestro!
In a less formal capacity, hooking up your garden to the world of Wi-Fi is a sure way to shape up your social offering.
Garden parties simply aren’t the same without music and, with more and more speakers trading Bluetooth for Wi-Fi connectivity, you’ll want to ensure your broadband reaches beyond the indoors if you’re going to give guests the summer soundtrack they deserve.
Games from the garden
With the success of the Nintendo Switch, the unveiling of PlayStation’s Project Q, and the healthy continuation of mobile gaming, being able to lose yourself in the virtual world without being tied to the sofa is a modern luxury.
Extending your Wi-Fi can level up your gaming experience further, allowing seamless multiplayer and online interactivity in the glory of the sun, without fear of stuttering connections holding you back!
2023’s Summer of sport
This year’s sporting calendar is awash with major tournaments and pivotal races from the Women’s World Cup, Formula One’s return to Silverstone and this year’s visit to Wimbledon.
With temperatures rising, why not take your sports streaming to the deck chairs? Enjoy 4K resolutions and buffer-free coverage beside your drinks cooler and parasol as you gather friends round for an action-packed summer of sport in the sunshine.
As much as a Wi-Fi extender or repeater can help you expand your broadband’s reach to enjoy all of the above, it can only go so far. After all, if you’re relying on Victorian-age, copper-based Superfast connections that aren’t capable of supporting the modern demand of technology, extending this connection won’t provide any benefit.
The best way to ensure your garden is kitted out for Summer is by switching to full fibre broadband. With speeds 11x faster than Superfast networks, and the support of a Wi-Fi extender or repeater, your garden can be transformed into a digital hub for both work and leisure.
That’s why we’re rolling out our full-fibre networks across rural, hard-to-reach areas across the East of England following a combined £146m private investment. Our progress is well underway, having connected thousands of homes and businesses to the vital gigabit-speed network they require, ensuring villages across the region are ready for the future.
Find out if our network is already available in your area or if we’re planning to connect your village.
