Singtel Mesh Router

[xiaofan]

I recontracted with singtel and collected the Singtel Mesh router. Is it better than my old Asus Rt ac86U?

Of course not.

RT-AC86U is one of the best consumer grade AC router out there and rated AC2900.

Singtel Mesh Router is a low end AC router rated AC1900. It is better than the older Singtel AC Plus and AC Elite. But it is still a so-so wireless router.

 

[fi3ry_icy]

Of course not.

RT-AC86U is one of the best consumer grade AC router out there and rated AC2900.

Singtel Mesh Router is a low end AC router rated AC1900. It is better than the older Singtel AC Plus and AC Elite. But it is still a so-so wireless router.

ohh okok.. cos i cant find any details about Singtel Mesh Router's spec..

kum xia!

but hor, is there a way to use the Singtel Mesh router as a wi-fi mesh if i want to do so?

 

[xiaofan]

ohh okok.. cos i cant find any details about Singtel Mesh Router's spec..

kum xia!

but hor, is there a way to use the Singtel Mesh router as a wi-fi mesh if i want to do so?

Not a mesh but rather an AP (wireless access point).

Singtel ONT + Asus RT-AC86U --- wired connection -- Singtel Mesh Router (it will automatically run as an AP).

 

[fi3ry_icy]

Not a mesh but rather an AP (wireless access point).

Singtel ONT + Asus RT-AC86U --- wired connection -- Singtel Mesh Router (it will automatically run as an AP).

ohh, must connect the mesh router to the Asus router via wire ah...

i want to set it up away from the main router as an AP like a repeater. i guess means cannot

 

[xiaofan]

ohh, must connect the mesh router to the Asus router via wire ah...

i want to set it up away from the main router as an AP like a repeater. i guess means cannot

It does not work as a repeater.

 

[ch4dd4]

Hi gurus!
I need some help with my current mesh network.

I live in a 5 rm flat and currently using SingTel Mesh huawei ONR(hg8240t5) with 2 SingTel Mesh extenders,
In my bedroom 3, which i convert to my study, i have a PC and laptop 1. problem is my laptop1 wifi is inconsistent and will disconnect. Especially when my son plays Roblox on my laptop 1.
(pls see attached image)

When renovating my flat i already laid Lan cables (in red) to all bedrooms and the living room. stupid thing is i did not ask to move fibre point from distribution box to the living room and so any optic network router/terminal is stuck to the distribution box.

Laptop 2 next to the shelter also not strong signal.
I suspect the Mesh extender 1 signal is not getting to laptop 1 because of the wall seperating living room and bedroom 3 (study).

Any advice on how to improve the wifi to Laptop 1 such that the connection is consistent?
I have a spare TPlink archer C1900 wifi router, not sure if can add it in to boost signals?
TIA!

 

[xiaofan]

Hi gurus!
I need some help with my current mesh network.

I live in a 5 rm flat and currently using SingTel Mesh huawei ONR(hg8240t5) with 2 SingTel Mesh extenders,
In my bedroom 3, which i convert to my study, i have a PC and laptop 1. problem is my laptop1 wifi is inconsistent and will disconnect. Especially when my son plays Roblox on my laptop 1.
(pls see attached image)

When renovating my flat i already laid Lan cables (in red) to all bedrooms and the living room. stupid thing is i did not ask to move fibre point from distribution box to the living room and so any optic network router/terminal is stuck to the distribution box.

Laptop 2 next to the shelter also not strong signal.
I suspect the Mesh extender 1 signal is not getting to laptop 1 because of the wall seperating living room and bedroom 3 (study).

Any advice on how to improve the wifi to Laptop 1 such that the connection is consistent?
I have a spare TPlink archer C1900 wifi router, not sure if can add it in to boost signals?
TIA!

By right your laptop 1 should not have poor Wifi since the wall does not seem to be solid wall. However, you may have other furnitures in between or you may have placed the Singtel Mesh Extender in a not-so-optimum place (say inside the cupboard). You may place it in a high place without obstruction. That may help Laptop 2 Wifi as well. You can use try and error method to see which is the optimum placement.

One major issue with Singtel Mesh Extender is that it has only one WAN/LAN port.

1) Simple solution without extra cost: this should sort out your issue with laptop 1: to use the spare TP-Link Archer AC1900 as an AP and put in the Bedroom 3.
If your laptop 1 has LAN port, you can connect it to the LAN port of the TP-Link.

2) Adding a bit of extra cost
Get a cheap TP-Link TL-SG105 switch in the living room, then your Smart TV and PS4 can connectt to LAN and not using WiFI.

ONR -- Living room LAN port -- TP-Link TL-SG105 switch
TL-SG105 Switch LAN ports -- Singtel Mesh Extener + PS4 + Smart TV

3) Replace the Singtel Mesh Extender -- to get a better mesh solution, this should help you to sort out wireless issues with Laptop 1 and Laptop 2. Just wondeing what is the budget in this case.

 

[ch4dd4]

By right your laptop 1 should not have poor Wifi since the wall does not seem to be solid wall. However, you may have other furnitures in between or you may have placed the Singtel Mesh Extender in a not-so-optimum place (say inside the cupboard). You may place it in a high place without obstruction. That may help Laptop 2 Wifi as well. You can use try and error method to see which is the optimum placement.

One major issue with Singtel Mesh Extender is that it has only one WAN/LAN port.

1) Simple solution without extra cost: this should sort out your issue with laptop 1: to use the spare TP-Link Archer AC1900 as an AP and put in the Bedroom 3.
If your laptop 1 has LAN port, you can connect it to the LAN port of the TP-Link.

2) Adding a bit of extra cost
Get a cheap TP-Link TL-SG105 switch in the living room, then your Smart TV and PS4 can connectt to LAN and not using WiFI.

ONR -- Living room LAN port -- TP-Link TL-SG105 switch
TL-SG105 Switch LAN ports -- Singtel Mesh Extener + PS4 + Smart TV

3) Replace the Singtel Mesh Extender -- to get a better mesh solution, this should help you to sort out wireless issues with Laptop 1 and Laptop 2. Just wondeing what is the budget in this case.

Thank you for the quick reply! hmm switch sounds gd but i want to explore 3) further
my budget is <=$200

 

[xiaofan]

Thank you for the quick reply! hmm switch sounds gd but i want to explore 3) further
my budget is <=$200

Option 3-1: single TP-Link Archer AX72
A simple upgrade below S$100 -- you can get TP-Link Archer AX72 (AX5400 rated), BNIB from Carousell at around S$80 to S$90 (dumped by M1 users).

Then replace your Singtel Mesh Extender 1 with the TP-Link Archer AX72. It should be able to sort out wireless access issue for your Laptop 1 and 2.

I will still recommend to add a switch in Bedroom 3 for your PC and Laptop 1. Wired connection is always better when it is possible. TP-Link TL-SG105 is below S$30.

You can then put the Singtel Mesh Extender 1 in Bedroom 2 if needed.

You can try to set up TP-Link Archer AX72 in AP mode and then using the same SSID and password as your Singtel Mesh Extender. Then you check whether if your mobile device is having issues in BR3/BR2/MBR or not. If not then that is good. If there is an issue then you have to use a different SSID.

Option 3-2: 2 units of Asus RT-AX55
For mesh solution, based on your lower budget of around S$200, you can get two units of RT-AX55 from Carousell (around S$70 to S$80, dumped by M1 users). That should give you better roaming performance. You can start from two units, replacing the two Singtel Mesh Extenders. Single unit of RT-AX55 is not as powerful as TP-Link Archer AX72 but two units will give you the benefits of forming a mesh (AImesh) for better roaming performance.

Option 3-3: 2 units of TP-Link Archer AX73
Edit to add: now TP-Link Archer AX72 is able to support EasyMesh (mesh with itself), so you can get another Archer AX72 and put it inside either BR2 or BR3. In this case you can get rid of two Singtel Mesh Extenders.

Reference:
https://www.tp-link.com/sg/support/faq/3529/

 

[ch4dd4]

@xiaofan, for the TP-Link Archer AX72, isit to replace the huawei ONR in the distribution box? or to place in living room and set to AP mode?

 

[xiaofan]

@xiaofan, for the TP-Link Archer AX72, isit to replace the huawei ONR in the distribution box? or to place in living room and set to AP mode?

It is not replacing the ONR. You can not replace the ONR with your own router (not for average users anyway).

And yes it is to place in the living room and run as an AP. As mentioned in the previous answer: replace your Singtel Mesh Extender 1 with the TP-Link Archer AX72. It should be able to sort out wireless access issue for your Laptop 1 and 2.

 

[ch4dd4]

thank you xiaofan for the guidance!

 

[Advancer]

I will be getting one free wifi 6 AX5400 router from singtel (i supposed its Askey RT5703W).
https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/wifi6
Currently on 2 units of Asus RT-AX55 forming a mesh.

Singtel staff told me the free router is not a mesh router, but the picture in the link looks exactly like the the pair of mesh router except that i will only be receiving 1 unit.

Is it possible for me to purchase another singtel mesh router (Askey AP5690W) from carousell to add on to the free router?
Or can I use any other brand like my current Asus RT-AX55 to mesh with the free standalone singtel router that i get for free?

 

[xiaofan]

I will be getting one free wifi 6 AX5400 router from singtel (i supposed its Askey RT5703W).
https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/wifi6
Currently on 2 units of Asus RT-AX55 forming a mesh.

Singtel staff told me the free router is not a mesh router, but the picture in the link looks exactly like the the pair of mesh router except that i will only be receiving 1 unit.

Is it possible for me to purchase another singtel mesh router (Askey AP5690W) from carousell to add on to the free router?
Or can I use any other brand like my current Asus RT-AX55 to mesh with the free standalone singtel router that i get for free?

As far as I know it can not mesh with the same model or other modles. Even if there is a mesh node which can mesh with it, Singtel does not carry the compatible mesh node.

You can continue using the RT-AX55 though.

Example if you want to utilize Askey RT5703W as the main router in DB box.

ONT -- Askey RT5703W as main router in DB Box
RT5703W LAN port -- living room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode (main AImesh node)
RT5003W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 AImesh node

Asus AImesh in AP mode:
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1043044/

 

[babyjyo]

I will be getting one free wifi 6 AX5400 router from singtel (i supposed its Askey RT5703W).
https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/broadband/wifi6
Currently on 2 units of Asus RT-AX55 forming a mesh.

Singtel staff told me the free router is not a mesh router, but the picture in the link looks exactly like the the pair of mesh router except that i will only be receiving 1 unit.

Is it possible for me to purchase another singtel mesh router (Askey AP5690W) from carousell to add on to the free router?
Or can I use any other brand like my current Asus RT-AX55 to mesh with the free standalone singtel router that i get for free?

If you are looking for a proper mesh, the only way is use the same brand of products that support mesh. In the example you brought up,

However, just to bring up. It is still possible to have 2 different brands used, with the same SSID & password.

The advantage of using mesh (of the same product) is to enable more smooth and quick handovers across the routers when you move around the house.

Without mesh, the transition to another wireless router would have slightly longer disruption. There may also be some "confusion" for the clients in the wireless overlap areas.

 

[Advancer]

As far as I know it can not mesh with the same model or other modles. Even if there is a mesh node which can mesh with it, Singtel does not carry the compatible mesh node.

You can continue using the RT-AX55 though.

Example if you want to utilize Askey RT5703W as the main router in DB box.

ONT -- Askey RT5703W as main router in DB Box
RT5703W LAN port -- living room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode (main AImesh node)
RT5003W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 AImesh node

Asus AImesh in AP mode:
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1043044/

Thanks for the info, so this basically makes my house having 3 mesh routers?
I am fine having just 2 nodes.

So can i do the following set up?
1) Askey RT5703W as the main router in the living room
and
2) RT5703W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks for the info, so this basically makes my house having 3 mesh routers?
I am fine having just 2 nodes.

So can i do the following set up?
1) Askey RT5703W as the main router in the living room
and
2) RT5703W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode

Do you have two LAN ports in the living room? If not your connection will not work. How do you connect the RT5703W in the living room to the master room LAN port?

What is your previous two RT-AX55 connection scheme?

Or you can use my suggestion.

ONT -- Askey RT5703W as main router in DB Box (disable WiFi).
RT5703W LAN port -- living room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode (main AImesh node)
RT5003W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 AImesh node

 

[Advancer]

Do you have two LAN ports in the living room? If not your connection will not work. How do you connect the RT5703W in the living room to the master room LAN port?

What is your previous two RT-AX55 connection scheme?

Or you can use my suggestion.

ONT -- Askey RT5703W as main router in DB Box (disable WiFi).
RT5703W LAN port -- living room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode (main AImesh node)
RT5003W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 AImesh node

Yes, i do have 2 lan ports side by side in the living room.
I currently have this set up.

DB box --- to living room lan point 1(Old Singtel AC router with wifi disabled)
Singtel AC router --- RT-AX55 (number 1) --- living room lan point 2
DB box living room lan point 2 --- Master room lan point
Master room lan point --- RT-AX55 (number 2)


Am thinking of using the new Singtel wifi6 router since its AX5400 compared to AX1800 from the RT-AX55.
Then buy another singtel wifi6 router or mesh router to replace the Master room RT-AX55.
Otherwise i am fine with sticking to the master room RT-AX55 but i am trying to figure out if mesh works.

 

[xiaofan]

Yes, i do have 2 lan ports side by side in the living room.
I currently have this set up.

DB box --- to living room lan point 1(Old Singtel AC router with wifi disabled)
Singtel AC router --- RT-AX55 (number 1) --- living room lan point 2
DB box living room lan point 2 --- Master room lan point
Master room lan point --- RT-AX55 (number 2)

Am thinking of using the new Singtel wifi6 router since its AX5400 compared to AX1800 from the RT-AX55.
Then buy another singtel wifi6 router or mesh router to replace the Master room RT-AX55.
Otherwise i am fine with sticking to the master room RT-AX55 but i am trying to figure out if mesh works.

A few comments:
1) Singtel AC Plus is very lousy as the main router. I will suggest you to put the RT5703W in the DB box to replace it. You can keep its WiFi on if your DB box does not block WiFi badly. I will suggest using different SSID though.

ONT -- Askey RT5703W as main router in DB Box (disable WiFi or different SSID).
RT5703W LAN port -- living room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode (main AImesh node)
RT5003W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 AImesh node

2) RT5703W can not join the Asus AImesh setup as a mesh node. You can try to set it up using the same SSID and password with the Asus Aimesh setup to see if works or not for your devices. I would not recommend that myself as it may mess up with your existing working Asus AImesh setup.

3) In your existing setup, are you running the first RT-AX55 in router mode? In that case you have a Double NAT situation. Why do you need the Singtel AC Plus in the setup?

ONT in DB box --- to living room lan point 1 --- RT-AX55 (number 1) --- living room lan point 2 --- patch panel in DB Box -- Dumb Switch in DB Box -- Master room lan point
Master room lan point --- RT-AX55 (number 2)

You can use cheap dumb switch like TP-Link TL-SG105 in the DB box. I think you can also use the old AC Plus in AP mode (but disable WiFi) to act as the dumb switch, if you do not want to buy the switch.

 

[Advancer]

A few comments:
1) Singtel AC Plus is very lousy as the main router. I will suggest you to put the RT5703W in the DB box to replace it. You can keep its WiFi on if your DB box does not block WiFi badly. I will suggest using different SSID though.

ONT -- Askey RT5703W as main router in DB Box (disable WiFi or different SSID).
RT5703W LAN port -- living room LAN port -- RT-AX55 in AP mode (main AImesh node)
RT5003W LAN port -- master room LAN port -- RT-AX55 AImesh node

2) RT5703W can not join the Asus AImesh setup as a mesh node. You can try to set it up using the same SSID and password with the Asus Aimesh setup to see if works or not for your devices. I would not recommend that myself as it may mess up with your existing working Asus AImesh setup.

3) In your existing setup, are you running the first RT-AX55 in router mode? In that case you have a Double NAT situation. Why do you need the Singtel AC Plus in the setup?

ONT in DB box --- to living room lan point 1 --- RT-AX55 (number 1) --- living room lan point 2 --- patch panel in DB Box -- Dumb Switch in DB Box -- Master room lan point
Master room lan point --- RT-AX55 (number 2)

You can use cheap dumb switch like TP-Link TL-SG105 in the DB box. I think you can also use the old AC Plus in AP mode (but disable WiFi) to act as the dumb switch, if you do not want to buy the switch.

Thanks for the detailed reply, i am not sure why i have the AC plus router in place right now with the wifi disabled. hahaha.
But once i get hold of the new router, i will try your suggestion 1.
Plus i think my first RT-AX55 is running in router mode.