With Black Friday Sales, Avoid Most New Wi-Fi Routers and Mesh Systems

Black Friday is coming soon, and Black Friday sales often emphasize new electronics that can be fun to buy. However, we want to remind our LCWA members that, due to the rooftop radio distribution system LCWA relies on, you should be very careful when considering buying new Wi-Fi routers, extenders, or mesh systems for your home. We all want magic ways to speed up our Wi-Fi. But in most cases, a new router, extender, or mesh system will do the opposite if applied to an LCWA account, either slowing it down or cutting internet off completely. Instead, you should buy only the equipment we recommend, which are items compatible with our unique internet delivery system. Otherwise, we can’t help you when internet goes bad in your home due to the non-recommended equipment. If you are thinking of buying Wi-Fi equipment, read on.

Only Two Standard Models that we Recommend

Really, the only Wi-Fi solutions we recommend for 99% of our membership are one router and, optionally, one mesh system. 

The one router we’ve standardized on is the airCube ISP. And please source it only from LCWA so that we can program it correctly to match your account and our standards.

The one mesh system we recommend is the TP-Link Deco M5. That one you should source and install yourself, Amazon and Best Buy often put them on sale. Beyond that, if you consult with our recommended paid technicians, they might recommend other hardware solutions, and that’s fine as long as they also agree to provide your hardware support going forward. LCWA support will refer you back to them if you run into issues.

So, for self-purchase and self-installed mesh, the TP-Link Deco M5 is all you should consider. Don’t buy add on extenders, no add on high-speed Wi-Fi boosters, etc. They all can cause issues. We are already getting calls this week from members with Black Friday Wi-Fi extender purchases that are not working.

Sorry! I know it’s fun to buy new electronics! But don’t mess up your basic internet supply by buying the wrong things!