You’ve been looking at the house, signed the lease and hired some movers, and you’re now wondering, where’s the internet? No one wants to move to a new city, deal with the stress and then have to plug the laptop into their phone for their first week.

When moving, WiFi technician Dubai follows the same checklist with the customer as they follow when moving to get online, because it is so easy, when you know how, but so frustrating when you don’t!

The steps outlined below will get you a fast reliable WiFi connection in just a few steps.

1. Discover which providers run their cables in your building

There are two home internet providers in Dubai, e& (Etisalat) and du. Not everyone knows that not all buildings are wired by both, some towers and villa communities are wired by one, and therefore, they have to choose the provider they are wired by.

Please inquire with the agent or building management as to the provider they have in their buildings.

This is significant because:

If your office is already using a specific one, then you should consider the same for support and packaging.

you may have had a good or bad experience with a specific provider and want to know if you have a choice,

If one provider does have a faster fiber connection in the building, they can install an extra service using the same fiber channel to offer you a faster speed.

Once the lease is signed it’s unlikely you’ll be able to change your mind, so settle this one first.

2. Collect the documents you’ll need

Providers are likely to request the following documentation; have the following documents readily available:

Your Emirates ID (or passport + visa copy if ID is yet to be issued),

Your tenancy agreement or Ejari,

A mobile phone number that you can be reached by.

 

Requirements may vary, they are different for businesses and homes, and, as you apply, make sure to verify the requirements of the provider you are applying to. To make a process which may take days back and forth into minutes, a good idea is to have everything scanned on your phone and store it in case it takes a few days to get approved.

If you are a landlord and you rent out a unit, and the paper-work is done by the landlord, ask them if they have to approve the cabling installation, because some buildings require permission to allow any provider to install any cabling.

3. Apply early

They install the line when they sign the tenancy contract or when they come, so there should be a line up and ready or very close when they arrive. Slots can become very busy very quickly, particularly at the end of month, summer and school that begins.

When you apply ask your provider:

What tools are included and what router (if any) is included,

The actual speed you will receive for your plan (plans are different but reception can have a huge impact on the performance of your connection),

If the plan has a contract, (The cheaper the plan the more it may cost when you move, if you are locked in),

and if there are any activation or installation charges (you don’t want any surprises on your first bill).

4. Survey the property and choose a location for the router

This is where it all happens, and the one place where most make a mistake. The default installation position of the router is not always ideal, such as in a corner cupboard, storage room or behind the TV, which will not be ideal locations to broadcast a WiFi signal.

A central location is the best place for a router; it should be clear and above ground, situated away from large pieces of metal or thick walls.

The city of Dubai is a good place to live in, it is important in Dubai homes,

villas are spread out over two levels or more, and a single router in the living room will not provide access to top-level bedrooms, the maid’s room or a majlis at the back.

While other countries might be more accustomed to drywall, concrete and reinforced walls can stop a signal dead in its tracks,

the long and narrow layout of apartments can mean a signal that’s strong in the lounge is barely there by the master bedroom or balcony office.

Avoid using glass and large appliances which can reflect or absorb signal. If the fiber point is in an awkward location it’s cheaper to plan cabling in advance (run a short network cable from the fiber point to a better location) before pictures are hung and furniture is placed than to remediate it in a few months. A simple installation of network cable between the fiber point to a new location can create a difference.

5. Cover rather than upgrade

A quick plan will be ineffective if the signal does not reach your children; plans are also typically more expensive than necessary. As a rule of thumb:

• If you’re living in a studio or one bedroom apartment, you can get by with just one router,
• For a 2-3 bedroom apartment/townhouse, you could use a mesh system (multiple systems working together to cover an area in signal.
• If you use a villa or office, think of access points (with network cable back to the main router) for robust WiFi throughout all floors and without dead spots.

If they have WiFi extenders in their budget, stay away from them as they’ll reduce your speed by around 50% and introduce another network for you to connect to, for anything beyond a small household opt for a mesh or access points for more coverage.

If your home has network points already in the walls, know where they connect to and where you would like to place a router or access point (if you didn’t have one already in place, you probably don’t need it, as many of the older ones were installed without testing). The 6th is easier than the 1st to find that it leads nowhere.

6. Secure your network from day one

Your provider is providing you with the necessary equipment, and a default is usually easy to predict and simple. Change the default WiFi name and password (use a longer password, not a short word or set of numbers) and also change the default admin password of router – spend 10 minutes doing this. Create a guest network for visitors and smart devices such as cameras, speakers and bulbs, so that they don’t access your computers or phones, and if the firmware is outdated, update it for it will likely contain security patches.

It’s a simple thing that makes you secure the rest of your network, such as banking applications and work files.

7. Consider your work and smart devices

You can’t call a meeting in the middle of a meeting and have everyone freeze when they’re all working from home. Get your desk within range of a good signal or run a network cable to your desk. For work computer desktops and laptops, the wired connection is ideal, and it prevents any disruption to your calls as the rest of the home streams.

Smart devices don’t come cheap either, such as smart TVs, smart cameras, smart speakers, smart thermostat, robot vacuum, and even smart phones. A single house can have 30 or 40 devices connected to a single WiFi and a provider’s box can’t keep up, especially at night when everyone is online. The traffic should be better handled by a good router, mesh system or access point.

8. Test, test, test

Once everything is set up test it. Use your phone to check the speed of the internet in each room of the house, look for slow rooms, drop-offs on stairs or between floors, areas with poor reception away from the router, and dead spots on balconies and terraces or in outdoor areas. Write it all down and mend it within the first week. Having your router or adding access points is really going to be easier when your house is being furnished rather than having weak WiFi for months.

Moving to Dubai WiFi checklist

1. Inquire with relevant providers on which companies run cabling in your building
2. Gather Emirates ID, Tenancy agreement and Contact number.
3. Submit connection application when you sign your lease
4. Read the details in the plan (speed, equipment, contract duration, fees)
5. Determine location of the router and access points
6. Before you furnish, consider how the cabling will be installed.
7. Change default passwords and set up a guest network
8. Test the signal in all rooms

Need a hand?

If you don’t want to do this on your own then we do it for you at WiFi support Dubai. Cable installation, placing the routers and access points for apartments, villas and offices in communities such as Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches, DAMAC Hills, Mudon, throughout Dubai. If you are shifting from another residence, we also can move your current system.

Write us a message on WhatsApp at +971 55 688 2407 and tell us about your new residence. We will ensure that the internet works correctly as soon as you move in so there’s no need to worry.

Read Also: ADDC Quick Pay Guide for Fast and Easy Bill Payment in Abu Dhabi

Moving to Dubai WiFi FAQ

How long does it take to install the internet in Dubai?

It varies from provider to provider and the building, but usually it can be done in a few days after moving in if you apply early and have the necessary files and documents ready. Early applications have a high probability of getting online.

Do I need a new router when I move?

Not necessarily. Your provider will supply equipment with the plan, but for larger homes you may want to add a mesh system or access points to get full coverage.

Can I take my existing WiFi setup with me?

In many cases yes. Access points, mesh units, and routers can be moved and configured in your new house. Be sure to speak with your provider about transferring your service as well.

Why is my WiFi slow even though I pay for a fast plan?

Typically, the issue is placement of the router, the thickness of the walls or too many devices connected to a single router. Using a site survey, one can see the exact location of the signal loss.