Product test

Swisscom Mesh Wi-Fi speed test: is the WLAN Box 2 any good?

9.7.2020

Translation: Eva Francis

If the Wi-Fi router doesn’t cover your home, it’s time for new hardware. A mesh extension, for instance. Swisscom’s solution for this is the WLAN Box 2.

The Internet Box 3 by Swisscom offers solid WLAN performance, but it doesn’t manage to provide fast internet everywhere in my flat. The trickiest area seems to be my balcony. I’ve not been able to get more than 16.52 Mbps. So far.

Product test
The Swisscom Wi-Fi speed test: is the Internet-Box 3 any good?
by Martin Jud

If you want to expand your WLAN, you can do so with an additional mesh-capable access point or router. Unlike a WLAN repeater, a mesh access point forwards a signal and also creates a second decentralised network that works hand in hand with the first one. You could even set up several extra networks – Swisscom allows up to four additional small boxes.

Swisscom WLAN Box 2 (4800 Mbit/s, 600 Mbit/s)

WiFi repeaters

CHF83.90

Swisscom WLAN Box 2

4800 Mbit/s, 600 Mbit/s

The WLAN Box 2 specs:

Ports: 3 × RJ45 LAN (Gigabit)
5 GHz network standards: IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a
2.4 GHz network standards: IEEE 802.11ax/n/b/g
Transmission rate 5 GHz: up to 4.8 Gbps
Transmission rate 2.4 GHz: up to 600 Mbps
Encryptions: WPA3
Dimensions: 11.8 × 4.7 × 11.8 cm
Operation: power on/off
Features: Access Point with mesh support, expandable up to four boxes
Prerequisite: Swisscom Internet Box 2, 3, Internet Box Standard or Internet Box plus

Apartment floor plan and hardware locations

As I’ve used my 140 m² maisonette flat twice already for Wi-Fi speed tests, I know from the results where the best place is to put the additional box. It’s where the signal of the router, which is installed in the second attic floor at the most central cable connection of the apartment, shows the strongest performance in the first attic floor. This is the entrance area, more precisely the shoe cupboard on the wall to the kitchen. On the apartment floor plan below, the location of the Internet Box 3 is marked in green and that of the mesh extension, WLAN Box 2, in blue.

The first attic floor. Wi-Fi icon in blue: location of mesh extension (second router)

The second attic floor. Wi-Fi icon in green: router location

Getting set up

The additional box is integrated into the existing Wi-Fi network via a smartphone app or via the web interface by entering the IP address 192.168.1.1 in a browser. However, I don’t have Swisscom Internet, which is required for configuration. My box was preconfigured and made available to me by Swisscom’s PR team on request.

Once the WLAN Box 2 is integrated into the existing Wi-Fi network, up to three additional devices can be attached to its RJ45 ports (Gigabit).

Speed, ping and signal strength per room

I use the same AX-capable notebook as always to measure the signal throughout my flat. I measure the speed of the new mesh system with the «LAN Speed Test» app. I upload a 1 GB file to my NAS three times in total. Then I determine the latency of the DOS console by pinging my NAS. For the signal strength, which is specified in decibel milliwatts (dBm), I use the «NetSpot» software. The heat maps further down were also provided by NetSpot.

Results

The Swisscom Mesh-Wi-Fi performs as follows:

Location	5 GHz frequency band Speed / Ping / Signal strength	2.4 GHz frequency band Speed / Ping / Signal strength
Entrance hall	458,23 Mbps / 2 ms / -64 dBm	148,02 Mbps / 4 ms / -44 dBm
Living room	392,59 Mbps / 4 ms / -59 dBm	112,12 Mbps / 5 ms / -58 dBm
Dining room	390,04 Mbps / 4 ms / -58 dBm	111,37 Mbps / 5 ms / -63 dBm
Kitchen	396,55 Mbps / 3 ms / -55 dBm	126,56 Mbps / 4 ms / -56 dBm
Balcony	238,47 Mbps / 4 ms / -70 dBm	80,81 Mbps / 5 ms / -72 dBm
Room 1	396,21 Mbps / 3 ms / -54 dBm	112,98 Mbps / 4 ms / -63 dBm
Bathroom	378,08 Mbps / 3 ms / -55 dBm	110,25 Mbps / 4 ms / -61 dBm
Corridor	743,90 Mbps / 2 ms / -48 dBm	135,74 Mbps / 3 ms / -58 dBm
Room 2	461,16 Mbps / 3 ms / -63 dBm	96,16 Mbps / 4 ms / -64 dBm
Room 3	823,72 Mbps / 2 ms / -40 dBm	169,53 Mbps / 2 ms / -43 dBm
Room 4	492,75 Mbps / 3 ms / -60 dBm	94,09 Mbps / 4 ms / -64 dBm
Shower/WC	656,87 Mbps / 2 ms / -55 dBm	109,47 Mbps / 3 ms / -58 dBm
Ø	482,14 Mbps / 3 ms / -55 dBm	117,26 Mbps / 4 ms / -59 dBm

The two Swisscom boxes manage to keep the signal level high. Even the balcony shows an acceptable signal strength of -70 and -72 dBm. The low latency of 3 ms in the 5 GHz and 4 ms in the 2.4 GHz frequency range is just as pleasing.

Over both floors, the 5 GHz WLAN achieves an average of 482.14 Mbps – 117.26 Mbps at 2.4 GHz. This corresponds to about the data processing performance of 20 UHD Netflix streams.

5 GHz heat map

For once, there aren’t any deep blue areas on the heat maps. This is good. The deeper and bluer the signal, the weaker the signal. Experience shows that it anything below -80 dBm is poor.

5 GHz signal level on the first attic floor.

5 GHz signal level on the second attic floor.

2.4 GHz heat map

The fact that the signal reaches further in the 2.4 GHz range doesn’t matter with the given mesh setup. The areas to be covered aren’t far enough away for this to be effective. Even on the balcony, the 5 GHz band performs 2 dBm better.

2.4 GHz signal level in the first attic floor

2.4 GHz signal level in the second attic

Comparison to Wi-Fi with single router

With the 5 GHz band, the Swisscom Internet Box 3 in stand-alone operation reaches 246.07 Mbps on the first attic floor. With the additional box, it achieves 372.47 Mbps. That's a substantial plus of 126.40 Mbps. On the balcony, which my last setup didn't reach, it's even upped the bandwidth by 238.47 Mbps. Viewed over the entire apartment, the data processing performance increases by 83.17 Mbps. My UPC Connect Box can't keep up with that.

With the good 5 GHz coverage by the mesh system, the 2.4 GHz frequency range only plays a minor role. The second box now provides the balcony with acceptable speed and latency. The increase compared to the single box solution is 16.93 Mbps.

The 5 GHz comparison:

Location	Swisscom Mesh Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6)	Swisscom Internet Box 3 (Wi-Fi 6)	UPC Connect Box (Wi-Fi 5)
Entrance hall	415,33 Mbps / 3 ms / -40 dBm	458,23 Mbps / 2 ms / -64 dBm	121,36 Mbps / 4 ms / -73 dBm
Living room	392,59 Mbps / 4 ms / -59 dBm	155,35 Mbps / 4 ms / -78 dBm	31,71 Mbps / 12 ms / -76 dBm
Dining room	390,04 Mbps / 4 ms / -58 dBm	127,94 Mbps / 5 ms / -83 dBm	0 Mbps / no ping / -82 dBm
Kitchen	396,55 Mbps / 3 ms / -55 dBm	240,57 Mbps / 3 ms / -75 dBm	0 Mbps / no ping / -81 dBm
Balcony	238,47 Mbps / 4 ms / -70 dBm	0 Mbps / kein Ping / -92 dBm	0 Mbps / no ping / -83 dBm
Room 1	396,21 Mbps / 3 ms / -54 dBm	357,59 Mbps / 3 ms / -71 dBm	23,49 Mbps / 14 ms / -78 dBm
Bathroom	378,08 Mbps / 3 ms / -55 dBm	382,80 Mbps / 3 ms / -71 dBm	85,84 Mbps / 5 ms / -75 dBm
Corridor	743,90 Mbps / 2 ms / -48 dBm	718,72 Mbps / 2 ms / -47 dBm	456,66 Mbps / 5 ms / -55 dBm
Room 2	461,16 Mbps / 3 ms / -63 dBm	446,76 Mbps / 3 ms / -64 dBm	384,16 Mbps / 5 ms / -63 dBm
Room 3	823,72 Mbps / 2 ms / -40 dBm	795,61 Mbps / 2 ms / -38 dBm	492,58 Mbps / 3 ms / -46 dBm
Room 4	492,75 Mbps / 3 ms / -60 dBm	475,07 Mbps / 3 ms / -60 dBm	432,33 Mbps / 4 ms / -55 dBm
Shower/WC	656,87 Mbps / 2 ms / -55 dBm	628,98 Mbps / 2 ms / -54 dBm	382,73 Mbps / 4 ms / -57 dBm
Ø	482,14 Mbps / 3 ms / -55 dBm	*398,97 Mbps / 3 ms / -66 dBm**	*200,91 Mbps / 6 ms / -69 dBm**

* Average value of rooms that have a signal.

The 2.4 GHz comparison:

Location	Swisscom Mesh Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6)	Swisscom Internet Box 3 (Wi-Fi 6)	UPC Connect Box (Wi-Fi 5)
Entrance hall	148,02 Mbps / 4 ms / -44 dBm	135,46 Mbps / 3 ms / -64 dBm	64,87 Mbps / 6 ms / -66 dBm
Living room	112,12 Mbps / 5 ms / -58 dBm	48,98 Mbps / 5 ms / -77 dBm	52,30 Mbps / 7 ms / -69 dBm
Dining room	111,37 Mbps / 5 ms / -63 dBm	54,61 Mbps / 5 ms / -75 dBm	31,81 Mbps / 8 ms / -74 dBm
Kitchen	126,56 Mbps / 4 ms / -56 dBm	128,03 Mbps / 3 ms / -65 dBm	28,43 Mbps / 8 ms / -76 dBm
Balcony	80,81 Mbps / 5 ms / -72 dBm	16,52 Mbps / 12 ms / -85 dBm	16,71 Mbps / 11 ms / -80 dBm
Room 1	112,98 Mbps / 4 ms / -63 dBm	106,37 Mbps / 4 ms / -65 dBm	46,17 Mbps / 7 ms / -69 dBm
Bathroom	110,25 Mbps / 4 ms / -61 dBm	108,42 Mbps / 3 ms / -71 dBm	63,25 Mbps / 6 ms / -65 dBm
Corridor	135,74 Mbps / 3 ms / -58 dBm	150,74 Mbps / 2 ms / -54 dBm	87,12 Mbps / 5 ms / -57 dBm
Room 2	96,16 Mbps / 4 ms / -64 dBm	88,33 Mbps / 4 ms / -70 dBm	72,68 Mbps / 7 ms / -60 dBm
Room 3	169,53 Mbps / 2 ms / -43 dBm	176,88 Mbps / 2 ms / -45 dBm	93,54 Mbps / 4 ms / -41 dBm
Room 4	94,09 Mbps / 4 ms / -64 dBm	86,32 Mbps / 4 ms / -64 dBm	91,09 Mbps / 6 ms / -55 dBm
Shower/WC	109,47 Mbps / 3 ms / -58 dBm	103,29 Mbps / 3 ms / -60 dBm	89,96 Mbps / 6 ms / -55 dBm
Ø	117,26 Mbps / 4 ms / -59 dBm	100,33 Mbps / 4 ms / -66 dBm	61,49 Mbps / 7 ms / -64 dBm

Conclusion: the Swisscom mesh eliminates my not spots

With its additional box, Swisscom offers a low-priced WLAN extension. At last, I can browse and stream throughout my entire living space. Or let's say I could if I had a Swisscom subscription. I'm impressed with the speed boost, but it's too soon for superlatives. I'm sure there are even stronger mesh solutions.

My future tests will reveal exactly how well the Swisscom mesh system has performed. Next up are two Wi-Fi 6 routers by Asus. I can't wait to see how well they and other devices perform. You too? Then follow me by clicking the «Follow author» button.

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Martin Jud

Senior Editor

martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.ch

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.

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Swisscom Mesh Wi-Fi speed test: is the WLAN Box 2 any good?

The Swisscom Wi-Fi speed test: is the Internet-Box 3 any good?

Apartment floor plan and hardware locations

Getting set up

Speed, ping and signal strength per room

Results

5 GHz heat map

2.4 GHz heat map

Comparison to Wi-Fi with single router

Conclusion: the Swisscom mesh eliminates my not spots

These articles might also interest you

The Swisscom Wi-Fi speed test: is the Internet-Box 3 any good?

The UPC Wi-Fi speed test: is the Connect Box any good?

Wi-Fi tested: Asus ZenWIFI BQ16 in a double pack

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The Swisscom Wi-Fi speed test: is the Internet-Box 3 any good?

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