UK ISP TalkTalk’s Bundled Echo Dots Get Turned into WiFi Extenders
Broadband ISP TalkTalk last week informed their customers, specifically those who are using one of their Amazon supplied ‘eero’ routers, that they can now benefit from a free eero software upgrade that turns Echo Dot (4th and 5th Fen) smart speakers into WiFi extenders (the provider is currently bundling Dots for free with several packages).
The provider’s announcement makes it sound like the “eero Built-in” feature is new technology, although it first started appearing back in 2022 and received a wider release toward the end of 2023. Suffice to say it’s been around a while, but is now available via TalkTalk’s bundled eero kit too.
The eero Built-in feature, which harnessed Amazon’s patented TrueMesh technology, turns selected Echo products into eero mesh WiFi extenders, which can add up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wireless network coverage to your existing eero network.
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However, the feature can only support network speeds of up to 100Mbps for 10 or fewer connected devices, and even then, only via the 5GHz band. In other words, if you want a proper mesh solution that can handle faster speeds, then this probably isn’t it.
John Bowles, Product Director at TalkTalk, said:
“We’re always looking for ways to bring our customers even more value for money and enhanced reliability. Thanks to this smart software feature and our partnership with eero, our fastest Full Fibre customers can now use select Amazon Echo devices as Wi-Fi extenders at no extra cost. This represents a great way to keep our beloved devices connected.”
One other thing to be aware of is that you’ll first need to activate the feature in order to use it (details here).
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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That’s nice of them to offer something that is already available and built-in to Eeros and Amazon Echos at no extra cost.
I’ve never really understood how wifi extenders work. If the signal from the main router is poor in a particular area of the house, how does the extender pull in a signal that is any better than what the user’s device is – or isn’t – getting?
The idea is if you’re using the extenders wirelessly: you place the extenders half way between your main WiFi point and the area with poor signal, creating an overlap which will “push” the signal out further.
If you want to use the extenders in a wired formation, you can often use a wired backhaul and place them where you want them.
If there is no signal then an extender is not going to work, but unless you have a mansion or a house with thick walls you are going to get a signal of some sort all around the house, a extender just extends it to another part of the house or even outside.
I have a TP-link router that supports Easy mesh or one mesh, the signal in my backyard is not great, so if I am outside sitting down relaxing in the sun I have to put the phone pretty close to the wall of the house, so I am limited to where I can sit. I am going to get an extender, one of the lower price ones, I don’t need superfast Wi-Fi outside, anyway I will stick it in the kitchen near the outside wall and that will help, hopefully.
“Just route your internet traffic through this Amazon box.
We won’t peek. Honest”.
(waits for well akshually, with TLS …)
We do it with Google with their Android OS.
Oh well, will never apply to me as never intend to buy or use “smart” speakers…
I said that, and now I have five smart speakers and the Echo input, while not a smart speaker as such, is still an Echo unit but without a speaker. It plugs into a HIFI.
Amazing how just having a smart thermostat changes things. I had one fitted by an energy company and then decided to get an Echo Dot to control it. Found it more useful than I thought I would. Ask the smart speaker stuff and get answers, use it as a timer, a clock, to remind you of things, play radio stations, if you want it will play the free version of Spotify or you can pay for music services for better choice.
Then you can use it to control your lights, your smart plugs., I can get it to turn my espresso machine on 20 minutes before I need it so it will be warmed up by the time I need it, turn heating on when I am coming back home from partner’s house or work even.
It is strange, like you, I said I would never have one, A mate lent me one, and I never took it out of the carrier bag, but after that smart thermostat was installed.
The thing I will not have is an echo Show, while I am sure it can be useful I would not want a camera in the house like that, I know my phone has a camera, but if it got hacked, all they would see is either the ceiling or the table-top. Also, I have enough Echo units now, the Input I can use on the Hi-fi if I want good audio.
Not trying to pursade you to get one, just saying that they can be useful