Does my ISP dictate the speed of my network?

No. Your ISP plan determines the maximum speed you can potentially get, but it doesn’t mean that your equipment can achieve that speed.

I have mesh…don’t I need a WiFi router?

It’s true that most residential WiFi mesh systems come with a built-in router. While they do a good job handling WiFi, they are not so good at routing. The best solution: Keep your mesh, put it in AP (access point) mode, and add Island as the router. This solution delivers far greater performance and reliability to the entire network, including all WiFi devices.

Is my internet speed dictated by the speed of my network?

Partially. The size of an Internet (WAN) port determines the maximum potential speed. However, two other factors must be met to achieve that speed: 1) your ISP plan has to accommodate your port size—for example if you have subscribed to 8Gig service, you would need a port size of 8Gigs or larger, and 2) your router must be fast enough to handle those speeds. This is where Island routers excel: once port size and ISP plan are aligned, Island routers get closer to wire speeds than their competitors.

Is my family’s privacy at risk if I’m using a cheaper router?

If you’re using a “free” ISP-supplied router or an outdated WiFi router, the best option for increased security and privacy is a wired router with extensive firewall and malware-blocking protection.  Island has an automated firewall and malware-blocking protection, with additional security options to prevent browser activity spying. It’s all housed in a convenient app to keep you informed of suspicious activity.

Is my internet speed dictated by the generation of WiFi that I have?

Using state-of-the-art WiFi does typically improve speeds for wireless devices, but the quality of the router function has more to do with the speed you get. You need a high-performance router to get the maximum benefit of fast WiFi, and the router function embedded in WiFi equipment is rarely sufficient. 

Why do I need a separate, high-speed router?

The era of smart-homes, connected devices and IoT has arrived: it’s Internet-dependent and bandwidth intensive on an entirely new scale. A dedicated, high-performance router like Island improves your everyday online experience and manages the future demands for any network.