What are AK-Fi pods?
AK-Fi pods are a router and WiFi extender system that work across your entire home, helping your signal reach further without sacrificing connection quality.
How do they work?
These WiFi booster pods plug straight into wall power outlets and spread full-speed internet from your existing modem across your home.
Do I need a pod?
If a coverage concern has been identified in your home, GCI will use AK-Fi's insight tools to help diagnose the issue. If the issue cannot be resolved by a technician, we may issue complimentary pods to improve coverage.
If you have concerns about the quality of your WiFi coverage, contact us so we can ensure you’re experiencing the best of your AK-Fi plan. If a pod is determined to be the best course of action, we’ll get you set up right away.
How much does an AK-Fi pod cost?
GCI wants your WiFi experience to be top notch, so when it's determined a pod is needed as a WiFi booster, it will be provided at no cost.
Where should I place my pods?
When it comes to getting the best performance out of your network, pod placement is everything! While every home has a unique size, shape, and WiFi environment, here are some guidelines for maximizing your speeds.
Typically, AK-Fi pods should be placed about 50 to 80 feet away from the gateway, while still ensuring the AK-Fi pod still has good connection to the WiFi modem. This means that you may need to place the WiFi booster pod adjacent to where you are having poor coverage, as opposed to exactly where the poor coverage is.
Be sure to position pods in central locations along interior walls of your home to take advantage of the pods' omnidirectional radios!
Additional tips to improve coverage and performance
Turn off additional WiFi networks
- Multiple WiFi networks from other routers or providers can cause interference and reduce your internet performance.
Steer clear of furniture
- Dense padding and metal/wood framing in furniture can inhibit your WiFi performance. Try placing your pod in an open, exposed area to improve signal and show off your new hardware!
- Similarly to how mirrors reflect light, they also reflect WiFi signal, decreasing signal strength. Try to position pods to connect around large mirrors and windows, rather than through.
Avoid appliances
- TVs, refrigerators, subwoofers, and metals doors are WiFi killers. Avoid placing pods too close to or behind these appliances.
- Devices like microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones often share the same frequency as your WiFi networks, creating additional interference when placed too close together.
Work around your home's construction
- Just like mirrors, energy-efficient windows can negatively impact your WiFi signal.
- Metallic blinds/shades can also prevent your network from reaching balconies, terraces, or gardens.
- Foil-backed underfloor insulation can prevent WiFi signals from passing between floors in your home. Try placing pods near stairs where they might have a more direct line of sight.
How do I identify a particular pod?
When SuperPods (extenders) are added to a location, they are automatically named "Room 1", "Room 2", etc. based on the order they were added to the account. If you have many extenders and are unsure which extender is which, you can use the “Identify existing extenders” feature to find them.
Locate and name
Because this app feature uses Bluetooth, you need physical access to your pods.
While in the Connectivity tab of the Network page, open the Topology option.
Tap the Options button at the top right of the Topology page and choose to identify existing extenders from the pop-up menu.
You can move near one of your extenders and wait until the app finds it. Touching the extender with your mobile phone can sometimes make identification easier.
Choose one of the built-in names from the list. The Custom option lets you enter your own. Tap on Save.
The app will now start scanning for the next one. Move close to the next extender and repeat the previous steps until you've found all of them.