1) How will I know if I have been selected for the trial?

You need to sign up for the trial and then we will inform everyone that has been selected by email. This can take a good period of time to consider, so please allow 14 days for selection to be made and for you to be informed.
Unfortunately, applications that have been unsuccessful will not be informed of this decision.

2) How will the Wireless Extender Trial begin?

The trial will begin when you receive the trial pack though the post containing the Wireless Extender and the setup instructions. You will be asked to email to say you have received the pack and the contents are correct.
Please email wirelessExtender@talktalk-labs.com with the subject field of "Pack Received".

3) What do you expect me to do?

The trial will split into three distinctive stages:

i) Pre Wireless Extender experience analysis - You will be expected to run TalkTalk Labs Desktop and your report your personal opinion of your wireless range via a dedicated Feedback Form.

ii) Installation - How easy was the Wireless Extender to connect to your wireless router by following the supplied instructions? You will be asked to email the date and time you successfully connected the Wireless Extender to enable us to dovetail the Pre and post installation technical data.

iii) Post Wireless Extender experience analysis - Again, via TalkTalk Labs Desktop and the feedback form
It would also be expected that you will investigate the improvements the device introduces by moving the Wireless Extender and the (if possible) the PC/Mac and offer approximate distances and physical barriers between the Router, Extender and Computer. Eg With the Extender off, can you get a Wireless signal in your kitchen? With the Extender on, can you get a wireless signal in your garden?

My Router and Computer connect using "N" technology. Does the Wireless Extender broadcast "N" wireless?
No, technically, not full "N" draft Wireless. The wireless Extender is described as "Mini N" (also known as "N150" or "Baby N"). This is an industry protocol that is essentially all the "N" features but with less antenna's in the device. The transfer rate that can be theoretically achieved via "Mini N" is up to 150Mbps, compared to 54Mbps for "G" and 300Mbps for Full "N".

It is important to note the following with reference the intended purpose of the Wireless Extender.

a) The primary purpose of the Wireless Extender is to extend the range of your wireless network, not increase your transmitted wireless throughput speed.

b) If you have a PC with a Full "N" adapter and connecting to a router broadcasting in Full "N" mode, connecting the Wireless Extender to your network may slow internal transfer speeds. This will apply only to transferring data through your local network, not your broadband speeds that theoretically is at an absolute maximum of 24Mbps for ADSL and 40Mbps for VDSL (Fibre to the Cabinet).

4) How long will the trial run?

It is planned that the trial will take between 2 and 4 weeks to complete. This will allow enough time for everyone that is on the trial to provide pre-install data, set up the wireless Extender and use the Extender as an operational component of your home wireless network. Please note that this may mean the trial will run over into the Christmas and New Year period, where it is hoped internet usage will be high and reports will be plentiful.

5) I have multiple computers at home. Does this pose any problems to you?

It is not critical to have TalkTalk Labs Desktop installed on your PC in order to participate in this trial, however, if you do, please install on the PC/Mac that is wireless, and is experiencing the issues you have diagnosed regarding wireless range. You are obviously encouraged to try the extender with as many wireless devices as you have access to in your home, including Smart phones, Games Consoles and other laptops and PC's.

6) I have an Apple Mac, can I participate in the trial?

Yes, we hope to recruit a limited number of Mac users to this trial, although it is accepted that they will not be able to install TalkTalk Labs Desktop (Windows only at present). We will still welcome your feedback on ease of setup, but also consider the point 4b, that most Macs are Full "N" enabled.

7) What if I require support for the Wireless Extender during the trial?

Support is only available via Email during this trial. The email address you need to contact is WirelessExtender@talktalk-labs.com. TalkTalk Labs aims to reply to your question, suggestion or query within 1 working day.

8) What charges are involved?

You will still need to pay for you current broadband and phone service from TalkTalk as you normally would. There will be no charge for the trial pack or posting the item to you. If you need to send the item back, or have an exchange, we will supply a return bag to you.

9) How long will the tasks take to complete?

The trial is focusing on a newly added component to your wireless network so it is very important that any issues or successes are captured throughout the duration of the trial. As explained in question 3, the trial is in 3 sections. To break down the expected participation level, see below:
Pre-Install - Complete signup survey and install TalkTalk Labs (10 minutes)
Installation - Complete installation via supplied instructions and feedback on the process (30 minutes)
Post-Install - Offer feedback on operational use (Unknown)

10) What's expected of me as a participant on this trial?

• to install TalkTalk Desktop on a PC on which you have noticed wireless range issues and allow the application to send throughput data back to TalkTalk Labs
• to feedback your personal opinion on your current (pre-install) wireless range (not speed) experiences
• to install the Wireless Extender using the supplied instructions, and feedback on this process, informing TalkTalk Labs on the date and time you successfully installed the Wireless Extender
• to feedback your experiences using the Wireless Extender as an operational, everyday device in your wireless network
• to allow the PC with TalkTalk Labs Desktop to send reports as often as possible
• to report issues (e.g. "I did not get online")
• Make suggestions (e.g. "the text was too small for me to read properly")
• Ask Questions when it is unclear what you need to do on this trial
• Offer general feedback (e.g. "I like the colour, it works great!")

The only recognised method for providing this feedback is via our TalkTalk Labs Feedback system. It's really quick and simple to use

11) What if I want to end my participation in the trial early?

Although we would dearly like you to complete the trial, you are of course able to end your trial participation at any time during the trial. You will be asked for the reason for ending the trial and for any feedback you have up to the point of trial removal. You will also be requested to post the pack, including the Wireless Extender to us.

12) What happens when the trial is over?

When the trial is over, and your feedback has been processed, you will be able to continue to use the Wireless Extender we have sent you, or disconnect it, and use your previous router. We may also keep you informed of any updates or news of the trial and we may invite you to participate in future trials.
Please note that the Wireless Extender will not supported by TalkTalk Support after the trial has ended, unless TalkTalk elect to supply this product.

13) Who can I contact during the trial?

The trial is being managed by the TalkTalk Labs Trials team who will happily respond to your enquiries on WirelessExtender@talktalk-labs.com within 1 working day. For any problems with regards your broadband or telephone connectivity or other technical issues, or any billing issues, you are still required to contact TalkTalk Technical Support (0870 087 8777) or Customer Services (0870 444 1820) to resolve your issues.

14) How do I provide feedback?

Logon to My Profile and use the trial feedback form provided (this option is visible to trial participants only). You will see the option to send feedback on your "My Profile" page after we confirm you have been sent the trial pack.

15) Can I keep the new Wireless Extender?

If you successfully complete the trial by providing us with feedback on your experience of installing and using the Wireless Extender and complete the end of trial survey then you will get to keep the new Wireless Extender that we have sent to you.

16) How can I apply to join the trial?

Recruitment for this trial is now closed