Quick Answer
If Frogfoot Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting during gaming in Johannesburg, test the fibre line, ONT, router and Wi-Fi signal separately before replacing hardware. Most gaming drops come from 2.4 GHz congestion, weak 5 GHz coverage, router bufferbloat or a loose ONT-to-router cable; a Wi-Fi 6 router in the broad R1,200-R3,500 band is the sensible upgrade only after those checks fail.
Split fibre faults from Wi-Fi faults
First connect a gaming PC or notebook to the router with Ethernet and run a 20-30 minute session. If Ethernet stays stable while Wi-Fi drops, the fibre line is probably not the main issue. If both drop together, check the ONT lights, router WAN logs and ISP fault notices before changing channels or buying mesh nodes.
Keep the ONT and router on a small UPS if short power dips are common in the room. A network load is usually only 20W-40W, so it does not need the same size UPS as a gaming PC. Use a new CAT6 cable between ONT and router if the current lead is kinked, loose or old.
Fix the wireless side
Move gaming devices to 5 GHz where possible and keep 2.4 GHz for phones, printers and smart devices. In apartments in Johannesburg, channel overlap can be brutal at night, so set the router to a cleaner 5 GHz channel and place it away from TV cabinets, mirrors and thick walls. If the ping spikes over 80 ms only on Wi-Fi, signal and congestion are the first suspects.
When new hardware is worth it
Upgrade the router if it lacks Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, overheats, has weak antennas or cannot handle several devices at once. TP-Link Archer AX-series, ASUS RT-AX style and mesh kits are useful comparison points; pair them with Cat6 cabling for the gaming PC when latency matters. A better router will not fix a damaged fibre line, but it can stop local disconnects.
FAQ
Should I call the ISP first?
Call after you have one Ethernet test and a note of the ONT lights. That gives support a clear split between a fibre fault and a local Wi-Fi problem.
Is 2.4 GHz bad for gaming?
It is usable, but it is crowded and more sensitive to interference. For shooters and ranked games, 5 GHz or Ethernet is usually much cleaner.
What ping is acceptable in SA gaming?
Local servers should often feel good below about 40 ms, while international servers can be much higher. The key warning sign is jitter: spikes from 30 ms to 200 ms feel worse than a steady higher ping.
Pro Tip
Run one wired match, one 5 GHz match and one router reboot test before buying hardware; the pattern tells you where the fault sits.