Do you mean all optimum stuff suck or that all (including this suck).
Bottom line, is this an upgrade over the optimum provided routers?
There are only so many channels to go around between 2.4/5Ghz networks
And basically only three of them could operate without interference on 2.4.
1, 6, & 11.
But the issue is that everyone is using them.
You can either (illegally) boost antenna gain.
Because wifi is regulated by the FCC to 1w transmission (IIRC)