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Need help with selecting wireless router

post #1 of 9
8/21/10 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 

I have Verizon FIOS triple play service at home. There is an Actiontech MI24WR modem/router/hub which I connect my coaxial cable to get a LAN and Internet access.

 

I am looking for a 802.11n compliant router that features MIMO and dual-band technologies. Currently, there is some news that Verizon is testing a new 802.11n router internally through DSL Reports and it will be made available to customers by the end of this month. No further specifications are mentioned in the article.

 

I contacted Verizon FIOS and asked them about it but they do not know anything about a new 802.11n router coming to market that is developed for their service either by Actiontech or Westell.

 

What should I do in this case? Should I just go ahead and purchase my own 802.11n router and use my existing Actiontech as a modem and establish a bridge to the new one? Should I just wait for this new 802.11n Verizon FIOS router and save myself the hassle of configuring two modems and routers?

 

If any current Verizon FIOS member can help me, then I would appreciate it greatly. Thank you.

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post #2 of 9
8/22/10 at 7:34am

I'm unimpressed with my Linksys WRT610N dual band 802.11N/gigabit router. It shipped with bad quality capacitors that I've had to replace; two tested bad on my ESR meter. Second, the supposedly "non-volatile" flash doesn't work properly so the settings are cleared whenever it goes unpowered for more than a minute or so.

 

Other than those two issues it's DD-Wrt capable which is required for me. My school installed WiFi in my dorm over the summer and doesn't allow personal 2.4GHz WiFi due to fears of interference. DD-Wrt has an option to reduce the transmit power and I've done so- I get 70% signal ~1m from the router and 45% ~2.5m away with practically nothing beyond the thick concrete walls. I also used the built-in site survey tools to determine the best channel so I'll be able to defend its existence if they notice it and triangulate my position. There's absolutely no way I'm putting a printer on public WiFi.

 

It's still strong enough for my printer and phone to access it across the room. The two radios are configured independently so I'm able to use the 5GHz band on my laptop at full power.

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post #3 of 9
8/22/10 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 

That sounds like the best case solution based upon your environment.

 

Verizon FIOS is internally testing a new 802.11n Actiontech or Westell modem and router which should be made available within the next few days. The sales and technical support departments have no idea if this is true or just a rumor. Here is the product specification sheet for the router:

 

http://www.actiontec.com/products/datasheets/MI424WR%20Verizon%20FiOS%20Router%20Datasheet.pdf

 

If you scroll down to the second page, it says that it will support Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n so it is future proof. I think that I will give Verizon FIOS another telephone call tomorrow to see if this is true.

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post #4 of 9
8/23/10 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 

I spoke with Verizon both on the telephone and through a web chat session. They have no idea about the upcoming Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11 N equipped modem and router. However, they did say that if it does become available to Verizon FIOS customers, then they will include a flyer or advertisement in a bill.

 

I will be looking for that soon.

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post #5 of 9
8/23/10 at 9:25pm

Seems reasonably possible as Qwest in Des Moines already offers a GigE/802.11N modem/router combo for their FTTN offerings.

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post #6 of 9
8/23/10 at 9:34pm

Hang on, just making sure, but is your reason for getting a wireless router for Internet access, or for use in wireless file transfers, or both?

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post #7 of 9
8/24/10 at 10:59am
Thread Starter 

I would use it for both wireless Internet access and file transfers as 802.11n is much faster than the 10/100 MBs transfer rate for my existing Actiontech modem and router from Verizon FIOS.

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post #8 of 9
8/25/10 at 4:18pm

Okay Welly, I regret to say I won't be able to help you with finding a wireless router. But since it's almost the end of the month and you said that they will be releasing the new router by the end of this month, it'd probably be best that you wait it out.

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post #9 of 9
8/25/10 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 

Yeah, this is true. It is simpler to install and configure one integrated modem and router and hub than two. I just hope that Verizon will not charge a fee to upgrade. We shall see.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOtherJN View Post

Okay Welly, I regret to say I won't be able to help you with finding a wireless router. But since it's almost the end of the month and you said that they will be releasing the new router by the end of this month, it'd probably be best that you wait it out.

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