Upgrading router with Wireless N

[spin_nyc2011]

Does anyone know how or if I can upgrade to the latest router with Wireless N?  I have been using the same router for about 3+ years now and wondering if Verizon was upgrading the router.

Thank you!

[jmw1950]

At least the Actiontec router has gone through at least a couple revision in the past 3 years, and the latest revision  has both 802.11N and Gigabit Ethernet.  Unfortunately the only way you are sure to get a 802.11N capable router from Verizon is to upgrade to the 150/35 mbps tier of service. Otherwise you chances are essentially zero at this point in time.

 Realistically the only way to get 802.11N service is to  go out and buy a 802.11N capable wireless access point. No shortage of companies that make them, and they are priced pretty reasonably.  There are other threads in this forum that provide details on exactly how to connect the Wireless access point to an existing FiOS router.

[coffey]

What he says may be true, but I asked for a new router to solve a problem that I had  with no guide information for Fios TV.  I received an Acttiontec REV F router which is an N router. My service is 25/25. 

I will say the router is a hunk of junk. The wireless radio is weak causing problems with reception on the second floor and it looks like I will have to buy an access point device because I can't bridge my Linksys router in  as I did with my older dlink router. 

All in all I took a step backward with this router.

[prisaz]

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@coffey wrote:

What he says may be true, but I asked for a new router to solve a problem that I had  with no guide information for Fios TV.  I received an Acttiontec REV F router which is an N router. My service is 25/25. 

I will say the router is a hunk of junk. The wireless radio is weak causing problems with reception on the second floor and it looks like I will have to buy an access point device because I can't bridge my Linksys router in  as I did with my older dlink router. 

All in all I took a step backward with this router.

---

Look here for router advice.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/16077

[Hubrisnxs]

The rev. F is draft 802.11n only.

Below is borrowed from another poster 

802.11n single stream data rates

said by More Fiber:

The rev. F is draft 802.11n only.

==========================

Saying that it's draft doesn't accurate explain why it's limited to only 65 mbps. A 802.11n router can bedraft and get up to 270 or 300 mbps too.

As you can see from the table above, the real reason the Rev F is limited to 65 mbps is because it only has a single stream radio and is limited to only use a 20 MHz channel. This is why it still only has a single antenna.

The wikipedia page on 802.11n has the full chart where you can see the Rev G and Rev I have 2 spatial streams but are still limited to the same 20 MHz channel of bandwidth resulting in 130 mbps. With 2 streams a second antenna was added to the design.

The GI of 800ns is standard in 802.11 - 400ns is optionally used by vendors for increased data rates.

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11n#Data_rates

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_inte···Interval

[Hubrisnxs]

and you should be able to bridge the linksys into the equation by following these instructions

Can I use my wireless or an extra router along with the Verizon provided router?

[CarlK2]

I upgraded my internet to quantum 75/35.  I thought Verizon would provide a wireless n upgrade to their

wireless g router.  Untrue!   They offered to sell me a new Wireless N device for $80.  I declined since

I had a reasonable expectation that Verizon would upgrade their router to enable increasing wireless

speed of their service.  Furthermore, Verizon did not provide me the specs of their $80 router so I could compare it with 

competing devices which are numerous.  

[smith6612]

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@CarlK wrote:

I upgraded my internet to quantum 75/35.  I thought Verizon would provide a wireless n upgrade to their

wireless g router.  Untrue!   They offered to sell me a new Wireless N device for $80.  I declined since

I had a reasonable expectation that Verizon would upgrade their router to enable increasing wireless

speed of their service.  Furthermore, Verizon did not provide me the specs of their $80 router so I could compare it with 

competing devices which are numerous.  

---

What revision and make/model is your router? If it's old enough Verizon should be willing to send you a new one.

[CarlK2]

I already called and they refused to replace the wireless g router, unless I pay $80 for

wireless n router.  They say my contact (evan though I upgraded to quantum) only entilres me to my wireless G

router.  I give up on them.  I"ll shop for my own router since Verizon does not care about providing equipment that is apprpriate

to their bragged about high speed upgrade. 

[smith6612]

OK. What you can do then in this case is get something such as this. The ActionTec router you have is perfectly capable of 75Mbps/35Mbps, so I don't see a need to take out of service just for that. Even the old routers from 7 years ago, the ActionTec MI424WR Rev. A could handle 100/100Mbps connection without an issue.

I would suggest just getting a Wireless Access Point. Use the ActionTec's Wireless for older Wireless G devices or heck, B devices if you have any of those and use the Wireless N AP for the higher speed devices. They don't go for much and all you need is a Wired connection for them to work and some power. There are some nice ones that look like some detectors and support Power over Ethernet, so you don't need an outlet where the access point is. You just need a PoE Injector where the access point connects to your network.

Then again, a normal router can be set up as an access point. It's just a little bit of work to do it properly 🙂