FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
ralex2000
Enthusiast - Level 2

I have FIOS 100/100, a Quantum DVR and the Actiontec MI424WR-GEN3I, Version I (red) Verizon router.

Wired speeds are as advertised (even a little better). Wireless, however, is another story.

3 feet from the router I get 28/17. Further away it's as low as 3/2. Thus, wireless 1080p or 4K streaming from Netflix to my FireTV or 4K smart tv was not possible.

I did an easy fix by killing the radio in the Verizon router and adding an Apple Airport Extreme (putting the Extreme in bridge mode). Wireless speeds went to 98/88 and 4K streaming worked perfectly. Problem solved? Not exactly.

I also often stream my DVR'd programming to my iPhone and Samsung tablet via the FIOS Mobile app (I only care about local streaming). After adding the Extreme into the mix, however, I was unable to view anything via the FIOS app.

Apparently the app will not work with the Extreme. I have seen posts confirming this but there is some disagreement as to whether this issue is exclusive to the Apple Extreme or if the app will simply only work if the Actiontec is providing the wireless signal.

I have a 2 part question:

  • Has anyone ever successfully used a 3rd party router and the FIOS app?
  • Assuming the answer above is no, I am willing to spend the $150 to upgrade to the Verizon AC1750 Quantum Gateway router if that will solve my problem. Does anyone know if I will get speeds anywhere near what I get with the Apple Extreme or will I have to worry about 4K streaming, etc.?

TYIA

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Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
lasagna
Community Leader
Community Leader

I had the same setup you have for a number of years ... putting the Extreme in bridge mode, configuring the wireless on it and disabling the wifi on the router is all you need to do.   However, there appears to be either a problem with IGMP and the Apple products or some conflict with IPv6.

I haven't figured out where to tweak IGMP settings or if it's a firmware issue, but I have found quite a few "quirks" go away if you disable IPv6 connection sharing if it's enabled.   On the Airport, edit the configuration, goto the Internet tab, select the Internet options button and disable (uncheck) the IPv6 connection sharing box on this page if it's checked.  See if that helps at all.  

If that doesn't work, you can also try switching the IPv6 into link-local only mode.  This may have some other negative side-effects, so if you test that way and it doesn't fix any particular problem, put it back in Automatic mode.

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Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
mfizzy
Specialist - Level 1

You can use a 3rd party router behind the verizon router and the app will still work. Not sure why you say your extreme is in bridge mode. If it is behind the Verizon router all you would need to do is turn off DHCP in the extreme router. Then it is just an additional wireless access point for your verizon router.

I have an ASUS router set up that way and app has no issue with verifying it is connected to a verizon router for streaming. Im  not sure if there is something specific to an extreme that would prevent this from working.

Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
ralex2000
Enthusiast - Level 2

Thank you for your help.  I do belive it is an Extreme limitation.  The only way to turn off DHCP in the Extreme is to place the device in bridge mode.  If you think that is what's preventing the app from working then the Extreme is not the solution for me.

I will either pick up another router to try or look into the Verizon range extender.  That may solve my problem.

Thank you again.

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Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

If the extreme is in bridge mode, app should work fine.

Do you get an error message?

Does nothing on the app or just parts?

Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
mfizzy
Specialist - Level 1

Im sure you have a banner across the top of app advising it is not connected to verizon router. Make sure it isnt an app issue. Connect to verizon router and see if it works properly. If it doesnt work while connect to verizon router, submit a ticket in the help section of the app menu. If it does then it is an issue with your extreme.

Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
ralex2000
Enthusiast - Level 2

I'm sorry I should have mentioned that in addition to adding the Extreme in bridge mode to my network I also turned off the radio in the Verizon router (as advised in a post I saw on Broadband Reports).

As an experiment I turned the radio in the Verizon router back on and left the Extreme in bridge mode.  The app worked again but my speeds went back to the 20/10 range so I turned the Verizon radio off again.  By doing that my speeds went back up but I lost the app.

The app will see my DVR and even populate the listings but nothing plays.  I get a black screen that eventually times out but  I do not see a banner.

Again, thank you for helping me.

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Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

Other than for testing, turning off the Verizon radio isn't an issue.

Not sure why you got such a low speed unless you have an older model router.

Does the remote control feature work when connected to extreme?

Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

@ralex2000 wrote:

I have FIOS 100/100, a Quantum DVR and the Actiontec MI424WR-GEN3I, Version I (red) Verizon router.

  • Assuming the answer above is no, I am willing to spend the $150 to upgrade to the Verizon AC1750 Quantum Gateway router if that will solve my problem. Does anyone know if I will get speeds anywhere near what I get with the Apple Extreme or will I have to worry about 4K streaming, etc.?

TYIA


I thought they normally upgraded the Actiontecs to G1100s when you were on a 100+ package

Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
ralex2000
Enthusiast - Level 2

Sorry for the delay.

I tested and the remote control function works fine even with the Verizon radio turned off (albiet a little sluggishly). Still no go on live TV or DVR streaming however.

To the other poster who asked about the Gateway router, I belive that it true only if you are upgrading from a lower tier.  I started out at 100/100.

The more I think and learn about this problem I belive my best bet is to get the WBC6200Q Extender (not the Gateway router).  I have read mostly positive reviews about that device.

Thanks.

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Re: FIOS Mobile App 3rd Party Router
lasagna
Community Leader
Community Leader

I had the same setup you have for a number of years ... putting the Extreme in bridge mode, configuring the wireless on it and disabling the wifi on the router is all you need to do.   However, there appears to be either a problem with IGMP and the Apple products or some conflict with IPv6.

I haven't figured out where to tweak IGMP settings or if it's a firmware issue, but I have found quite a few "quirks" go away if you disable IPv6 connection sharing if it's enabled.   On the Airport, edit the configuration, goto the Internet tab, select the Internet options button and disable (uncheck) the IPv6 connection sharing box on this page if it's checked.  See if that helps at all.  

If that doesn't work, you can also try switching the IPv6 into link-local only mode.  This may have some other negative side-effects, so if you test that way and it doesn't fix any particular problem, put it back in Automatic mode.