Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
Lou82
Newbie

I configured the FIOS wifi for my parents in their home. The FIOS modem is on the 2nd floor in the house and they like to use the laptop wirelessly in the basement. They have a top of the line "Ultimate N" wifi card in their brand new DELL laptop, but the wifi connection is very inconsistent. I understand basements can be hit or miss, but sometimes they get an excellent lightniing fast wifi connection in the basement and sometimes the connection is undetectable all day. One pattern I am noticing is that the wifi connection is strong and consistent later at night and during the day is when its harder to get a consistent connection, if one at all. The network is WPA with a password so others around my parents are not hopping onto it.

My question is if there is anything I can do to optimize the wifi connection for my parents to allow them to get a more consistent, stronger connection? Should I position the antenna upwards, sideways, downwards? Does FIOS sell an add on antena that emits a stronger signal or since they are in the basement do they have to deal with the sporadic nature of the connection?

ANy suggestions would be helfpul.

Thanks

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
woyala
Specialist - Level 1

FiOS router only supports b/g wi-fi connections, so if your parents have a n wi-fi card, it will not pick up that signal and only will pick up b/g.  My suggestion is to move the router or buy a wireless N access point and connect it to your FiOS router.

Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
Lou82
Newbie

But I do get wireless connections at times and its lightning fast. Why is that the case?

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

Well you did say it works better at night than during the day. Radio xmissions travel better at night than during the day due to less atmospheric interference. The same way that an AM radio signal can be received from  thousands of miles away at night (I'm in Southern California and can pick up a Denver, CO am station at night).

Verizons router is not known for its wireless strength, about the only thing you can do is the suggestion above. Either...

1. move the router

2. put in a strong wireless access point

3. Use a Ethernet over power system

4. Wire the computer.

Those are your primary choices for this situation.

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

@woyala wrote:

FiOS router only supports b/g wi-fi connections, so if your parents have a n wi-fi card, it will not pick up that signal and only will pick up b/g.  My suggestion is to move the router or buy a wireless N access point and connect it to your FiOS router.


The new actiontec rev F is wireless N

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
Lou82
Newbie

how can I get the new actiontec rev f router?

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
Lou82
Newbie

@spacedebris wrote:

Well you did say it works better at night than during the day. Radio xmissions travel better at night than during the day due to less atmospheric interference. The same way that an AM radio signal can be received from  thousands of miles away at night (I'm in Southern California and can pick up a Denver, CO am station at night).

Verizons router is not known for its wireless strength, about the only thing you can do is the suggestion above. Either...

1. move the router

2. put in a strong wireless access point

3. Use a Ethernet over power system

4. Wire the computer.

Those are your primary choices for this situation.


I would need to buy an N access point?

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader

@Lou82 wrote:

how can I get the new actiontec rev f router?


I believe that is what VZ supplies for new installs, I also don't think they'll swap your old one for a new one unless your current one is faulty.

I'd go the route of moving the router closer to the machine.  You should be able to move the router to anywhere there is a coax tv connection.  Add a spliiter there with one connection to the STB and the other to the router.

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Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

Lou82 wrote:

I would need to buy an N access point?


Well there is debate over this. N access is generally faster, but G is still faster than your internet connection. So the internet is the choke point. Now if you are doing internal networking (computer to computer inside the house) then if everything is on N it is a benefit. If not then you would likely not see much if anything in terms of speed gains. Now there is another house of thought that says, the N class is less likely to have issues with interfearence. This is a YMMV situation. Some see performance gains, some dont. The only way to know for sure is to try. But there are a lot of high powered G routers out there and the prices are generally a fraction of what N routers cost. So its really up to you on how much you want to spend.

Re: Help optimizing FIOS wi-fi connection
jumpin68ny
Master - Level 2

Wireless signals work best top down so like other folks have indicated move the router to the first floor of the home and you should have better luck.  Remember that various things like Microwaves, Blue Tooth, Cordless phones, etc. may interfere with Wireless LAN signals.

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