New FIOS customer with dropped VOIP calls and Internet connection
jhumroo
Newbie

I am a new FIOS customer. Got my 50/25 connection a week ago, switching from a TWC 6/1 connection. Ever since the new connection, I've had numerous issues.

  1. My VOIP (Ooma) connection constantly drops and re-connects during conversations
  2. I've had random Internet connection losses, which picks up again after a few minutes
  3. My home alarm starts chirping every once in a while

I've contacted Verizon several times due to these problems and have received varying answers with no resolution of the problem.

 

The first time I spoke with support, the tech logged into my router and changed the WiFi channel saying that would fix the problem. It didn’t.

 

The second time I contacted them, the tech ran a bunch of diagnostics and said everything looked fine so it must be an IP address conflict with my devices, because I had a couple devices using static IP addresses. He said everythinf should be DHCP and the last two digits could not be higher than 99 (192.168.1.99). He said FIOS does not support 3-digit numbers at the end.

 

So I changed all my devices to DHCP and ran some online VOIP tests. It showed a packet loss of 2-5% and MOS score of 1 (which is bad). I was still getting dropped connections, so I disconnected all devices and connected just one computer to the router and tested again. I was still getting packet loss.

 

Then I called support a third time, this time the tech said there were no 2-digit IP restrictions and that he was detecting there was no UPS baterry backup for the ONT which was probably causing the problem, so he dispatched a field tech to my house.

 

Today the field tech came (same guy as before), he took one look at the box and said it was too close to my Electric meter and the RF from the meter was causing interference to the FIOS connection and resulting in dropped connection.

 

He moved the ONT to another location and said that should fix it.

 

Well, I'm still seeing packet loss and low MOS score when I run the VOIP test.

 

I don't know how much of what the techs are saying is true and how much is made up stuff.

 

Has anyone had similar issues and have thoughts on solutions or likely causes for dropped VOIP calls and connections? Could RF be causing this?

 

I thought going from a 6/1 Cable connection to a 50/25 FIOS connection would be awesome, but this has turned out to be a nightmare, and I may have to switch back to cable if the problem is not resolved.

 

I would appreciate any help.

 

Thanks!

0 Likes
Re: New FIOS customer with dropped VOIP calls and Internet connection
mfizzy
Specialist - Level 1

As far as the IP restriction both techs were partly correct.192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.150  is reserved for cable boxes. You can use internal IP's above .99, but try to stay out of that range. As far as packet loss on the internet, that is just how it works. They might not be able to do much for you about that. They cant do much if the packs get dropped outside the verizon network. Do you know where the packet loss is happening?

0 Likes
Re: New FIOS customer with dropped VOIP calls and Internet connection
jhumroo
Newbie

Don't know where the packet loss is happening. I ran the VOIP test on myspeed.visualware.com and it shows a packet loss of 2-5% at different times and a MOS score of 1.

 

The report says MOS should be around 4 for good VOIP calls.

 

The Verizon tech who came to the house just blamed the electric meter box for RF interference and move the ONT farther away.

 

My concern is that I'm getting different answers from different techs at Verizon.

 

Regarding IP addresses. The Router shows a DHCP range from 192.162.1.2 to 192.168.1.254 as available for devices on the network. So, if I need to assign a static IP to a device should I use a number below 99 or above 151?

 

Thanks!

0 Likes
Re: New FIOS customer with dropped VOIP calls and Internet connection
eljefe2
Master - Level 1

@jhumroo wrote:

Regarding IP addresses. The Router shows a DHCP range from 192.162.1.2 to 192.168.1.254 as available for devices on the network. So, if I need to assign a static IP to a device should I use a number below 99 or above 151?

 

Thanks!



What I've done, without causing any problems, is set the DNS range to 192.168.1.100 thru 192.168.1.254.  I then set any static IP's on devices to between 192.168.1.10 and 192.168.1.99.  That avoids any conflict between DNS assigned IP's and static assigned IP's.

You can set the DNS range on the Actiontec router at 192.168.1.1 > My Network > Network Connections > Full Status > Network (Home/Office) > Settings > Start IP Address & End IP Address.

0 Likes