Small biz owner - how to fix Fios Quantum Gateway AC1750 (horrid) wifi range

[Bjc23]

We upgraded to Fios Quantum Gateway and the wifi range is horrible. Been doing a lot of research but feel overwhelmed with the options. Repeaters and extenders seem inefficient. We are in an old building so the coaxial wires are only two, which hang outside the walls of the building into our space. Lol
We have 2 floors and the router is on the 2nd floor.

What's the best way to extend the range without compromising speed? Buy a new router and connect to the Quantum?

Fios plan is 50mbs/50mbs.

 

[Cloud200]

Are you able to run CAT5e or CAT6 wiring inside the space?
Even tacking it to the baseboard molding is good enough.

 

[Bjc23]

No the CAT5e and CAT6 wiring is not an option.
We have 2 floors and currently the router is on the higher floor.

 

[stevech]

You'll need to add one or more Access Points (APs) to improve coverage without using a repeater (range extender).
An AP connects to the router via either of:
Cat5e cable in walls, in crawl space, attic, etc. Worth the time and effort to do it this way.
IP over power wiring using HPNA/HomePlug
IP over TV coax MoCA
see section by that name on this website

 

[Bjc23]

Stevech, just so I understand you're saying buy another router convert it into an access point and connect via cat5e cable?

 

[stevech]

Stevech, just so I understand you're saying buy another router convert it into an access point and connect via cat5e cable?

Not another router, but a WiFi access point, or a combo router/Access Point.
An AP connects to the router via either of:

• Cat5e cable in walls, in crawl space, attic, etc. Worth the time and effort to do it this way. Or...
  
• IP over power wiring using HPNA/HomePlug devices (a pair) Or ...
  
• IP over existing TV coax MoCA using a pair of devices, (see forum section on these devices)

Example of product that can be configured as an AP or as a router, despite the packaging of the product:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...nFjQicwzyZ0eeBWcoqkYUaAoPT8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
It's an oldie I used for quite a while. Lots of choices.

 

[System Error Message]

wifi APs have better coverage when placed below rather than on the top floor unless you rotate it upside down.

iSP given hardware is never reliable, thats why is always better to build or get your own.

Wifi never beats ethernet in speed and reliability. They can release fancy bandwidths like 5.3Gb/s but you arent going to get gigabit ethernet rates practically. Besides the 5.3Gb/s is total bandwidth over 3 radios, if you take a gigabit switch that has 16Gb/s bidirectional for an 8 port gigabit switch so you might as well use ethernet which is cheaper, more reliable and faster. Other wired solutions arent as good but still better than wifi.

 

[stevech]

wifi APs have better coverage when placed below rather than on the top floor unless you rotate it upside down.

My profession as an RF engineer (ret.) compells me to disagree with the upside-down recommendation. An AP should go in or near the weak signal area. In a two story home with the WiFi router on the first floor east, a usual place for an AP is 2nd floor center or west. A large home (e.g., 2500 ft or more) may need 2+ APs. Or older homes with lath and plaster walls.

 

[Cloud200]

Are you able to isolate a single run of coax wire from the second floor to the first floor? By isolate, I mean literally nothing on it. No splitters, cable boxes, routers, etc. Just a single run somewhere in the vicinity of the router to the other floor.

If you can do that, buy a MOCA 2.0 Ethernet adapter pair and bridge from the Verizon router to the firsts floor. From the first floor adapter connect a switch and then start tacking cables/installing access points.

This is the second fastest, and reliable way to go from the second floor to the first. If the business relies on internet for core services and if you go down money is lost . . . call an electrician, or certified low voltage tech and get a quote for running the cat5e/6 cable.

 

[CaptainSTX]

Are you able to isolate a single run of coax wire from the second floor to the first floor? By isolate, I mean literally nothing on it. No splitters, cable boxes, routers, etc. Just a single run somewhere in the vicinity of the router to the other floor.

If you can do that, buy a MOCA 2.0 Ethernet adapter pair and bridge from the Verizon router to the firsts floor. From the first floor adapter connect a switch and then start tacking cables/installing access points.

This is the second fastest, and reliable way to go from the second floor to the first. If the business relies on internet for core services and if you go down money is lost . . . call an electrician, or certified low voltage tech and get a quote for running the cat5e/6 cable.

You don't need a pair of adapters only one. The FIOS router has built in MOCA 2.0 capabilities. With a single adapter you can add another AP anyplace in the home where there is currently an active coaxial connection. If a TV is connected at that location use a splitter with one leg to the TV and the other to the Actiontec MOCA adapter. Before buying a MOCA adapter look at the FIOS store they offer a dual band combination WiFi AP and MOCA adapter. For many people this piece of hardware is plug and play.

 

[sfx2000]

We upgraded to Fios Quantum Gateway and the wifi range is horrible. Been doing a lot of research but feel overwhelmed with the options. Repeaters and extenders seem inefficient. We are in an old building so the coaxial wires are only two, which hang outside the walls of the building into our space. Lol

If you're on a Verizon Business account - talk with your account manager - they'll have solutions that'll likely meet your needs...