Advanced Wi-Fi Router....Several Questions...

I got a promo email to "purchase"? the Advanced Wi-Fi Router for 99.99 - and I cant seem to find answers to some questions-

1. If I buy it - is it mine? Do I need to send my current ActionTec back? I do not recall paying for the one I have -

2. Is it worth it? 99.99 seems steep for a router - whats the value proposisiton...

3. When I try to buy it - some other HBO promo seems to be stuck in my cart - I already pay for HBO - dont want to pay for it again - anyone else see this during a checkout process....

I guess thats it -

Accepted answers

gs0b

It used to be $79.99. Not sure why Verizon raised the price; it's the same piece of equipment.

Personally, I don't think it's worth $99.99. I have one of the advanced routers courtesy of Verzion providing it as a replacement for a failed standard router, and I wouldn't be happy if I had paid $79.99 for it. It's single band and the range is less than the old 802.11b/g router I had. It does have GigE ports, which is nice.

If I were you, I'd spend my money on a good 802.11n dual band access point or router and connect it to the Actiontec. There are lots of good choices at the $100 price point and below.

Good Luck.

All comments

gs0b

It used to be $79.99. Not sure why Verizon raised the price; it's the same piece of equipment.

If I were you, I'd spend my money on a good 802.11n dual band access point or router and connect it to the Actiontec. There are lots of good choices at the $100 price point and below.

Good Luck.

walt178

@alevenso wrote:
I got a promo email to "purchase"? the Advanced Wi-Fi Router for 99.99 - and I cant seem to find answers to some questions-
1. If I buy it - is it mine? Do I need to send my current ActionTec back? I do not recall paying for the one I have -
2. Is it worth it? 99.99 seems steep for a router - whats the value proposisiton...
3. When I try to buy it - some other HBO promo seems to be stuck in my cart - I already pay for HBO - dont want to pay for it again - anyone else see this during a checkout process....
I guess thats it -

1. If you buy it, it's yours. You can send your current ActionTec back or keep it. But, if you send it back keep your receipt and tracking info. You are still liable for it.

2. Probably not. If I were buying one, I would get a different, better router and connect it to the ActionTec. The following link is a good starting point for info on doing that. If you do go that route, a forum search will provide a lot of information. Or just post back here.

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

3. Haven't seen that, but it's good that you were watching.

Also, if you have the 75/35 plan or greater you should be able to get the latest router for free. So check before buying.

beetlejuice2

I know this thread is considered solved, but wanted to toss in a comment.

Its true they were selling it for $79. Originally is was $99 then I guess they lowered it then raised it back up probably because of the recent heavy promotion of it.

I bought the router through ch. 692 for the 3 installments offer. I was using an old Westell router that was good on wired, but I wanted more speed since the g band wasn't cutting it on wireless. My range did increase a lot on the new router. They did try to pull one over on me as they sent me a used/refurbished router that was missing the stand, cables, etc..

I had to have a brand new one re-sent to me.

Is it worth it? I guess it depends on ones situation. Yes there are far better routers out there that are also dual band, but I personally just wanted one router in the house, not 2. I also live in an area where I don't need the extra band. If you don't mind having another router with the current one then I would say go that route as you will get more bang for the buck. If you are like me and just want one router and something simple and easy to set up then it is an upgrade over the old g routers.

logan81

Something that really factors into the value of the Verizon router is that if it breaks then verizon will replace it for free as long as you have the service, Best Buy is not going to give you the same consideration.

imdogoflanders

Very good point! Thanks for making it. 🙂

VUser50

Another consideration is exactly how much range you need and if you may switch to another service provider. I'm happy with Verizon but live in an area where they are very competitive with Optimum. I'd be weary of investing in a router that is only good for Verizon.*

*It might be able to convert into a regular router but certainly not easily and again less powerful than most on the market.

drdumont1

Let me premise my comments with this - There IS NO better Internet/TV service available to consumers than FiOS. It is not without it's warts (mostly pricing and hardware issues), but I can imagine no reason other than financial, perhaps, or moving to a non FiOS area, to change from FiOS, Forgo a few Starbucks a month and enjoy the technically superior TV and Internet service. Phones? I use the "orange" phone service. It is cheaper and works as well as FiOS. And their tech support both voice and web based are screamingly faster. If you buy your own router/wireless access point, you can use it anywhere else, if for some reason unknown to me you change providers. 1) The Actiontek router is crap, although it is the better of the two, Tellabs vs Actiontek, it is still crap for a number of reasons. 2)The Actiontek was supplied by FiOS on installation, I had no choice. 3) If it dies, YOU have to pay for a replacement. Odd, your system will not work without a router/MOCA, but if THEIR equipment needs replacement (failure), YOU have to pay for a new one. I wonder if the ONT dies you have to pay for it? You have to pay for replacement backup batteries. That's my beef with Verizon. 4) The Actiontek router chokes and fails with multiple connections (ex: using torrent client). 5) The Actiontek QoS does not work, so if you want to use a VOIP client behind it you are {word filter avoidance} Phone conversations impossible during high Internet traffic use. Manual resets are needed frequently. 6) Ages ago, I put the Actiontek behind the Vonage router/VOIP interface. All problems solved. The Actiontek is only used to provide the MOCA bridge (to operate the set top boxes). Phone conversations now unaffected by the most severe Internet traffic. I use a better quality multi band wireless interface instead of the weak Actiontek . Beats the Actiontek hands down. Better security, too. And I enjoy 50/50 Internet speeds. I use a Gigabit path between my computers, the other setup works for Internet speed. The bottom line? Fuhgeddaboudt the Verizon provided router for $100. Purchase a good quality multiband router/wireless access point. Install it between the optical terminal and the FiOS provided router. Either set it up to spoof the original router MAC address or call tech support and tell 'em you are using a different router. (They will give you guff about not being able to support it, and "you can lose a couple of features*), but they will allow your router to connect. Put the Actiontek or Tellabs on the output of your new router so the set top boxes can connect. If a lot of this terminology is Greek to you, either get someone to help you, or just drink the Kool Ade and be happy. But you could learn something and get better performance with just a little research. * Remote control of STBs over the Internet, perhaps their "security" package, letting them access the stb's for diagnostics) may not work without the Actiontek forst in line. I spoofed the Actiontek MAC address on my new router. If for some reason I HAVE to reconfigure and put the Actiontek back in first place, it is a mere wire swap, then I can normal up. Been working this way from the first month of rollout here in Texas. Works fine, lasts long time. Schoolteacher. Velly clean.

viafax999

3) If it dies, YOU have to pay for a replacement. Odd, your system will not work without a router/MOCA, but if THEIR equipment needs replacement (failure), YOU have to pay for a new one. I wonder if the ONT dies you have to pay for it

Not true. If the router dies Verizon will replace it free of charge, typically with a newer version too.

No you don't have to pay for the ONT if it dies. Like the router that is part of the equipment Verizon supplied and they will replace it.

5) The Actiontek QoS does not work, so if you want to use a VOIP client behind it you are {word filter avoidance} Phone conversations impossible during high Internet traffic use.

Don't kow what voip client you use but I use a couple and have no issues, neither have I ever botheres tweaking the router for voip support.

drdumont1

@logan8 wrote:
Something that really factors into the value of the Verizon router is that if it breaks then verizon will replace it for free as long as you have the service, Best Buy is not going to give you the same consideration.

"Verizon will replace it for free". Har. See thread a few notches down.

freecrusher

Number 3 informative I have 75/35 plan and look forwad to a free upgrade will let you know what happens.

viafax999

@freecrusher wrote:
Number 3 informative I have 75/35 plan and look forwad to a free upgrade will let you know what happens.

Is your router broken?

if not, don't expect a free upgrade any time soon as the old 100mb routers will easily support your plan.

engrbill47

My question about this "new & improved" router is more old school. I do not give a rats patoot about wi-fi. Is the router any better that the one that we got when FIOS first arrived in San Dimas, CA, more than 3 years ago? The service seems to slooooow down during the day, propably from many users on our street.

dbergsr

I basically have the same question about this router and one comment.

I have 75/35 and do not experiaence any of the previously mentioned problems except having to reset my router once in a while. But even when I had Brighthouse, I had to do that. When I read the ad for this new advanced router, it says you will have better wireless performance. The only thing I use wireless for is to network my printer throughout the house. Otherwise all of my pc's are hardwired, because no wireless is as good as a straight in connection. So, what will I gain?

But, the ad also says you will gain better performance for your FIOS service. Isn't that what I pay these big bucks for already? If I purchase and use this router will I get a credit on my monthly bill for not using the Actiontek? Sounds like if this thing is to maximize my FIOS service, it should already be provided. And why do they keep discontinuing service, like Media Manager? I loved that thing, and they did not replace it with anything.

viafax999

@dbergsr wrote:
I basically have the same question about this router and one comment.

But, the ad also says you will gain better performance for your FIOS service. Isn't that what I pay these big bucks for already? If I purchase and use this router will I get a credit on my monthly bill for not using the Actiontek? Sounds like if this thing is to maximize my FIOS service, it should already be provided. And why do they keep discontinuing service, like Media Manager? I loved that thing, and they did not replace it with anything.

You are 100% correct. For your 75/35 tier with hardwired machines the new router will gain you absolutely NOTHING.

That's why when you, I and others upgraded to 75/35 we were not given new routers. If we had upgraded to a 100 or grater service we would have received a free new router. The $99 router charge will only affect the wirless side and personally I would believe it would be far cheaper to just buy a wireless-n access point of your choice and use that.