Confused about extenders, mesh, etc for fios

Hi all! I've tried to read up as best I can, but I seem to be stuck in an internet rat hole where I can make heads or tails of what I should do!

I have gigabit fios. I rent a G1100 and have and own an actiontec wcb6200q moca extender (it has the verizon logo on it if that matters).

My #1 goal is to stop paying the $12 per month got the router rental. Secondary goal would be to increase wifi coverage. I have a remote work stipend, so don't mind spending a little more now for a long term solution,

I don't have any major wifi issues with speed or coverage in the house. If I was being greedy, I'd say I wouldn't mind better coverage in the yard for streaming music, etc. Home was built in 1998.

So my setup today:

Basement - G1100

Ground level - wired ethernet in office, smart tv that connects to wifi with verizon set top box (stream 4k netlix and 95.5% if time have no issues)

Second floor - actiontec wcb6200q moca extender in one of the bedrooms in center of the house.

Options:

Buy verizon g3100 router ($299), keep actiontec wcb6200q moca extender. See how coverage is. If I ever want to strengthen further, buy another moca adapter for first floor.

2) Buy a G1100 from amazon ($99 renewed?) and then buy a mesh system to plug in there and run wifi through that.

#1 seems simpler given I have had no issues with coverage except outside, but I am wondering if I am better off getting away from verizon equipment. Of course since I own the actiontec wcb6200q moca extender which works, seems like that is another reason not to buy a whole new system.

Accepted answers

lasagna

How about this ... buy a new router of your preference and replace the Verizon router (assuming you are provisioned on ethernet for internet here). Buy an ActionTec ECB6200 MoCA bridge. Install it next to your new router, connect the ethernet to a router LAN port, connect coax to your cable plant.

Configure you new router WiFi as desired.

You may need to factory reset your extender and reconfigure it to match your new WiFi settings, but otherwise it should just "work".

All comments

appDev

option #2 would be better in the long run, but maybe try renting the new G3100 for a month and see how it works? i just got mine a couple days ago, and its good, but still can't get wi-fi to everywhere i need in the house without extra support...

adrosenb1

Hmm, interesting idea on the rental!

Why is mesh so much better long run?

Seems like my option is $299 for new fios gateway or around $100 for old gateway + $400 for eero system. With eero I probably will get more coverage in my yard, etc. Are there other benefits I'm missing besides distance? speed?

appDev

IMHO, the addition of a mesh would be 'yours' independent of the provider, and you can likely add/customize as you need. And yes, longer range, and speed, and endless options you can choose from. Eero is not even the only game in town. if you're just plugging in a 'mesh' after the router, you can do almost any that you want.

In fact, you could also 'try' a mesh with your current setup and see how it works for you, and within the return window, likely change or return the product if you're dissatisfied.

i'm in a similar boat - just got the new G3110 less than a week ago - trying it on rental (i bought my G1100 outright since i wasn't a fan of paying monthly). I am now trying everything from an add-on mesh to Moca (coax and ethernet) to replacing the VZ router with my own (and ensuring my TV One box still works). You're being smarter than i am 🙂

charlyc

The Actiontec wcb6200q does not work with the Verizon G3100 the MoCa via coax not compatible. G3100 has MoCa 2.5 and Actiontec 2.0 and they don't work together. Only one that works is their E3200 extender MoCa 2.5. I tried to make them work and no go they even state that on their sales page. Now I picked up the G3100 and E3200 and have my two Actiontec wcb6200q on Ebay.

adrosenb1

oh wow. interesting. so it seems like really he most sensible option is to go with eero. if i upgrade to the 3100 i have to upgrade the moca as well. both are about $500, so seems like mesh gets me more for my money.

lasagna

Configure you new router WiFi as desired.

You may need to factory reset your extender and reconfigure it to match your new WiFi settings, but otherwise it should just "work".

BS0323

In addition to the Actiontec router, I have these 2 devices in my basement, so not really sure what the right hookup is for the Deco mesh? I plugged it into one of the ethernet ports on the Actiontec and it seems to be working, but can I eliminate anything? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Fios pic1

Fios pic2

Cang_Household

Picture 1 is the ONT, picture 2 is the power unit.

Deco needs to be connected either through bridge mode behind the Actiontec router, or through router mode in place of the Actiontec router. Your WAN must be delivered through Ethernet if you are using the Deco to replace the Actiontec router.

All Actiontec routers are End of Support since Sept 2020, replacement with either G1100 or G3100 is advised.

dexman

That particular ONT is a Tellabs 611. I have the same unit in our house.

It is obsolete in that the fastest Internet speed that it can support is 75M/75M.

If you decide to up your Internet speed to 100M or higher, Verizon will need to replace the Tellabs with one manufactured by Alcatel/Lucent.

BS0323

Thanks so much for the info - very helpful. I'm not the most technical, so perhaps you can dumb it down a bit for me? Both the coax and ethernet cable coming out of the ONT are connected to the Actiontec, so I presume I'll need to keep it that way to use the Deco mesh? I'm just not following what you mean by "behind the bridge" or "through router mode", so perhaps you can elaborate on that? Also thanks for the info on end of life, etc on the router, but it's interesting to note that even though I have 75/75, my speed went up to 90/90 when I put the Deco in? Thanks again.

Bluepa

You can make the G3100 work with the wcb6200q. But you have to use a moca 2.5 adapter in front of the the wcb6200q. Set up like this: g3100 coax -> coax outlet #1-> coax outlet #2 -> moca2.5 adapter (via coax cable) -> moca2.5 adapter Ethernet port -> wcb6200q Ethernet port. This will work.

Cang_Household

This works but missing the point of using a WCB, which stands for wireless coax bridge. WCB6200Q and all other Fios accessories are bridgeable via Ethernet.

The user mentioned Actiontec WCB6200 won't work with G3100 is not true any more either. Actiontec released a "re" firmware update last year and fixed the compatibility issue with G3100. Verizon firmware WCB6200Q remains incompatible as of today.