Firmware on FiOS router is atrocious / "Over tightening" current customers

[Szyphoid]

Recently got an AppleTV to go in an upstairs bedroom.  Because there is no way to increase the wifi power signal strength on the standard FiOS b/g router, I decided to move the router to the middle of my house, instead of it being on one far end, directly connected to my PC.  The problem with this is, now my PC’s wifi speed is suffering.  So Verizon, instead of releasing a new firmware for current b/g speed routers to be able to increase signal strength power, you are pushing out new N’ speed routers.  Unfortunately is push for the new routers are, “for new customers only”; unless you want to pay the non-refundable inflated $169.99 price of that said “new” router.  The “over tightening” of current customers is no new thing for big companies always trying to acquire new customers, but if those new customers do not request a higher speed router, give them the old stuff.  I don’t understand why it is so hard to give current paying, and loyal customers the option to upgrade first.

Most un-sincerely, long time loyal customer

[Szyphoid]

If you can upgrade your set top box so easily, why is Verizon making is such a hassle to upgrade routers?

[lasagna]

Wifi and stream are almost always bad news regardless of the particular technology.   Personally, I don't care so much about the Vz router because it serves only as the gateway for my home network -- I don't need or use their wifi and instead use my own router configured as an access point to dual-band N networking in my house.

Put your router back next to your PC and then get yourself one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Actiontec-Ethernet-over-Coax-Adapter/dp/B001XUQOHE

Install it on a cable outlet next to your AppleTV (it will automatically pair with the Vz router and provide a path to the internet) and connect the AppleTV to it -- or install it in the middle of the house and connect a wireless access point/router of your choice to it.

[Szyphoid]

I know you are trying to be helpful in my panicked rage, but I don’t see why I have to spend any more money, weather is be $79.99 or &169.99, to make up for equipment that can be easily replaced.  I shouldn’t have to set up port forwarding through a router and an modem/router, when I can be given one piece of equipment to do it all.  The fact that I have gone through several different brands of cable modems before I HAD to use Vz when I went with FiOS, and ALL of them allowed the power to be turned up on the wifi signal, should tell Vz something about their equipment and programing.