How to Get the Fastest FiOS Speed

[Heather_VZ]

With all the great FiOS speeds that Verizon provides, you want to make sure you’re getting the fastest speed your plan allows.  Here are some tips for doing just that:

• If you’re on a PC, check out our FiOS Speed Optimizer (link to: http://my.verizon.com/micro/speedoptimizer/fios/default.aspx )- there you can test to see how fast of a FiOS connection you really have.  It will also allow you to reconfigure your computer to get the best speeds possible.  After you’ve run the Optimizer once, shut your PC down completely and re-run it after you booted back up again. 
• If you have a Mac, please check out Apple’s broadband tuner (link to: http://support.apple.com/downloads/Broadband_Tuner_1_0) to do the same thing.

Please remember that all FiOS speeds are best achieved while using a wired connection.  Speeds will vary if you’re using a wireless connections.

If you’re still not getting the speed you think you should, please ensure that you have the proper gigabit network interface (NIC) card installed. You will need a connection of 10/100/1000 for FiOS speeds >99 Mbps downstream.  Look here (link to:

http://www22.verizon.com/home/fios-fastest-internet/#equipment) to see how to find out what kind of NIC card you currently have.

If you need additional help, please create a post on the FiOS Internet board. You can also reach support agents on Twitter @Verizonsupport, on Click to Chat or on Facebook at our Fans of FiOS page.

[smith6612 · Accepted solution]

Glad this is sticked. I believe the mention of needing a WIred connection should be bolded, with a mention that a computer must have a 1Gbps connection for Quantum tiers that run beyond 90Mbps/90Mbps.

[OldMalden]

But the link from my ActionTEC MI424WR-GEN2 router [F/W 20.19.8 H/W rev E] is showing on my Gigabit switch as 100Mb and I use a CAT6 cable. So what difference will my 1Gb NIC make when the AT is only running at 100Mb? I just ran the Verizon speed test and got a measly 6 Mb on my 35/35 line. Kerry Walsh

[Mauser]

Well a gigabit NIC is of no value at all without a gigabit router (at least no value for internet access).  MI424 gen2 routers are NOT gigabit - you need the gen3 versions for that.  I think the gen3 starts with rev G - I know for a fact that the rev I routers are gen3 gigabit routers.

[Hubrisnxs]

The Gen3 Router is 79.99 now. used to be a hundred plus... https://teleproducts.verizon.com/fios/index.cfm/eh/DisplayProducts

[Anak1]

That is a sure sign that something new is coming down the pike.

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@Hubrisnxs wrote:
The Gen3 Router is 79.99 now. used to be a hundred plus... https://teleproducts.verizon.com/fios/index.cfm/eh/DisplayProducts

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[DJJayito]

I was wondering if I opt to get the GEN3 router... https://teleproducts.verizon.com/fios/index.cfm/eh/DisplayDetails will I see better wireless speeds?

[tns]

Maybe yes maybe no.  THe newer routers support wireless-n on the 2.4 but not 5 mhz frequency.  If you don't have wireless-n on your devices its unlikely.  If you do have wireless-n you MIGHT be able to see higher speeds.

[trautz]

Nice for wired connections, but a wireless connection, with a laptop that is 5 feet from the router should not be 12mbps. While I realize Verizon wants to "chicken out" with a "we don't guarantee wireless" statement, that is unacceptable. I suggest Verizon figure out some way to support wireles. Most people do not sit next to their routers, when they have multiple devices in their homes.

[Mauser]

This seems to be nothing more than a huge lack of knowledge by some folks about LAN vs WAN network speeds.

Wireless LAN connections have absolutely NOTHING to do with FiOS connection speeds.  Nothing at all.  The wireless connections DOES impact the speed the connected computer can send/receive data to the LAN, but NOT how fast the router communicates with the WAN.

If someone has only a 12Mbps wireless connection to a computer, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with FiOS or Verizon - they simply do not know how to set up their wireless LAN.

We do need to acknowledge, however, that even the best, most perfect  wireless LAN configurations will not come close to a gigabit wired LAN speed.  High end routers are capable of 300 Mbps speeds on a single radio, and the current top FiOS MI424 rev I router is only capable of 130 Mbps wireless speed.  But I want to reitterate, this is only the speed between the wireless device and the access point - NOT the WAN speed that FiOS is providing.

So if you simply want to know what actual speed you are getting from FiOS, you must measure it  with a computer connected WIRED to the router with a gigabit NIC - and note carefully that last part - a wired connection doesn't mean squat if your computer only has a 10/100 NIC!!!! 

And if your your normal LAN connection is always wireless, then make sure you are not paying for more WAN speed than your LAN access point can deliver to your wireless computer.

[paulsur]

10/100 - Don't they sell those in the Smithsonian museum of history?

[williadw1955]

Also.... if you are wireless, make sure your wireless connection is set to use the fastest wireless protocol available to you that also matches your router, not just the 1st one it grabs onto. This can be set in the wireless properties of your laptop or wireless device.

[Anderson7]

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@williadw1955 wrote:

Also.... if you are wireless, make sure your wireless connection is set to use the fastest wireless protocol available to you that also matches your router, not just the 1st one it grabs onto. This can be set in the wireless properties of your laptop or wireless device.

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And for us newbies, "how" do you do that in a windows 10 laptop or an android phone?

[boxster1]

i802.11ac enabled to support speeds up to 1300 Mbps wirelessly

[BOARDWLK17]

The commercials on tv show everyone using there wireless tablets laptops videogame consoles . my wired speed is 58/25 my wireless speed is like 12/ nothing. the commercial shows everyone on there wireless units and it says your whole family will be able to enjoy the higher speeds? HOW CAN I SPEED UP MY WIRELESS UNITS? CAN I install more than 1 wireless router ? 

[sbpwjm]

I am in a similar situation as those complaining about wired performance vs. wireless performance.  I have 50/20 plan and while the wired iMac (only wired device in house) typically sees download speeds ~mid 40s, the wireless connection is more often than not quite poor.  For example, last night I saw 6/3 and 2 nights ago it was 8/8.

I know there are differences between wired and wireless this really bad and it actually went down since I upgraded to 50/20.

I've had at least 3 tickets open with support and last time they sent me a new router - made no difference.  I have run their optimizers, changed Wifi channels, encryption settings...   

Could it be related to the specific device(s) connecting wirelessly?  Sure... but I get similar speeds on iPad, iPhones (which all have wifi 802.11 b/g/n) and two (2) different laptops (one Dell / one HP) that use the Intel® WiFi Link 5000 802.11a/b/g/n wireless .

Surely one of these devices could bust into double digits!

I don't use all the devices at the same time (especially when testing), I have even made sure - on occassion - to have nothing else powered on on the network (which includes the PS3 and our WiFi connected Blu-ray player)... it makes no difference.

I don't have the "red" router, when they sent me a new router it was the same router I've had since installation in 2008.

I see all these quantum commercials and laugh...

Happy to hear that some people seem to get good speeds...

Do we really have to go back to being wired in this wireless age?

Thanks,
Scott

[smith6612]

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@sbpwjm wrote:

I am in a similar situation as those complaining about wired performance vs. wireless performance.  I have 50/20 plan and while the wired iMac (only wired device in house) typically sees download speeds ~mid 40s, the wireless connection is more often than not quite poor.  For example, last night I saw 6/3 and 2 nights ago it was 8/8.

I know there are differences between wired and wireless this really bad and it actually went down since I upgraded to 50/20.

I've had at least 3 tickets open with support and last time they sent me a new router - made no difference.  I have run their optimizers, changed Wifi channels, encryption settings...   

Could it be related to the specific device(s) connecting wirelessly?  Sure... but I get similar speeds on iPad, iPhones (which all have wifi 802.11 b/g/n) and two (2) different laptops (one Dell / one HP) that use the Intel® WiFi Link 5000 802.11a/b/g/n wireless .

Surely one of these devices could bust into double digits!

I don't use all the devices at the same time (especially when testing), I have even made sure - on occassion - to have nothing else powered on on the network (which includes the PS3 and our WiFi connected Blu-ray player)... it makes no difference.

I don't have the "red" router, when they sent me a new router it was the same router I've had since installation in 2008.

I see all these quantum commercials and laugh...

Happy to hear that some people seem to get good speeds...

Do we really have to go back to being wired in this wireless age?

Thanks,
Scott

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With the blunt side of me, I'd say just take a look at the connection coming in and then decide what may or may not be my answer to the wireless vs. wired. If folks wanted wireless, why not get it from the get go? Verizon offers that too, but at a big cost (not just monetary).

What revision router (ActionTec) do you have? If it's a Westell you won't be getting WIreless N speeds out of it. If it's an ActionTec Rev. F or higher make sure you are using WPA2 encryption and only that type of encryption. You'll be limited to 54Mbps (Wireless G) rates if you're using anything less with the exception of No security.

If Verizon won't send you one, as your current router will be fine for anything that isn't 150Mbps or higher you can simply get one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156232

It's not dual band, it's not the newest thing out there, but many folks have gotten it and it works well. You can find some better APs around too that will do Dual Band, and ones you can mount in a nice location in your home because they look like smoke detectors and can get power delivered over the Ethernet cable.

[jessica45qt]

Turn the wireless off on the Verizon supplied router and if you can the feature where it assigns Dynamic ips to each wired port.Use Static Ip to port 1 and hook up a Non Verizon router.If you want fast wireleess go ahead and upgrade to Wireless AC Band.

Linksys model >>> http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/Linksys-EA6500-App-Enabled-AC-Dual-Band-Wireless-Router-wit...

Now they don't have a wireless adaptor to use with it but most computers have a ethernet port so you can use this in its place to use the wireless without running long cables>>> http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/linksys-WUMC710-wireless-media-connector-wifi-5ghz-bridge_stcVVprod...

Now if your not fans of linksys go for these netgear models>> http://netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/ultimate-performance/R6300.aspx#

Fastest Negear model out and the 2nd best is >> http://netgear.com/home/products/wirelessrouters/ultimate-performance/R6200.aspx#

Now netgear does have have a usb adaptor for the AC network products.But its more for the 2nd best as thats what it maxes out to in wireless speed >> http://netgear.com/home/products/wireless-adapters/ultimate-wireless-adapters/A6200.aspx#

I would telll you all to use Linksys bridge they have as you will get better speeds if you decide to go with Netgears faster model of the AC band

Linksys has a deal where you get the router and the bridge to use together >> http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/Linksys-EA6500-WUMC710-Wireless-AC-Bundle_stcVVproductId150...

$349.98 for both of them and thats what i recomend and curenttly using and it works great.

I was using this for a long time which is Verizon faster N router >

http://www.actiontec.com/products/product.php?pid=214 

Only went 130mbps on the wireless side.

Which is the one labeled I Model

Don't know why they modfied it or what but this model get 300 mbps which is more nicer >> http://www.actiontec.com/products/product.php?pid=41

Also If you interested in attaching Network storage and Network Speed Balancing Equipment to control the Load of the network i can give you some pointers as Verizons Fios Network is a little different then lets says comcast or cox or directway or many others.

Hope This can help many of you and upgrade you all for the future.

[jessica45qt]

75 Mbps/35 Mbps is my speed package but I own a Rev I router\modem combo which is not the original and had to but outside as verizon refused to let me have the Rev I router.I had a hassle just getting on the Older Wirless N model they have but i was finally able to get it and i asked if they wanted me to send the wireless g router back and they said no keep it because there outdated and i know alot of people are still on G standard so go after them and upgrade to the N standard and if you can get your hands on the newer N model which is Rev I then do it.Someone told me there is one newer then Rev I but haven't seen it myself as of yet.

Like i said in my previous post shut the wireless off on the verizon one and set it to static ip instead of dynamic ip for for 4 ports going out so then you can limit it to one or two ports as well .use port 1 to hook your router you have from the outside and i gave my recomendation in my previous post.

[Thalji_H]

I just got off the phone and basically they could not help me. They are going to send me a new router but I doubt it will help much. 

I am thinking of getting the Linksys router even though it is more expense as Jessica45qt suggested. Is it easy to install? 

Linksys has a deal where you get the router and the bridge to use together >> http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Routers/Linksys-EA6500-WUMC710-Wireless-AC-Bundle_stcVVproductId150...

[micahadair1]

I have to say that I am very disappointed with Verizon. Connection is a joke. I had comcast on the other side of the house streamed with no problem to tv, used ipad, phone etc all with no problem. last night my first with Verizon I used Mac computer to watch Netflix and it stopped and strated throughout. Wireless means wireless and should be close to wired....that is the point. I think it's Verizon not the router, or what's connected. You pay for high speed and get dial-up. Seriously thinkingof switching to earthlink dial-up...it's quicker! and cheaper!