Consider network options for your home setup.
Consider network options for your home setup.
Hi everyone, due to some ISP issues I’m facing a really bad internet connection (7 down 0.4 up) and no real improvement. For my new job I often have to upload files to the server, and even small files take a long time. My current arrangement uses a standard modem upstairs in the office that connects to the phone line, my PC is plugged into it, then I use a weighted switch to divide the bandwidth and send it up via the electrical line to another modem I use as a wireless AP for my family. I was thinking about switching to a 4G modem and a SIM card—data is cheap here (120GB for 9 euros), but reception downstairs is poor, so I’d have to place the modem upstairs and send data down the line again. Since my ISP modem doesn’t support dual WAN, I need to keep the wired connection, as I wouldn’t be able to play online games smoothly with a 4G link. I’m sorry if this is confusing; just checking if anyone has a better idea for my situation. My setup seems a bit messy, and any advice would be really appreciated.
The issue I face with my ISP is that my internet connection is directly wired to a hub located 2 kilometers away, whereas the cabinet is just 200 meters away. This outdated method is common among ISPs and requires costly road digging to install new cables. Everyone in my neighborhood shares this problem—while others have FTTE speeds of 150 Mbps, we’re stuck and seem destined to relocate.
If choices are sparse but neighbors enjoy better connectivity, consider exchanging a small portion of their internet for your own. By setting up a DMZ to shield their network and maintaining a clear connection, you could gather two units to function as a WISP. The system I referenced offers a maximum speed of 10MB/s, which remains significantly higher than your present capabilities, and the premium version supports gig line speeds.
Well, if your "modem" provides routing and WiFi, it’s more likely a gateway than a regular modem. Knowing the right terms helps us assist better. A typical modem should connect to ISP cabling (phone or coax) and turn it into an Ethernet connection. It won’t handle NAT, firewalls, or WiFi. You’d just plug in a router. This usually means you have an ISP gateway. You might be able to switch it to bridge mode so the device acts like a standard modem. Then you can purchase or build a router that supports dual WAN. For example, the Synlology RT 2600AC has dual WAN. The drawback is losing a LAN port for this feature. Some 4G modems let you use external antennas, so you could position one outside to capture the signal. Another idea is checking nearby WISPs. DSL generally isn’t reliable—AT&T only offers 18 Mbps in my area, while Comcast can provide up to 1.2 Gbps via coax, and possibly 2Gbps with enough investment. Many people find 4G/5G faster and more stable than DSL. AT&T has even phased out aDSL in certain locations because it’s outdated. Do you have a cable company nearby that provides internet?