Consider switching from FIOS rented gear to a reliable Wi-Fi setup for your 2500 sqft home.
Consider switching from FIOS rented gear to a reliable Wi-Fi setup for your 2500 sqft home.
Hey everyone, I currently own a FIOS "quantum gateway" router and a network extender that costs $18 per month with "gigabit" FIOS. It usually works well, but my backyard coverage is spotty—I get complaints a few times a month about it not functioning properly, which means I often have to restart it. I’m considering stopping the monthly fee since the annual cost is $216, which is a lot. My home is about 2,500 square feet and is a single-level space. I’m trying to stay within a budget of under $650 or roughly three months of rent, but I still want a reliable setup that won’t require constant reboots.
I’m thinking of installing two ceiling-mounted access points, connecting them via RJ45 cables through the attic so they won’t take up desk space. They’d connect to a closet across from the outdoor FIOS unit. Inside the closet, I’d have a switch/router that the access points link to, plus extra ports for my office. I don’t want to pay for ongoing management fees and prefer a hands-off setup.
My day is mostly remote work—about 90% of the time—and I use voice/video calls, smart devices, and streaming services. There are several family members who watch YouTube on their phones, plus a few Fire TVs. I’m hoping this will help reduce cable usage and potentially save on bills by switching to streaming.
I’m exploring options like Ubiquity and TP-Link, but I’m not sure what I need to get this working. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead!
You'll need a router, possibly a switch if you expect many devices on Ethernet. You should include APs with POE injectors to power your gear. Alternatively, a switch with POE ports works too. A key issue is finding a router that supports Gigabit. Having Gigabit ports doesn't guarantee Gigabit NAT support, so you'll need to investigate further. Regarding APs, the choice is up to you—WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 is your option. However, you won't achieve Gigabit speeds through WiFi alone.