Looking For Advice on Fiber Install

Arelem · 11 Jun 2018

Hi folks,

This Saturday, I'm getting UVerse 1000 laid in at my house. It will actually drop my AT&T bill by $20.

I'm assuming that they provide the home router and other needed equipment, but I was wondering if there is anything I should upgrade.

My PC has a gigabit netcard built into the motherboard. Should I maybe forgo it and use a stand alone one?

Also, I don't think I want to use the wifi in the AT&T router, heard a bunch of horror stories with them. So I'm thinking of shutting off its wifi and buying a home router.

Can I ask for any advice or suggestions?

Thanks.

bro67 · 11 Jun 2018

I have no issues with the 5268AC that I am using for 50/10. I just had to change the 2.4 and 5 ghz to be separate radio SSID's, because of some equipment was not properly connecting. You can use your own Access Point if you want. A POE or Mesh network is the best.

zbook · 11 Jun 2018

These are some considerations:
1) Download and install on your cellular phone an app that tests the Wifi signal so that you can optimize while the technician is available on installation day
Then you can walk all over the house and see where there are strong and weak signals and decide where a router or range extender may be needed.
Cement walls or many large appliances if not yet installed can reduce signal strength.
2) There will be a box in a closet which will house the wires and network box provided by the fiber company. From this box there are a limited number of connections to wall outlets that can be made.
There will be an extra cost for a gigabit switch so that you can have ethernet in many rooms.
Gigabit Plus Switch Series | Smart Managed Plus Switches | Switches | Business | NETGEAR
So you may want to compare the costs on amazon, etc. versus the fiber provider.

zbook · 13 Jun 2018

An additional consideration is how the home is related to other homes.
Out in the country with few neighbors versus in a townhome/condo in a densely populated area.

When the technician is present you will not only want to check signal strength but will want to select the channels that very few neighbors are using. This way you potentially will have the lowest amount of interference.

The app that I had used was recommended by the technician. It's for an android phone. Apple options were not checked.

Wifi analyzer (Kevin Yuan)

The channels should be checked for both frequencies: 2.4 and 5
The app also comes with a help menu.

I hope it goes smoothly.