Update: This Wireless Network DIY will work with any wireless router. Use this DIY to upgrade your wireless network signal with the router given to you by Comcast, Optimum or any other high speed internet service provider. It will even work with all popular makes and models of routers. In order to upgrade the wireless network signal of your present router, you will need to adapt these directions to suit the make and model of you router.

Verizon FIOS has long been known to be one of the best internet services for both residential and business locations. However, since their arrival, Verizon FIOS has unfortunately provided an excellent service with a sub-par wireless router. In this article, I will explain how to integrate the UniFi AP with your existing Verizon FIOS router. It is important to note that the UniFi AP works with all routers, including those without wireless capability, thus allowing you to add a commercial grade wireless network to your existing network infrastructure.

Not ready for the challenge but would like the benefits of a UniFi AP installed in your home or office?

Contact The Cyber Fusion for your UniFi AP Installation

Actiontec Gigabit Router - Verizon FIOS

The first FIOS wireless router had a range of about 40 feet before the signal would drop to the point of non-existence. A simple upgrade of the antenna would yield a better wireless signal but customers were still at the mercy of the limited wireless G speeds of the router.

Years later Verizon would finally offer a new router that had both gigabit network speeds as well as the new wireless N standard. However, with some research, Verizon FIOS customers would soon find out the router was limited to speeds of 150 mbps wireless. The wireless antenna portion of the router itself would also suffer from overheating resulting in a drop in wireless performance under heavy use.

Like the original router, the customer could upgrade the antennas for a noticeable boost in the wireless signal but the heat would still be an issue. Luckily the people at Ubiquiti Networks have created a viable solution for us Verizon FIOS customers. The UniFi AP provides an easy upgrade to the poor wireless performance of the Verizon FIOS router.

The UniFi AP and UniFi AP LR are two commercial grade wireless access points designed for use in both residential and commercial locations. The UniFi AP is capable of speeds up to 300 Mbps with a range of up to 400 ft. The more powerful UniFi AP LR is also capable of speeds up to 300 Mbps per second but has a range of up to 600 ft. Both access points are fully compatible with any of the Verizon FIOS routers both young and old. A comparison of the UniFi AP and the UniFi AP LR can be seen by visiting the link below.

UniFi AP vs UniFi AP LR – Wireless Signal Strength Comparison

It is important to note that an access point requires the use of a separate router. You cannot install an access point directly to a cable modem. You must have a router that can handle the routing of the network traffic in order to utilize any access point. For the purpose of this DIY, I will be using the UniFi AP in my own home to show the increase in signal.

Living in a town home, I am always at the mercy of the strength of my wireless router. Wireless signals run plentiful in a town home development and interference from other wireless signals always harms the quality and throughput of my own. After reading about the UniFi AP I decided to test one out and see if it would be a viable option for my clients.

You will want to disable the wireless portion of the Verizon FIOS router before installing the UniFi AP or UniFi AP LR. This will take a lot of the workload off of the Actiontec Router allowing it to concentrate solely on any hard wired devices. To disable the wireless portion of the router, follow these directions…

Turn Wireless Off - Actiontec Router - Verizon FIOS

1) Open up a web browser and type in http://192.168.1.1 into the web address

2) Login to the router as an administrator. The username for your router is typically “admin” and the password is located on the back of your router next to “Login Password”. The password is case sensitive.

3) Select “Wireless Settings” in the menu

4) Select “Basic Security Settings”

5) Under “1. Turn wireless ON” select “Off”

6) Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page. The wireless antenna should now be off on your FIOS router.

Once you have disabled the wireless portion of the FIOS router, you can now use the UniFI AP to control the wireless portion of your network. Optimal UniFi AP Install LocationFor best results, you will want to install/place the access point on the ceiling in the middle of your home. (See image) If you have a one story home, install the UniFi AP in the center of your home. If you have a 2 story home, think about installing it in the center of the second story so as to allow the signal to radiate throughout your home. You will need to run Ethernet wire into your attic but for the diehard techie, it is worth the effort. (You can also install multiple access points throughout your home to repeat the signal indefinitely.) For more about proper wireless placement, read the article below.

Proper Wireless Signal Placement

Ubiquiti Networks provides excellent guides for setting up their access points on your network. It is important to note that you will not be setting up your access point via your router’s administration page. The UniFi AP uses its own software to complete the setup process. Click on the following link to find the setup guide for your particular model.

UniFi AP / UniFi AP LR Setup Guides

The image below shows the strength of the UniFi AP wireless signal compared to the surrounding SSID’s in my town home development. (All of the SSID’s have been censored) My own is the one in red on the left. If you are interested in a UniFi AP for your home or business but feel the installation is too intense, please contact us. We can set up the UniFi AP in your home or office and even ship the access points out of state. All you will need to do is attach it to your router and enjoy your new wireless signal.

Update: I have ordered the UniFi AP LR and will be installing it later this week. With such a great increase in range from the UniFi AP, I am interested to see exactly how much more powerful the UniFi AP LR is compared to its little brother.

Actiontec Verizon FIOS Router

(25 ft from wireless router)

Actiontec FIOS Router

UniFi AP with Verizon FIOS Router

(25 ft from access point)

TCF Wireless Network Signal

As you can see the difference in signal strength between the Actiontec FIOS Router and the UniFi AP is quite substantial. The UniFi AP is definitely an improvement over the old FIOS router. One thing I have noticed in the last few days with the UniFi AP is there is no difference in wireless performance when multiple devices are utilizing the internet. Uploads and downloads via wireless devices are noticeably faster as well. Check out the following link for a comparison of the UniFi AP and the UniFi AP LR.

UniFi AP vs UniFi AP LR – Wireless Signal Strength Comparison

Not ready for the challenge but would like the benefits of a UniFi AP installed in your home or office?

Contact The Cyber Fusion for your UniFi AP Installation

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Tags: verizon,fios,router,unifi,ubiquiti,network,ap,lr,boost,signal,wireless,access point

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