Need advice please on internet connection options and router/modem choices

[Jasonw86]

Hi all – looking for help on my internet package (Fios vs Spectrum) and my wifi/router.

A little background, 2 story single family home in NYC borough, about 1000 square feet – backyard is another 3000 square feet and I would like wifi throughout the entire yard. My office, where the Verizon Fios modem/router currently live is on the first floor in the right back corner of the house. I have a Netgear AC1200 wifi extender in the left back corner of the house to help spread wifi to the backyard patio better (also on the left side).

My Fios today covers the house, I get some lag during the day occasionally but we definitely feel it most evenings when everyone is home – also assume I am being throttled at night.

I have multiple devices that utilize wifi:

• 4 Nest Cameras (all always on)

• 2 Roku Devices, 1 Apple TV (rare that more than 1 are on at a time)

• 2 Laptops (non-gaming, occasional streaming use)

• 1 Desktop computer (Ethernet only, occasional online gaming, occasional streaming use)

• 1 ipad (solely used for online streaming to the Apple TV)

• 2 iphone 7+ (social media, mobile gaming, occasional streaming)

Currently I am on Verizon Fios at 75mbps – paying about $80/mo before taxes and fees. They’ve offered 150mbps for $100/mo when my contract expires next month. Plus $150 one-time speed upgrade fee. Really feel like I am screwed as a returning customer vs being new.

Spectrum is offering 100mbps for $44/mo (before taxes and fees for 12months, no contract). Seems like an awesome deal but that worries me too (if it’s too good to be true…)

I am debating going for Spectrum and buying my own modem and router.

• Modem I am thinking ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem.

• Wifi Router I am thinking NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S - AC2600 4x4 MU-MIMO Smart WiFi Dual Band.

Main questions I have are: 1. Any general opinions of Fios vs Spectrum?

1. Any thoughts on what I should do – anyone cancelled fios before? Are they a nightmare to cancel with fees for that as well?
   
   
2. Opinions on the modem and router? I am going overboard to not big enough? Debated a few others (Orbi and D-Link AC3200 for example on the routers) but the Netgear seemed to get the best overall reviews.
   

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Kartajan]

If you go to Spectrum, you probably should (initially) get one of their gateway (modem/ wifi/ router combo) devices until you decide if they are the ISP for you...
If memory serves, they supposedly lend you the gateway for "free"...

 

[JackMDS]

I reside in NYC and in my city area only Spectrum is available.

I wish that I can get FIOS.

Spectrum (ex. Time Warner Cable who scored as the most deplorable Internet provider in the country) have ""Nice Ads"" on NYC TV.

However, the Ads are a creation of a good Ad agency with No real follow up in Technical reality.

I can not tell how much I pay for Internet alone because I have also TV and Phone, the price is $169 for """The best Triple Service""".

My Modem (No Routing and WIFI) is additional $10 a month. No point to replace Modem because if something goes wrong they would Not provide free service on the account that you are not using their hardware, i.e., one glitch and you would pay for on site service more than the yearly lending fee of the Modem.

The total charges with Tax etc. is $203.

For this price I get TV and Phone that suffer few times every other day from glitches and service interruption (it is not my system, it is general to area).

The Internet is 30 Mb/sec Down and 3 Mb/sec. Up at Off peak period. 15 Mb/sec. Down and 2 Mb/sec. Up most of the time (New York City is Not a dormant place Peak time is very long).

As I mentioned my Modem is a Modem only. It feeds to two Asus Wireless Routers. One acts as a Router and Wireless, the second connects to the first via Cat6 and configured as a Switch and Access Point.

My Wireless and Local Networks are superb, but that has nothing to with the Internet service.

Pleas Note that while FIOS is an individual service. I.e., you are connected to the provider via your own fiber.

Cable is Node based I.e., you share your own home feed with others. That means that in the evening when your neighbors start with the "Netflix craze" your own bandwidth is dramatically reduces.