I've heard the current gen actiontec BHR router that Verizon provides has poor wireless performance. Worth looking into?

I have 5 Motorola (MOCA) NIM's connected to my Actiontec MI424WR. On all of them I am getting around 93 Mbits/s for TCP point to point over my coaxial lines.

Verizon recntly pushed a firmware update without your permission which added a backdoor password.

As the author mentioned, P2P performance is very limited. I couldn't get an acceptable download speed (~70k) with this router. I then changed to ethernet connection (you can choose from coax or ethernet) and use my DGL4300. The speed peaked at 1700k (15M service)!

No problems with wireless; always a very strong signal...

It's hard to find, and tricky to implement, but it will communicate with WallWatcher (no indorsement implied or intended). See the thread at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18224504.

It worked fine at first for me but over a period of 3 months got to where only one client could connect via wireless. I disabled the wireless and plugged in a linksys.

I've had an MI424WR since joining FiOS in September. The wireless performance for myself with this unit has been pitiful since day 1. I could be sitting in the same room as the unit and the signal would bounce from weak to strong, then drop stop working for 5-10 minutes at a time numerous times a day. I also was getting a horrible ~2.5Mbps performance to the Internet and about ~10Mbps performance to other LAN machines.

I finally got fed up with it and plugged in a Linksys WRT54G I had laying around and shut off the MI's wireless interface. Instantly I had full signal, Internet performance jumped to ~8Mbps, near 54Mbps performance for LAN stuff, and no drop-offs.

I've kept the MI's firmware up to date every time they update it and always try the wireless again, but so far it still stinks.

Besides that, I have had 0 issues with the unit and it has been great. Maybe mine just has a flunky wireless card in it. The cable boxes hooked up through it work just as they should and overall internet performance has been wonderful.

I've been using this router since December, and wireless works great. Wired performance after a few torrents declines rapidly and requires a power cycle every few days to get back online. Logging into the router's webserver is just as slow as net access, so it's not a connection issue.

i also have one myself, as it comes the wireless is awesome for a single antenna, if you upgrade to better antenna from the one actiontec puts on it , works far better,i have had less trouble with this router than any other i have used or worked on. most of the issues i have encountered on this router are from people who think they know their machines and equipment, when in reality they do not.

This actiontech router is actually quite phenomenal. Last router I was using with my FiOS service was a d-link wireless g extreme. That router has terrible performance!

This router gave me better signal strength then both my d-link and linksys router. FiOS accompanied with this router makes an excellent performance. I'm Comptia A certified, so I do know what I'm talking about.

Great review and comments. I've been thinking about switching from Comcast to Verizon for a couple of months. My concern has been that I can't complain about Comcast (if it's not broken, why fix it). I'm also very concerned about switching to a provided that requires that I use their router. The comment about the firmware push which added a backdoor password has me very concerned. I'm not doing anything illegal but I'm just not comfortable opening up home network like that. Does anyone have more insight into the security of this router and verizon? Should I be concerned, or am i just being paranoid? Thanks

The Wireless LAN Specs say that the router "is" WPA capable...do you suppose they just need to enable it in firmware?

Specs from here: http://www.actiontec.com/produ.../dtsht.pdf

Wireless LAN Module
IEEE 802.11g
IEEE 802.11b backward compatible
IEEE 802.11i
Capable to monitor wireless connections to various
client devices for parameters such as signal
strength and throughput.
Configurable multiple RF transmission power levels
Multiple Encryption Options Supported: 64 & 128
bit WEP encryption,WPA, 802.1x, and RADIUS
authentication
64 bit WEP is enabled by default.
Antenna system has an omni-directional
transmit/receive pattern.
Maximum Transmit Power (EIRP) equal to or
greater than 100 mW when operating in the
802.11g mode.
SSID Broadcast Enable/Disable
Multiple SSIDs supported
Automatic Channel Selection during Boot-up.
Channels 1-11 approved for use in the USA.

This is in reply to the comment about a firmware update that was pushed by Verizon (unauthroized) that had a backdoor password. I wrote down my firmware information when I had the FIOS installed and it's still the same.
Version: 4.0.16.1.45.160
Date: Nov 7 2006
Where did you get your information?

This router is not on Microsofts list. Is anyone using thei with Live? I want to get Fios when it comes to my area but this would be a deal breaker

Actiontec works with Live, but the antenna is suspect as I drop more frequently than I would like and am only 25' away. Fios is so fast compared to my old Time Warner Cable though that I don't mind. I have not been able to get it to work with my Nintendo DS and Opera browser however.

This router is absolutely useless for online gameplay! If you can, just try to get Verizon FIos for TV or not!

I was using both Cavalier DSL and Comcast inhanced and I was using a Cisco PIX 501 firewall. Once all the code and rules were down pat this hardware firewall's performance puts TO shame this router. I am a p2p user and the Pix's fair queuing enables SUper fast downloads with NO choking when uploading and downloading at the same time. I mean the Fios works great but this router is a TOY compared to the the Cisco and Netscreen I WAS using. I mean I can hook the cisco up through the port but would gain ZERO performance since that router is the gateway. I would have a REAL firewall but that only give a small sliver of what a real equipment performance. I guess thats the reason for the cost of it.
One question I DID have is I have a speedbooster plus Linksys router the GS54wrt, is that better than trying to find a NEW anntenea for this one? Thanks in advance!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TR-069 . Thats the secret to how Verizon can remotely upgrade and administer the Actiontec router.

Verizon installed the Actiontec 424 in May replacing my Linksys WRT54GS. Immediately I lost connectivity to two wireless desktops in the house. Wireless connectivity was awful and no longer reached parts of my house that worked fine with the Linksys. After 72 hours of endless customer support and many unecessary steps, the only thing that worked was removing the Actiontec and reinstalling my Linksys router. Tech support had me try connecting one router or the other in different configs and sequences -- nothing worked. They even wanted me to reinstall windows (No kidding). I don't have FIOS TV at this point, but if I do, I have a problem as I'll need the coax port. I won't reinstall the Actiontec. The best part of my conversation with tech support was the first call where the tech said, and I quote, "Oh yeah, the Actiontec is a piece of crap." Billions on fiber, cheap on the router. Go figure.

Just got FIOS installed today. Actiontec MI424-WR supports WPA2 Encryption. Firmware version is 4.0.16.1.45.160.27. Look under "Advanced Security Settings"

I'm about to get Fios TV installed after having Internet service for awhile, I understand that they use the COAX port in back of the ActionTech Router for TV. Does that mean if the router goes out I loose TV service or is the COAX port used for the Family Media DVR only?

Does anyone know any good links that explains the TV installation process of FiOS?

Lets see 600.00 bucks for the Cisco PIX 501 firewall vs Free for the Actiontec hmmm. Perhaps just maybe at 600.00 bucks there might be a few more features on the Cisco which is why is it light years beyond. Thats like comparing Ford Escort with Automatic to a 500hp Mustang, both get u there just one with a little extra oommph.

Have firmware 4.0.16.1.45.160 in my MI424-WR but in the Wireless Advanced Security Settings, see only WPA option, not WPA2.

Two Actiontec routers defected in less than two years. Unfortunately, the second unit's warranty just expired and no free replacement. No luck with Actiontec, it will cost $139 to purchase from verizon.

I play Battlefield 2 & 2142, Command & Conquer 3, Trackmania, etc.

I have had Verizon fios for 3 months and I am on my third Actiontec router. I had both the square and round case version and yes they are the same. It has been a lemon from the beginning. It was freezing up at least 5 times a day. And every time I used P2P, it stopped working and had to be rebooted. And since rebooting gives you a new IP address every time, I had to fix several of my applications that needed a fixed IP address that I had had with comcast for 7 years. I have the 30 down/5 up speed connection and the tv but not the voipphone. I am using the coax from the router to the verizon box in the garage. The wireless has always been slow and annoying. The signal is always strong with 5 bars but the speed drops from 54 to 24 all the time. When it drops to 24, I might as well send packets my the us post office. Nothing works. I have about 8 devices connected from a couple TiVos, a Vonage VOIP device, a couple wireless cameras and 3 laptops. Most of them are dormant or off a large portion of the time so I don't think this is affecting my laptop wireless speeds. After reading the comments here I turned off the wireless on the Actiontec and used a Linksys router wireless plugged into the Actiontec via the ethernet port. I still let the Actiontec handle my DHCP. My speed has been 54 ever since! Before both wireless routers were on and both dropped to 24 regularly. Once I turned wireless off on the Actiontec the Verizon holds a steady high speed all over my house. P2P is still slow but I have not had to reboot on this new router yet. Actiontec and Verizon better come up with something better pretty soon. Nobody is going to pay their rates for Fiber broadband only to get slower wireless networking speeds than they probably had with dialup. And the word is getting out.

Sounds like I am not the only one who has trouble with Verizon and the their router. I just recieved my "new" (third) router today. When I hooked this one up no internet. When I switch back to my trusty Linksys everything works fine.

The first two router keep freezing up. After many hours of trying to reach a Verizon tech support person they always just send another router. I was under the impression you needed their router to update the FiOS TV programming but I am not sure at this point. I think I will just keep the Actiontec router in the box and use my Linksys.

One month past warranty expiration. Need a replacement. Any suggestions?

I have just installed Verizon fios and noticed poor broadband connection. A call to verizon support confirmed that Actiontec router will cut your internet speed by 50%(or more) when using wireless instead of wired. They have suggested to connect my linksys 54G wireless to actiontec router, although they don't officially support such configuration.

A page from the manual indicates up to 91 meters range but I have had a miserable time connecting at about 15 meters. My old Linksys and Siemens both did much better. This is with built-in Atheros in two-year old Toshiba laptop. I wish there were a fix as downloads sometimes come in at the kilobit/sec range.

OK I'm not gonna say that I'm all that knowledgeable, I'm just gonna report my experiences. I am on a very simple network, just me and my two roommates on it, router's in the middle... within 10 ft, 1 wall of each. I get ~1600k occasionally from fast sites (ie microsoft.com, ati etc) As was said P2P is a bugger so far I've only been able to get like 200k and some few connections. It doesn't bug me though... I'm not that demanding, specially when I'm pirating stuff ^_^, on p2p. I am however demanding on tcpip transfers, d/l and u/l alot so... but I ALWAYS get the fastest transfer rates over my peers (also demanding... though they don't typically spend 50 bucks a month on internet...) so I can't complain... oh sure, 95% of the servers out there can't TOUCH my speed but... well, I'm not surprised at your finding of this router's speed. (or the number of p2p connections)

The problems I do have with this router are the constant disconnections! I don't know what it is, but it's like, if I leave my internet alone for 10 minutes it goes down until I reset (the computer, not the router). I changed to a Buffalo router, still fast btw, but the connections kept dropping. Got FIOS TV so I had to put the Actiontec back cuz it need that coax thing, new, more slick looking, revision, but it's still dropping!! It's probably dropped even now... I'm sick of copying to notepad, resetting than going back to the old webpage! GAH!

Anyway other than that (that I can't really blame the router for... but you can't get this router without Verizon service so...) my experience has been a peach! Oh! I heard Verizon blocks port 80 at the server for all residential customers, maybe that's my problem... but it's not completely blocked!

Oh, I use the Westell USB adapter Verizon sold me... it might be that it just likes the chip inside. I ordered a Ralink based usb adapter from newegg a week ago though (the Westy doesn't work in Linux)... Newegg always takes a little over a week to get here (Portland, Oregon) what's up with that???

I'm extremely happy with the FIOS service (no downtime, very fast speed...). I also work for Verizon, so I'm eating my own dogfood, so to speak.

The problem is with the damn Actiontec MI424WR routers...they are POS routers!

I've been a customer of Verizon for about 6 or so months. The first router was fine until it locked up when I was upgrading the firmware. The reason I was upgrading was because I was only getting half of the advertised bandwidth (7-8 megs down), on a wired connection. Swapping out the Actiontec for a Linksys WRT54GS immediately made the Actiontec suspect, as I got my full pipe back with the Linksys. At the time, I was only getting High Speed Internet (no FIOS TV package), but when I added the TV package, the installers noticed I was using a Linksys and I told them that the Actiontec bricked when I was trying to upgrade the POS. They installed a new one (which was needed since the TV programming is piped through the router...via the coax connection in back of the unit...yep...I'll elaborate on this in a bit). They connected the box to the router then connected the coax...the Linksys they left in place as the primary gateway device. It worked great.

Well, the second router was a bit different than the first. Same container, but refreshed (still wasn't the rounded box on the first page of this article, though). It lasted maybe 2 months before it just flatout locked up one day. Since I was only using it as a third tier WLAN device and it was there primarily for the FIOS TV, I hadn't been checking on it. I did notice that the FIOS TV programming stopped showing on our TVs. It took me maybe 5 days before I began to troubleshoot...I thought that maybe Verizon was having technical difficulties. I went to inspect the LAN and the damn thing was hard locked and felt like it was 200 degrees F to the touch, with all the lights locked and unblinking. I've attempted to reset it and plugged it into different outlets but it will not do anything but light up all its lights and get hot.

Two things: yeah, you don't need the Actiontec router if you don't have FIOS TV. Another non-Actiontec router will work fine (and better).

No, you can't deviate from Actiontec if you want FIOS TV programming (and stuff like on-demand movies and such). It will suck worse if you had a Verizon DVR.

And, yeah, even though I'm an employee of Verizon, I still have to call their POS tech support. :/

I've had Verizon for a while now (first DSL for 3 years, now FIOS for 18 mos.). First router I had with DSL was a D-Link DI-614 ...and it was a champ--solid WiFi and LAN throughput. This was the two antenna model, and I had no problems with it.

When Verizon brought Fibre to my street about 18 months ago, I was the first to get it at 15/2Mbps. They gave me the D-Link DI-624 single antenna model. What a piece of junk this router is, but I couldn't use my 614 any longer due to support requirements for FIOS TV. Right off the bat, I had nothing but trouble despite multiple firmware updates (had to use Verizon's FW, not D-Link's because of FIOS TV compatibility). WiFi signal strength bounced up and down like a Mexican jumping bean. I had the DI-624 replaced after 3 months, and no difference in quality...exact same problems, and no it wasn't interference from my wireless phones. I bought a D-Link 7dBi 2.4Ghz extender antenna (model ANT24-0700), which barely helped at all. After a year, even LAN connections started dropping. So I finally said to bloody 'ell with this router and asked for a replacement with the Actiontec MI424WR.

So far so good. Still had some flakey WiFi at first with the stock antenna, but I put the D-Link antenna on, and BAM! solid "Excellent" signal strength throughout the house. So for those of you with this router that have poor WiFi signal quality, you might try getting an extender antenna like this one. The firmware that came with the router is 4.0.16.1.56.0.10.7, and I attempted to upgrade this from the default link:
https://upgrade.actiontec.com/MI424WR/MI424WR.rmt
but I am informed that it is not supported on this hardware version...which tells me this is yet another Verizon proprietary firmware revision. I'm debating finding a way to force the firmware upgrade anyway or not...I REALLY don't like the idea of secret backdoor passowords...I am paranoid by design and have to protect my company's data via the VPN as well.

I used the old Motorola NIM100 (required with the DI-624, but not with the MI424WR) to replace a WiFi connection on a PC that does not have a LAN wall jack nearby but does have a coax connection. It works like a champ.

Side note: I used to have DirectTV via satellite, and I had hoped that going to FIOS would prevent the lost signal during storms...my mistake...Verizon still gets its signal from satellite, albeit a MUCH bigger one than mine, and can lose its signal during storms as well, just not as often as I did. Still, I have had some signal quality issues since going to FIOS...sound loss, pixelated image, etc. FIOS support tells me it is likely the router's fault (DI-624), which I don't quite buy because even with the router disconnected the signal comes through the coax, you just can't get VOD or PPV. We'll see if the new router makes a difference or not.