I need/want better WiFi.

[RAMd®d]

I'm using Sonic DSL, not particularly fast, 20/1 at best. They can bump it up to 40/1 (maybe /2?) by using the second pair of phone lines. I don't know that'll ever happen and I won't do Comcast.

I've been using the last flat AEBS with a Sonic 831 modem, which died recently. They sent for trial another modem/wireless router which is slower than my AEBS. Actual numbers, I have no clue. As it's available only as a rental, I'm not keeping it. It keeps dropping the connection so there's that. The only good thing is that Siri now works flawlessly.

DSL modems of merit seem to be disappearing, so ended up with a NetGear N750 DR4300 combo for $50 new. I'll try comparing its wireless to my AEBS, but I really dislike delving into router setup. Alchemy.

I can't stream live podcasts very well, unless I keep the image small. They usually then default to lower res and there's some audio/video latency. So I'm thinking a new wireless router is in order.

My latest Mac gear are a 2015 MBR, and a Late 2015 iMac, along with Apple Watches. My phone is a 5s but it's going to be replaced with something from Apple's current or next lineup. Older Mac gear is a 2013 21" iMac, 2012 and 2010 minis, A2 iPad, and iPad Mini 2, and an iPad 3, I think. (I should probably pare down some gear, LOL)

I also have some Hue lights, two Echo Dots, and a TP-Link switch. A HomePod will be in the mix in the not too distant future.

I've played with elevating the AEBS and moving it around, but am limited by the phone jack/Enet connections.

The Asus RT-AC68U at $139 looks pretty good and likely my next router, as I assume the Netgear combo won't make me happy. I've run 5e to the 2012 mini and eventually will connect it to the 2015 iMac. Not much ac kit, but I'd like to have it. The AEBS is n at best.

So I guess my question is— is the Asus a good choice? Mesh isn't in the cards, at least with the eero, Orbi, Google WiFi kit.

[WHiiP]

Obviously, you need a better signal than DSL provides. That's your limitation.

Otherwise, Applr

[max]

An alternative to Comcast is Comcast Business, quite a different story...

[space-time]

max wrote:
An alternative to Comcast is Comcast Business, quite a different story...

tell me more. Please.

[Zoidberg]

space-time wrote:
[quote=max]
An alternative to Comcast is Comcast Business, quite a different story...

tell me more. Please.
Ditto.

[max]

Comcast Business is a separate division, with a completely separate support structure.
At work, after 30 years with them, I got royally screwed by ATT so I went looking for alternatives and although I was very wary of Comcast, after my previous experience with them at home, the switchover was relatively painless. The tech support, adequate, billing reasonable, without surprises.
So I asked if I can use them at my house and so far it has worked out quite well. You may have to declare yourself a small business, I think that is what they did on their own, but so far my experience is quite positive. I am on the third year with them in the business, still the first on the house.....
https://business.comcast.com/landingpage...KNC-GOOGLE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SMB_General_Top_BR_E_West&utm_term=comcast%20business-43700020268338707-VQ16-c-VQ6-191504151272-VQ15-1t1&kw=comcast%20business&ad=191504151272&c=SMB_General_Top_BR_E_West&VQ16-c-VQ6-191504151272-e&ds_kid=43700020268338707&gclid=CIGD5dSGutoCFW2sZQodPg4MtA&gclsrc=ds

[kledo]

How are the costs of Comcast Business vs Comcast residential?

--Kledo

[space-time]

I looked earlier, more expensive than residential but no data caps. They only list one speed for each plan, they do not list upload speed. Should we assume the upload speed is the same as download speed?

[GGD]

I seem to recall hearing a catch-22 about Comcast Business, that once you declare your residence to be a "business", you can't go back to the residential service. Not sure if it's true.

As for the original issues, figure out if this is an internet speed or a WiFi speed issue. What is performance like from a computer connected directly to the DSL modem via Ethernet.

And regular residential Comcast would likely be a speed improvement over DSL, no need to jump to the Business Class as the first step for cable broadband.

[numbered]

Yeah, something is not right. I am a Sonic customer, with their FTTN product wholesaled from uVerse. I see about 22/2 and it is rock solid. Better than the neighbors Comcast of 50. The FTTN requires using the Pace modem/router combo (this is an ATT requirement for FTTN) as a rental. (I would rather go dark than use Comcast.)

I use the Pace for DHCP, but turn off the wireless. I use a couple of routers (TP-Link, Asus, AEBS) in access point/roaming mode.

The 22 down allows for a couple of different streaming sessions at a time (what are you gonna do with kids?) and I see no issues. It also runs a couple of different VOIP services as well as all the other connections to phones, etc.

So I am not sure it is the dsl in your case. (I do intend to get the bonded second pair at some point because the marginal cost is low.)

So, based on my experience I think it is a problem with router/modem mix....