Will upgrading my gateway/router improve my signal strength?

artchik · ‎04-10-2012

I have a 2Wire 1701HG Gatewayfor our DSL service that was installed in early 2006. It has been problem-free all this time, but I wanted to look into extending the range of my signal, as we have a rather sprawling ranch house and the computer room/gateway is in a far corner. The wireless signal does not reach to the other end of the house. We just installed a patio and I'd like to be able to surf the net out there.

I have tried searching these forums but cannot find an answer directly to this question. It appears that 3rd party "repeaters" or "extenders" might not "play nicely" with the 2Wire equipment, and I did not see any AT&T authorized extenders for sale in their shop. However, I am thinking that if I upgrade the gateway to a newer model, the signal strength might improve? Is this possible, or am I stuck with whatever signal strength I've got no matter what kind of modem/router I use?

ryc22 · ‎11-17-2011

I have similar issue (2Wire i38HG). I need an extender so I can use my iPad in my bedroom (there is no signal in the back of the house).

Computer-Joe · ‎09-19-2008

artchik wrote:
I have a 2Wire 1701HG Gatewayfor our DSL service that was installed in early 2006. It has been problem-free all this time, but I wanted to look into extending the range of my signal, as we have a rather sprawling ranch house and the computer room/gateway is in a far corner. The wireless signal does not reach to the other end of the house. We just installed a patio and I'd like to be able to surf the net out there.

I have tried searching these forums but cannot find an answer directly to this question. It appears that 3rd party "repeaters" or "extenders" might not "play nicely" with the 2Wire equipment, and I did not see any AT&T authorized extenders for sale in their shop. However, I am thinking that if I upgrade the gateway to a newer model, the signal strength might improve? Is this possible, or am I stuck with whatever signal strength I've got no matter what kind of modem/router I use?

If all your computers/devices are connecting to the gateway wirelessly, you should be able to relocate the Gateway to a more centralized location in your home as long as there is a phone jack available for the gateway. Other than that, I would say to get yourself a decent wireless router and set it up on the oposite end of the house from the gateway, but you would have to run an ethernet cable between the gateway and the new router.

__________________________________________________________
How can you be in two places at once, when your not anywhere at all?
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I really want to become a procrastinator, but I keep putting it off.
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There are three kinds of people, those that can count, and those that can't.
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“Our great democracies still tend to think that a stupid man is more likely to be honest than a clever man, and our politicians take advantage of this prejudice by pretending to be even more stupid than nature has made them." :Bertrand Russell

artchik · ‎04-10-2012

Thanks for the quick reply Computer_Joe, however my gateway is hardwired to the PC so I cannot move it. I really need an extender that will connect wirelessly because I would not be able to easily run ethernet cable from one end of the house to the other.

Will upgrading my gateway to a newer one improve the signal? Forgive me if that is a stupid question. I am not experienced in wireless networking.

Computer-Joe · ‎09-19-2008

artchik wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply Computer_Joe, however my gateway is hardwired to the PC so I cannot move it. I really need an extender that will connect wirelessly because I would not be able to easily run ethernet cable from one end of the house to the other.

Will upgrading my gateway to a newer one improve the signal? Forgive me if that is a stupid question. I am not experienced in wireless networking.

Not sure how handy you are but, in a ranch, if your basement is unfinished or has easy access (suspended cieling) to the floor joists of main floor, it would not take much to run an ethernet cable to the other end of your home. You can also run it through your attic space fairly easily, if that is unfinished.

As far as replacing the gateway, the newer models should have better wireless. The Pace 4111N should work for you and I believe has the most advanced wireless of all the gateways available from AT&T. http://www.att.com/equipment/accessory-details/?q_categoryid=cat2020062&q_sku=sku5520238&q_manufactu...=

__________________________________________________________
How can you be in two places at once, when your not anywhere at all?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I really want to become a procrastinator, but I keep putting it off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are three kinds of people, those that can count, and those that can't.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Our great democracies still tend to think that a stupid man is more likely to be honest than a clever man, and our politicians take advantage of this prejudice by pretending to be even more stupid than nature has made them." :Bertrand Russell

artchik · ‎04-10-2012

An update: I finally got so sick of the weak signal issue I went into Best Buy and picked up a wireless range extender just to see if it would work. In less than an hour, I had a strongsignal available out on the patio.

I used a Netgear WN2500RP and it works great.

anaboardmanhsue · ‎08-26-2012

if you don't mind me asking, how did you set this one up.
I tried and I see the signal when connecting it does not work, it tells me limited access.
Thank you!

artchik · ‎04-10-2012

I am sorry that you are having problems with the installation. I am not an expert at this sort of thing, so I cannot say why you might be having problems. I installed my range extender in a second floor location that was on the edge of the signal's range. The extender picked up my wifi signal immediately, and I used the web access page as described in the instructions to enter security codes for the 2 new channels the extender created. These new channels were recognized by my mobile devices as easily as the original wifi signal. I wish I had some suggestions for you to try to resolve your issues. Maybe someone better versed in these devices can chime in. Good luck!

Krillz · ‎04-27-2012

I would advise for you to contact customer support and speak with a tech specialist or you can also go to att tech support live chat available 24hrs a day.

Krillz · ‎04-27-2012

I have a friend that purchased a high gained antenna and he said it works perfect. However I would advise for you to contact tech support to see if they have any suggestions. There are also suggestions on websites how to improve signal strength as well.