| [DSL] Can Westell 327W dsl wireless router still be used? I've seen references here to Frontier forcing upgrades to Netgear/Westell 7550, but can't figure out if and when such an upgrade is necessary. Also I can't find the router for sale anywhere - does Frontier have an exclusive deal or what? That would be a huge hit financially if I have to "rent" it from them.
I still have my original ancient Verizon Westell VersaLink 327W dsl wireless router hooked up to my macs (one in OS 9/OS 10.2.8 and the other in OS 10.4.11/10.6.8 if both are hooked up to dsl, sometimes one is connected to cable) with no problems at all for internet. I'm the only human in the house. For the past year, I've been using the wifi connection through the dsl router for my iPhone (didn't do anything special, it just appeared, hadn't thought about what the wireless in the name of the modem router meant before...). That works fine in my small house, signal dies off past the porch but penetrates everywhere within the house upstairs and downstairs.
But Frontier seems to be peddling a wireless connection as an extra $15 or so per month! Their latest "upgrade today, save all year [sic]" postcard says "Call to upgrade you [sic] soon-to-be-obsolete internet modem. Upgrade so you can use all your wireless enabled devices throughout your home. Plus you'll receive 24/7 tech support." They talk about modem rental in their material but don't actually mention the model. (I have Comcast cable also and Comcast has a big list of suitable modems we can purchase.) I only picked up the model number 7550 here on this forum. I certainly don't want to rent a modem/router since they last for many years in my experience. The rental would end up being an extremely expensive modem very quickly, and I don't even have a car to wheel over to the local office to exchange anything. I want to buy my own. I don't depend on Frontier for tech support because they are useless - takes multiple tries with different customer service people and an hour waiting on the phone each time just to get their billing problems sorted out. I don't expect them to know anything technical because they don't, and don't want to pay for non-existent "24/7 tech support". I can install my own modem, thank you very much.
So what are they planning to do that will kill my nice, simple little setup with my old Westell 327W that works fine? And how do I actually buy a 7550 on my own if that's actually needed? Please don't tell me to call Frontier, that's always been such a lost cause. Really, their phone reps don't know anything. Worse, they know wrong things ... |
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| I've been receiving their postcards telling me to "upgrade" my "obsolete" modem, and save money for some time. I'm guessing it is a ploy to get people in my area (fmr. Verizon and haven't been charged for modem rentals -- yet) to volunteer to pay them rental fees for modems & routers in perpetuity.
I already have brand new, modern/up to date equipment that I own; so I'm not going to volunteer to take their "offer".
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| said by Me101011:I already have brand new, modern/up to date equipment that I own; so I'm not going to volunteer to take their "offer".
What modem/router do you use successfully with Frontier? They don't give us any information at all about equipment, apparently it's a company secret... |
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| reply to jwoolman
I have also been receiving postcards to upgrade my modem. My modem is new. I agree that it's just a ploy to get you to upgrade and pay their modem fee. I use an Actiontec GT784WN modem/router combo and have had no trouble with it. They obviously have no idea that this modem is new and am just trying to get me to "upgrade" so that they can charge their modem fee. Can they actually tell what modem you're using? |
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| reply to jwoolman
Present set up is a Netgear DM111PSP DSL modem/router. It's bridged to a Netgear wireless N gigabit router).
The DM111 self-configured very quickly/easily and I was connected to Frontier in no time at all. No "walled garden" either. My old (Verizon) Westell 6100 and an old Actiontec still work fine - too.
I suppose Frontier could force it's customers to use proprietary hardware - but they'll never convince me that it's an "upgrade", or that I'll save $0.01. I like it when I can go grab what I need off the shelf at a local store, and as long as the DSL connection to my home is up, I can be back online in minutes - instead of talking to tech support. |
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| Customers who are capable of configuring their own modems should and can purchase any modem they please, the problem is people that cannot will not get tech support if they buy a third party modem.
You can use the 327W and only benefit to upgrade to the 7550 is the N wireless, which you could add by bridging the Westell and adding a N 3rd party router
Also I believe their was a firmware push and Walled garden no longer comes up on any of the modems. |
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 NormanSPremium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
kudos:9
 ·SONIC.NET
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| reply to jwoolman
said by jwoolman:Also I can't find the router for sale anywhere - does Frontier have an exclusive deal or what?
It looks like AT&T is also starting to issue them; probably with custom firmware to there specifications.
--
Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum |
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