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CharlesEB's avatar
CharlesEB
Aspirant
May 13, 2025

What to buy for FIOS and other musings

I currently have an ancient Actiontec that I bought 15 years ago for my Verizon FIOS setup that has moved homes a few times. I just got the email from Verizon that they will no longer be supporting the modem/router and we all know that they will blame any service outages on that device.

 

I currently have cable TV/Internet (of course) and a landline. About 6k sqft on three levels. The equipment is located in the basement where my office is. I have cable and ethernet going to most rooms (but not always where I want it)

 

 

  • Cable is managed by TIVO and 6 remote TVs on TIVO Minis (so a MoCA network)
  •  Internet is either hardwired (to two computers) or wifi to 3 others - currently using a EERO mesh (all 3 units hardwired - one on each floor) and an EOL Ubiquiti access point (prior to the EERO) that is still in the ceiling (PoE).
  • Landline is only there because we have an elevator and code requires it. I'm trying to figure out if I can get VOIP to work with it.

Since I need to replace the modem/router, I'm thinking the following:

 

  • Replace the TIVO with a TIVO for antenna and ditch cable (but keep the existing setup with the 6 minis.) Doing something like tablo and a bunch of rokus isn't economical and everyone knows how to use the TIVO - plus each TV basically looks identical to the user.
  • Either keep the EERO mesh or replace it with something else. I can repurpose the EERO at my sister's house and be the hero.
  • Figure out a way to use VOIP for the elevator. As a side note, there is a whole house generator and a UPS connected to the FIOS stuff. My two main ethernet connected TEAMS/ZOOM computers are also on a UPS.

Ideally, that would only have me buying Internet from Verizon FIOS

 

I'm a huge fan of buying stuff that won't be obsolete next week (the actiontec has been fine for 15 years now and I've never once said "I need something faster" - the computer I'm typing this on is about 7 years old, but is an i9 with 64GB of memory)

 

What do I buy as a whole system? It needs to somehow support MoCA. The Ubiquiti AP is in the ceiling on the main level almost dead center and provided great coverage until it died, so a replacement for that would be nice - I wouldn't need the mesh system and wouldn't have a dead spaceship hanging from the ceiling.

 

TL:DR need a modem and router (or modem/router) and an access point or mesh system to cover about 6k sqft on three levels. I think I'd prefer the router to cover the basement and an access point, but the current mesh works (I'd rather have fewer things sitting around)

 

Thoughts on VOIP for the elevator would be appreciated as well and if you have an easier replacement for the TIVO, then I'm all ears - the TIVO for antenna costs about $500, so the integrated TV system for 7 TVs shouldn't cost more than that.

 

I should probably say that I'm sorry for the long post.

 

Thanks

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2 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru
    May 13, 2025
    1. you can buy your own moca adapters. The new 2.5gig ones are pretty fast and decent. Not many higher end routers/systems out there supporting moca
    2. you also, need to find out from verizon if you will be going with an ONT versus one of their gateways. Some require the use of their gateways
    3. You need to figure out if you do need the phone line or not. That'll also change what setup/gateway you need. 
    4. Plenty of wifi 7 systems out there. I like my orbi but there's a bunch of different systems that have more configurable options. I'd take a look at Dong Knows as he's done of bunch of reviews on mesh systems and the best way to build them. YOu have the option of hardwired backhaul and POE backhaul to a spot. So more options. 

    Basically you need to figure out a couple things first. 

    • For sure need phone line or not
    • After that, what gateway you'll get from verizon
    • then start checking into mesh/AP's for coverage
    • CharlesEB's avatar
      CharlesEB
      Aspirant
      May 13, 2025

      Thanks. The existing system has the ONT that the current actiontec plugs into, so I think I'm good there - I just don't know what plugs into their ONT.

       

      Good point about the MoCA adapters. Do I need one at each TIVO mini or do I just need one? 

       

      I'm 99.9999% sure that I don't need a phone line. Verizon is currently charging $100 a month for phone service with new plans - which is where I'd be if I dropped the cable.