Internet House Setup Wired and WiFi

[BruceThiel]

If I want to use the phone lines to have wired internet in all bedrooms, will I need to have the modem and a splitter in the garage to connect to all the lines? In know there is a WiFi capable CAT6e line from the garage to above the refrigerator so I also assume modem in garage hooks to that line to then have a WiFi router above the refrigerator. There are no phone lines to living room or Lanai so I assume no wired internet to those areas from the garage. So many cable lines but using them usually means separate internet boxes or maybe they are for if you want to choose one room for the modem and Wi Fi router thus using WiFi for all other rooms.
My options appear to be Xfinity or Spectrum. I will stream TV.
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
OMIT CABLE OMIT STANDARD CABLE PREP KITCHEN
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREP: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LIVING ROOM LIVING ROOM
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LANAI LANAI
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
OMIT PHONE OUT. OMIT STANDARD PHONE OUTLET KITCHEN
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD PHONE OUTLT (2) PHONE OUTLETS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
WI FI WIRE PREP CAT6e CABLE FOR FUTURE WIFI ACCESS POINT.
RJ45 CABLE FITTINGS-CAPPED OFF

[retiredguy123]

I don't know if your plan will work, but my question is why do you want wired Internet connections? I have Internet service from Xfinity with download speeds of up to 600 Mbps. The modem/router is connected to a cable outlet in the second bedroom, and I usually get test speeds of between 500 and 600 Mbps using WiFi in any location in the house.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I don’t think phone wire will provide the speeds you want. Just get a new good quality router / modem that will do high speed.

[villagetinker]

I just upgraded the wifi on my computer, and the 5G wifi in my house now shows just under 300meg, wireless.
Just a point of clarification to your plan, you can have the Xfinity cable modem in the house provided you actually have cable to the location. You can also use the properly terminated Cat5 cable to get back to the garage. At the garage you will need to install a router, and the properly terminate the other Cat5 cables. Finally, you will need to replace all of the cover plates for the new Cat 5 outlets and the properly terminated Cat 5 cables. Then you may need to run between your various rooms and the garage to check that this is all workings. I looked at this for a few minutes, and decided wireless is much easier, just my humble opinion.

[biker1]

That "phone wire" is cat6 ethernet cable and is just fine. When it is used for a landline phone, you don't need all 4 pairs. If you put RJ45 connectors on each end then you are fine.

I don’t think phone wire will provide the speeds you want. Just get a new good quality router / modem that will do high speed.

[jrref]

If I want to use the phone lines to have wired internet in all bedrooms, will I need to have the modem and a splitter in the garage to connect to all the lines? In know there is a WiFi capable CAT6e line from the garage to above the refrigerator so I also assume modem in garage hooks to that line to then have a WiFi router above the refrigerator. There are no phone lines to living room or Lanai so I assume no wired internet to those areas from the garage. So many cable lines but using them usually means separate internet boxes or maybe they are for if you want to choose one room for the modem and Wi Fi router thus using WiFi for all other rooms.
My options appear to be Xfinity or Spectrum. I will stream TV.
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
OMIT CABLE OMIT STANDARD CABLE PREP KITCHEN
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREP: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LIVING ROOM LIVING ROOM
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LANAI LANAI
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
OMIT PHONE OUT. OMIT STANDARD PHONE OUTLET KITCHEN
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD PHONE OUTLT (2) PHONE OUTLETS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
WI FI WIRE PREP CAT6e CABLE FOR FUTURE WIFI ACCESS POINT.
RJ45 CABLE FITTINGS-CAPPED OFF

This is a little confusing but something i've thought about.
First, what year was you home built? If it's not brand new it probably has Cat 5E cable which is fine. The fact that you mentioned the blue cables were intended for phone tells me your house is a couple years old like mine.

Anyway, You actually have three options for internet since you are streaming. Xfinity, Spectrum and your house may be wired for fiber. If it is you can get 1GB internet for $65, no taxes from Quantum Fiber.

If you go with cable, as mentioned, you can have the cable company connect the cable modem at any cable connection such as one of the bedrooms where there is also a phone jack is located. These days you get a modem/router/wifi or modem and router/wifi setup from cable. Either way you can connect one port of the router to the phone connection after you re-wire it with an RJ45 jack. Then in the garage find the other end of that Cat5E cable and put an RJ45 connector on it. You then need to get a netgear or any brand hub and install it in the white low voltage box in the garage. Once done, plug in the Cat5E cable to the hub. At this point you can connect any or all of the blue Cat5E connectors to the hub after putting RJ45 plugs on them and on the other ends re-terminate each phone jack with a RJ45 connector. Essentually you are feeding the data connection from the cable router back to the low voltage panel in the garage whrere all the other wires to the other rooms are located. After all this is done you will have wifi and hard wired internet.

The easiest solution in my opinion and what i have done is to get Quantum Fiber at Get Blazing Fast Quantum Fiber Internet for your Home or Business. The tech will trace one of the blue Cat5E wires in the garage to a room of our choice. We choose one of our bedrooms that we are using as an office. Then he will install the wifi enabled router. You should get very good speeds via wifi throughout your home and your done. If you want you can go the next step by getting a Netgear Orbi and one satellite and use it's wifi instead of the wifi in the Quantum Fiber router. The advantage is with the Orbi setup with the satellite it will give you almost 100% full speed wifi coverage because you have two wifi devices that you can install on either end of your home which look like one to all your devices. You will have to turn off the Quantum Fiber wifi to make this work but it's simple but for most people you shouldn't need this "extra step" setup unless you want the absolute best coverage and speeds for gaming for example. The wifi should be more than enough to satisify all your streaming needs.

Hope this helps.
You can PM me if you have any questions.

[jrref]

[QUOTE=jrref;2028001]Duplicate

[biker1]

As per the Quantum rep, there is no “price for life”. Also, there is no indication of such on their webpage and the small print indicates that the price can change. “One price for life” was a CenturyLink deal, which I still have.


This is a little confusing but something i've thought about.
First, what year was you home built? If it's not brand new it probably has Cat 5E cable which is fine. The fact that you mentioned the blue cables were intended for phone tells me your house is a couple years old like mine.

Anyway, You actually have three options for internet since you are streaming. Xfinity, Spectrum and your house may be wired for fiber. If it is you can get 1GB internet for $65 for life, no taxes from Quantum Fiber.

If you go with cable, as mentioned, you can have the cable company connect the cable modem at any cable connection such as one of the bedrooms where there is also a phone jack is located. These days you get a modem/router/wifi or modem and router/wifi setup from cable. Either way you can connect one port of the router to the phone connection after you re-wire it with an RJ45 jack. Then in the garage find the other end of that Cat5E cable and put an RJ45 connector on it. You then need to get a netgear or any brand hub and install it in the white low voltage box in the garage. Once done, plug in the Cat5E cable to the hub. At this point you can connect any or all of the blue Cat5E connectors to the hub after putting RJ45 plugs on them and on the other ends re-terminate each phone jack with a RJ45 connector. Essentually you are feeding the data connection from the cable router back to the low voltage panel in the garage whrere all the other wires to the other rooms are located. After all this is done you will have wifi and hard wired internet.

The easiest solution in my opinion and what i have done is to get Quantum Fiber at Get Blazing Fast Quantum Fiber Internet for your Home or Business. The tech will trace one of the blue Cat5E wires in the garage to a room of our choice. We choose one of our bedrooms that we are using as an office. Then he will install the wifi enabled router. You should get very good speeds via wifi throughout your home and your done. If you want you can go the next step by getting a Netgear Orbi and one satellite and use it's wifi instead of the wifi in the Quantum Fiber router. The advantage is with the Orbi setup with the satellite it will give you almost 100% full speed wifi coverage because you have two wifi devices that you can install on either end of your home which look like one to all your devices. You will have to turn off the Quantum Fiber wifi to make this work but it's simple but for most people you shouldn't need this "extra step" setup unless you want the absolute best coverage and speeds for gaming for example. The wifi should be more than enough to satisify all your streaming needs.

Hope this helps.
You can PM me if you have any questions.

[biker1]

Assuming I am correctly interpreting what you want to do, yes you probably can. Since you indicated Xfinity or Spectrum, the signal will come in via coax cable. Position you modem/router in a central location with access to both coax (for the incoming signal) and cat6. Run a patch cable from a port on your router to the cat5 jack going back to your low voltage panel. Put an ethernet switch in your low voltage panel and you can connect the cat5 cables going to other rooms. You will need to add RJ-45 connections on both ends. This approach would not work with CenturyLink/Quantum with fiber since the signal from the ONT uses a cat5 cable to where you place your router. While you could put the router in the low voltage panel you would probably have bad Wi-Fi to the rest of your house. My suggestion would be to ditch the idea of having wired connections and use Wi-Fi only. Position your modem/router in a central location, as much as the location of the coax outlets allow.


If I want to use the phone lines to have wired internet in all bedrooms, will I need to have the modem and a splitter in the garage to connect to all the lines? In know there is a WiFi capable CAT6e line from the garage to above the refrigerator so I also assume modem in garage hooks to that line to then have a WiFi router above the refrigerator. There are no phone lines to living room or Lanai so I assume no wired internet to those areas from the garage. So many cable lines but using them usually means separate internet boxes or maybe they are for if you want to choose one room for the modem and Wi Fi router thus using WiFi for all other rooms.
My options appear to be Xfinity or Spectrum. I will stream TV.
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
OMIT CABLE OMIT STANDARD CABLE PREP KITCHEN
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREP: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LIVING ROOM LIVING ROOM
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LANAI LANAI
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
OMIT PHONE OUT. OMIT STANDARD PHONE OUTLET KITCHEN
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD PHONE OUTLT (2) PHONE OUTLETS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
WI FI WIRE PREP CAT6e CABLE FOR FUTURE WIFI ACCESS POINT.
RJ45 CABLE FITTINGS-CAPPED OFF

[jrref]

As per the Quantum rep, there is no “price for life”. Also, there is no indication of such on their webpage and the small print indicates that the price can change. “One price for life” was a CenturyLink deal, which I still have.

Thanks for the correction. I updated my post.

Best i know for 1GB bi-directional internet Quantum Fiber is probably the cheapest right now and no taxes or fees. Just $65/month Fiber to your home. The router they provide is a very good one with the latest wifi, good range and should cover the whole house. I had Spectrum and was paying $110/month for the same download speed.

Also just for completeness, you can get a Netgear router and configure it to work with Quantum Fiber without their router and install it in the white low voltage cabinet in the garage, connect your blue Cat5E cables from your rooms to the router then in one of the connected rooms install and connect a wifi access point.

But again, i agree, these days with newer wifi devices there are very few reasons to spend the time and effort for hard wired internet unless you are a hard core gamer for example in my opinion.

[biker1]

Yes, that is good idea.

Thanks for the correction. I updated my post.

Best i know for 1GB bi-directional internet Quantum Fiber is probably the cheapest right now and no taxes or fees. Just $65/month Fiber to your home. The router they provide is a very good one with the latest wifi, good range and should cover the whole house. I had Spectrum and was paying $110/month for the same download speed.

Also just for completeness, you can get a Netgear router and configure it to work with Quantum Fiber without their router and install it in the white low voltage cabinet in the garage, connect your blue Cat5E cables from your rooms to the router then in one of the connected rooms install and connect a wifi access point.

But again, i agree, these days with newer wifi devices there are very few reasons to spend the time and effort for hard wired internet unless you are a hard core gamer for example in my opinion.

[Garywt]

For me that sounds like a lot of work but for others it is probably a lot of fun. We have our box plugged in on the kitchen bar to the cable connection and it cover the house with wifi. We have 2 wireless cable boxes and one hard wires. Works great. I know this is not what you want but we do not have any issues with the setup.

[BruceThiel]

The home was built in October of 2020.
I did not mention blue wire.
I did not know that fiber may be an option. It is very difficult to get information form the builder or "The Villages" on what internet options are available. I have been wodering why the new home are not listing that Fiber is available.
It seems best to just count on a good WiFi system then. I was just concerned about speed reduction over WiFi. I suppose if you buy high enough speed, the problem is not a problem.
Bruce

[rsmurano]

It’s always better to have a wired connection if possible. I use multiple routers/switches in my house to provide the best connection possible in every room I need it.
I have the tools to terminate catX cables so all the cat6 wire they used for phone lines I converted them to rj45 connectors and changed out the phone plates in the rooms.
You can place the modem/router in a central location and still not get good a wifi signal in the garage/back bedroom/lanai. That’s why I use a switch in the white network box so I can hook up other routers around the house by wire to get the best performance. I get max speed I’m paying for in each area of my house because each router is hooked up by a cat6 cable whereas if you hook up a 2nd router by wifi, the best performance you will get from this 2nd router will be degraded to the speed of wifi to the router, let’s just say 1/2 or even less speed than a wired router will get you.
My whole house is automated and needs wifi to my grill outside to my wifi irrigation system in the garage, 2 of the hardest places for wifi to get too.
I did hook up another router above my kitchen cabinets with the cat 6 cable above the refrigerator, this gives me a good wifi signal for my open areas but not in the back bedrooms.

[Pachine58]

Or you can port the number to google voice, which is free. Then set up an obi box OBiTALK (https://www.obitalk.com/obinet/). Get wireless phones for each room you want a phone in. Done.

If you want 911 on phones get punch alert 911+ | PunchAlert (https://punchalert.com/911plus/)

One time charge for equipment. Free afterwards because you just set up the same VOIP phone system the cable company charges you 30-40 a month for.

Phones calls take very little bandwidth. Been using this setup for over 10 years with no issues. Best part it’s portable, you move it moves with you ..plug and play.

Cable company routers are the best to use with their service. Off the shelf store routers can cause slowness, in my experience.

[Wildc4ga]

Bruce,

You do not need wired LAN connections throughout your home. Have your internet service provider supply you with a cable modem that has wi-fi, then, connect your TV streaming devices and everything else to it. Today’s wireless networks are far superior to anything you might be able to achieve with phone lines.

If I want to use the phone lines to have wired internet in all bedrooms, will I need to have the modem and a splitter in the garage to connect to all the lines? In know there is a WiFi capable CAT6e line from the garage to above the refrigerator so I also assume modem in garage hooks to that line to then have a WiFi router above the refrigerator. There are no phone lines to living room or Lanai so I assume no wired internet to those areas from the garage. So many cable lines but using them usually means separate internet boxes or maybe they are for if you want to choose one room for the modem and Wi Fi router thus using WiFi for all other rooms.
My options appear to be Xfinity or Spectrum. I will stream TV.
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
OMIT CABLE OMIT STANDARD CABLE PREP KITCHEN
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREP: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LIVING ROOM LIVING ROOM
STD CABLE PREP CABLE PREPS: LANAI LANAI
STD CABLE PREP (2) CABLE PREPS: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
OMIT PHONE OUT. OMIT STANDARD PHONE OUTLET KITCHEN
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: MASTER BEDROOM MASTER BEDROOM
STD PHONE OUTLT PHONE OUTLET: BEDROOM-2 BEDROOM #2
STD PHONE OUTLT (2) PHONE OUTLETS: BEDROOM-3 BEDROOM #3
WI FI WIRE PREP CAT6e CABLE FOR FUTURE WIFI ACCESS POINT.
RJ45 CABLE FITTINGS-CAPPED OFF

[oneclickplus]

That "phone wire" is cat6 ethernet cable and is just fine. When it is used for a landline phone, you don't need all 4 pairs. If you put RJ45 connectors on each end then you are fine.

You DO need all 4 pairs if you want a gigabit connection. 2 pairs will only get you 100Mbps. Of course, you also need to have all gigabit equipment including switches (what was apparently called a "splitter" by the OP).

[biker1]

I have always connected all 4 pairs when I have installed RJ45 jacks. To do otherwise would be inane. Yes, the OP meant a switch.

You DO need all 4 pairs if you want a gigabit connection. 2 pairs will only get you 100Mbps. Of course, you also need to have all gigabit equipment including switches (what was apparently called a "splitter" by the OP).

[sasman29]

I am going to do same.
Put gigabit switch in low voltage cab in garage.
Run Xfinity Coax from low voltage to above fridge.
Put modem/router over fridge (too hot for router in garage)
Use existing Cat6 from above fridge back to low voltage in garage and plug into gigabit switch.
Then cap and connect all your Cat5 phone lines as Ethernet rather than phone. -- need 3 pairs.
I will let you know if it works.

[jrref]

The home was built in October of 2020.
I did not mention blue wire.
I did not know that fiber may be an option. It is very difficult to get information form the builder or "The Villages" on what internet options are available. I have been wodering why the new home are not listing that Fiber is available.
It seems best to just count on a good WiFi system then. I was just concerned about speed reduction over WiFi. I suppose if you buy high enough speed, the problem is not a problem.
Bruce

Bruce, The color of the wire is not important. Unless you are running speeds greater than 2.5 Mbs, Cat5E or Cat6 is irrevalent since they will both work the same. Currently there are no internet providers serving the Villages with speeds over 1 Mbs.

As far as if your house has fiber, the best way to find out is to go to Get Blazing Fast Quantum Fiber Internet for your Home or Business (http://www.quantumfiber.com), try to sign up and put in your address. If the result is there is no fiber then I would walk around your house and see if you see a black looking wire coming out of the ground near the electric meter or some box on the side of the house that says CenturyLink or fiber or something like that. If you don't and none of your neighbors have it then you have to use one of the cable companies. I was a little surprised as well that the Villages doesn't use the fiber connection as a selling point but it's probably to keep the cable companies happy. I used to work at Verizon and we had FiOS fiber so i knew what this was where most people in the Villages probably have no idea. I know my neighbors didn't lol. Once i got the fiber internet many of my neighbors here in Osceola Hills switched to Quantum Fiber without a problem.

As for the cable companies, I had Spectrum and their wifi router is fine and will cover your whole house without a problem. Yes the further away you are from the Wifi router the more speed reduction you will see but even at the furthest point it should be fast enough for anything you will probably need.

Hope this helps.