[sthbnd]

I am purchasing a new home in WellPoint in 2 weeks (3/4/25) and have been voraciously reading lots of relevant threads here in search of answers to the usual questions when one moves. I’ve found lots of very helpful info too.
It seems, based on other “centric” threads that my lovely new home is prewired, connected, and already live - just waiting for me to arrive and connect. That is beyond awesome since all of my experience has been with Comcast….one of the most reviled companies on the planet. They have a monopoly where I currently live and are well deserving of their poor reputation.
Here’s my questions:
1. Is the centric fiber network Wi-Fi only? I have 2 iPhones, 1 older iPad, an older Netgear Nighthawk router along with an older HP desktop and a Brother bw printer. I have 1 newer Sony Bravia smart tv Wi-Fi capable. The desktop is not wifi compatible and must be hardwired. That said, it’ll be replaced soon with a new dell windows based laptop.
2. From reading the centric threads, I’m a bit confused. It sounds like there are connection ports in all rooms but not finished? Ends need to be terminated?
3. I’m open to upgrading router if needed. I’d like to have the capability, if possible and not over the top cost-wise, to continue to use hardwired desktop for another year. However, I can purchase laptop if that’s the easiest solution. I use Bitdefender and VPN on all devices as well.

Any/all suggestions, info appreciated. I’m a one and done kinda guy and would prefer the centric tech resolve these issues and setup my system right the first time. I may also use the centric tv package although that’s dependent on if their channel guide offers trutv so I can watch Motogp.

Thanks
Steve

[jrref]

Originally Posted by sthbnd

I am purchasing a new home in WellPoint in 2 weeks (3/4/25) and have been voraciously reading lots of relevant threads here in search of answers to the usual questions when one moves. I’ve found lots of very helpful info too.
It seems, based on other “centric” threads that my lovely new home is prewired, connected, and already live - just waiting for me to arrive and connect. That is beyond awesome since all of my experience has been with Comcast….one of the most reviled companies on the planet. They have a monopoly where I currently live and are well deserving of their poor reputation.
Here’s my questions:
1. Is the centric fiber network Wi-Fi only? I have 2 iPhones, 1 older iPad, an older Netgear Nighthawk router along with an older HP desktop and a Brother bw printer. I have 1 newer Sony Bravia smart tv Wi-Fi capable. The desktop is not wifi compatible and must be hardwired. That said, it’ll be replaced soon with a new dell windows based laptop.
2. From reading the centric threads, I’m a bit confused. It sounds like there are connection ports in all rooms but not finished? Ends need to be terminated?
3. I’m open to upgrading router if needed. I’d like to have the capability, if possible and not over the top cost-wise, to continue to use hardwired desktop for another year. However, I can purchase laptop if that’s the easiest solution. I use Bitdefender and VPN on all devices as well.

Any/all suggestions, info appreciated. I’m a one and done kinda guy and would prefer the centric tech resolve these issues and setup my system right the first time. I may also use the centric tv package although that’s dependent on if their channel guide offers trutv so I can watch Motogp.

Thanks
Steve

From what I know, it’s all Wi-Fi unless you’ve paid extra to terminate all the connections in the data cabinet so that you have hardwire to the rest of the house. I know centric will do this for you if you pay them extra if you don’t want to use them reach out to me I’d be happy to come over and set it up for you. John

[sthbnd]

Originally Posted by jrref

From what I know, it’s all Wi-Fi unless you’ve paid extra to terminate all the connections in the data cabinet so that you have hardwire to the rest of the house. I know centric will do this for you if you pay them extra if you don’t want to use them reach out to me I’d be happy to come over and set it up for you. John

Thanks John! I really appreciate the offer and I will absolutely take you up on it if I get stuck. I’m thinking one possibly 2 hardwired outlets only as everything else is WiFi. I’ll have the Centric tech do it but if cost is unreasonable or I have other questions (& I will and already have lots) I’ll reach out. Expect a ping from me sometime in March for suggestions re:tv channel packages and other issues 🤓👍
Thank you

[jrref]

No worries, glad to help. I have all the connectors and tools and test equipment. I've been helping friends and neighbors in the Villages for a while now.

The problem with Centric is, if you didn't get the "Smart Home" package, you will need a small hub in the data cabinet in the garage in order to activate other outlets in your home. They usually chage about $100 plus labor to install this. I can tell you which switch to get on Amazon at half the price and connect it up for you.

Here is something else to consider.

Centric's work vs my work.

[sthbnd]

That’s awesome, I’m sold. I’ve read a bunch of threads re:centric and network issues and your name is often mentioned. Your reputation precedes you! 👍
I’m scheduled to close on the new house in WellPoint on 3/4/25. The delivery window for the moving truck to arrive is 3/5 thru 3/15, although I’m guessing earlier rather than the later. I don’t need to wait for furniture to arrive so how can I contact you after 3/4 and we can schedule a day/time you can come over and tell me what I need, etc…and hook it all up once I get it?
Thank you for the kind offer!
Steve

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by jrref

No worries, glad to help. I have all the connectors and tools and test equipment. I've been helping friends and neighbors in the Villages for a while now.

The problem with Centric is, if you didn't get the "Smart Home" package, you will need a small hub in the data cabinet in the garage in order to activate other outlets in your home. They usually chage about $100 plus labor to install this. I can tell you which switch to get on Amazon at half the price and connect it up for you.

Here is something else to consider.

Centric's work vs my work.

That's the cleanest low voltage box I've ever seen. I see the fans, do you keep the door open all the time?

[smurphy]

For your desktop, why not just buy a USB wifi connector/adapter. You just plug it into an available port and it is like have built in wifi. The come starting at $20 and up. To future proof you purchase, make sure it is wifi 6 or above. When you get your replacement desktop, just move the adapter to the new machine if is doesn't have built in wifi.

The beauty of this type of setup is you can put your desktop any where which is convenient.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

That's the cleanest low voltage box I've ever seen. I see the fans, do you keep the door open all the time?

I keep the low voltage box door closed. I have the fan on the bottom sucking air in and the one on the top blowing out. I use the fans to keep air moving during the summer months when it get's very hot in the garage. They are inexpensive but are ball bearing fans good for many years of continuous use. I also have a temperature sensor connected to my home automation system to alert me if the temperature gets too hot. I have a fan blowing up on my orbi router as well.

I wish I had the larger box that's now being installed in the new homes down south. I could change my box but it's too much work.

I also have a battery backup in there so when we get those short outages during the summer months my internet stays on-line. The box in the center is my Rachio Irrigation Controller and the box at the top is the Quantum Fiber Smart/Nid/Router in Network Bypass Mode because I'm using the Orbi Router.

I have kind of a unique setup where I have the Orbi router in the garage. It's there feeding my office via hardwired Ethernet that came with the house and its connected wireless to my Orbi Satellite in my livingroom which feeds all my network equipment in my home theater. Unfortumately, when my houes was built there was no ethernet installed in the livingroom by the TV, only Coax. The Orbi 971 I have has a wireless backhaul system where when testing, I was able to get about 8Gbs over that link from my desktop computer as a server in my office. Just wanted to see how much data the Cat5E cable and the wireless backhaul would run at. I don't need all this bandwidth except for my NAS which I stream some video's from but it's fun to set it all up. Who knows what the future holds.

Here is a picture of the whole system with my Orbi router above the cabinet and my whole house surge protector. Eventhough I'm not using cable, I have a surge protector on that as well just in case it gets an induced surge, I don't want it jumping to stuff in my cabinet. Yes, it's nice enough to take a picture of lol!

[ResQme]

Centric does not terminate your Cat-6 cables unless you purchase their switch. I had to purchase their Netgear 5-port switch for $150, even though I had my own faster 2.5GB 8-port switch, just so that they would terminate the cables. In the end, it was worth the $150 (to me) to have my cables terminated (I had contacted other companies to terminate my cables and they weren't cheaper.) I just ended up removing the switch they installed and putting in mine.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by ResQme

Centric does not terminate your Cat-6 cables unless you purchase their switch. I had to purchase their Netgear 5-port switch for $150, even though I had my own faster 2.5GB 8-port switch, just so that they would terminate the cables. In the end, it was worth the $150 (to me) to have my cables terminated (I had contacted other companies to terminate my cables and they weren't cheaper.) I just ended up removing the switch they installed and putting in mine.

Right, I think I saw your post a while back. You did the right thing by installing your own switch which is probably a lot better and more future proof than the one Centric provides. You are lucky to have Centric fiber down south and it's a good company but they have overhead which is why they charge that amount to do a simple wiring job.

I don't have a business but I'm an electrical engineer who worked at Verizon for 30 years and have been helping my friends and neighbors here in the Villages. I have all the tools and parts to make cables. I use cat6 RJ45 connectors and wall jacks if you need them. I have the test equipment to test every cable and connection I make to insure it's perfect. I also "straighten-out" the low voltage data cabinets if needed so if anyone you know needs my services/help, please reach out to me.

[sthbnd]

I want to thank John and everyone who replied with offers of help and/or suggestions. Thanks SSMurphy for the usb Wi-Fi adapter idea 👍.
I’m pointing the SUV southbound out of southern NJ on 2/27 to my destination in Florida where I’ll have an awesome state of the art Wi-Fi network thanks to your help!
Regards
Steve

[sthbnd]

3/19/25
John came over today and connected hardwire to router and then to switch and then to bedroom outlet. He put plug ends on wires, mounted switch in Centric panel in garage, and thoroughly tested everything. As a former Quality Manager, I approve. Thank you John.

[ResQme]

Originally Posted by jrref

Right, I think I saw your post a while back. You did the right thing by installing your own switch which is probably a lot better and more future proof than the one Centric provides. You are lucky to have Centric fiber down south and it's a good company but they have overhead which is why they charge that amount to do a simple wiring job.

I don't have a business but I'm an electrical engineer who worked at Verizon for 30 years and have been helping my friends and neighbors here in the Villages. I have all the tools and parts to make cables. I use cat6 RJ45 connectors and wall jacks if you need them. I have the test equipment to test every cable and connection I make to insure it's perfect. I also "straighten-out" the low voltage data cabinets if needed so if anyone you know needs my services/help, please reach out to me.

Sorry I just read this reply just now. You're awesome and kind for helping others! I may contact you in the future for hardware help (I'm a software guy and my hardware work is always ugly.)

I also worked for Verizon (Wireless) IT in their headquarters building in Rockland county a long time ago. I resigned when I moved down to FL. (after I handed in my resignation, my boss said I should've let them know I wanted to move down to FL; he would've let me "work from home") Oh well. VZW was a decent company to work for. I work for Lockheed Martin now, which is also another awesome company to work for.

[sthbnd]

I forgot to add…John suggested I purchase the Netgear switch from Amazon, which I did, at a cost of $14, which John installed.
Great setup.

[Killarneytime]

I am late to the game so sorry. Also brand new to this site so hopefully I am following protocol! I love the cleanliness of that setup! Here is my question - I had the TV/Cat6 wired in living room and to Lanai. (Down in Eastport area) When I moved in nothing was terminated in garage so I did that and put in a switch. Here is my question for any experts out there - I have four other unterminated (actually I terminated all of them in garage) Cat6 cables that all go into attic and run to center before spreading out. I just can't get into middle of attic to visually see what walls they spider into. I want hardwire EN into my office. I am assuming that those cables are somewhere behind walls. Any thoughts on how to find them? Toning it didn't work but then again I purchased a Klein tool (sub$100) to try it. Or do I take a guess on where the TV may have been terminated and start punching holes? I am not sure I want to pay over $200 to find a cable behind a wall. Open to thoughts. Thanks