Should I go Wireless?

Hi,
I have been a MTNL BB user since 2004 and currently am on DSL_ULTD_888 plan. Now due to various problems (https://broadband.forum/mtnl-broadband/56922-frequent-disconnection-adsl-blinking-issue/21/#post542606) in getting stable connection on wired network, I am thinking of going Wifi way. Let me explain why?

I have my Desktop in my bedroom and the telephone line comes in thru hall->kitchen->bedroom and there is splitted in my br from which one line goes to my ADSL (using T-KD modem) and the other from BR to Hall where my phone line is kept. The entire wire line is concealled via those plastic strips and not inside any wall. Now, currently I am facing problem of constant disconnection and the lineman obviously says it is your problem, line wire must have got cut somewhere and since the wire is concealled they have to rip open the plastic strips to see which will obviously spoil the wall paint etc. Plus they will again ask for money to install new wires.
So I thought, let me keep go for Wifi modem from MTNL, which will remain in my Hall via a wire from MTNL thereby limiting how much line breakage can happen over a period of time and then using a Wifi Card in my Desktop, connect to it. Now my questions:
1. Do you guys see by exp. any problems in this setup? Electrical equipment disturbance? Connectivity Issue?
2. Will I get lower speeds than Wired ones?
3. My flat is 800 sq ft so will Wifi card in BR be able to connect to Wifi modem/router?
4. Which modem/router from MTNL and which Wifi Addone card should I go for? Any recommendations?
5. I run linux, any tips on configuration and security?
6. Anything else you might want to share from those using Wifi Modem/Router from MTNL BB?

Thanks for the help.
Regards.

Firstly make sure the line problem is in the line inside your house. If the problem is in the line coming from the exchange to your place, going wifi won't solve it.1) No, there won't be no such issues. Sometimes cordless phones and other phones can interfere slightly with wifi signals but that is rare.2) Not unless you internet speed is more than 15-20mbits.3) Depends on the location of the router. I'd say get an Wifi N based router and card. Higher speeds/better range.4) I'd suggest buy your own one. MTNL provides pretty crappy ones.5) None for your PC as such, but for the network, keep it WPA2 encrypted with a good long random password(you don't have to enter it every time). For additional security you can do Mac-ID binding so only devices you allow can access the network and keep the network hidden(don't beam the SSID).

Haha, u have exactly same problem as I am facing from past 1 month.

Disconnections due to internal wiring. Its been 10 years that internal wiring was done and telephone wire goes along with electric wire.

Line at home entrance is very very quiet but line in going in modem gets lots of disturbance.

So telephone line man said there is some problem in internal wiring and asked me to get it checked OR get new external wiring done.

Even I am thinking of going wifi.

Abt ur answers.

1) I use wifi many a times while watching TV. So i dont see any problem with setup.
2) Speed does not get slow as long as wifi signal is good.
3) I have 3 walls in betn modem and hall, it catches abt 60% signal, sufficient for me to access internet
4) I have DNA-A212 modem from MTNL
5) Abt security, make sure u use WPA2-PSK as security with good password, plus make sure to hide access point, plus make sure to have MAC filtering on with only ur PC/laptop allowed. That shud be sufficient security (even for windows not just linux)

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Just read manu1991.. he has given almost same answers 😀

Hey Guys thanks. Some followup queries :-1. @manu - Like I said, the wiring inside my home is concealed inside those plastic strips but due to recent paint, can't remove them off now or else the paint will get spoiled. On Sat, the lineman came and after some finger pointing and guessing, he seemed to fix the phone line having lots of disturbance due to which the telephone was unbearable to speak on. But that was short lived since after sometime, the line disturbance came back. He says line till outside home is clear. problem is somewhere in the house wiring. The ADSL constant blinking is still there. It improved when lineman came and now is back to where it was or even worse as there is hardly any constant time in ADSL. I tried removing phone from the splitter bt the problem is there. The ADSL remains stable for about 10-15 sec only. However sometimes I do get 15-30 min of stable net surfing....sometimes.2. I am having DSL_ULTD_888 plan so 2 mbps @night unlimited. Plus I am a heavy downloader so hope I will see no diff. in Wired or Wireless connectivity esp. it shud not affect my 2mbps speed.3. @manu: I am planning to get router from MTNL. Do they have these 'N' based routers? Please recommend me some good modems from them. I have heard outside router not working well with MTNL lines. Even my HW vendors specifically told me to get from MTNL so pls tell me any known modems/router from MTNL that I can specifically ask them for.4. @amish: My wiring was done 4-5 yrs ago. I doubt the problem is my internal wiring but don't know wht else is creating this disturbance suddenly 🙁 Nothing changed or moved in last 2 weeks.5. am very new to wifi. infact will b using it first time in my life so if you can point me to some good resources to configure in MTNL with that WPA2 etc then will b great. And yes pls do let me know abt good modem. 6. We can do bridge-mode connection with Wifi routers right?BTW am going for USB-based Wifi from D-Link from my Desktop side and not PCI slot Wifi card as USB ones provide 150 MBPS connectivity. Good enuf for some yrs with MTNL I guess 🙂I wish MTNL offered Tataindicom or Reliance Netconnect like USB for its BB customers for the same BB plan, no wiring ka jhanjhat and no distance from ISP ka locha, we can also sit outside MTNL and surf ;-)

This is from Mumbai site, see the first link on securing wifi:
Triband User Guides

Its a PDF file, here is direct link: http://mtnlmumbai.in/images/stories/PDF_FILES/userguide/wireless_router_security.pdf

Any recommendations on which Wifi router to ask MTNL for? Also reading further, it seems that the Wifi router is simply an addon and we have to keep the current ADSL router + get additional Wifi Router from MTNL and them connect the router to the current ADSL modem and access via it. Isn't the modem and router in one box? so much more sockets in the wall I will need. and so many devices to manage 🙁

you can either get a router-modem combo from MTNL or the market. or you can attach the router to your existing modem. router modem combos are going to be slightly expensive but they are not recommended because dedicated wireless routers are likely to be better in terms of quality and coverage. the decision is yours in the end. you can easily buy a multi-plug or a power strip to attach more equipment to your power supply!

Here I just have one modem which acts as wifi router too.Few years back my friend had returned normal (wifi less) modem and got wifi-capable modem for addition of 300Rs which was included in next tel. bill. i.e.no down payment.

@amish: Ahh thats good. Otherwise on the net am seeing tutorials saying plug this wire here into that router and that wire into this modem from that port of router there and go to this page and then disconnect and all that 🙂 Still wanting 2 know of any reliable and good modem MTNL is giving out or I can hangle for. Am asking coz MTNL has history of bad modems which had to be later replaced so want to ensure I ask for the best 🙂

@opYou can take mtnl 3g if you want something like reliance netconnect.Just buy a wifi router and connect your mtnl modem, you can ask for help regarding that in this forum.

If MTNL provides same plan as I currently have at the same speed and price on 3g/reliance netconnect like device then I think all would love to have it. Basically Wifi Modem on USB.

Umm, I am not too sure whether unlocked 3g wifi routers are available in India, and on how they behave with mtnl.
But mtnl 3g usb stick is just the same as reliance netconnect's usb stick.
Mtnl 3g has speeds of around 2.5 mbpsand unlimited data with no fup for 1650 bucks a month.
http://mtnldelhi.in/dolphin/index.php/3g-prepaid-plans

However, do check the 3g signal strength in your house, by buying a prepaid sim, and putting some 50 _ 100 bucks in it. You will need a 3g/hsdpa capable cell phone to test 3g signals. If you are happy with the speed, then go ahead and buy usb stick. Browse around the mtnl 3g forums.

however, if you are not happy with 3g, then stick with triband. just buy a D-Link, Linksys or Belkin router. A decent one should cost you around 1500 _ 2000 bucks. Connect your mtnl adsl modem to it and enjoy wifi. Get one of the N150s.

There will be absolutely no degradation in speeds given the size of your place.

I got Netgear N600 dualband wndr3400 router connected to MTNL router i got wifi full house which is around 1300sqft approxmy bro brought it from USA cost like 70 $ .

@powerontop and Amish - try drawing an RJ45 cable (LAN cable) to your bedroom, keep the modem in the living room. Use ADSL splitter to connect the phone with modem. As far as possible, don't use phones on parallel connections.

Whole point of going wireless is because I dont want wires hanging around in house. Whole house has concealed wiring, dont want to spoil it.