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You might have a router lying around, or you just want to save up on Lumos router rental fees by using your own. While the router provided with Lumos Fiber is great on its own, you can save some money if you already have your own router.

So, let’s take a look at what kind of routers you need to have to use with Lumos Fiber Internet.

Can I Use My Own Wi-Fi Router with Lumos Fiber Internet?

Yes, you can use your router for Lumos Fiber Internet as long as it meets the Wireless Standards IEEE 802.11ax or IEEE 802.11ac requirements.

However, it’s important to note that Lumos Total Home uses Wi-Fi equipment that provides the best performance and experience for your network. Using a third-party router can limit some of the features that come with the dedicated equipment.

For example, using your own router means that you will lose the feasibility of calling tech support to troubleshoot Wi-Fi issues. This also means that you won't be able to use the Lumos Wi-Fi App to manage your internet settings.

Router Compatibility with Lumos Fiber Internet

Here are some IEEE 802.11ax and IEEE 802.11ac compatible routers you can use with Lumos Fiber internet.

Netgear Nighthawk RS700S GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 TP-Link Archer BE550 Wyze Mesh Router Pro
Wi-Fi Standard Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 6E
Frequency Band 2.4GHz 5GHz 6GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz-1 5GHz-2 6GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz 6GHz 2.4GHz 5GHz 6GHz
Max Speed 19Gbps 1800Mbps 16000Mbps 9214 Mbps 2.5Gbps
LAN Ports 4x 1Gbps 1x 10G 2x 1Gbps 2x 10Gbps 4x 1Gbps 5× 2.5Gbps
CPU 2.6GHz Quad-Core 1.2GHz Quad-Core 2.0GHz Quad-Core 2.2GHz Quad-Core 1GHz Dual-Core
Memory 2GB RAM 512MB NAND 512MB RAM 128MB NAND 2GB RAM 256MB NAND 512MB RAM 1GB RAM 128MB NAND

These routers are some of the best you can get right now. So now, let’s take a look at how you can set them up with Lumos Fiber Internet.

How to Set up Your Own Wi-Fi Router With Lumos Fiber

To use your internet router with Lumos Fiber, you will need to set it up first. Here’s how you can do this.

  1. Find the login address for your Lumos Fiber gateway. This can usually be found on the back or bottom side of the gateway, or its box.
  2. Type the address in your web browser. This usually looks like this: 192.168. x.x.
  3. Enter the Admin Name and Password to log into your Lumos gateway.
  4. In the settings menu, swap from Wi-Fi to Ethernet. This will ensure that your gateway sends internet signals using the Ethernet port to your Wi-Fi router.
  5. Now, turn on your router and physically connect it to your gateway using an Ethernet cable.
  6. In your web browser, type in the login address at the back of your router.
  7. Enter the login details for your router and a Settings screen will show up.
  8. Here you will see various settings you can tweak based on your preferences, as well as set the Wi-Fi name and password.

Once you set up your router, you can connect to it using the Wi-Fi Name and Password you chose during the first setup. When setting up your router, ensure you:

  • Set up a secure password with WPA3 encryption.
  • Change the Wi-Fi name and don’t broadcast your network name.
  • Update the Wi-Fi router software.
  • Set up guest access.

After the initial setup, you can optimize your home Wi-Fi to get the best out of your Lumos Fiber Internet connection.

Benefits of Using Your Router with Lumos Fiber

Depending on the type of router you use with Lumos Fiber Internet setup, there are a lot of advantages you can get. Some of these include:

  • Complete Control: Using your own router can help you get rid of a lot of restrictions that might be imposed by your ISP. This means that you can access settings locked by the ISP and tune a lot of things to your liking.
  • Quality of Service: Devices in your house use varying amounts of bandwidth. Some third-party routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings that can help you prioritize the devices that can use more bandwidth.
  • Better Range: Using a third-party router can give you a high range since a lot of them have several powerful antennas. While the router provided by Lumos is enough for a house, you can get an even better range with a third-party one if you have multiple floors or a larger house.
  • Save Money: Lumos charges a monthly rental fee of $10 to use their provided Wi-Fi router with their 1 and 2 Gig plans. Using your own router can help you save money since you own the router and don't have to pay recurring fees.

Why Get the Lumos Wi-Fi Router?

While there are a lot of advantages of using your own Wi-Fi router with your fiber optic network, there are benefits of getting the Lumos Wi-Fi router. Some of these are:

  • Cost Saving: Buying a Wi-Fi router can be a little heavy on the wallet. This is why you can rent it out instead if you don’t have one already, since it's going to be cheaper than buying it outright. Renting a Lumos router can be beneficial for people who only want to get the router for a short time.
  • Upgrades & Replacements: Another huge advantage of getting a Wi-Fi router from Lumos is that you can get a replacement router if something goes wrong with it. You might also be eligible for a free router upgrade (if the service provider offers it).
  • Hassle-Free Installation: Renting a Wi-Fi router means that any repair and maintenance are included in the agreement. You will also get free installation where a technician will install and set up the Wi-Fi router for you at no additional cost. This can be a lifesaver for people who don't have the time to find and fix issues themselves.

While setting up your own Wi-Fi router has a lot of benefits, using the one offered by Lumos can save you a lot of hassle. Before you start setting up your router, compare the router you have and the one provided by Lumos to see which one might be best for your fiber internet connection.

FAQs

Fiber internet requires an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which serves as an endpoint for the fiber network. You also need a router that supports fiber internet in order to get the full fiber. With the proper equipment, you will get the full fiber speeds promised by your ISP.

Fiber internet is the fastest type of the internet.

Fiber internet can be relatively more secure compared to cable internet since fiber optic cables are more difficult to intercept since they transmit information using light pulses rather than electricity used by copper wires. Copper wires can be physically tampered with, which leaves them open to data manipulation and interception.

Robert is a dedicated and knowledgeable author, an SEO expert with a passion for all things tech. He has a keen eye for detail, allowing him to write interesting blogs that are informative and engaging for readers. He has extensive knowledge of internet, TV, and phone pricing and plans, and has created numerous how-to guides to help users make informed decisions. As a tech geek and TV buff, he is always up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry, making his content always fresh and relevant.

Robert