Experiences Installing a Wireless Home Network in Poland

I’ve got TP broadband at my home in Poland with the standard USB ADSL modem that comes with the package. I’d like to go wireless, and would be interested in feedback from anybody who has done this before with the TP service.

My initial thought is to replace the USB modem with a Wireless ADSL modem/router. Like one of the devices that NetGear makes that acts as an all-in-one Modem, Router, Firewall, 4-port Switch, Wireless Access Point.

Is there anything that I need to be aware of before I shell out the cash? Will the device connect right into my TP phone-line, or is there something unique about the TP service that could cause compatibility issues.

I have several fairly thick internal brick walls in my single story house, so I’m concerned about the signal strength. Will one of the “extended coverage” routers be strong enough to reach all rooms?

My first thought is why get an all in one device? If you buy seperate devices (modem/router, network switch, wireless access point) you can always replace the WAP later if the signal isn't strong enough or you aren't happy, or just add a couple more WAPs in different locations.

You shouldn't have any problems with connections or compatibility. The only problem I had was configuring my router because Poland uses slightly different settings to the UK (namely VCI=35).

I just installed a new Linksys all in one system in my office and its works fine. Internet is through TP, used the cd that came with it, went through the set-up guide, picked the country as Poland, only thing i had to ask Tp for was my user name and password again and it works fine even through a double brick wall.

Thanks for the quick feedback guys, it's a big help. davidpeake, Which Linksys device did you go with? I have 2 triple brick walls to go through to cover all rooms.


I'm thinking of an all-in-one device, just to keep things simple, and if need be I will add a WAP to that. Thanks for the pointer on the settings.

Linksys should work fine. I have stable signal in 30 meters round my house, even when I'm sitting in my car (laptop below windscreen line)

URL: komputronik routery - współdzielenie Neostrady

I asked the guy in the shop and he pointed me to a Linksys but I gather most routers have an installation package that automatically configures you to Neostrada. Otherwise, TPSA's helpline isn't too bad.

We used to have way back a standard ADSL modem from Neostrada. Since 1,5 year or so we have a Neostrada Livebox, which actually works just fine. My PC and company laptop, as well as my wife's laptop work OK on that.

The only thing is that I positively hate TPSA but as for now in our block of flats there is no Aster or UPC, so no choice really.

But besides the fact I have to pay each month a bunch of monopolist thieves for the subscription, no complaints.

I haven't had internet at home for the past year because TPSA are a bunch of incompetant monopolist theives (who amusingly still send me bills even though I've told them, by letter, to fuck off and die). The building where I live has recently been wired for cable internet so I'm investigating getting that sorted out.

My ISP puts an ethernet connection directly into my flat. It's s 2Mb connect in the day and 'unlimited' at night. I kid you not, i get that 2Mb in the day and an upload of 25Mb! Then at night ... ohhh boy! Have you ever seen 15Megs download faster than you can click a mouse button?!

But, here's the catch. They limit connection to this by MAC address (the hardware address your network card sends out). So, if you get a connection like mine, make sure you buy a router where you can spoof (fake) the MAC address - then hey presto, that 1 PC limitation imposed by the ISP, is removed :)

Finally, if you are going to do wireless, make it secure, unless you're willing to share you connection and quite possibly all your files too!

T

it was the Linksys Wireless-G ADSL Home Gateway, model WAG200G, works great. just tested via the mobile between 2 thick walls and seems fine.

Thanks everyone for the help. I ended up buying the Linksys Wireless-G ADSL2+ Gateway (WAG54G2). It is a full all-in-one device.

The box had no setup instructions or quick install guide. Just a CD to pop in. What a disaster! The pdf manual on the disk would not open with my newer version of Adobe, so I just went ahead and clicked the install button. All kinds of problems; blue screens of death, it couldn't find the modem, USB ports disabled, existing modem disabled. In the end I got my existing modem back working, went to the Linksys website and saw that I all needed to do was open my web browser to the IP address of the modem. Why couldn't they tell me that in the box before I wasted 2 hours?

The installation from the TP side of things was simple, just plug it in to the phone line and configure the VCI settings. No problems there.

The device works well enough. The signal is definitely won't reach all rooms, but I expected as much as I have such thick walls. If I knew the IP address from the get-go I could have had it up and running in 10 minutes.

TPSA are a joke.

It took them 2 months to deliver my modem (livebox) which was faulty and had to be returned by me to one of their service points. I then waiting another month to get a new livebox.

They even had the cheek to bill me for the three months of waiting!

To the OP, just get a wireless router that will sort you out.