Verizon beefs up in-home Wi-Fi with Quantum Gateway router

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) has responded to the burgeoning need for higher speed Wi-Fi home networking connections with the debut of its FiOS Quantum Gateway, a device it claims can deliver up to 800 Mbps.

Verizon FiOS Quantum Gateway

The FiOS Quantum Gateway. (Image source: Verizon)

Besides the higher speeds, Verizon's Quantum Gateway promises greater range of up to 325 feet within a home or business and the ability to support a larger number of devices such as tablet computers, smartphones and video devices. An additional benefit is the device also can potentially support the Zigbee home automation standard via a home area network (HAN) expansion port.

Verizon said the FiOS Quantum Gateway will be updated regularly to offer greater functionality and customer benefits. Among some of the future updates, which won't require any customer intervention, are privacy and security access controls such as "guest" passwords, and device-specific access that, for example, gives users remote control of when a child's screen time ends for the day. 

At the same time, Verizon is using the introduction of the new router to market its FiOS Ultimate Quantum offer. Any new customer that signs for a FiOS Triple Play bundle, beginning this week, will get FiOS Quantum 75/75 Mbps Internet; FiOS TV Ultimate HD; and over 100 premium channels including HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starz.

In addition, new customers will get a $400 Visa prepaid gift card and Quantum TV Enhanced DVR service at no additional cost for two years.

The introduction of the Quantum gateway builds on Verizon's move to upgrade existing customers to symmetrical bandwidth speeds for its residential and business customers via its SpeedMatch program. During the third quarter, Verizon had upgraded almost 5 million FiOS to the symmetrical SpeedMatch program it launched for consumers in July and later in September for its SMB customers.

News of the new router should not be that surprising.

In March, a FierceCable story citing FCC test documents revealed that Verizon may be preparing to deploy a FiOS Quantum Gateway and Zigbee home automation module supplied by Irvine, Calif.-based GreenWave Systems.

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