Sonic → Motorola NGV589 Wireless Performance?

I am awaiting my installation. A nearby neighbor just went online and AT&T installed a Motorola NGV589 modem. I searched this forum for "NGV589" and even "589" and got no hits.

1) Can anyone report on the wireless signal strength of this modem?

2) It appears that it has an internal antenna. Is it at all directional? Does the orientation of the unit markedly change wifi connectivity?

3) How far away from 110V AC lines must the modem be installed?

4) Might it be sensitive to a modern (electronic ballast) fluorescent fixture if the bulbs are at right angles to the device?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

It's NVG589 (not NGV) and there's tons of info over on the Uverse forum »AT&T U-verse

While I do not use one myself, I've heard 1) it's mediocre; not great but not bad. 2) Not really. 3) No restrictions. 4) Not overly, but if the ballast generates a ton of noise it could hurt speeds slightly; bulb orientation does not affect this.

Thank you, Mackey,

I will go back and search for NGV589.

In my searching I've been told that Cat5e and Cat6 cable is sensitive to placement near AC lines and fluorescent fixtures. To me, the leap to to gateway/modem is not a huge one. Perhaps the case provides shielding?

Thanks for the reply

baumgrenze

Again, it's NVG (you said NGV again...)

As long as you don't like wrap the cables around the light, fluorescent fixtures don't bother cat5e/cat6 cabling. Here at work I have dozens of cables running within 1 foot of a mix of T8 and T12 fluoro's without any problems.

Our AT&T installer said that the Wi-Fi capability of the NVG589 (as with all other gateways for U-verse), for lack of a better term, sucks. He said it would be better to use a separate Wi-Fi access point.

Thanks you for your input.

I will try to arrange space and electrical power near where I install the gateway so that I can try out the Cisco ValetPlus M20 we have in hand, should the Wifi provided by the NGV589 prove inadequate. We live in a neighborhood awash with wireless signals at 2.4 GHz. I hope we manage to fit in, especially if I mange to locate the wifi router more centrally.

thanks

baumgrenze