Google Wifi vs Apple Airport Extreme/Express

I recently upgraded my home wireless network to Google Wifi wireless mesh devices (Amazon $259) from our aging Apple Airport Extreme router and collection of Apple Airport Express wireless extenders to support about 40 devices sharing a 200/20 mbps internet connection.

While I have been extremely pleased with the performance and reliability of the Apple wireless devices, I desired more monitoring (e.g. device bandwidth usage) and configuration options (e.g. prioritization, family access controls). I began looking into other wireless options when Apple officially discontinued their Airport Extreme/Express products in 04/2018.

Competition – I previously considered the Meraki cloud-managed wireless devices, but decided against their annual per-device subscription costs for my home installation. The Ubiquity UniFi Pro HD devices also look fantastic from a sys-admin perspective, but seem unnecessarily complex for my basic home needs. In the end, I was comparing the Google Wifi mesh devices and the Netgear Orbi mesh wireless system. I preferred the Google Wifi devices because they are all identical and interchangeable and are managed from anywhere, whereas the Netgear Orbi system uses separate primary and satellite devices and can only be managed when you are at home. If my primary Google Wifi device fails, I can use one of my other mesh devices as the primary device. I also expect Google would be more likely to innovate/upgrade the existing product.

Initial Setup – Configuration of the primary AP and two satellite APs through the Google Wifi mobile app was extremely fast and simple. Configure the satellites as wireless mesh nodes, even if you intend to hardwire them to your network! The most time consuming part was a typical sys-admin dilemma– contemplating new network names and passwords, although I could have easily used the existing network names/passwords. I was concerned that the satellite APs would not take advantage of existing network wiring, but the app visually confirmed satellite nodes were using wired connection to network after I plugged them into my existing wiring. No issues connecting a WIDE variety of devices to the wired or wireless network (e.g. TVs, game consoles, phones, tablets, computers, sensors, etc).

Wireless Speeds – Google Wifi (N300/AC1200) wireless speeds are slower than Airport Extreme (N450/AC1300) but same/better than Airport Express (N300 only). Not an issue for our day to day use since devices still have plenty of bandwidth for streaming 4K and occasionally transferring large updates/games/media, but something to be aware of if you frequently copy large files or media wirelessly to a local network server. Also note that Google Wifi has gigabit ports, while Airport Express only has a 10/100 ethernet port. When extending our wireless network with Airport Express devices, wireless clients on the Express access points were limited to the 100mbps speed of the connection back to the Airport Extreme. Some of our devices are actually seeing better wireless speeds on Google Wifi because of this issue.

Wireless Coverage – Google Wifi wireless signal is weaker than my existing Airport Extreme and Airport Express. While indoor coverage seems sufficient, I am experiencing weak signals and dropouts in outdoor areas that previously had coverage (e.g. downloading updates to vehicle in front driveway, listening to music in back yard). Extending the network with two more mesh devices will likely resolve these outdoor coverage issues for much less than I would spend on a high-end system.

Likes – Very fast and simple setup. Reasonable default settings. Ability to schedule/disable internet for individual/group of devices on primary or guest networks (e.g. kid bedtime, home concert). Allowing Guest Network to cast to specific devices on Private Network (e.g. streaming from guest mobile to home TV). Total price (less than $250 for 3 node setup on sale, no recurring charges). Extremely small form factor. Nodes are identical and interchangeable (e.g. Can easily replace failed primary AP with a satellite. Can easily expand system by adding one or more of the same devices. Can split 3 pack with family/friends who may only need 1 or 2 devices.). Satellite APs can provide ethernet bridge on two ethernet ports. Can easily monitor and manage from anywhere, including viewing real-time usage and past day/week/month usage per device.

Dislikes – Limited monitoring, configuration, integration options. Typical at this price point. Specifically interested in app and/or email notifications of new devices connecting, existing devices reconnecting, significant device bandwidth usage, etc. No web-based management. No bandwidth graphs/trends.

Dislike Note: IFTTT appears to support triggers for new devices and returning devices? Will check into setting up notifications using IFTTT and post update here.

Network Data Collection – Obviously, cloud-managed network devices have to send data to the cloud, but how is the data used? I tried to determine how much data was being collected and shared when considering products. I appreciate that Google is sensitive to this issue and has published an article entitled “Google Wifi and your privacy” that explicitly states “the Google Wifi app and your Wifi points do not track the websites you visit or collect the content of any traffic on your network“. Data that is not collected cannot be used. Google Wifi privacy policy also mentions that device MAC addresses are not collected/stored and only retrieved from your home network when requested by your Google Wifi management app.

DNS Data Collection – If you are interested in data collection, you should also think about which DNS provider you are using. Every time you visit a website, your device has to send the hostname to a DNS provider to request the website’s IP address. By default, your network will use your ISP DNS, which likely logs all requests. Some people choose to use OpenDNS and similar providers as an additional layer of protection for their network, but those providers likely log all requests as well. Be aware that Google Wifi configures your entire network to use Google DNS by default. Google DNS has a separate Privacy Statement stating they only retain usage logs for 24-48 hours and do not keep permanent usage history for your IP. If you feel that you are sharing too much information with Google, consider using Cloudflare privacy-focused DNS instead. If you want to ensure your DNS requests are not monitored or manipulated by your ISP or other man-in-the-middle, Cloudflare even supports secure/encrypted DNS queries for certain devices.

Summary – Based on my initial impressions, I am extremely pleased with the Google Wifi mesh network for the price. Overall coverage and performance is reasonable and I am very excited to have the additional monitoring and management features that were absent in my Apple wireless network. While I hesitate to send even more personal  information to the cloud, I am comfortable with Google’s current Privacy Policy.

In the end, I bet on Google over the similar-priced competition because I anticipate that Google will continue to innovate this product line by adding more monitoring/configuration/integration options as well as faster hardware that can interoperate with the current network. We’ll see if that holds true!

Sprint Home Phone Connect 2 (SHPC2) with Ting.com

Product Review:  Sprint Home Phone Connect 2 (SHPC2) with Ting.com

I recently purchased a SHPC2 for use with Ting.com.  I am evaluating the product for use at residential locations and business locations with a single telephone line.  My intention is to replace the existing “landline” at several dozen locations with the Home Phone Connect 2 while continuing to use their existing telephone handsets, so I need to be sure I thoroughly understand the capabilities and limitations of the device.  I am sharing my experience here.

About the Sprint Home Phone Connect 2

The Sprint Home Phone Connect 2 (HPC2) is designed to be a replacement for existing residential or business “landline” phone service.  You can connect up to two existing telephone handsets to the two ports on the back of the HPC2 (the two ports share the same phone number).  The phone calls are carried over the Sprint wireless network instead of traditional landlines.  When you pickup your phone, you immediately hear a dial tone and can begin dialing a 7 or 10 digit phone number.  Several seconds after you stop dialing, you hear ringing.  When someone calls your phone, it will ring about 5 times before going to Sprint voice mail (if you have disabled voice mail, it will ring about a dozen times before telling the caller you are unavailable). The device operates almost exactly like a traditional “landline” without relying on any type of “landline” or internet service.

About Ting.com

Ting.com is a Sprint reseller.  They do not offer “free” phones and devices.  They do not offer “unlimited” plans.  You buy your phone or device and then pay only for the amount of minutes, text messages, and megabytes you use.  For most consumers, the Ting pricing is a bargain when compared to Sprint pricing!

Coverage

Using the SHPC2 with Ting.com can be a great option for anyone wanting to save money on their home or business phone service IF you have a strong Sprint wireless signal at your home or business location.  The HPC2 sends/receives all phone calls over Sprint wireless.  The HPC2 does NOT use your internet connection at all, so you need to be sure you have adequate Sprint coverage.  Verify coverage on the Ting (Sprint) coverage map before you proceed!

http://ting.com/coverage

If you do not have a strong Sprint wireless signal, you should consider other options.  Straight Talk (Verizon) offers a similar service for $15/mo.   If you have a fast and reliable broadband connection, consider using a VoIP (Voice over IP) phone service (e.g.: Vonage) that carries your phone calls over the internet.

Pricing

Sprint charges $150 for the HPC2 and $20/mo for unlimited minutes.  Sprint provides a $150 rebate with a 2-year agreement.  Ting charges $99 for the HPC2 and $9/mo for 100 minutes or $15/mo for 500 minutes.  If you exceed your minutes, you are charged for the next tier of pricing.  For example, if you signup for 100 minutes and end up using between 101 and 500 minutes, you are charged for 500 minutes ($15) that month.

NOTE: Remember how I said you pay for what you use with Ting?  Well, the HPC2 uses 3G data service to check for software updates.  Ting charges $3/mo for up to 100 megabytes of data.  For some reason, the Ting website does not allow me to block data access for the HPC2 device.  Even the Ting support person I talked to seemed surprised that the option to block data access was not available.  Until they resolve this issue, budget $12/mo for 100 minutes and $18/mo for 500 minutes.  Still a bargain for a residential or business phone line.  If you’d like an update on this, post a comment and I will check to see if Ting has added the option to block data access for the HPC2 device.

Bulk Pricing

I plan to setup all of our HPC2 devices under a single Ting.com account.  I have budgeted 500 minutes per month per device, but expect the actual usage to be much lower.  Suppose we install 20 devices.  Our cost will be $120/mo for the device charges ($6/mo x 20) plus $192/mo for 10,000 minutes (3000 $52 + 7000 $140) plus $3/mo for 100 megabytes of data.  Our total cost will be around $315/mo (plus tax) for telephone service at 20 locations, versus nearly $800/mo we are paying now.  Our current business phone bills range from $30-40/mo plus additional charges for long distance and various features that are free with Ting.

Purchase and Shipping

I purchased a Sprint Home Phone Connect 2 (HPC2) device from the Ting.com website on Friday 01/18 around 2:30PM CST.   The device arrived on Wednesday 01/23.  My cost for the HPC2 was $99+TAX (free shipping).

Unpacking and Initial Setup

When I unpacked the Sprint Home Phone Connect 2, I had to attach the antenna, install the battery (PCD HGB-15AAX3(BTR2260B), Ni-MH AA1500mAh 3.6V), and connect the 120V power adapter.   I plugged the HPC2 into the power outlet and pressed the power button to turn it on.  The wireless signal indicator turned green, which meant that the HPC2 was receiving a wireless signal from Sprint.

Device Activation

I logged into my account at Ting.com and navigated to the devices page.  I clicked the “activate” link next to the HPC2.  During activation, the Ting website gave me the option to port my existing phone number to the HPC2 or setup a new phone number in my area code.  I chose to setup a new phone number because I wasn’t ready to commit to moving my existing number.  I was able to easily change my service address so that I received a new number in the desired area code.  After activation, the Ting website showed me my new phone number.  I also received an email with my new phone number.

NOTE:  I chose to activate my HPC2 with a new number, but I see that I can easily change my mind.  When I drill down to the HPC2 device on the Ting website, I now have an option to port an existing phone number to the device.  If I port my existing phone number to the HPC2, it will replace the new number that Ting assigned to me.  Ting’s number porting page specifically asks whether or not I am porting a business telephone number, and then asks for the business or residential account information so that they can begin moving the number to my Ting device.  I have read elsewhere that moving a mobile number takes up to 3 days and moving a landline number takes up to 7 days.  I hope the process turns out to be as simple as it appears.

Device Usage

I plugged my home phone into the back of the device so that I could make a few test calls yesterday.  Today, Ting is showing that the HPC2 has used 8 minutes of phone time and 1 Megabyte of data transfer.  My first monthly bill will be $12.  That’s $6/mo for the device itself, $3/mo for up to 100 minutes, and $3/mo for up to 100 megabytes of data.  (See Pricing note above regarding data charges.)

Device Features

The HPC2 device supports call waiting, three-way calling, and Caller ID number.  The device does NOT support Caller ID name.  If your telephone supports Caller ID, it will display the caller’s phone number but it will not display their name.  The SHPC2 can be configured to forward all calls to a specific number and lets you adjust call volume.  The device has a voicemail indicator that lights up when you have new voicemail messages in your Sprint mailbox.  You dial *98 to check your voicemail.  You are able to setup a voicemail password.  If your phone has a voicemail button, you can probably configure your phone to automatically dial *98 when you press the voicemail button.  I chose to disable the voicemail after I was done testing it.  If I call the Ting number assigned to the HPC2 while voicemail is disabled, the number rings about a dozen times before I hear a message telling me that the person is not available.

The Ting website allows you to enable/disable the following options for this device:  “Voicemail”,  “Can make calls”,  “Can receive calls”,  “Hide your Caller ID from others”, “Allow International Calling”, and “Allow International Calling (North America)”.  They also allow you to configure “Forward ‘Busy Signal’ calls to this number” and “Forward ‘No Answer’ calls to this number”.  You can enter different numbers for each type of forwarding.  This selective call forwarding is useful if you use a separate voicemail service such as Youmail or Google Voice.  Keep in mind that call forwarding also consumes your minutes.

Limitations

The data charge and the lack of Caller ID name are the only surprises I have found.  I have read that the SHPC2 does not support fax machines, credit card terminals, or alarm systems.  It is not clear if those devices will not work at all or if that just means Sprint/Ting will not provide support if you have trouble with those devices.  Those don’t affect me, but may affect some other users.

Ting.com $25 Discount

If you found this information useful and plan to subscribe to Ting, please click my referral link before you place your order so that you receive a $25 discount from Ting (https://z13oks17p1.ting.com/).

 

Thanks for reading!  Post any questions you may have in the comment area.

Jason Klein