Actiontec GT724WGR Universally Compatible 4-port ADSL Wireless Gateway (Gray)

10 Review to this product

• 

  Timothy F. Halloran
  November 23rd, 2010 on 1:31 pm

  Rating

  I have only been using this a short time, but this receives a hands-down 5 star review for ease of setup, initial performance, and comparison to my AT&T supplied 2Wire 2700 series gateway modem. I ran the AT&T DSL speed test on the 2Wire just prior to replacing and had 2.064 MBPS download, 420.69 upload speed. I re-ran this test on the Actiontec and had 5.110 MBPS download, 660.28 upload speed. I couldn’t believe the difference which is very noticeable, for example on a short Youtube video which fully buffers the entire video now in seconds rather than gradually.

  Installation was ridiculously easy – I just had to go to the IP address listed on the Quick Start guide, put in my ISP username and password, and wait a couple of minutes. Then you name the network and password protect. That’s IT. It came up immediately on my other home wireless pc’s without any issue, and signal has not dropped once since installation. I was losing connection 3-4 times per day on my 2Wire. Range is excellent as well.
• 

  P. Asensio
  November 23rd, 2010 on 2:02 pm

  Rating

  Unpacked, plugged in power and DSL line; hit the Auto detect configuration and within 2 mins, I was up and running. Spent about another two more mins changing the password and fine tuning/updating the unit. Had and immediate speed increase and computer responsiveness overall. Very nice setup/GUI. Highly recommend!

  (ISP = DSL Extreme)
• 

  Martin A Hogan
  November 24th, 2010 on 9:27 am

  Rating

  I have had a Speedstream 5100 modem for several years now. When I bought a laptop, I added a Netgear Router. The modem took a few calls to AT&T to get working and the Netgear was SO MUCH of a headache to get working, I finally just got lucky with a connection. Even with wires everywhere, I was able to get good connections. Then my Modem just died. The Netgear was also always going through good and bad cycles. That’s when I first HEARD of Modem/Router combinations.

  I purchased this Modem/Router, plugged it in using the very simple Fast start-up guide. I was running within fifteen minutes! The software is the key. It just asks a few simple questions, tells you to type in the `IP’ address in your browser and then starts configuring your system automatically. No calls to AT&T! After installation, everything worked remarkable well. My laptop had a strong signal from 100 feet away through several walls (including the kitchen). For you techies, I was able to maintain a 3.0 mbps and a 512 kbps throughout my home. Plus, its sleek looking and I can stand it vertically at the edge of my desk and see what lights are on (power, DSL, internet, ethernet, wireless, etc.) Why couldn’t things be easier a few years ago? And for the price, you really make out well, considering that this is two products in one. I am very, very happy.
  
• 

  jaz
  November 24th, 2010 on 1:49 pm

  Rating

  I decided to get this Actiontec GT724WGR Wireless Gateway after reading the reviews, especially the helpful ones regarding its interaction with Verizon DSL, which is the service I use.

  *If The Actiontec Doesn’t Work When You First Attempt To Connect*

  I’m not tech savvy, and a couple other reviewers here have explained it better. Basically if you’ve ever gone online with an ethernet cable connecting your modem to your computer, then right after that unplugged the ethernet from your computer and plugged it into another one you may have found you couldn’t get online for a couple of hours. In a sense, the connection recognizes the first computer but not the second. It wants to go online only with the computer it started with. Once you get it working on the second system you’ll find you can’t go online when you connect back to the first. I’ve also had this happen when trying to connect my single ethernet cable from the modem to my Xbox 360 after I’d used it with my computer to go online for a minute. This is the same issue you might encounter when trying to connect the Actiontec for the first time. It may seem as though you won’t be able to get online even though your other modem was working just fine a minute ago. From my experience it helped to disconnect the ethernet cable and phone line from the computer and modem (if you were online at all the last couple of hours), leave it alone for a few hours (sometimes it’ll work in about 2 hours, while other times I made it 4-6 for good measure), then try connecting the Actiontec. No guarantees – that’s just how it worked for me in that situation and others before it.

  * * *

  The best thing about this device is it’s a modem and router in one. My first buy was a Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Router that required I connect it to my Westell modem. I ended up with five cables and cords connecting every which way and had to unplug two adapters when not in use. I saw info on this Actiontec device that connections could be simpler so I bought it.

  This modem has a small stand so you can have it upright, and there are rubber pads on the back if you prefer to lay it flat. Without the antenna, the modem size is about 8.5″ x 5.75″ x 1.25″, about 14.25″ in total height if you include the antenna sticking up plus the stand, and weighs a little over one pound. The antenna can be unscrewed and replaced if needed. There are green lights, words, and symbols on the left side to indictate Power, DSL connection, Internet, Ethernet, and Wireless. When you turn the power switch on, the Power light goes from red, to orange, then a blinking green until it’s fully powered. If the DSL connection isn’t working, the green light next to it will blink until a connection is established. If there’s no Internet connection, the green light next to that one will simply stay off.

  Setup is simple. The included Quick Start Guide shows how to connect everything step-by-step with photos for reference. Then there’s a simple setup online for the wired and wireless connections. A password can be created for security to control which computers can access the wireless network. If the Internet lags heavily when you access it try upgrading the firmware, which you’ll find info on under “Utilities” when you access Actiontec in your browser. The most you might need during setup besides correct cable connections is your ISP username and password.

  Overall the performance is good. It’s great that the modem can be turned off with a simple On/Off switch. I haven’t had trouble with having to cycle off the modem due to a dropped Internet connection after long hours of it being on as I did when I connected my Westell to the Linksys router. I can also add an ethernet connection to my Xbox 360 and still surf the Internet on my desktop and laptop. The laptop maintains a very good signal anywhere in my single-story home and straight through a couple of walls despite the modem being situated between a wood desk and a thick oak dresser. It’s simple and effective for my basic online needs.

  ** APRIL 2010 UPDATE: I recently replaced this with a brand new one (I bought the first one used so no telling how long the previous owner had it) after the power began to die. This device went through a good amount of daily use and I had no problems with a dropped connection nor a weak wireless signal. Just as the first time, setup was simple with the new one and I was online within minutes.
• 

  deutscherhififan
  November 26th, 2010 on 3:35 am

  Rating

  Good thing for Rick V’s review below. Otherwise I would have returned this great router.

  If you are a Verizon DSL customer, it is possible that you can’t connect immediately to the Verizon DSL service due to the WAN IP Lease expiration issue Rick described below. However, after disconnecting the old Westell modem and waiting for a few hours, the lease on the WAN IP had expired and the Verizon server had issued a new WAN IP to the new router. From that point on the auto-configuration worked like a charm. My advice:
  
  1) don’t call Verizon customer service – they are clueless about this issue
  
  2) don’t call Actiontec customer service – they told me that the router just does not work with Verizon
  
  3) disconnect your old modem the night before your new Actiontec shows up. That way you are ready to go immediately.

  Also, Rick V mentioned below that the router does not support WEP incryption, but only WAP incryption. That is actually not correct since the “Advanced Wireless Set-up Option” allows you to select what type of incryption you want.

  Now that that’s out of the way I can summarize as follows:

  - Set up is really easy and fast (even for Verizon customers, if you follow my advice)
  
  - Range is great. My router is located on the first floor and I still have 54 speed on the second floor in the opposite corner of the house
  
  - documentation is good
  
  - configuration is very intuitive
  
  - just with any other g routers, you can get interference from 2.4 GHZ cordless phones. I would position router and receivers away from a phone basestation
  
  - I was able to reclaim some space on my desk due to the integrated nature (modem and router) of this product
  
  - the already great antenna can be replaced with one of your liking, if you feel inclined to do so (it is screwed on)
  
  - the router is a little bigger than many other routers, but standing up it does not really matter
  
  - it was easy to get to a life customer service person. However, they also did not know about the Verizon WAN IP lease issue

  Hence, I can highly recommended this modem/router.
• 

  Bruce A. Pinkham Jr.
  November 26th, 2010 on 10:39 am

  Rating

  My SBC (Now ATT) 2Wire DSL Modem broke one night, and I needed a new DSL Modem STAT.

  The store had three wireless DSL Modem-with 4 port switches, and after a while of deliberating, I choose Actiontec, over two slightly better known brands (zoom and diamond) I recognized zoom, from analog phone modems in years past, and diamond, from video cards in years past, but never heard of Actiontec.

  I had no clear cut winner in my hand, but the ActionTec had a copyright date of 2008, the other two had a 2007, and the Package box info seemed very complete, so I figured newer is better, right? And I had 30 days to return it, so why not!

  VERY HAPPY with my decision. Cannot comment on the Zoom or Diamond, so please do not infer that they are bad, but the ActionTec GT724WGR worked perfectly, and it took minutes to set up.

  I was afraid that there was some kind of “secret” settings for my ATT DSL connection, and that a “generic” DSL Modem would not work.

  I followed the very simple, and easy to follow instructions, and I was amazed that I was up and running in a few minutes!

  The only tricky part, was that I had to remember my SBC user ID and password (NOT MY YAHOO id, but my SBC login id!)

  While my primary job deals with computers, both hardware and software, and I have done this for almost 20 years, I have to say, that I needed NO EXPERT knowledge to connect the Actiontec DSL Modem to my pc and access the internet again.

  It worked fine with my VPN connection to work, and I password protected my wireless access.

  I get slightly faster internet speeds, but we are talking a few per cent, as ATT has the final say as to how fast my DSL connection is.

  I have not tried the wireless connection, so I cannot comment first hand on the wireless speeds or reliability , however, I read on DSLREPORTS and BROADBANDREPORTS that other people have had very strong, reliable wireless connections.

  The physical device can either be positioned vertically, or horizontally,
  
  your choice.

  Only had the device for one day, so I cannot comment on long term use.

  Final thoughts, I did have a little apprehension about getting a OTC DSL modem to work, as I thought that there was some propriatary issues with the ATT DSL, but really, this was “stupid simple” to set up
• 

  M. Walsh
  November 26th, 2010 on 1:18 pm

  Rating

  After a nightmare experience attempting to set up a Linksys router with my Verizon DSL, I came upon this gateway. The modem/router recognizes the configuration required by the DSL provider and sets up immediately. I didn’t experience any of the frustration of trying to determine settings for the modem and router. My DSL source comes in through a basement phone line so I was expecting spotty wireless connections, however I have been surprised by the strong signals I get throughout my ranch and into the back yard. Very pleased with this product.
• 

  (Gaea)
  November 28th, 2010 on 7:46 pm

  Rating

  I spent an evening researching Modem/Routers for my home network and AT&T DSL Pro service. After finding out that AT&T’s 2Wire Gateway modem/router sucked (via the Amazon reviews that were posted), I found out that you could actually buy other brands. Imagine that. Anyway, this brand/model got good reviews and the reviews specifically mentioned AT&T and its ease of setup. I am writing this review to say that this is absolutely true. Extremely easy “auto” setup for AT&T. I thought I would also add I live in Southern California since there seems to some location-related issue in some reviews. I highly recommend this product (because of the easy setup).

  Note: I was using a MOTOROLA AT&T HIGH SPEED DSL MODEM 2210-02 MSTATEA Style with it hard-wired to my desktop computer. No noticeable bump in speed with this Actiontec, but it is apparently not one of the faster kinds of modem. The wireless laptop connection doesn’t seem to have any issues and I am hoping that the reliability of connection will be improved as some have mentioned. This is the first day, so I can’t comment on that realistically.
• 

  Rick V
  November 29th, 2010 on 2:40 am

  Rating

  HISTORY YOU CAN SKIP
  
  I’ll add a little more history in this review as to why we replaced the Verizon DSL issued GT704WG router/adsl modem gateway that served us for a few years.

  Reasons for replacing:
  
  - once we hooked up multiple XBOX 360′s (we have 3) and 2 PS3′s the kids had trouble with joining friends in certain games due to closed or restricted NAT’s. Port forwarding and DMZ would not structurally help.

  - The router once in a while (2x a day on avg.) would just get disconnected and a hard reboot would be needed.

  - The 704 lacked settings due to the Verizon issued firmware on it.

  - When I finally tried an old 2WIRE DSL modem/router bought via eBay, that one disconnected avery 2 hrs or so

  - When finally trying to put the GT704 back I could NOT , even with IT support, get it to connect us to the internet again.

  IMPORTANT TO KNOW RE VERIZON DSL CONNECTIONS
  
  So Verizon told me the GT704WG was no longer under warranty and I apparently had broken it, which I did not believe. But I still went ahead and bought a GT724WG as a replacement. When that came in it would not connect either even though I had transferred settings 1:1. What I did notice, however, is that the 724 could not use the MAC address of the old router, i.e. the new firmware did not allow cloning of MAC addresses.

  After some fiddling I found out the following: since Verizon DSL (in the Midwest at least) uses DHCP to connect there is a lease term of your WAN IP based on the MAC address of your router. So what happens is that if you try and replace the router you will be UNABLE to connect until that DHCP issued WAN IP expires. I found that to be a few hrs after which all of a sudden the Internet light/connection will work. Stupid outsourced DSL support was clueless!!! Never heard of such a thing but it does indeed do that. If you’re having similar problems with Verizon just go in the modem connection status screen and look at your WAN IP: there will be none visible because Verizons DSL server will not have issued one until the previous lease expires.

  THE ACTUAL REVIEW
  
  Without talking too much about the detailed settings (just download the online manual) we found that the Auto setup / detect to connect to your provider works like a charm. You just plug it in and with most providers it communicates (like the olde modem handshake) to find the right settings and can get oonline, unless you need UID and Password with something like a PPPoE connection but even then it will prompt you for it.

  KEY FINDINGS:
  
  A: without having to do ANY screwing around with UDP/TCP forwards and ports this router IMMEDIATELY (it seems preconfigured in the hardware) removed the issue we had with the old GT704 with XBOX Live. All XBOX 360′s are fully functioning without connect problems even though the NAt and Firewalls are up.

  B: Also, the PS3′s no longer have issues with connecting to online games like CoD4 and 5 : am am ALWAYS able to connect.

  C: We’ve had this router up for weeks without ANY reset required and no deterioration of connection speeds. BLISS!!

  D: Games like AoE and AoM work great over the internet now, whereas we had problems with the old router.

  E: this router / modem support ALL the modern connection formats and they built it to make it easy on the non-tech user to connect with minimal help needed.

  F: the wireless signal is MUCH stronger than that of the old 704 (better antenna).

  G: it no longer supports old WEP butonly he newer formats which might be troublesome if you have WEP only devices on your network. It uses WPA-PSK (TPIK).

  FINAL THOUGHTS:
  
  Once I figured out the DHCP lease lock that Verizon has I tested it with the olde 704 GT router and that worked again, but with the same disconnect and restricted NAT issues. I then FLASHED the router, since I had a new one anyways, with ACTIONTEC Firmware (not the adjusted Verizon firmware junk): the router worked fine WITHOUT ANY DISCONNECTS for at least a day and a half. So, if you have something like this with your router and Verizons tells you support is over and you need to buy a new one: have someone download the latest actiontec issued firmware if it is disconnect isssues. If you cannot get a WAN IP on the modem then ensure you ask / see if it is DHCP and give it a few hrs before you give up.
• 

  Brian C. Hagerty
  November 30th, 2010 on 6:57 am

  Rating

  I got this working with my Qwest DSL service in a heartbeat. The Actiontec directions helpfully let me know that I would need to contact Qwest for my PPP username and password. Once I got that info, setup was a snap. The web-based interface is straightforward, as are the written instructions. Note: you will want to make sure to tweak the security settings and set up a username and password for administering the router. Also, if your other adapters support it, go with WPA security (I had to use WEP to support some old hardware; WEP’s not as good). It’s also a good idea to disable SSID broadcasting and use MAC address filtering (i.e., to specify which MAC addresses can connect via WiFi). A real cracker can defeat these last two steps, but they’ll stop casual leechers.

  Of special note, this has an excellent antenna that, if you want, you can upgrade. (I have an old Linksys with a built-in, non-upgradeable antenna. Not good.) Even with the stock antenna, I had good signal strength throughout the house.

  From what I can tell, the modems that Qwest sells with its service are pretty bad. If you can afford the few extra dollars, get this instead. You won’t regret it.