topic Re: Which pods should I use? in Internet

Which pods should I use?

lyric — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:14:29 GMT

I am debating between renting bell wifi pods and purchasing goggle wifi.

What’s everyone’s thoughts

Re: Rent vs purchase

Sams — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 04:42:54 GMT

I got the google wifi mesh system because I have other google nest products and wanted the same ecosystem.

If you want to avoid the hefty upfront costs (I paid over $350) then renting Bell pods is a good option.

the other nice thing would be you can control everything related to you wifi setup with their app and get support for everything if ever needed.

With google, they will only assist you with the actual wifi system but not your Bell internet connection.

overall I’m happy with google wifi and it costs less compared to renting long term.

when I was comparing options, the feedback I got from people I asked was pretty down the middle. Half said rent pods other half said buy google or tplink.

Re: Rent vs purchase

John-Davidson — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 17:04:02 GMT

Another benefit of renting from Bell: as new pods are available you can upgrade to the latest generation if you want to. If you purchase a separate mesh system you have to buy a whole new system again if you want to upgrade.

Wifi pods, do they work nicely?

DM24 — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:11:45 GMT

Does Bell Wifi pods work nicely?

Re: Wifi pods

BellNick — Sat, 20 May 2023 20:30:45 GMT

Hi there @DM24
Thank you for your post.
The Wi-Fi pods work great when plugged within a good range from the modem to extend your Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
We'd recommend checking out our support article What are Whole Home Wi-Fi pods and how do I use them?for further information.
Hope this helps and Community is here if you have any further questions.

Re: Wifi pods

dks — Tue, 23 May 2023 15:41:50 GMT

I am quite happy with mine. I have four Gen 1 pod and one Gen 2 pod. They work well with the Giga Hub modem and with the HH3000 I had before that.

Re: Can’t connect Bluetooth on new bell wifi pod

atin — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:27:03 GMT

Does it mean we have to register all the pods that we buy outside the Bell? I am not talking about the extender but the mesh pod. Also, some mesh pods are not compatible with the Bell router.

Re: Can’t connect Bluetooth on new bell wifi pod

BellPatricia — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:53:12 GMT

Good afternoon @atin,

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community.

We do recommend using the Bell Wi-Fi pods which are fully compatible with your Bell modem, and you can seek support and advice from us directly if you ever have any questions. Check out the link above for more information on Bell Wi-Fi pods.

If you decide to use third party equipment, typically instructions on how to set up and use the equipment is available directly through the manufacturer.

Have a nice day 🙂

- Patricia

What type of pod should I rent

Orr — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:10:33 GMT

What type of pod is best

Re: What type of pod should I rent

Vanadiel — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:02:16 GMT

It all depends on your needs. There's no "one solution fits all" system.

Some offer better range, some better signal strength over longer distances, some better WiFi protocols, some better security protocols.

Re: Which pods should I use?

jdabud-Davud — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 20:27:09 GMT

The claim that Bell pods are fully integrated with Bell modems is false. To configure them, Bell says you need Android or iPhone. (Sadly not everyone has a smartphone.) Also, Bell often needs technical support to configure a Bell modem. And if you think that is easy to obtain you haven't been a Bell customer for long. After this, the modem sees the pod but that's all.

It is a mystery why Bell recommends extenders that cannot be configured through the modem interface. But, hey, it's Bell.

Perhaps Pods can be configured using Bell online tools diagnostic tools but I wouldn't count on it.

I'm not sure what extenders are compatible with Bell modems. I ideas, anyone?

Re: Which pods should I use?

Vanadiel — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 22:22:36 GMT

I would not use extenders or pods. I would use a wireless AP wired directly to the home hub.

Something from TP Link, Ubiquiti will work fine.

Re: Which pods should I use?

jdabud-Davud — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 03:55:13 GMT

If you don't have an iPhone or Android you should be able to use an iPhone or Android emulator. Bell pods work quite well provided Bell gets the modem configuration right on their end. But, if they don't, it's hard to find someone at Bell who knows the system well enough to fix it.

Re: Which pods should I use?

jdabud-Davud — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:38:05 GMT

Further to my post (quoted below): I withdraw my recommendation for using an Android emulator for managing Bell pods. Configuring Android studio to access the host system's Bluetooth is too complex to be generally useful. An Android studio can be used to observe Bell pods but not to configure them. That required Bluetooth.

Also other emulators tend to be associated with dubious websites that I don't recommend.
As far as I can tell, therefore, a user's that do not have a suitable Android phone or Iphone must depend on a trusted person who has phone to perform the initial configuration of a Bell pod or choose another solution (e.g. the one posted by @Vanadiel),

@jdabud-Davud wrote:
The claim that Bell pods are fully integrated with Bell modems is false. To configure them, Bell says you need Android or iPhone. (Sadly not everyone has a smartphone.) Also, Bell often needs technical support to configure a Bell modem. And if you think that is easy to obtain you haven't been a Bell customer for long. After this, the modem sees the pod but that's all.
David.
It is a mystery why Bell recommends extenders that cannot be configured through the modem interface. But, hey, it's Bell.
Perhaps Pods can be configured using Bell online tools diagnostic tools but I wouldn't count on it.
I'm not sure what extenders are compatible with Bell modems. I ideas, anyone?

Re: Which pods should I use?

dks — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:13:22 GMT

You might wonder why the pods and modem have to use separate software. The reason is simple. They are from two different suppliers. I have had the pods for three years with great success, after many experiments with other mesh systems and extenders that were expensive failures. The wifi software is fine, but I have a iPhone, as well. Bell doesn’t recommend or support any equipment it does not provide, including wifi extenders, routers or other customer equipment. You are on your own to experiment and learn as you need to.

Re: Which pods should I use?

jdabud-Davud — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:46:32 GMT

Hello @dks

The relevant question here is what devices can be used on Bell modems as an alternative for users that do not have smartphones.

Re: Which pods should I use?

Vanadiel — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:07:36 GMT

Any should work, as long as you are ok with double NAT which should not pose an issue.

However, most come with a phone setup application since that is the easiest way to set them up for most users. Once it's configured you should not have to touch it unless you want to "monitor" it.

Considering the speed at which WiFi protocols change, I would not buy anything expensive.

I use an Ubiquiti U6+ which can also be meshed if needed, but chances are you will not need a mesh setup as it has a wide range. All you would need is a cat5 cable to hook it up directly to the Bell Home hub and away you go.

Re: Which pods should I use?

dks — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:22:48 GMT

I understand your point. At the same time, Bell does not support equipment they do not provide and support for their equipment is provided on their terms. As consumers, we have a choice to accept those terms or not.

Re: Which pods should I use?

jdabud-Davud — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:11:39 GMT

True. But, as Canadians, we have little choice. And that a problem. The good news is that, when Bell equipment work, it generally works well. And that is all I can say on a public forum.

Re: Which pods should I use?

Vanadiel — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:59:00 GMT

There is a good choice of mesh systems that will work well with any provider. You don't need the Bell pods, and I would honestly look at third party options if I were in need to extended WiFi coverage.