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Knowledge document #1040

Using an existing Wi-Fi network in the FRITZ!Box for the internet connection

The FRITZ!Box can use an existing Wi-Fi network for internet access, for example a Wi-Fi hotspot from the internet service provider or from the wireless router from a neighbor.

In this case, the FRITZ!Box functions as a router itself and and provides its own network with its own IP address range. In addition to the existing Wi-Fi network, you can use the FRITZ!Box's Wi-Fi network with its separate security settings.

Requirements / Restrictions

  • The existing Wi-Fi network must use the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
  • The FRITZ!Box must use a different IP network than the existing Wi-Fi network.

    Note:If the FRITZ!Box's IP settings are the factory settings, they are automatically adjusted when you set up the connection via Wi-Fi (IP network: 192.168.188.0, subnet mask: 255.255.255.0).

  • Devices in the existing Wi-Fi network cannot access devices in the FRITZ! home network.
  • Wi-Fi connections to the FRITZ!Box are only possible in the 2.4 GHz frequency band if the FRITZ!Box is connected to the existing Wi-Fi network.
  • The Wi-Fi guest access is not available and Wi-Fi connections can no longer be set up via WPS (push button method).

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box.

1 Configuring the operating mode

  1. Click "Internet" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Account Information" in the "Internet" menu.
  3. Enable the option "Use existing Wi-Fi network for internet connection".
  4. In the "Wireless Devices" section, use the name of the Wi-Fi network (SSID) to select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect the FRITZ!Box to. If the Wi-Fi network is not listed, click the "Refresh List" button first.
  5. If the wireless router's Wi-Fi network is protected with a password, enter it in the "Network key" field.
  6. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

Now the FRITZ!Box is connected to the existing Wi-Fi network and all of the devices in the FRITZ! home network use the existing Wi-Fi network for internet access.

2 Setting up Wi-Fi for outdoors in the FRITZ!Box

The following step is only necessary if you are using the FRITZ!Box outdoors:

  1. Click "Wi-Fi" ("Wireless") in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Wi-Fi Channel" ("Radio Channel") in the "Wi-Fi" ("Wireless") menu.
  3. Enable the option "Adjust Wi-Fi channel settings".
  4. Enable the option "FRITZ!Box Used Outdoors".
  5. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

3 Configuring telephony

If you want to connect telephones to the FRITZ!Box and make calls with them over the existing Wi-Fi network:

Configuring internet telephone numbers

  1. Configure the internet telephone numbers in the FRITZ!Box.

Entering a STUN server

  1. Click "Telephony" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Telephone Numbers" in the "Telephony" menu.
  3. Click the (Edit) button for the respective internet telephone number.
  4. Check whether the field "STUN server" is present under the fields for entering your login information.
  5. If the field is present and empty, enter the address of your internet telephony provider's STUN server and click "OK".
    • If the field is not present:
      1. Select "Other provider" from the drop-down list, even if you are using a preconfigured internet telephony provider.
      2. Check whether the "STUN server" field is present now.
      3. If the field is present, enter the address of your internet telephony provider's STUN server and click "OK".
        • If the field is not present, click "Cancel". The STUN server is already preconfigured.

Setting up port forwarding for internet telephony

  1. Click "Telephony" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Telephone Numbers" in the "Telephony" menu.
  3. Click on the "Line Settings" tab.
  4. Click "Changing the Settings" in the "Telephony connection" section.
  5. Enable the option "Keep port sharing of the internet router enabled for telephony".
  6. Select a suitable time interval. Select "30 sec." if you do not know how long temporary port forwarding rules will be maintained.
  7. Click "Apply" to save the settings.
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