Turn off WiFi on T-Mobile Home Gateway

Can anyone that has successfully done this AND had problems with the connections dropping sporadically answer this question:  Has using an external router reduced/eliminated the amount of disconnects?

We're at wits end with this disconnect problem.  It works for a day or 2 and then just drops (sometimes multiple times in a row)and doesn't know how to reconnect.  Seems like they can easily build logic to ping or heartbeat, but alas the Can seems too stupid to even recognize that it's no longer connected.  I've contacted customer support numerous times, but they unfortunately can't help and do know about this issue.  I'm not sure what causes these disconnections, since it easily reconnects after a reboot, but conjectured if I reduced the load on the Can by turning off the routing, that it might stay more stable.  Heeelp!

Thanks in advance