A local area network system that includes a residential gateway in wired communication with a remote service provider and multiple set top boxes in wired communication with the residential gateway. Each set top box includes a network extender having a wired connection to a residential gateway of a local area network, a media player in communication with the network extender, and at least one wireless transceiver in communication with the network extender. The media player includes a computing processor executing instructions to format a signal received from the network extender for use by a media device. Each set top box is configured as an access point for a local area network of the residential gateway.