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Author Topic: Modem Router choice for upcoming FTTC installation  (Read 2561 times)

NEXUS2345

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Modem Router choice for upcoming FTTC installation
« on: May 27, 2016, 09:13:29 PM »

So at the moment, I am on an Exchange Only line getting 16/1Mbps (download/upload). It is pretty good for ADSL2+ but there is currently a rollout of FTTC occurring in my area (S26 postcode) under Superfast South Yorkshire (http://www.superfastsouthyorkshire.co.uk/). I have contacted them and confirmed that rollout for EO lines is occurring, and I can only assume they will be using multiple AiO cabinets as there are a lot more than 128 households on EO lines. In the last 3 weeks they have installed 4 of the 288 line Huawei cabinets on existing lines, even though rollout was due in Q4.

My current ADSL2+ router is an Asus DSL-N55U and I wish to upgrade to a new router soon so that I am: 1. Ready for VDSL; 2. Have a reliable router as this one is suffering (2-3 years old); and 3. Am looking for a router with more range so as to reach more wireless devices with 5Ghz.

I have identified 3 possible choices and need opinions on a couple of things compared to my current router.

The 3 choices are:

1. Netgear D7800
2. TP-Link Archer AC2600
3. Billion BiPAC 8900AX-2400

My main worry is the software, how good are these 3 manufacturers compared to Asus. My next concern is which of these has the highest range and/or highest throughput (reviews of the BiPAC are non-existent), if any of you can comment from experience. And finally, which is in general considered the better manufacturer?

I selected these 3 specifically because I know they have Broadcom chipsets (apart from the Netgear), and I am pretty sure they will all support G.INP (TP-Link says in specs, need to check the rest). The Billion appears to be at a disadvantage due to a lack of MU-MIMO, but if it has the best software I am not too bothered.

Another couple of things worth noting are that I am with Zen Internet for the line rental and broadband, and that currently all devices are connected via Wi-Fi and I only use wired for troubleshooting due to the location of the BT OR socket.

Any opinions would be welcomed, and if you wish to recommend any other router please go ahead, this is just a pseudo shortlist I have come up with to consider while waiting for the upgrade.

EDIT 10 mins later >_>
So did some more digging, found that in the Netgear's user manual it specifies the VDSL standards it supports, and it does indeed support G.INP:

https://i.imgur.com/TeMtzGp.png

EDIT 3 mins after last edit
More digging. Billion supports G.INP so no worries about that:

https://i.imgur.com/qwpc91R.png
« Last Edit: May 27, 2016, 09:26:41 PM by NEXUS2345 »
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Security improvement and remediation consultant with infrastructure specialisation

IDNet Openreach FTTP 1000/115 + Asus RT-AX92U | Virgin Media 200 + SuperHub 3 + Synology MR2200ac mesh | Sky 80/20 with WiFi Guarantee on Huawei 288 cabinet

skyeci

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Re: Modem Router choice for upcoming FTTC installation
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2016, 09:46:47 PM »

I would be researching what type of cabinet I am on first before buying any kit.
After trying a shed load of modems and routers since moving to vdsl my eci cab seems to prefer zyxel kit the best. Using zyxel is giving me the highest sync rate I have had. Billion,sky router,eci modem all sync lower for me. I prefer seperate modem and router as changes to the router will not affect sync rate when it needs a reboot.

NEXUS2345

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Re: Modem Router choice for upcoming FTTC installation
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2016, 10:07:55 PM »

Thanks for the reply. I am on EO as I said, and my assumption would be that the cabinet will be a Huawei one, as all the installations of the past 3 weeks have been as such. I have had a poor experience with  ZyXEL. Eclipse Internet (old ISP) supplied one as a replacement for a Thompson one and I saw a 20-40% drop in actual speeds due to poor wi-fi hardware. Another thing that puts me off ZyXEL is there apparent lack of concern in the firmware department, as I would like a well featured web interface for my network.

I prefer combined units due to the limited amount of space near my BT socket, and as such will be sticking with modem routers, but I understand the advantages of separate units.
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Security improvement and remediation consultant with infrastructure specialisation

IDNet Openreach FTTP 1000/115 + Asus RT-AX92U | Virgin Media 200 + SuperHub 3 + Synology MR2200ac mesh | Sky 80/20 with WiFi Guarantee on Huawei 288 cabinet

psychopomp1

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Re: Modem Router choice for upcoming FTTC installation
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2016, 10:19:06 PM »

Simple, if you are connected to a Huawei cab then go for the TPLink VR2600 (uses a broadcom chipset) or a Netgear D7800 if you are connected to a ECI cab (uses a Lantiq chipset). The VR2600 and D7800 are currently the only modem/routers which have MuMimo 4 stream wifi...Asus don't have such routers, they only have have standalone Mu Mimo routers. I don't think Billion have released ANY kind of 4 stream wifi router yet.
« Last Edit: May 27, 2016, 10:38:46 PM by psychopomp1 »
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