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[KPG]

Hello everyone.

I'm new here and it seems like the perfect place to come to for advice.

I am looking to buy a combined modem-router as a backup. My existing model (TP-Link Archer VR900) has been fine so far - I've had it running for about two months since switching to FTTC broadband - but there have been a couple of dropouts recently and I would like to have a different model on standby.

I've checked reviews online but as you know they vary wildly and combined models don't seem to be especially common. My ISP has recommended ZyXel and Billion to me in the past but I have never used any brand other than TP-Link so I'm in the dark there.

I am not technically minded, so layman's terms would be much appreciated.

[tiffy]

[KPG]

Thanks very much for that. Time to get on eBay. One problem I may encounter is that my rather ageing Dell desktop PC, which I use for work, doesn't support wifi. The other devices in the house - laptops, phones, tablet - will be happy enough with a wireless modem-router, but I need a physical ethernet connection to the PC (which I do intend to replace, but one thing at a time). Am I right in thinking the Billion models are wireless only?

I believe my TP-Link does have a Broadcom chipset. At any rate my ISP has previously been able to monitor the line stats.

[tiffy]

Thanks very much for that. Time to get on eBay. One problem I may encounter is that my rather ageing Dell desktop PC, which I use for work, doesn't support wifi. The other devices in the house - laptops, phones, tablet - will be happy enough with a wireless modem-router, but I need a physical ethernet connection to the PC (which I do intend to replace, but one thing at a time). Am I right in thinking the Billion models are wireless only?

I believe my TP-Link does have a Broadcom chipset. At any rate my ISP has previously been able to monitor the line stats.

Am I right in thinking the Billion models are wireless only?

No, have never seen any router, modem/router that did not have 4 LAN ports, some have a WAN port also to facilitate usage in bridge mode or use with a cable system, this is the case with the Zyxel VMG3925-B10B, all ports being Gb.speed capable, from memory, the Billion 8800NLr1 has only one Gb. ethernet port (+ 3 X 10/100 ports), the 8800NLr2 has 10/100 Gb. ethernet ports only.
The Billion models have 2.4 Gb. Wi-Fi only, the Zyxel unit have 2.4 and 5 Gb. Wi-Fi.

Ethernet, cable connection to your desktop PC is preferable in my opinion, no worries with not having Wi-Fi on your PC, I don't either.

The Zyxel's Wi-Fi performance is not supposed to be exceptional by any means, I have not had any issues so far, only using 2.4 Gb, no 5 Gb. devices currently on hand.

I believe my TP-Link does have a Broadcom chipset. At any rate my ISP has previously been able to monitor the line stats

Your ISP will have access to sophisticated server based diagnostics for line monitoring regardless of your modem model, local access to your modem to harvest line stats is a different concept which is subject to access permissions and chipset technology.

[KPG]

Appreciate the info.

I always assumed that ethernet was better for speeds and stability, but of course it may not be practical for everybody.

[tiffy]

Appreciate the info.

I always assumed that ethernet was better for speeds and stability, but of course it may not be practical for everybody.

Absolutely, I thought that's what I just said, apologies if my narrative was not clear.

[JohnMcL7]

[Silverback]

I've ended up separating the DSL link from the Draytek. One of the reasons was the Draytek likes to be restarted when configuration changes are made.  Of course every time you restart the router it resets DSL line link and this can upset the DLM. Using a separate 'modem' means that only the PPP connection is reset and the DSL link stays up keeping the DLM happy. 

[Cubes73]

[Alex Atkin UK]

In my opinion there isn't really a "future proof" option right now as WiFi 6 is not finalised yet (plus WiFi 6e on the way) and G.fast probably will never happen as FTTP is the priority now.

The only really future proof thing would be to pick a router capable of Gigabit speeds, which is not as easy as it sounds as manufacturers do not advertise what speed they can route at.

If all you want is better WiFi range, a separate WiFi access point is almost certainly best, at the cost of taking up another plug socket and running an ethernet cable to it.  But if you're wanting WiFi 6, best to wait until next year when hopefully WiFi 6 will finally have been ratified so compatibility can be guaranteed.

[j0hn]

[Cubes73]

[mavison]

Is there any chance of an update to the original list that was published 6 years or so ago? It seems so hard to search the web for current modem-routers without being swamped by routers with no modem!

[BritBrat]

@mavison
I was just thinking the same, especially as Digital Voice is the future.

[Alex Atkin UK]

@mavison
I was just thinking the same, especially as Digital Voice is the future.

So is FTTP, so arguably you're better off with a good router and a separate device to use as a bridged modem.

Its going to be hard to build a list of combined modem/routers as I suspect a lot of the people who did it before are now are on fibre.