Can the TalkTalk ADSL 2+ modem be used with other ISPs?

Zero

If using the TalkTalk broadband service they recommend using their TalkTalk ADSL 2+ modem which costs £29.99.

As this modem is made specifically for TalkTalk would it be possible to use this modem with other ISPs if I decided to switch to another ISP in the future?

Or perhaps there is a better modem which I should purchase instead of their £29.99 modem which they recommend...?

Thanks!

espresso

I doubt very much is this will be locked to TalkTalk but I certainly would not pay £30 for a modem, when you can get a wireless router for very little more.

Zero

Thanks espresso

Can I ask what a wireless router is, and why it's better than a modem? Does it do the same thing as a modem?

espresso

A router or more commonly these days a wireless router, is better than a modem as it contains a hardware firewall and also uses Ethernet to connect to your PC rather than USB which is inferior. When using a router, your ADSL connection is connected 24/7 to your ISP and then any PC's in your house simply connect to the router to gain access to the internet, either wired or using wireless.

Aldridge_Andy

From what I have seen of the current TalkTalk modem, which is actually just a ASDL Modem Router (with ethernet and USB Connectivity), rather than the likes of the original issue USB Modem from Spedtouch or Sagem.

Apart from the TalkTalk logo on the outside of the case this device is pretty standard, and has settings to accomodate a number of Internet Service Providers. For £29 it's not bad value for money at all, and dead easy to configure through it's own web interface.

Andy.

Zero

Thanks

so if I was to buy a router/wireless router on eBay is there anything specific I should look for? Such as brands or specifications?

I don't think I'd need anything expensive...

Zero

Aldridge_Andy wrote:

Apart from the TalkTalk logo on the outside of the case this device is pretty standard, and has settings to accomodate a number of Internet Service Providers. For £29 it's not bad value for money at all, and dead easy to configure through it's own web interface.

Thanks Andy, so you think it would be possible to use their latest £29.99 modem with other ISPs in the future if I decided to switch to another provider?

Aldridge_Andy

Zero wrote:

Thanks Andy, so you think it would be possible to use their latest £29.99 modem with other ISPs in the future if I decided to switch to another provider?

I'd happily put my money on the fact that you could.

It's got quite a nice firewall built in too. I'm always really sceptical when looking at this sort of stuff supplied by service providers, and always think you're better off getting your own from e-buyer etc. But to be honest I was quietly impressed with TalkTalk's offering.

If the basic offering is anything to go by, they do a similar but wired/wireless starter kit for £49.

Andy.

Zero

So from what espresso was saying above, if I read it correctly, if I purchased a router then I would only need the one router even if there were two PCs in the house.

If I purchased the TalkTalk modem, would this mean I would need two of these for two different PCs i.e. one modem for each PC, or would it be possible to connect both PCs to the internet via the one TalkTalk modem?

kittyminx

Hi
as a matter of interest I decided not to go for the modem when I joined talktalk as I have a regular thomson one and couldn't justify the expense, anyway, for some reason I didn't recieve my connect and go cd so i emailed asking where it was (I had been connected and configured my old modem easily enough) anyway they sent me out a starter pack which includes the new modem..yay

Aldridge_Andy

Zero wrote:

So from what espresso was saying above, if I read it correctly, if I purchased a router then I would only need the one router even if there were two PCs in the house.

If I purchased the TalkTalk modem, would this mean I would need two of these for two different PCs i.e. one modem for each PC, or would it be possible to connect both PCs to the internet via the one TalkTalk modem?

You could use the ethernet connection to one PC and the USB to the other.

In all honesty if you spend a little more and go for the wireless starter kit, not only do you get the ability go go wireless, and get a wireless USB Dongle for one PC. You also get the ability to connect four PC's via ethernet.

((In all honesty ethernet is prefered over USB where possible. Ethernet has lower processing requirements.))