Fibre Optic Modem Router

kwikbreaks

There is an advantage to sticking with the Openreach modem. You can use it together with any fancy router you want so arguments about router features are pretty much irrelevant. Where it does score is that it either supports or will be updated to support any technology changes Openreach decide to implement. They are currently in the process of rolling out G.INP nationwide and may at some point decide to try some vectoring technology although sadly that doesn't seem over likely right now.

If you go to third party VDSL modems it could be that some future change leaves you waiting on a firmware upgrade that may or may not come for best results.

The main reason I decided to stick with the modem + my own router though is cost as VDSL enabled routers tend to be pretty expensive for what they can do.

You can get two way mains adapters in pound shops and any extra power is likely to be less than £10 a year.

Pixie5740

!!!!!! wrote: »

+1

I've just got the 2860ac (£249). Bought mainly for the AC, VLAN and multi-NAT capability. Can start using my 8 block of IPs again

That means nothing to me

Pixie5740

kwikbreaks wrote: »

There is an advantage to sticking with the Openreach modem. You can use it together with any fancy router you want so arguments about router features are pretty much irrelevant. Where it does score is that it either supports or will be updated to support any technology changes Openreach decide to implement. They are currently in the process of rolling out G.INP nationwide and may at some point decide to try some vectoring technology although sadly that doesn't seem over likely right now.

If you go to third party VDSL modems it could be that some future change leaves you waiting on a firmware upgrade that may or may not come for best results.

The main reason I decided to stick with the modem + my own router though is cost as VDSL enabled routers tend to be pretty expensive for what they can do.

You can get two way mains adapters in pound shops and any extra power is likely to be less than £10 a year.

I know I could just use power adaptors. I'm just feeling grumpy because I've just moved into a new home and there are only 2 sockets in the living room. It was like that in the last place I lived too but I was renting then so I had a 4 and a 5 plug extension leads to plug everything in. Now that I own the place I can sort the wiring out. Maybe have a socket in close proximity to the phone line instead of cables running around the room.

I don't see why Plusnet can't get a an all-in-one router like their competitors. You make an interesting case for the benefits of the Openreach router and since I would like a new kitchen perhaps I should save myself £60 and cancel my order. :money:

kwikbreaks

Plusnet are a budget provider. As they are BT owned they could provide the BT hub but that would rather undermine BTs recent advertising about it. I didn't take the Plusnet router as I already had a decent cable router. If I hadn't I'd probably have taken it but may well have upgraded it - I'm not certain whether or not that would have been to a combined device or if I'd have just gor a router.

The wiring mess isn't an issue with me as it all hides behind a settee - that's an OR modem an Asus router, a SamKnows box, and aVonage VOIP phone box, Together with wiring for electric recliner motors it's one hell of a mess so just combining two of the boxes isn't a priority for me,

Nilrem

One reason to do separate modem and routers is because it's easier to offer the latest version and get cheaper deals if they're being bought in bulk.

Personally I prefer the separate modem/router route as it means we can choose the best router for our needs.

If you do get the sockets sorted in your new house (congrats), it's probably worth putting something like 4 where you have the TV and if you get it redone completely another 4 in the opposite corner (or wherever you have the modem etc), as no matter how many you have you'll always need more, and if you're paying to get a new one fitted you might as well go for enough that you don't instantly need 2/4/6 way adaptor (it might even be worth looking at getting a socket with built in usb outlets as that saves plugging a usb adaptor in, but be careful of the brand)..

Pixie5740

kwikbreaks wrote: »

The wiring mess isn't an issue with me as it all hides behind a settee - that's an OR modem an Asus router, a SamKnows box, and aVonage VOIP phone box, Together with wiring for electric recliner motors it's one hell of a mess so just combining two of the boxes isn't a priority for me,

The cabling was a mess in my last home and although it was hidden (kind of) I knew it was there....gathering dust, getting tangled. Silly I know but that's just me. I'm just going to keep the two boxes for now and see how I get on. This two box thing is my biggest problem in life right now so on the whole life is good.

Pixie5740

Nilrem wrote: »

One reason to do separate modem and routers is because it's easier to offer the latest version and get cheaper deals if they're being bought in bulk.

Personally I prefer the separate modem/router route as it means we can choose the best router for our needs.

If you do get the sockets sorted in your new house (congrats), it's probably worth putting something like 4 where you have the TV and if you get it redone completely another 4 in the opposite corner (or wherever you have the modem etc), as no matter how many you have you'll always need more, and if you're paying to get a new one fitted you might as well go for enough that you don't instantly need 2/4/6 way adaptor (it might even be worth looking at getting a socket with built in usb outlets as that saves plugging a usb adaptor in, but be careful of the brand)..

Thanks. You're right about never having enough sockets so if possible I'll get more that I need fitted.

There are lots of connections to satellite dishes and television aerials in this property coming into just about every room....I wonder what everything was plugged into. The previous occupiers must have had masses of extension cables.

Aletank

After a bit of reading, it appears the BT home hub 5 will work with Plusnet https://community.plus.net/forum/index.php?topic=135837.0