TalkTalk Keep Sending Me New Routers, For Free, Do I Have To Use Them, Which Is Best?

binao

Some years ago I purchased a TP Link Archer D7 Gigabit Modem router, A C 1750 Wireless dual band router from JL.

It's given  good and faithful service and the  two sticky up aerials look good.

TalkTalk have sent a DSL 3782/TT    and a
  
Huawei DG804/W-2.T5

TT now say I must connect  a new router by Monday because Openreach are making changes.

Why?  Must I? Which router is best?

Also the  TP Link wifi works in the garden.

What's going on?

Neil_Jones

Well if it stops working on Monday (unlikely because it defeats the whole point of being a standard piece of kit) I'd be surprised.

Roland_Sausage

It depends what changes they are making.

TalkTalk are currently upgrading a load of customers to FTTP free of charge, so if this is the case your TP-Link Archer D7 will probably be ok as it supports use of a WAN port. 

However if they’re upgrading you to VDSL (FTTC) then it won’t work, as it doesn’t support VDSL.

I suppose the important part to find out is what changes are being made.

The_Fat_Controller

If you are on basic broadband then the most likely scenario is that you will be upgraded to Fibre 35 for free and all the Openreach work will be external.

In that case you will need to use a VDSL compatible router as said above and the Huawei will work fine.

If an engineer visit has been arranged to your home it could be a full FTTP upgrade but in that case you may lose your landline.

binao

Thank you. 

 Openreach work will be external.

binao

The_Fat_Controller said:

If you are on basic broadband then the most likely scenario is that you will be upgraded to Fibre 35 for free and all the Openreach work will be external.

In that case you will need to use a VDSL compatible router as said above and the Huawei will work fine.

If an engineer visit has been arranged to your home it could be a full FTTP upgrade but in that case you may lose your landline.

Thank you.

"lose your landline"

Would this be VOIP?

Openreach work will be external.

The_Fat_Controller

Most TT Future Fibre (FTTP) services are Data Only, so the copper landline is removed.

They are trialing VoIP for a few customers but it is not standard as yet.

binao

The_Fat_Controller said:

If you are on basic broadband then the most likely scenario is that you will be upgraded to Fibre 35 for free and all the Openreach work will be external.

In that case you will need to use a VDSL compatible router as said above and the Huawei will work fine.

If an engineer visit has been arranged to your home it could be a full FTTP upgrade but in that case you may lose your landline.

What is VDSL?

Why did TT send me 2 new free routers?

A_Lert

I'm not sure why they would have sent two. I've had a setup with a separate modem and router before, but a quick web search tells me both of those are ADSL/VDSL capable wifi routers.

Your current router might still work. Talktalk don't know what you have. If it doesn't, then try one of the new ones.

You can probably put the new device into "modem mode" or "bridge mode" and carry on using your existing router to provide wifi and network services.

The_Fat_Controller

ADSL is the transmission standard for basic broadband.

VDSL is the standard for Fibre to the Cabinet, but the last part of the connection is still over the phone line.

Newer TT routers are capable of both, some old models are ADSL only and will not work with an upgraded service.

@binaoexactly what model is currently in use and what models are the new ones you have received ?

From your TT online account what is the name of your current service and does it show a pending order for anything else ?

Does the upgrade email mention a new service, Fibre 35 perhaps ?

( @A_Lert no TT supplied routers are capable of being put into modem mode, but as the OP is not very up to speed with broadband technology, best not to confuse the issue further. )

binao

The_Fat_Controller said:

ADSL is the transmission standard for basic broadband.

VDSL is the standard for Fibre to the Cabinet, but the last part of the connection is still over the phone line.

Newer TT routers are capable of both, some old models are ADSL only and will not work with an upgraded service.

@binaoexactly what model is currently in use and what models are the new ones you have received 

binao said:

Some years ago I purchased a TP Link Archer D7 Gigabit Modem router, A C 1750 Wireless dual band router from JL.

It's given  good and faithful service and the  two sticky up aerials look good.

TalkTalk have sent a DSL 3782/TT    and a
  
Huawei DG804/W-2.T5

@The Fat Controler

Re. Router  models.  Please see above copy of part of my OP, 1st post, above.

Further  information tomorrow.