Replacing ancient modem

Cherryfudge

Our very old modem is having another wobble. All the usual checks have been done and I'm as sure as I can be that the modem is just on the way out (there's a landline sharing a socket, and the landline seems to be working fine).

However, when I started to look for a replacement, I realised I don't know how to narrow down my search. The most basic may not do: we are using it for streaming, for two laptops, two phones and all those little apps that run in the background. We aren't using anything very demanding in the way of games (and surely that is about our Broadband package, not our modem?).

I'm currently writing myself a glossary of terminology that begins LAN = Local Area Network, so that's the level I'm at.  How to I begin to find out what I need and what I don't need (and doesn't cost a fortune)? I can cope with advice that puts things in terms that would have been understood by a lay person in 1980... thanks  

born_again

So what sort of broadband supply do you have?

iniltous

as stated who supplies your broadband service ?  , if you are happy to continue with them , ask for a new router from them, presumably you are out of contract if you have never received a better router as part of a re-contracting negotiation , ( getting a new router may require you to recontract if outside a minimum term ) , if you are out of contact and want to use a new provider it almost certainly will come with a new router .

Cherryfudge

Thanks for the quick replies!

We're with Shell Energy but I'm sure the modem predates them. A quick look online and I can see they don't seem to have exit fees, and have been noted for loss of internet and poor customer service... I'm starting to think this might turn into a search for a new provider. They took over from whoever we used to have a contract with, and I'm sure it's long past contract time.

Ayr_Rage

Shell have just been taken over by TalkTalk.

If you pay by direct debit make sure it transfers across correctly, there have been issues.

Exactly, what is the name of the service you have?

housebuyer143

When you say modem, are you referring to the openreach box in the wall? If so, that needs to be replaced by openreach - ask your supplier to sort this.

You might be able to get FTTP now and if you haven't had it before you will get a new modem installed as standard for this service. Have a look at openreach fibre checker to see if you can get FTTP. 

Cherryfudge

Ayr_Rage said:

Shell have just been taken over by TalkTalk.

If you pay by direct debit make sure it transfers across correctly, there have been issues.

Exactly, what is the name of the service you have?

Thanks for that info, I will check.

At the moment I can't get hold of the name of the service - it's on my husband's emails and he's away. I'll find out as soon as I can - but the internet has gone off twice just while I was looking for it, so it may not be tomorrow.

housebuyer143 said:

When you say modem, are you referring to the openreach box in the wall? If so, that needs to be replaced by openreach - ask your supplier to sort this.

You might be able to get FTTP now and if you haven't had it before you will get a new modem installed as standard for this service. Have a look at openreach fibre checker to see if you can get FTTP. 

I'm not sure about an Openreach box, do you mean the one where the landline comes into the house? There's a landline as well as Internet coming through there, and the landline is working.

Sadly, there's an ongoing issue getting fibre to this road, as it's private and the company that connected the rest of the town refused to do it. I think there may have been an objection from a resident. Sky is our only hope at the moment!

400ixl

Sounds like you are on either an FTTC (fibre to cabinet, copper to home) or ADSL (copper all the way) with a BT master socket (one connection for a landline phone and one connection to the broadband router).

Assuming therefore it is the broadband router/modem that also provides the wifi that you are looking to replace. Changing the BT master socket is pointless unless there is an issue).

How big is the property, do you get a decent wifi signal everywhere off of the current router?

Cherryfudge

I'm not sure, @400ixl, but ADSL is sounding very familiar. The BT master socket is a pain as the wires aren't long enough so it looks jury rigged, but it works (phone is still working off it).

It's a 2/3 bed terrace and we do get problems steaming TV sometimes. WFH during lockdown was limited to downstairs because there wasn't enough signal upstairs. DH's job requires plenty of Internet. It's usually okay for phones or my Kindle upstairs but occasionally the signal's a bit thin. I'm wondering if it's worth investing in a booster but we are more likely to upgrade our broadband package as the one we have doesn't really do streaming.

All that said, this intermittent service is new. I rang Shell but their help line is off till Monday. I won't be posting this straight after I finish it, as the signal's gone again! Fourth or fifth time in two hours.

Rob5342

Ita probably simplest to tell Shell that you want a new router and will be switching supplier if they dont send you one. 

housebuyer143

I would call sky and explain your problems and ask them to check the line/socket. If it's faulty then openreach will change it. If it's not, then ask them for a new router and see if that helps. You could buy some wireless extenders to help move the signal around the house if upstairs is a problem. 
Alternatively, if you have the router quite far from the socket then check the cable running him the router to the box, as that could be the culprit.