This topic

Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:13:00 GMT

Hello,

First time on the forum, I'm a BT Halo 2 customer, Full Fibre to House (it's a new build house). Happy with download speeds, but not with lagging and performance, have tried multiple Smart Hub 2's. Thinking of getting new modem/router. Can anyone please suggest some that they know are compatible and work well with this type of broadband. Do I need to get both a router and modem to replace the Smart Hub 2? Any advice would be great, thank you very much.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

Keith_Beddoe — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:27:34 GMT

@sb2000

Welcome to this user forum.

You would only need a wireless router not a modem/router. You cannot replace the optical modem anyway.

One suggestion would be the TP Link Archer C7.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-c7/

If you have BT TV, then the TP Link wireless routers work fine.

I am sure you will get other suggestions.

Bear in mind if you have BT Digital Voice, then only the Smart Hub 2 can be used.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:39:00 GMT

Thank you, sorry if I am been a noob here, but what is the optical modem, is that the Smarthub 2?, under my stairs I do have another box, but I think that is for a backup power supply to it? If I got your recommendation, would I plug the cable into the property straight into it and not use the Smarthub 2? thanks very much. Would the wireless booster disk I have upstairs still work? We have a BT box for tv but do not use it, we have a phone line, but don't use that either, not heard of digital voice, but don't think we would need that. Gaming and performance is my priority to Xbox and tablet and laptop and Sky box and Internet TV. Thanks very much.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

Keith_Beddoe — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:43:26 GMT

The optical modem is where the optical fibre terminates.

It would have a number of lights lit up on it.

The latest ones look like this.

But you may have an older installation which looks similar to this.

Is that what you have installed?

The extra disk will only work with the Smart Hub 2.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:44:59 GMT

I have the 2nd image, thanks for that. So I can get any TP Wireless router and just connect it to that image? And not use the BT HUB 2? Does it need to mention fibre in the title? Any further recommendations from a gaming point of view and any recommended wireless extenders? Thanks so much for this.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

Keith_Beddoe — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:01:10 GMT

You can use any wireless router if you do not have BT TV. There are other makes, like Netgear and ASUS.

You do not need anything with a modem built in, they are called VDSL/ADSL routers.

You would need to connect it to the LAN1 port on the optical modem, the same place as the smart hub was connected to.

You will need to enter the correct login details.

Username bthomehub@btbroadband.com

Password BT

I would not use any form of wireless connection for gaming, as it will introduce too much delay. A direct Ethernet cable is best. If that is not possible, then broadband extenders are another option. They use the mains wiring to provide a link.

https://shop.bt.com/category/networking,network-devices,powerline-adapters/11301-59150000

In a new build property, you should already have Ethernet sockets fitted in each room, and also by the modem. That would be the best way to connect.

If you have been using the extra disc to connect to your gaming PC, then that would also suffer from delay, as that relies on wireless.

If you can use Ethernet, then you may find that the smart hub 2 is fine, without spending any more money.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

licquorice — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:02:01 GMT

You just need a router with a WAN port (virtually all will have) rather than a combined modem/router as you don't need the modem functionality. It will completely replace the BT hub. The Asus RT-AX88U is also popular but a bit pricey.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:06:27 GMT

Great thanks for all of your help.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:19:36 GMT

Great thanks for this, will any wireless extender work with the suggested router? As long as it's the same brand? Many thanks.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

Keith_Beddoe — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:31:11 GMT

@sb2000 wrote:

Great thanks for this, will any wireless extender work with the suggested router? As long as it's the same brand? Many thanks.

I would avoid wireless extenders as they perform rather badly as they have to repeat an existing signal.

Hotspot devices are better as they generate their own wireless network.

https://shop.bt.com/products/bt-mini-wi-fi-home-hotspot-600-kit-084288-BVFF.html

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

licquorice — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:01:19 GMT

Rather than a separate router and extenders/hotspots, you may wish to consider a combined mesh system. There are numerous to choose from such as Netgear Orbi, TP Link Deco M5, Linksys Velop or Ubiquiti Amplifi

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:04:59 GMT

If I stayed with the BT HH2, would any of the above be compatible with it? in particular the TP Link Deco M5? Also would you recommend in-line over wireless extenders and hotspots? Thank you very much.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

licquorice — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:09:12 GMT

All the devices mentioned remove the need for the SH2, they are complete systems with router and wifi access points. Wired connections will always be the most stable and fastest connection, but it is a trade off between that and convenience of wifi.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:18:42 GMT

Thanks what is SH2? I'm considering the MESH system you use but a wired connection from this to my Xbox and the rest using the system.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

licquorice — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:26:22 GMT

The SH2 is the BT hub. I don't use a mesh system, it was just a suggestion to consider.

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

gspearson — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:56:12 GMT

I use the TP Link Deco M5 - a mesh of 3 has transformed performance round the fairly large old house. I resurrected the old ECI modem and put away my collection of HHs (3, 4 and 5).

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

sb2000 — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:01:40 GMT

Great I’ve just ordered it, I’m hoping it’s easy to setup, thanks for everyone’s help and support and everyone have an amazing Xmas and new year 🙂

Re: Advice needed re 3rd party router/modem please

licquorice — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:12:02 GMT

Connection type is PPPoE and the username and password are the generic bthomehub@btbroadband.com and BT respectively.