This topic

How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

Ally7 — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 19:39:26 GMT

Just started a BT contract this week and received the smart hub 2. Have no internet at all in some rooms of the house, so bought the TP Link M5 mesh but I can’t seem to figure out how to set it up.

Is it actually possible to plug the M5 deco directly into the smart hub or do I need to replace the smart hub with something else? Would turning WiFi off on the hub work given there is no modem only mode?

thanks.

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

gspearson — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 14:30:33 GMT

I have the M5 system - you need an app on your phone to set it up. I thought the instructions really straightforward. I don't use a router, just connect the M5 system direct via a modem.

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

jwheater — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 11:39:26 GMT

Problem is there is no modem -- just the smarthub...

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

licquorice — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 12:30:47 GMT

Then you need to buy one, such as the Huawei HG612 if you have FTTC broadband.

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

dave44 — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 12:33:34 GMT

I also have the Deco M5. There are 2 ways you can run it but it depends on what type of broadband you have.

Put it in access point mode where it then plugs into one of the LAN ports of the smart hub and just works as a replacement for the hub’s built in Wi-Fi, which you can turn off.

Router mode (the default) where it runs as a full router and replaces the smart hub, but as you said it doesn’t have a modem built in, so is really only suitable if you have FTTP (or a separate DSL modem)

If you have FTTC or ADSL you are probably going to want to enable access point mode.

I have FTTP and use mine in access point mode so I can use digital voice through the smart hub.

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

dave44 — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 12:39:44 GMT

This is the option you will want under Advanced > Operation Mode

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

jwheater — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:16:41 GMT

@dave44 In your interesting reply, which seems to fit my circumstances exactly, you showed a phone screenshot, and mentioned "Advanced > Operation Mode" .

But my DECO app doesn't look like that at all. It just says 'connect to the modem...' etc. Could you say what is the right app to get?

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

Ally7 — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:46:50 GMT

I ended up sending it back and buying the BT whole home WiFi instead, which has been very good and so much easier.

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

dave44 — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 18:34:07 GMT

@jwheaterThe app is simply called Tp-link Deco. I’ve put the link below for the iPhone version. If you’re on Android you’ll have to search yourself I’m afraid.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/tp-link-deco/id1186159417

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

supertedster — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 21:29:15 GMT

Other benefit to the Deco's.
If you'd like to split the 2.5 and 5G bands. They have a "guest network" facility, even in Access Point mode. Y ou can have one "band" on the main wifi and the other on the Guest.

Or you can just use the guest wifi as intended, and have an additional wifi network, isolated from your main one. Ideal, in these IOT and working from home, times.

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

jwheater — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:44:01 GMT

@dave44 Thanks for replying. Seeing your screenshot and your reply, I thought my version of the app must be out of date. So I followed your link , on my iPhone, and downloaded the current one.

But it is just the same! I just see 'Let's begin' followed by modem instructions. No ' Advanced'. I tried 'router mode' in the help, but I couldn't get detailed instructions, though it did refer to router mode.

I'd be glad to receive any ideas you might have, but if I can't get he information from somewhere, I'll just have to give up...

Re: How to use TP link M5 with the BT smart hub 2

dave44 — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:28:55 GMT

@jwheater I can’t remember how the setup went as it’s been a while since I set it up, but you probably have to go through the set up wizard to get it out the way (and router mode is the default) then once this is done go back and change the settings manually.

Don’t give up, I don’t remember it being that complicated.