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Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

sumpsimus — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 09:46:56 GMT

Hi all,

I have BT Halo 3 with FTTC. Since upgrading to the Smart Hub 2 I have an issue with my wifi. Basically the fact that both the 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands are on the same SSID seems to be causing problems for some of my devices (in particular my Epson wireless printer).

Since the Smart Hub 2 cannot split SSIDs, I want to replace it with my own modem/router. However, having googled how to do this I am confronted with a dizzying array of technical terminology!

My original plan was to get my own router and then use the SH2 as a modem. However, the advice seems to be that this is a bad idea since the SH2 doesn't have a 'modem only' mode. So basically I would be 'double routing' my internet - which is bad?

This means I either need to get a separate modem/router combo, or a combined modem/router. However, when I try to work out what devices would be compatible with my connection, I see a lot of discussion about terms like g.fast etc. that I don't really understand.

Basically what I'm looking for is either a) a direct suggestion of a good device/combination of good devices that would work with my connection (something that is good but wouldn't break the bank - ideally I'm looking to spend less than £150), OR b) information about what I need to look for in a device to ensure that it is compatible with myu connection.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 09:56:28 GMT

@sumpsimus

The easiest option is to turn off the 5GHz wireless band on the home hub, unless its essential. If that is not possible, then plug in a 2.4GHz wireless access point, and connect problematic devices to that instead. A much cheaper option.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/access-point/tl-wa901n/

If you use a phone service, then you will need the Smart Hub 2, nothing else can be used.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

TimCurtis — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:01:40 GMT

@sumpsimus

As Keith says turn off the 5GHz wifi , as you're on FTTC they'll be no loss of speed to wifi attached devices.

And to clarify @Keith_Beddoe 's comment about the phone service he's referring to Digital Voice not a standard landline.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

sumpsimus — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:08:25 GMT

Thanks both for the quick replies.

I did actually try turning off the 5ghz channel, but this resulted in very slow and unreliable internet in the rooms that are further away from the router. I know this doesn't make sense because 5ghz is shorter range and has lower penetration.

However, my guess is that there are a lot of 2.4ghz devices in my neighbours homes that are causing interference on this channel - hence why the 5ghz is better.

A 2.4ghz access point is a good idea, I didn't realise that you could set these this way. Do you know if the BT 'discs' that come with the Halo package can serve this function, or are they just range extenders rather than independent access points?

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:32:31 GMT

@sumpsimus wrote:

A 2.4ghz access point is a good idea, I didn't realise that you could set these this way. Do you know if the BT 'discs' that come with the Halo package can serve this function, or are they just range extenders rather than independent access points?

You cannot turn off the 5GHz on the discs, and they are just an extension of the Smart Hub 2, and have to be in range of the Smart Hub 2. You would have the same problem with some devices. A separate access point is usually the easiest way, if temporarily turning off 5GHz does not allow the problem devices to connect.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:36:31 GMT

Cheapest option as you don't appear to require anything fancy would be to pick up an original Smart Hub from Facebook Marketplace or Ebay. Just reset it & plug it in & your good to go. That's assuming you don't have Digital Voice?

I'd also recommend downloading a utility to inspect your WiFi environment & then switch wireless channels away from "auto" & select the least congested channel out of 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4GHz. You should have no trouble finding a completely free 5GHz channel.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:43:08 GMT

Provided of course that @sumpsimus is not on a G.Fast connection, as that needs the Smart Hub 2.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

sumpsimus — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:52:47 GMT

Thanks for the really helpful responses all. How do I find out if I'm on a G.Fast connection? What's the alternative?

I do have an old Home Hub 5 knocking around (which did work OK, so maybe that means that I'm not on G.Fast?). I just didn't want to 'downgrade' routers to get everything working again - hence wanting to know about compatible alternatives.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

licquorice — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:54:59 GMT

If your home hub5 worked, you are not on G.Fast. If you post a screenshot of your hub stats we can tell for certain.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:55:23 GMT

"fibre" 100 or above (Not FTTP) would be G.Fast. Normal VDSL only goes up to 80Mbs.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:57:47 GMT

@sumpsimus wrote:

I do have an old Home Hub 5 knocking around (which did work OK, so maybe that means that I'm not on G.Fast?). I just didn't want to 'downgrade' routers to get everything working again - hence wanting to know about compatible alternatives.

Some would consider the "smart" hubs as a downgrade.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

sumpsimus — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 13:08:02 GMT

So BT have confirmed that I've got fiber to the cabinet. Does that mean I have VDSL the rest of the way? Or does that not make sense? Sorry to keep asking questions! I feel like I've got a decent grasp of what's going on inside my house - it's just the connection coming into the house that I'm confused about...

I don't really care about the speed so much, I mean more than 80 would be great, but 80 (which is the fastest I've seen) is totally fine for my needs. It's more knowing what I would need to get if I was to go the 'own modem' route...

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 13:18:06 GMT

FTTC is VDSL so the original Smart Hub would work fine. I found it to be BT's best effort in the time I ran one.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

licquorice — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 13:41:22 GMT

If you still have the home hub 5 and you simply wish to split the wifi bands, just use the HH5.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

sumpsimus — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:45:27 GMT

Thanks all for the very helpful replies. I'm going to mark Keith's original response as the solution because a) I think that's probably what I'm going to do, and b) it will probably be the most useful for people searching this topic who don't happen to have an old home/smart hub sitting around.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

Leasty — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 17:53:20 GMT

If you have faster than 80Mb but are FTTC, then it's likely you are on G.fast. I'm not sure about the HH5, but some other VDSL modem-routers will still work on a G.fast service but only at VDSL speeds (<80Mb) as they negotiate downwards.

I've replaced my SH2 on my 140Mb G.fast service with an OpenReach branded MT992 modem and then used an Asus device as the router and it works fine. Advantage of the MT992 modem is that BT can still manage it and do line tests etc whereas some of the third party G.fast modem/routers wont do that and you would have to put the SH2 back in place for diagnostics. Once the MT992 is in place you can use almost any router you choose.

Re: Replacing smart hub 2 with my own equipment

licquorice — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 18:08:51 GMT

No, VDSL modem/ routers won't work at all on G.Fast, it is a totally different protocol.