BT Smart Hub 2

[WSH]

@Quesada   I fear your connectivity problems do not rest on the age of the SH2 design.  Fibre was in use in industry years before it reached the home, so it is not a new technology released after the SH2 was designed.  While, (very arguably), the age of the SH2 might account for reduced speed it would not explain connectivity issues.

I don’t know if this has been mentioned or not, as the thread is getting rather lengthy but if by connectivity issues, you meant Wi-Fi then there is a known issue with the SH2.  If you have wireless devices using MAC randomisation there is a known problem with the SH2 running out of address space and requiring a factory reset.  Turning off MAC randomisation should stop it happening.

Beyond that, if the SH2 is dropping its connection to the internet, it is more likely to be a problem with the fibre connection itself than the SH2.  Especially, if you have already tried different SH2s.

[Kimberlin]

@Quesada 

I personally think you should just get over your issue with bearing any cost and just go on eBay and buy one of the hundreds of brand new EE WiFi6 routers that are available for 20 quid delivered. That way you can at least sort out for yourself whether your SH2 is the problem or not. I see there is also the EE Tri band version for sale too, which, if I didn't already have my own 3rd party router, I'd seriously consider getting, although like all ISP routers, it's settings are locked down and limited in what you can do with it, not a problem for most, but not my cup of char.

As has been pointed out, the SH2 seemingly isn't a problem probably for the vast majority of customers, although I can't comment on the performance of the SH2 itself because I never actually used the one BT sent to me when I moved into my house 4.5 years ago. It was sent back in the box still sealed. I'm now with PN and they sent me their version of the same router and I've not used that either, so again, I can't comment on its performance.

To be honest, I think this thread has way past run its course.

[Quesada]

Hi @WSH 

Thanks for the input. I have had the same intermittent issue for 30 months, which has been diagnosed as a “Stale PPP Session Fault”. For some inexplicable reason, the incoming light signal is prone to dropping, which sometimes causes the smart hub to reboot. Thus far, there have been over 100 registered VOL faults and 17 visits c/o Openreach engineers. Although the equipment has been exchanged on numerous occasions, it has always been with like for like models.  Last Friday, the ONT was upgraded for the first time and since then and although its early doors, l haven’t noticed the issue. I have been getting a lot of stick on this platform, for simply trying to find a solution, because neither BT or Openreach have been able to do so. What is obvious, is that l am no longer alone in experiencing this issue and one of the suggestions, has been to upgrade the outdated BT smart hub. Rumour has it that the EE router, is better equipped to cope with a momentary loss of the incoming light signal. What do l know. 😂

[WSH]

It sounds as though replacing the ONT was the right move.

The problem does not sound like the hub.  (It doesn't see the light signal.  That stops at the ONT and it is ethernet to the hub).  The problem sounds like it is with the fibre delivery and possibly the ONT or its power supply. 

I think the stick comes about because people get tired defending the SH2 all the time and so get a bit abrupt at times.  While the SH2 is not cutting edge, it is perfectly adequate for the vast majority of cases.

[Quesada]

Cheers @WSH 

Makes sense 👍