BT 500 vs 900 vs EE

[ItsJustMe]

Does anyone have the BT fibre 500 but then use a more "powerful" router, is that possible and if yes, any recommendations.

[Kimberlin]

@Colin_London 

In my Wife's case, whilst her employer doesn't in any way contribute to any form of payment toward our broadband, she does get the standard HMRC flat rate of £6 per week tax relief.

[Kimberlin]

@ItsJustMe 

Whilst I'm no longer with BT, I was on their 500mbps FTTP. I'm now with PN but still on 500mbps. I personally use a TP-Link 'gaming' router that is tri-band and WiFi6 and whether others accept it or not, it is far superior to any standard ISP router in my opinion and user experience. I can at least input my preference DNS servers within the router itself and it does at least have two 5ghz WiFi bands and it has WPA3 security protocols. For many, none of this will matter, as long as they have decent reliable broadband, most won't give a monkies about that piece of techno garbage hidden behind some piece of furniture in the house.

There are cheap WiFi6 routers available and there are considerably more expensive ones. Like another contributor on here is ever so keen to go on about 'personal choice', it was my personal choice to buy a more expensive router and I've no regrets.

[ItsJustMe]

This has been really useful as it now has me looking at other providers who provide WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 including Vodafone which is much cheaper for better equipment and speeds.

[pddco]

@ItsJustMe  Just a thought.  If you can , hardwiring will always be the best solution for a reliable high speed network. Keep it easy and install Cat5e (good enough for 1000Mbps) Even get pre made “patch” cables of various lengths (Cat 6 if you must).  Yes the latest WiFi standards improve upon the spectrum efficiency, robustness, speed and usually range from older ones. And wireless of course is simple and convenient to implement. But certainly for fixed devices - TVs , laptop docking stations, PCs,  cameras or whatever, you can’t beat a bit of cable. 

[ItsJustMe]

Agree but hardwiring isn't an option.  Had limited issues with BT but the WiFi 5 seems to be the limiting factor, not ruling out EE but vodafone and plusnet looking like possibilities for the extras they offer at much lower prices.

[Kodikid]

Do people hide their router behind furniture.?

Always believed for maximum performance they should be unobstructed 

[Kimberlin]

@Kodikid 

Shock! horror! Yes, some of us do hide our router behind furniture. Mine is located directly behind my 55inch TV because that is where the router connection plate is. Funny thing, I get no issues whatsoever with my WiFi anywhere in my home, I even get 5ghz and 2.5ghz in my garden. Perhaps it’s because I invested in a really good router, who knows! Thing is, most people won’t want to buy their own router anyway because, well, it’s an additional cost over what the ISP provides. Plus, not everyone is that technically minded when it comes to home networking etc.

But, yes, for the most part, it’s probably better not to obstruct the router for maximum efficiency.

[Kodikid]

Most people don't want their own router not because of cost or technical abilities but because they look hideous. 

She who must be obeyed would go ballistic if I replaced the EE router with a large upturned spider. 

So yes I understand your rationale for hiding it.

[ItsJustMe]

Working my way thru the broadband minefield, why dont BT offer a WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router? Is my only option to move to EE to get a better router ? Any plans from BT as a market leader to offer new equipment?