Can you explain why you want a new modem? The problem seems to be with your router.
You are on the right track looking for a separate modem that can take a better router. But as you have probably discovered these are few and far between. Netgear's late and lamented DM200 does crop up on second hand sites at reasonable prices, but you don't need one. Stick with the HH2.
Which brings is to this comment:
@Anthony813wrote:The BT Smart Hub 2 does not seem to have a bridged/modem option so I am stuck
You are right in your understanding of the HH2, but you don't need bridge mode to add a better router to the device. And as @imjolly points out, when/if BT forces digital voice on you, you are stuffed if you have a separate third party modem.
My solution is to use the HH2 and to put whatever router you went to use into the DMZ of the HH2. It takes a bit of faffing around but works just fine.
The trick is not to let the HH2 squat on its preferred IP address for your network. That is likely to clash with any other router that you buy. They all like to use the same IP defaults.
Here's what I did with the local IP address:
Then I connected my Netgear router and let it connect to the HH2 to see what IP address the HH2 assigned to it:
Then into the Firewall Configuration of the HH2. Turn on the DMZ and insert the router's IP address there.
The Netgear router should be on its own default IP address 192.168.1.1.
You can use a browser to get to that address and manage the router. You can get into the HH2 on its IP address, the one you gave it.
Those IP addresses are just my preference. If you don't like those, pick your own options.
I did all this a while back and may be a bit confused abut the order of doing things. You may have to restart the network in the usual order at various stages:
- Turn off and unplug modem.
- Turn off router and computers.
- Plug in and turn it on modem. Wait 2 minutes.
- Turn on router and wait 2 minutes.
- Turn on computers.
You might be able to skip some of those later stages.
By the way, I don't agree with the comments from @iniltous about Powerline devices. At DSL speeds they are fine. I use them for wired backhaul of a Mesh system and to connect smart TV devices. I haven't tried them for gaming but reports elsewhere suggest that with the right plugs Powerline is better than wifi. More reliable, easier to setup and as fast as wifi with a DSL connection.
