Hardware for VDSL

Rozzy85 · 11 Dec 2014 at 18:34

So FTTC has been made available in our area. Currently we have ADSL with some crappy Technicolor router. I have an old WRT54G laying around was thinking of reusing it. I'm assuming all I really need to get is a VDSL modem/router to bridge with it and all would be fine?

Been out of the loop with this stuff for some time. All the Fibre packages allow you to have a free router (Technicolor thing again) but I'm guessing it's not really needed as it mentions having to bridge it with the Openreach modem or something like that anyway. Does the ISP provide this also or do you have to buy one?

Meatball · 11 Dec 2014 at 18:42

The Openreach device is the VDSL modem. Just connect it to your cable router using the WAN port and job done

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I would definitely consider getting a new router, that router is very old and only supports a Wireless 'G' which has a MAXIMUM theoretical speed of only 54Mbps. You'll need a decent Wireless 'N' router to take advantage of your faster broadband

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Terrier_Jimlad · 11 Dec 2014 at 18:44

Depends entirely on ISP you choose for FTTC. Sky for example would send an all in one modem/router where as most have the OPR modem and a cheaper router sent separately.

Rozzy85 · 11 Dec 2014 at 19:03

Yeah, the WRT56G is old but I just wanted to see if all I really would need would be the modem. Only a few devices use wireless and the rest are connected via Ethernet so wireless speed isn't too critical at this point. Might go for just the 38-40Mb package first to see what the line is capable of and if it can max it out. Estimates say 66-80Mb but you have to take them with a grain of salt. Can always get a new one later on anyway.

So the Technicolor thing is an router+modem combo then? The fact it's free tells me it's going to be another terrible cheapo thing. The ADSL one is awful. Would still rather go down the separate modem approach or just buy a better router if it makes better financial sense.

Meatball · 12 Dec 2014 at 08:52

Which Technicolour modelare you referring to exactly?

It sounds like you have a pretty good line, I would imagine you'll get near full speed

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demonix · 12 Dec 2014 at 16:21

If your ISP is plusnet, then the supplied router is likely to be identical to the router you already have or a slightly updated version but it's still an ADSL router where one of the ports on the router doubles as a WAN port for a VDSL modem which is installed when the BTOR engineer does the work on the master socket.

There are routers out there that have both ADSL and VDSL modems included, but they are a bit pricey with the cheapest over on the OCUK site starting at around £75 for the cheapest with wireless N and £180 for the most expensive which has wireless AC