Router Modem for Spanish home?

hulari · 1 Sep 2017 at 11:33

Hi all, I'm looking to get a modem router for my mother who lives in Spain. I'm assuming she can use any router and just use an EU plug adaptor?

She currently has a Tenda W150D and the wireless signal is absolutely abysmal.

What should I be looking at for sub £50? Her internet out there is relatively slow anyway, 8-10Mb~ so nothing for extreme speeds, just to improve the wireless signal so it doesn't stop when you walk downstairs or outside.

Thanks.

#Chri5# · 1 Sep 2017 at 13:38

Is the router supplied by the Spanish ISP? If so, I'd leave well alone and either put a dedicated WiFi Access Point (AP) in or perhaps consider homeplugs depending on the size of the property.

hulari · 1 Sep 2017 at 13:46

#Chri5# said:
Is the router supplied by the Spanish ISP? If so, I'd leave well alone and either put a dedicated WiFi Access Point (AP) in or perhaps consider homeplugs depending on the size of the property.

I believe it was yeah, so no way to simply swap them over?

Homeplugs wouldn't be an option as it's mainly for laptops and phones etc.

Would buying a non modem router be an option to put in an Access Point? Unfortunately networks are something I've never looked at.

#Chri5# · 1 Sep 2017 at 14:00

The Spanish ISP may well let you use your own equipment but it equally might not without messing. Either way, do you want to helping your Mum sort out a router problem from the UK? Way too much agro in my book.

Some Homeplugs have WiFi, for example:

http://www.devolo.co.uk/article/dlan-550-wifi-powerline-network-kit/

I'd expect you can get something similar locally in Spain. Easy to install - a CAT5 lead from the router into the "base" home plug, then put the WiFi plus where needed in the house. Not as good as cabling but for WiFi use via a phone or tablet, should be fine and way easier to install.

hulari · 1 Sep 2017 at 14:09

I'm flying out next week to visit anyway so I was going to order something to take out with me hoping it would be a simple swap. I will have a look at the power line kits although they may be over the £50 she said.

I'm also not sure how good her wiring it's, it's an old Spanish house and not a new luxurious villa. I'm sure it was re-wired a few years ago but Spanish tradesmen

hulari · 1 Sep 2017 at 14:39

Would a TP-Link N300 range extender work? They're currently on offer on another side and I could get 3 for the price I found a WiFi powerline adaptor.

Caged · 1 Sep 2017 at 19:26

As above, I wouldn't go changing the router unless you know what the connection is and have all the ISP login details.

#Chri5# · 1 Sep 2017 at 21:16

hulari said:
Would a TP-Link N300 range extender work? They're currently on offer on another side and I could get 3 for the price I found a WiFi powerline adaptor.

Not used one of them. TP-Link do a homeplug kit TL-WPA4220KIT which is around £40.

MrRockliffe · 1 Sep 2017 at 21:30

To use your own router, you'd have to put the router in modem mode. Out of interest, who is she with? Jazztel were fine with me using my own equipment when I live out there, but that was 4 years ago now. In fact, I didn't even have to set anything else up - I was even able to use a telefonica router while the ISP sent me a replacement one for the old one that broke. However, if you did now need any login info, you'd have to contact them yourselves.

Avalon · 8 Sep 2017 at 19:35

Unifi AP, run cable to a central location and plug it in.

deshepherd · 10 Sep 2017 at 14:30

Avalon said:
Unifi AP, run cable to a central location and plug it in.

While probably a good solution (I've got 2 to cover my 3 story Victorian house - 1 in living room to give full 802.11ac speed to laptop where I use it most and another on top landing to give better coverage to 1st floor rooms on other side of house) ... but its well outside the "sub £50" budget. I thought the same when I was looking at improving our WiFi but eventually bit the bullet and spent ~£80 on the first AP and effect was amazing so a few weeks later decided on another £80 to get the whole house sorted!

Avalon · 11 Sep 2017 at 11:10

I run the 'old' Unifi AP's, if you have a quick look on eBay you can pick up the new(er) AC's well within your budget (£35ish earlier in the week from memory).