WiFI 7 MESH System Connect to VM Hub5x in AP mode?

Jonathan Day · 30 Aug 2025 at 17:16

Hi All,

VM recently installed in my area and we upgraded (from copper FTTC) to the 2G XGS-PON service with the Hub5x. A massive improvement but some issues still. Fortunately a lot of my stuff is hardwired through the house with Cat5e and 2.5G switches (seems to work well). Like many I'm struggeling with the lack of modem mode on the Hub5x and abilty to optimise wifi coverage and speed with VM Pods. Calling VM helpline to get another POD is a circular exercise in futility.

Question - would a third party WiFI 7 MESH system (ASUS, DECO, Orbi etc) work well if connected to the Hub5x but in AP / Bridge mode (for each unit) and still provide the full functionality / WiFi 7 / backhauling etc?

I'm not an expert and don't work in IT so apologies in advance if I'm missing something.

Thanks in advance!

Avalon · 30 Aug 2025 at 19:39

Depending on the system, yes. Deco for example will run in router or AP mode, the latter lets the ISP router handle DHCP and the MESH system can run along side, or instead of the VM hub's wifi.

Jonathan Day · 30 Aug 2025 at 20:00

Perfect - thanks Avalon. Thats what I wanted to know before I dropped the cash on the kit. Any preferences on which MESH system to go for?

Avalon · 31 Aug 2025 at 13:49

Personally I use UniFi and Deco, the former because they make quite reasonable AP’s and by the time you add a router, management is easy and sticking within the ecosystem makes some sense, the latter is what I throw at friends/family members for an easy life because it’s effectively idiot proof and is easy/inexpensive to expand or upgrade as required. I will have put something like 20 x20/x50 units into various properties at this point and it’s almost unheard of to get a call that’s due to the Deco’s, other than people accidentally turning them off which is easily diagnosed by getting people to look at the app and check the unit.

They aren’t perfect, you need to set-up via the app, are limited to a main SSID, guest and IoT, no direct channel management other than the automatic process, but realistically if you need more, you are better off with something more appropriate. In terms of app support and the usual concerns about support being dropped, TPLink have a decent history of LTS over multiple generations, so I wouldn’t be overly concerned. I certainly prefer them to the Eero units I have had to deal with.

The most important part with mesh is ensuring each node is hard wired back to the main network wherever possible, dedicated radio backhaul will work, but it’s a compromise, and some of the cheap mesh systems combine everything through the same radio, which just doesn’t scale well. The other consideration is if you choose nodes with a gigabit port, and current gen clients, this is starting to become a potential bottleneck, though I’d argue anything that needs actual bandwidth is still best hard wired.

Jonathan Day · 31 Aug 2025 at 17:30

Thanks again Avalon - I discovered the UniFi system while researching this weekend which looks like a great way to go. Will certainly keep the DECO in mind too and thanks too for the tips on hardwiring each node - I can do this for everything indoors and will just live with the consequences for outdoor performance but less of an issue.

My main sticking point now is the Virgin Media Hub5x - seems I can't even disable WiFi on this thing (let alone access Modem mode) ... argh!

wonko · 31 Aug 2025 at 21:13

Jonathan Day said:
My main sticking point now is the Virgin Media Hub5x - seems I can't even disable WiFi on this thing (let alone access Modem mode) ... argh!

I've been waiting for modem mode on the Hub 5X for over a year and I'm not convinced it's ever coming. It's possible to turn the Hub 5X wifi off - look under Advanced Settings, Wireless, Wireless Signal and you can disable the 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

I've got a pair of Deco XE75s running in AP mode with hardwired backhaul between them. They aren't WiFi 7 but work well.

Jonathan Day · 1 Sep 2025 at 10:38

Good to know - thanks Wonko! MAybe it's because I've got the PODS connected it's disabled but that's an easy fix. Thanks again for the help.

hawker1986 · 1 Sep 2025 at 10:49

Im currently doing this with a Hub 3 and an Orbi system in AP mode, as Avalon said just switch off the Wifi on the Hub in settings and let it do DHCP stuff.

Personally I would rather use the Orbi as the router and the Hub in modem mode but Orbi wouldnt work as an access point which was necessary. Not as tidy as I would like but its been rock solid for 3 years.

Major774 · 7 Sep 2025 at 23:14

I did have the VM extra pod but switched to the Deco XE75 Pro kit and set the VM hub in modem mode… a non VM mesh WiFi kit is the way to go.

I bought another 2 Deco kits, so I am looking after the 3 Deco kits in my single app.

Jonathan Day · 13 Sep 2025 at 11:46

Major774 said:
I did have the VM extra pod but switched to the Deco XE75 Pro kit and set the VM hub in modem mode… a non VM mesh WiFi kit is the way to go.

I bought another 2 Deco kits, so I am looking after the 3 Deco kits in my single app.

Thanks all for the helpful suggestions. Just to update - I have now installed two UniFi U7 Pro APs which are both connected by ethernet (fortunately installed when we last did building work) back to my VM Hub 5x / Switch - works like a dream and I'm now a new UniFi devotee (probably the easiest install I've ever done - they are fantastic). Next I plan to install one U7 Pro Outdoor AP for the garden which will wirelessly MESH with the indoor AP and possibly one more indoor wirelessly connected U7 Pro at the front of the house then I'm sorted. Last thing will be if /when VM finally turns on Modem mode on the 5x then I'll get a UniFi Cloud Gateway / Router (and maybe update the switches so I have dedicated PoE). Thanks again for all the help!