NBN HFC Wireless Router suggestion

jubz on 21/02/2019 - 16:31
Last edited 21/02/2019 - 16:32

I tried googling but didn't get a more accurate answer so need your suggestion guys.

We are getting NBN HFC at my place with ABB. I believe ABB/NBN will supply me a modem. I want to buy my wireless router but not sure what brand to go with?

Do I need any specific wireless router for NBN HFC? Also, I want to use the casual landline phone with ABB for my home security alarm. Do all wireless routers support VOIP phone or what exactly I need to check before buying?

My router budget is around $200 and needs some bit of future proof to last a couple of years.

Internet Broadband Modem Router nbn

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[Deactivated] on 21/02/2019 - 16:34

+1

How big is the house?

How many levels?

How close to neighbours?

Any specialised applications?

What's your expected speeds?
- jubz on 21/02/2019 - 16:39
  
  How big is the house?
  3 BHK, Brick veneer
  
  How many levels?
  Just one level
  
  How close to neighbours?
  It is a free-standing house
  
  Any specialised applications?
  TV (Netflix & Amazon Prime), 3-4 wireless cameras, PS4, 3 Mobile phones, 1 Laptop, Ipad, etc.
  
  What're your expected speeds?
  Currently ordered 50/20 but may move to 100/40 in future.
  - [Deactivated] on 21/02/2019 - 16:47
    
    +3
    
    You'll want something with mesh or mesh like. The AC2200 Orbi or Google Home Mesh is good enough. Even at 100/40, it is actually very slow.
    
    When looking at online reviews, I noted people talking about drops in speed for some system's but later realised they're talking about 800/400 dropping to 500/200. Unfortunately, we'll never see those speeds in Australia.
    
    As you are running a lot of constant wireless, it is better to have multiple access points vs a big router with MUMIMO as most wireless protocols at the moment cannot utilize that technology. Routers typically only talk to two devices at any given time so with so many trying to connect, you'll notice a lot of buffering from single unit routers.
    
    Those units are ~$300ish on special. Higher end units are ~$100 more but you'll likely never notice the difference since you need neither speed nor spread.
    - jubz on 21/02/2019 - 16:55
      
      What model/brand would you recommend for ~$300? I will have a look and keep an eye when they are on special. Do the VOIP phone works via the router or do I need any additional adapter?
      - jubz on 21/02/2019 - 17:02
        
        @jubz: How is the Netcomm NF18ACV as mentioned on the ABB website? Is it worth to buy or spend more and get something better?
        
        [Deactivated] on 21/02/2019 - 17:31
        
        @jubz: They supplied me with that. Coverage is super weak and may just cover your entire house but the signal will be choppy at the extremities, assuming of course your router is centrally located.
        
        VOIP should work with any of the routers you listed.
        
        I went with the AC3000 Orbi because it is very popular. Lots of community support and has some cool functions like outdoor satellites. I would have picked the AC2200 but I needed all the spread I can get.
        
        jubz on 22/02/2019 - 09:26
        
        @[Deactivated]: Thank you for the suggestion of AC3000 and AC2200; I will see which would be best for me.
        
        When I was checking the ports on both the router, there is no port to connect my landline/VoIP phone for security alarm. Any idea if this would work with either of AC3000/AC2200?
        
        brilliantthings on 21/02/2019 - 21:05
        
        +1
        
        @jubz: This router is dreadful. Terrible patchy coverage.
        
        This one is awesome:
        
        Asus RT-AC68U
        
        jubz on 22/02/2019 - 08:55
        
        @brilliantthings: Thanks for the suggestions. I was checking the ports on Asus RT-AC68U, but there is no option to connect my landline/VoIP phone. Any idea, is it possible to do on this router for a casual phone?
    - jubz on 22/02/2019 - 09:25
      
      @tshow Thank you for the suggestion of AC3000 and AC2200; I will see which would be best for me.
      
      When I was checking the ports on both the router, there is no port to connect my landline/VoIP phone for security alarm. Any idea if this would work with either of AC3000/AC2200?
Hellfire on 21/02/2019 - 17:51

+2

I have a 3br double brick house and an Asus RT-AC68U covers from one end to the other with no issues.
cheaplee on 21/02/2019 - 20:42

+1

I have a 2 story house and an Asus RT-AC68U. It does the whole house, back garden, front garden and probably the neighbours house too. Great router, easy to set up, no complaints at all.

Depending how you want to set it up, but I would put it behind the TV and use ethernet cable for TV and PS4. Then you only need wireless bandwidth for actual wireless devices. With dual band you can join phones to 2.4ghz network and the computers, ipad to the 5ghz network. Especially if you don't have the connection yet you can ask where you want the NBN connection to be placed. I don't know how far they would go to satisfy you, but they have to put a whole in the wall somewhere so it might as well be where you want it. They will obviously default to the easiest possible location…

$224 every day of the week from umart, I'm sure you can find it cheaper.

As for future proof, not that I have used it, it supports USB 4G dongle for wireless internet as well.
- brilliantthings on 21/02/2019 - 21:06
  
  I found a secondhand ASUS RT-AC68U on ebay for $150. It's incredible.
- brilliantthings on 21/02/2019 - 21:08
  
  +1
  
  And it can be used in an ASUS mesh network using another of their routers. So good.
- jubz on 22/02/2019 - 08:56
  
  Thanks for the suggestions. I was checking the ports on Asus RT-AC68U, but there is no option to connect my landline/VoIP phone. Any idea, is it possible to do on this router for a casual phone?
- jubz on 22/02/2019 - 09:31
  
  @cheaplee By any chance have you managed to connect your landline phone with the Asus RT-AC68U. Is there a port on the router for the connection?
  - cheaplee on 24/02/2019 - 07:54
    
    It seems that you can with an external adapter or specific type of VoIP phone. Don't need it so haven't done it myself
Trung on 21/02/2019 - 20:50

+1

Note that the dial tone on voip will be different to the old landline.
So if you can't set your alarm to not listen for dial tone, it may not work at all on voip.
(Moot if your alarm is voip compatible)
- jubz on 22/02/2019 - 08:59
  
  Currently, I'm on Optus HFC, the phone line is connected to the Netgear Modem/Router (Netgear cg3000v2), and it works fine. Do you think it works the same if I link to ASUS RT-AC68U?
  - Magic Mirror on 22/02/2019 - 16:12
    
    I think something like the Cisco SPA112 might be what you need. It is an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) that allows you to connect a normal landline phone.
  - Trung on 27/02/2019 - 00:16
    
    In case you were planning to plug your alarm to the Asus RT-AC68U, the Asus does not have any telephone ports.
    You might be able to setup the Asus as your main router, then use the Netgear as an adapter for your alarm to have VoIP.
    As long as you can get VoIP working on the Netgear then your alarm should work as it's been.
    (While you're still with Optus) If the Netgear is provided from Optus, though, then you might have to leave it as the main router for VoIP to work. Then only use the Asus as an access point.
    When you move to ABB, then it all depends on how ABB expect you to connect and setup for VoIP.
pjetson on 22/02/2019 - 13:07

We are getting NBN HFC at my place with ABB. I believe ABB/NBN will supply me a modem

NBN supply the modem with HFC.
alvian on 22/02/2019 - 17:10

I want to use the casual landline phone with ABB for my home security alarm

You have battery backup for your VoIP adapter, router and modem? Otherwise I can turn off the mains and disable the phone line.

NBN HFC Wireless Router suggestion

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