Will I See Any Improvements on Wireless Range with Change of Modems?

[Deactivated] on 09/07/2020 - 11:32
Last edited 09/07/2020 - 14:36 by 2 other users

Hi,

I'm currently using a Technicolor tg799vac and looking to get either a TP Link Archar A6, an Asus DSL-N55U or a a TP Link VR400. How much of an improvement will I get in terms of range and what's the main difference between the Asus and the TP-Link modems? I also have two landline phones connected to my current modem since this doesn't have phone line connections, could I still use my other modem for my landline?

I've been looking at Mesh but I'm worried about how this would play out with PiHole.

Thanks

edit: Currently have FTTP with Tesltra

Internet

Comments

  • Travis J on 09/07/2020 - 12:54
    +1

    look into wifi mesh and wifi extenders before buying a new router.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2020 - 13:12

      I have a TP-Link Universal WiFi Range Extender, it doesn't do a very good job. Wifi mesh seems quite expensive or they lack ports for landlines. I'm also setting up a pihole so I need a usb and extra ethernet port.

      • mskeggs on 09/07/2020 - 13:22

        The mesh still uses the modem, and performs night and day better than an extender.
        There is a Tenda mesh for $60 on the front page right now. Try it out.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2020 - 13:26

          ah you're right, thanks. Will this affect the pi hole set up at all?

      • Twix on 09/07/2020 - 17:31

        You can't go passed Asus RT-AC & AX skus with minimum 4 LAN & USB.

    • Twix on 09/07/2020 - 17:26

      Yeah I'll agree on wifi mesh. A wifi extender on the other hand is a good way to ruin your FTTP performance.

  • TheOtherLeft on 09/07/2020 - 14:08
    +1

    I went from the iiNet modem router (Technicolor model) that used internal antenna to a Netgear Nighthawk R7000p that uses three external antenna, all placed in the existing location. The difference was night and day. I now get excellent WiFi using the 5Ghz channel at the furthest corner of the house whereas before 5Ghz was unuseable.

  • netjock on 09/07/2020 - 14:29

    Generally models with external antennas are better.

  • Twix on 09/07/2020 - 14:34

    Is the landline necessary or can you change to mobile for calls?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2020 - 14:42

      landline is necessary

      • Twix on 09/07/2020 - 17:25

        A Telstra landline leaves you no choice but to have Telstras router in the mix.

        When in the market for a brand new FTTP router purchase a router & not a VDSL modem/router.

        The main differences are that Asus DSL-N55U ADSL modem/router is designed for ADSL & not up to modern standards with slow legacy 802.11g & 802.11n wifi. TP-Link VR400 VDSL modem/router is designed for FTTN but you can use it on FTTP. TP-Link Archer A6 router is the quickest out of the lot. How much of a range improvement won't be known until you try & where you have your networking equipment placed.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2020 - 18:31

          I'm fine with still using the old modem for landline. I'm just not sure how this would work, do I plug the new modem into UNI-D1 and the old one into UNI-D2 or link the old modem with the new modem somehow?

          • Twix on 09/07/2020 - 18:51

            @[Deactivated]: Don't do that. The UNI-D1 to UNI-D4 ports can give you more than one internet connections with the same ISP or different ISPs as a backup connection or one for home use and one for business use.

            Now the simplest way is to have the NBN connection device into Telstra router WAN port & plug the new router into the Telstra router LAN port. In the new router settings configure for access point.

            • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2020 - 20:32
              +1

              @Twix: I see, thanks a lot!

  • dins on 10/07/2020 - 02:26

    I think you might be much better off investing in a decent mesh WiFi system. Something like the TENDA NOVA MW3 can be purchased for under $100 (3 pack) and with that you should be able to achieve pretty good results even in a two storey house.

    I tried to post a link to Amazon Au and for some reason it got unpublished but if you search for TENDA NOVA MW3 on there currently you can buy the 2 pack for $67 and the 3 pack for $100 (I would recommend the 3 pack).

    • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2020 - 08:33

      Do you know if this will interfere with pihole? If not then you're right, I should probably get one of those instead

  • casho on 10/07/2020 - 08:52

    Don't forget WIFI is a two way communication. You can have the most powerful WIFI router in the world at one end, but if your laptop or phone WIFI is too weak to talk back, still crap connection.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2020 - 09:13

      That's a good point, but I get good speeds when I'm near the modem so it's a range issue right ?

      • casho on 10/07/2020 - 15:12

        Either range or interference. What types of wall(s), furniture is in the way?

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2020 - 15:52

          Oh true, interference could be an issue. The modem is at the front of my house placed about 2 metres high. Walls are just plaster with standard furniture I guess, couches, tvs and stuff.

          • casho on 10/07/2020 - 21:54

            @[Deactivated]: But what is the distance between the modem and the destination device?

            • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2020 - 22:07

              @casho: Probably around 13-15metres. If I was to draw a straight path there, there's nothing in the way but walls.

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