Seeking nbn FTTC Router Recommendations

missboo on 06/09/2021 - 13:38
Last edited 07/09/2021 - 22:47 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I'm looking to move nbn plans and notice that many offer a BYO option. I'm a nbn50 user but have limited experience in this field and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? My current modem is locked so won't let me transfer.

For instance tangerine is offering a $150 Netcomm NF18MESH modem, Spintel $110 for Netcomm NF18ACV and Aqua Mobile $110 for a mysterious one. Is there one that i can buy off the shelf that's pretty good quality? What do i need to look for?

Thanks for your help!

Internet Broadband nbn Wireless Router

Comments

  • Hybroid on 06/09/2021 - 13:42
    +2

    What size is your property/coverage required? Differs from a one-bed flat vs 2-storey house plus garden area.

    • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 14:44

      It's for one floor with 2 rooms and a small yard area

  • Twix on 06/09/2021 - 13:45
    +1

    Don't get the NetComm NF18ACV. Some modems can be unlocked. What modem do you own?

    Do you have FTTN, FTTB, FTTC, FTTP, HFC, FW? If unsure check here

    • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 14:46

      I was with Belong so their standard modem. i read here that it's locked and it has the logo on the front of the modem: https://community.tpg.com.au/t5/NBN-Installation/How-to-Setu…

      Thanks for the tip, i will stray away from that modem then :)

      • USER DC on 06/09/2021 - 16:18
        +2

        No belong 4353 modem is not locked (not for me at least)

        I am using it with Exetel s nbn without any problems

        It was difficult to find the isp login details info, but not impossible, its there on the modem configuration page,

        I guess the person didn't have right knowledge who wrote that comment

        • Twix on 06/09/2021 - 17:11
          +2

          What the TPG mod should have said was the Belong modem can't do VLAN ID that TPG require. Not that it's locked.

          Exetel don't use VLAN ID and is compatible with the Belong modem.

          • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 19:22

            @Twix: Thank you. I checked and mine is FTTC and i have the Belong 4353 Modem.

            I found this website that shows compatible modems for Tangerine (https://www.tangerinetelecom.com.au/help/list-of-byo-compati…) which may help others. While Belong's is not on there, did you guys have to do anything to reconfigure it?

            • Twix on 06/09/2021 - 20:29
              +1

              @missboo: With Tangerine you have to login to the Belong 4353 and put in the username and password supplied by Tangerine and PPPoE.

              If you want something better for $150-$170 there is a TP-Link Archer AX10 or TP-Link Deco M5 (1-Pack or 2-Pack) @ Amazon AU. Plug in one of these to the nbn network connection device NCD.

  • USER DC on 06/09/2021 - 13:54
    +1

    Just using the modems that came with the ISP's internet plans (stayed with them for the 12 month contract or whatever contract was to get FREE MODEM)
    i.e.

    TPG nbn modem Tp Link Archer V1600r (Got for like $10 from TPG when signed upto NBN from ADSL)
    Belong nbn modem Sagecom 4353 (Free with 1 year contract)
    Exetel's nbn modem ZTE H268A (Got free with the 1 year contract)

    All works fine for my NBN 50 FTTC plans

    I suggest just buy a cheapo one from Marketplace, make sure it has VDSL, and is unlocked (if your ISP isnt offering a good deal on modems, which it isnt clearly, max should be $50)

    • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 14:51

      I have a Belong modem currently but read on the forums that it's locked. So was considering plan+modem or buying a modem separately. Tangerine is offering a good deal at the moment so was thinking about switching. Thanks for the tip on VDSL!

      • Twix on 06/09/2021 - 14:58
        +1

        Not all of the nbn uses VDSL. Did you check what you have out of FTTN, FTTB, FTTC, FTTP, HFC, FW?

      • USER DC on 06/09/2021 - 15:40
        +1

        Weird when i asked belong they said me my model is unlocked and
        YES IT IS UNLOCKED, i am using exetel s nbn on belong modem.

        VDSL/vdsl 2 was just a generic term that every ISP kept asking me on BYOM nbn plans

        • trongy on 06/09/2021 - 16:10
          +1

          You only need a VDSL modem if you are on FTTN or FTTB.

          With FTTC and HFC the modem is provided by NBN and you just need a router. Usually the ISP provided modem/router is just used as a router in this case.

          • USER DC on 06/09/2021 - 16:16
            +1

            @trongy: I wonder why all ISPs like superloop, exetel, Vodafone etc. Kept asking me does your modem support VDSL ?
            When i am on FTTC, but hey the belong modem itself on modem configuration page says like connection is FTTB.

            But the connection actually is FTTC (as per all the ISPs and NBN co)

            Whatever the case, i found ZTE modem to be absolute crap and dodgy.

            Tp link and sagecom are both decent.

            • trongy on 06/09/2021 - 16:31
              +1

              @USER DC: I've no idea why they would ask that. TPG's setup diagram for Archer VR 1600v with FTTC clearly shows that the Archer's modem port (first on the left labelled DSL) is not used.

              My mum has this setup and I agree that the TP-link Archer is a fine modem for most people. It has a default superuser password which may be found using google if you want to use it with another provider.

              • USER DC on 06/09/2021 - 17:20
                +1

                @trongy: Yea always been putting the NBN connection Device ethernet cable to the Red(Blue in your picture) WAN port

          • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 19:28

            @trongy: Mine is FTTC. I have 2 devices: a "nbn FTTC network connection device" and a "Belong 4353 Modem". As i am thinking about moving to another provider, i wonder if my current modem is ok or i need to get something else.

            • trongy on 07/09/2021 - 08:51
              +1

              @missboo: I'm not familiar with the Belong 4353 Modem. In your situation I would google "Belong 4353 Modem" along with the provider name and see what comes up.

              This thread on Whirlpool says that it won't work with providers that require VLAN tagging.

              To most providers the 4353 can be used for NBN FttC such as Superloop, Aussie BB, Optus etc. but not those who require both WAN = PPPoE AND VLAN ID Tagging which the 4353 cannot ( it can't do VLAN ID Tagging ).

              The TPG group (including iiNet and Internode) require VLAN ID Tagging to be turned on. My experience was going the other way - I needed the superuser password to the TPG supplied modem in order to turn off VLAN ID Tagging to get it to work with Aussie BB.

              • missboo on 09/09/2021 - 15:49

                @trongy: How confusing! I wish you good luck and that yours can be turned off for Aussie BB :)

  • Domingo on 06/09/2021 - 15:14
    +2

    It depends on what access type you have whether you need a modem, or merely a router.

    If you have FTTN, there can be a difference in service performance based on your modem chipset. nbn (I believe) use Broadcom transmission equipment in there network and there have been tests run showing that modems with Broadcom chipsets achieve higher sync speeds.

    Whirlpool lists all of the modems that are listed as compliant for nbn FTTN here: https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/fttn_registered_modem_router
    Note that doesn't mean modems on this list won't work, this is just a good repository of many modems. The general advice is pick anything with a Broadcom chipset, but there are other factors to consider if you want the device to do other things.

    Personally when I was on FTTN I think with a D-Link DSL-2888A Python. It doesn't use a Broadcom chipset but was very highly rated by a lot of reviews on Whirlpool and I was getting sync speeds of 120mbps+ to my node which was ~300m away. I was using it in bridge mode purely as a FTTN modem, with a Netgear Orbi mesh wifi setup behind it,

    See here for when ACMA tested 43 modems on FTTN in 2019 and compared performance: https://www.acma.gov.au/publications/2019-07/report/nbn-wi-f…

    • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 21:21

      Thank you! Very cool report

      • Twix on 06/09/2021 - 23:18

        The 2019 report is for FTTN and FTTB VDSL2 modem sync speed. The report isn't for FTTC.

  • Bikeham on 06/09/2021 - 15:56
    +2

    I like the TP-Link VR2800 as it has the broadcom chipset and the wifi range is excellent. Quite stable too.

    ASUS modems get great firmware updates (security and features) with the DSL-AC88 being the exception - AVOID this model.
    They don't have a decent new modem available, but the DSL-AC68u is still getting good updates (but doesn't have the broadcom chipset.)

    I wouldn't trust Dlink or netcomm

    • missboo on 06/09/2021 - 21:22
      +1

      Thank you for the recommendation! You and @Twix have convinced me to get TP-link if i cant sort out my belong modem with the new provider.

  • jv on 06/09/2021 - 23:20

    Which NBN technology will you be using?

    Some don't need a modem, just a router.

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