Hi guys, looking to switch to NBN & will need to buy a new modem. Can anyone offer a recommendation that's around the $250 mark?
We'd prefer an all in one of possible.
We'll be running off FTTN and around 900m from the node.
We will generally have up to 6 devices connected - 2 mobiles, 2 laptops, 1 tablet, 1 Ps4 & 1 tv, but usually not all at once. The tv/ps4 will be primarily connected to Netflix.
Our average usage without Netflix is 55gb and we're looking at going with Skymesh.
Hope that's all the info you'll need!
FTTN Modem under $250
staceyasinme on 26/04/2017 - 13:49
Comments
Excellent cheaparse and decent modem is the Telstra Gateway Max TG799vac.. $30 secondhand.
I'm thinking of getting one of these off Ebay to swap out my DLink 2877AL. Is the WIFI ok on the TG799vac?
Mine is bridged, so the WiFi is off, but yeah, it's pretty decent especially considering the price..
Wi-Fi is great on the 799vac, and it's replaced my 2890AL which is miles ahead of the 2877. Range is similar to the D-Link but I've found it to be more stable on the 5GHz band (had some issues with the D-Link and a couple of phones).
EDIT: Oops, just read your below comment. Hope it turns out alright!
@donnot: Thanks so much for this info, really appreciate it. Bought a 799vac off ebay for $35 delivered (as new in box) so I'm looking forward to swapping out the 2877AL now and probably selling it!
@donnot: Will do. Just one other thing - I can't seem to find the specific WIFI speed specs for this modem? What can it manage speed wise over wifi?
Looking at the Whirlpool page, it seems to support AC1600 (1300Mbps AC/300 N). I've just tested, and at a few metres from the router (with a wall between), I was able to achieve ~240mbps between an ethernet-wired device and my Surface with a Netgear A6200.
@scubacoles:
Just an update on this, over the weekend, I hooked LAN2 port on the TG799vac back into my network switch and activated its WiFi.
So if you are bridging to a decent router, you can still utilise the WiFi.
Strangely when I previously tried to do this directly from the router back to the modem, the modem's WiFi couldn't see Internet, so I have no idea why hooking it in through the switch instead has succeeded.So my setup is;
TG799 LAN1 -> router WAN
router LAN1 -> Switch -> TG799 LAN2
I am unhappy with the Asus DSL-AC68u.
It works with FTTN, but sometimes the wifi connection to a specific device just stops working, even though the signal is strong etc. Switching from 2.4GHz to 5GHz or vice versa gets it going again, so I am guessing it is a memory leak or maybe issue with DCHP leases, not sure.In any case, it is frustrating enough to make me consider an alternative.
Also, the v1 firmware had a setting (G.INP) disabled by default. This breaks the NBN rules, and causes the port to lock you out, requiring a call to support to reset it - very frustrating.Noted, thank you
Wasn't planning on using VOIP but i may stick with the Skymesh Talkbox as you suggested at least until we're up and running.
Thank you for your help!
Check with your provider before getting a non standard/isp provided modem. I had lots of trouble trying to get support out when I didn't use their provided modem. They basically said they would not escalate the issue with NBN Co. until I tested the connection with one of their modems.
Skymesh should be fine.. They're aimed at the geekier population anyway.
D7000 is the current sweetheart of Whirlpool
Edgemax Router
https://www.ubnt.com/edgemax/edgerouter-lite/
Have FTTN now (Telstra Velocity) and can max out connection no problem.
Carrier Grade Mine has been an uptime of over 6 months at the moment.
Easy to setup with inbuilt templatesA router is not a modem, but a modem can be a router….
Are there any modems without integrated router? What would be it's output?
If a modem has a single Ethernet output it is a box which is [modem+router with single output].Yes, a modem can be a modem without a router.. not sure that you can find them anymore, but you used to be able to buy them.
It's output would be a digital re-creation of what's traversing down the telephone line.My modem is Bridged to a router, bridging turns a modem/router into a modem only. The modem transcodes the analogue data stream into a digital one and then passes that stream on to a router to distribute the appropriate data packets to the appropriate devices throughout my home network.
If a modem has a single Ethernet output it is a box which is [modem+router with single output]
These days yes… most likely anyway.
@scubacoles: Your modem can not transcode the analogue data stream, because there is no analogue data stream transmitted for many, many years now. Input to your modem is digital and the output is digital. The name "modem" is historical; "modems" are not "modulating and demodulating" anything.
No, you can not find a modem without a router. You can easily check it yourself: connect your "modem only" directly to one computer without any other boxes, thus creating a single device, single address mini-network, and access the modem at (digital) IP address (usually something like: 192.168.1.1 or similar),
@derek324: PS: I oversimplified here a bit… depending on how you look at it, one can still consider that DSL/NBN modems do modulating and demodulating. Good discussion here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3ADSL_modem What remains correct is that all modern modems have digital Ethernet outputs (disregarding old, historical solutions for voice only, non-DSL lines).
Yep, you are correct I read FTTP (Which is what I have) which does have the output as an ethernet port.
Apologies.
It still baffles me that FTTN was seen as a viable alternative to FTTP.FTTN was seen as a viable alternative to FTTP.
It wasn't… it was seen as a way to "destroy the NBN"… I think it's been incredibly successful at that!
Still sad that NBBN exists in the first place and not FTTP/H everywhere in urban areas.. F—cking liberals
FTTN / FTTB and FTTP modem all in one
$179
I use the TP VR 600Works a treat
I've read about issues with the VR600 and other TP-Links not doing ANNEX B and as such not working with Telstra and possibly internode. I'm no expert and I'm not sure if SkyMesh require ANNEX B but thought I should mention it.
Should i ask what Annex B is/does?
You should but I am not the man to reply :) Best to double check with your ISP.
Why do you need to buy a modem at all? Most (all?) ISPs offer free modem/router box at no cost on 2 years plans, and at a small charge for shorter plans. Wouldn't it be better to use what you get free, and later, if you need it, to buy your own hardware and keep the original one as a spare?
Cause the free ISP modem/routers are junk (at least the router part is)
Generalization, some of them are pretty good.
Yeh I think Whirlpool is probably your friend here in terms of weeding out the duds from the dudes in terms of ISP supplied modems. I do get the feeling that some folk go overboard with their modem requirements but by the same token there are a number of dodgy models out there that just seem to cause issues.
I can't think of a single modem that I'd rate as "pretty good" that comes free (on contract).
There's some I'd rate as passable for light use, but none "pretty good".@scubacoles: you may like to check Whirlpool forum discussions for more balanced experience of many users; some free ISP modems sure are pretty good.
Just a model number would suffice. There's not that many out there.
I'd be looking at;
Gigabit ethernet ports and
Dual Band 802.11n as a minimum level of kit for a "pretty good" rating.I could probably stoop to 10/100 ethernet if it had ac wireless, cause some households do not use ethernet ports at all.
Basically it needs fast LAN connectivity… no point having your LAN slow your connection speed unnecessarily. I'm assuming multiple devices are connecting into it as well. Minimum of 8 devices for a 2 person household (phones/tablets, TV/games console, laptops), increasing corresponding to householders.
The device also needs to have a reputation for long term stability (looking at you Netcomm NF10W/V series!).
@scubacoles: It appears that your definition of "pretty good" is somewhat unusual. Just one example: Gigabit ethernet ports — what percentage of home users need to be concerned with high speed of LAN to LAN transfers? 10/100 Ethernet would not affect speed on a 25/5 connection.
I am respectfully declining your invitation to provide "a model number" (I predict this would trigger a long and irrelevant TAN discussion). Anyone still curious: you may like to check Whirlpool forum discussions for more balanced experience of many users.
Nice talking to you, have a great day!
@derek324:
A device to suit a 25/5 connection only is what I'd consider passable..
A device that can cope with a 100/40 connection (you know, like the ones the ISP's are actually selling to people), I'd consider Pretty Good.
I don't think my definition is particularly ambitious.
Looking at going with Skymesh who offer two modems but they cost as it's not a locked in contract.
The ones they offer seem ok but we've had modems provided before and they've been pretty crap and if we've switched providers the settings in the modem have been difficult to change to the new providers settings.Skymesh's standard FTTN modem/router is the D-Link DSL-2877AL, which they offer for $129. It's not a bad device for the price, but it's by no means a great performer - a gigabit WAN input, but only 10/100 ethernet output, and fairly slow transfer speeds and short range for an AC router.
You can do better if you're willing to spend more. I suggest this one: https://www.pccasegear.com/products/36462
Thanks for everyone's help.
We ended up settling on the $159 modem from Skymesh a we found some decent reviews.
Fingers crossed and ill try to put an update up once we're connected.
I know I'm late to this party, since the OP has purchased already, but hopefully this helps someone else.
AusBBS have the D-Link DSL-2877AL for $59.95 + $15 shipping: https://ausbbs.com.au/hardware/
Officeworks stock this model for $135, but a price-beat brings it down to $71.20: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/d-link-ac7…
FYI: There are some Netgear (AC1750, C6300,AC1900, CM700), TP-Link CR7000 and Telstra-branded Gateway Max (Netgear AC1900, C6300) that are equipped with Intel Puma 6.
Intel has confirmed that there is a flaw with the Puma 6 chip which can significantly degrade the internet performance of the modem/router.
Netgear and Arris Face Class Actions for Defective Cable Modems
Only relevant to cable modems, not DSL.
Do you need voip?
If you don't need advanced features (VPN's etc) or massive wifi range might be better to stick with the skymesh D-Link TalkBox2800 (includes voip) ($159).
Otherwise maybe:-
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Netgear-Nighthawk-D7000-AC1900-Du… (no voip)($216 with C20TEK)
Bridge a cheaparse VDSL modem with a router:-
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Asus-RT-AC68U-AC1900-1900Mbps-Dua… (no voip)($216 with C20TEK plus VDSL modem)