Choosing Router for FW nbn Connection

RoosterBooster on 04/02/2021 - 20:41
Last edited 04/02/2021 - 22:04 by 2 other users

Our family are about to move to nbn fixed wireless (likely on Tangerine XL Speed Boost plan). Their modem/router for purchase is the Netcomm NF18 Mesh. Is this any good or just a basic one?

I read that FW customers will have a nbn box installed that acts as the modem and thus only need to buy a router. I have also read good things about the TP-Link Deco M5 Mesh Router. Would this be suitable for my situation? Or is there another highly recommended modem/router (or just router) under ~$170? Happy to go with the supplied one, just not sure if I would see benefit in going with another option.

P.S Thanks to the respondents yesterday to my nbn questions.

• 

  Twix on 04/02/2021 - 20:50

  NBN install the FW box and you purchase a router. Deco M5 is suitable for FW.

  • 

    RoosterBooster on 04/02/2021 - 20:55

    Cheers. Would you recommend it over the NF18Mesh from provider?

    • 

      Twix on 04/02/2021 - 21:06

      +1

      For sure @ $155 for 2, M5 is a smaller form factor and can be upgraded without purchasing a whole new system.

      NF18Mesh bundle is $209.

      • 

        RoosterBooster on 04/02/2021 - 21:18

        From the provider it said NF18 Mesh was $129. But still, I didn't see a point in buying a modem/router all in one if all I need is just a router.

        • 

          Twix on 04/02/2021 - 21:24

          +1

          @RoosterBooster: NF18Mesh by itself is $129 and the NF18Mesh bundle $80 extra = $209. Yeah no point.

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            RoosterBooster on 04/02/2021 - 21:45

            @Twix: I guess there's an ethernet port on the nbn box that the M5 will plug into? What about the second M5? Does it need to be plugged into ethernet port as well or just power outlet? I currently only have the one ethernet port.

            • 

              Twix on 04/02/2021 - 21:48

              +1

              @RoosterBooster: NBN box—-Ethernet—-M5. Any extra M5 can be Ethernet or just connected to a power outlet.

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              alvian on 04/02/2021 - 22:01

              +2

              @RoosterBooster: There are 4 Ethernet ports on the nbn network termination device, or what you called "nbn box" or "modem".

              nbn will assign a port on the NTD to your retail service provider, usually port 1 as this is your first connection. Your RSP will tell you which port to use.

              Don't connect your other M5 to any of the other empty ports on the NTD!

              • 

                RoosterBooster on 04/02/2021 - 22:34

                +1

                @alvian: So if they assign port 1 - First M5 plugs into port 1 (+power outlet) and the other can plug into just power down the other end of house. Seems simple enough so far! Do you know about the landline phone. Will it plug into the 'NTD' device or into the M5?

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                  alvian on 04/02/2021 - 23:01

                  +2

                  @RoosterBooster: Are you keeping the legacy landline or moving to VoIP?

                  If staying on legacy landline then the telephone plugs into the legacy telephone socket.

                  If moving to VoIP then you need a router that provides VoIP telephone sockets, such as the default NF18MESH. Refer to the illustration on page 3. Two of the lower left gray colour sockets are for connecting normal landline telephones to the VoIP service.

                  I don't see a VoIP socket on the Deco M5. See page 4. There are three solutions. Buy an Analogue Telephone Adapter and plug it between your telephone and the M5, or buy an IP Telephone and plug it into the M5, or buy a router that has a VoIP socket and use the M5's as wireless access points.

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                    RoosterBooster on 05/02/2021 - 10:34

                    @alvian: Was planning on keeping original legacy landline. However, I was largely unaware of VoIP and how it all works. If I can get my head around it, that might be a better way to go. Glad to know that even without a VoIP socket on the M5 there are ways around it if I decide to go with VoIP. I will look into it some more. Very much appreciate your help.

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  hmac on 04/02/2021 - 21:31

  Good luck with FW, no matter what plan you are on, the minimum speed guarantee is 2mbps