Currently with Exetel and their plan suits me well so I plan to stick with them till end of this year.
However the free modem they sent to me is not very good. The WIFI signal is weak and stability is not good.
I would like to get a future proof NBN modem so I am hoping to get some advices here from the gurus. I also have plan to move to a new house early next year and I believe its a different type of NBN connection in a standalone house.
Therefore I need a good modem which can be used for both type of NBN connects and with strong & stable WIFI capability.
I Live in Apartment and Using nbn - Need Advice on a Better Modem
arctan on 26/04/2021 - 17:09
Comments
I think its FTTP (Apartment). My budget is around $250.
On FTTP hook up one TP-Link Archer AX20, Asus RT-AX55 or TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi mesh system to the NBN box. In an apartment you probably won't need to use all the Deco M5's. The extra Deco M5's can come in handy when you move.
Use the ZTE VDSL2 modem connected to one of those routers if your next house has FTTN. Stay away from FTTN ;-)
Does stand alone house usually get FTTN or FTTB?
Can you please clarify why I should stay away from FTTN? Not sure if I will have an option if that is the only NBN connection I will be getting.What you get depends on the location. The technology can vary even between neighbours. Check the address before moving. FTTP is capable of 1000Mbps and is very stable. FTTN speeds range depending mainly on node distance from 12Mbps to just over 100Mbps and you might get a maximum of just over 100Mbps and no problems or a maximum of say 30Mbps and maybe dropouts. FTTN can be a big downgrade coming from FTTP especially if you work from home.
From best to worst: FTTP, HFC, FTTC, FTTN/B, Fixed Wireless.
@arctan: New builds usually get FTTP. No promises though as NBN are still rolling out copper 🙄
Is there any new houses nearby that have been completed?
It could be anything. FTTP or HFC or FTTN or FTTC or VDSL2.
The most important part to your original question is to get a good wifi router. What Twix suggested are good.
Netgear. I live in a 40sq house and wifi is good for everyone - and TV streaming. I have no interest in the company - just sharing my experience. Oh, and their web interface is shite. Just sayin'. It works but wow, it's slow and cumbersome. But the modem works beautifully.
Netgear have a million routers. What are you using?
I haven't done this with mine, but I wonder if getting bigger antennas on your existing router could help if theres a port? Ditching usb dongles helps too. Nothing beats ethernet, but if you are renting you could try powerline adapters
Are you using Exetel's phone service for your land line?
A lot of ISP's won't give you the information you need to set-up your land line in your own modem.
Just something to be wary of …
Not using their land line phone service.
If that's FTTP, my understanding is that you don't need a modem, but a router. Still, you can use the provided modem without its wi-fi, and connect to a router.
I've been using the ASUS RT-AC86U (Merlin firmware) for many years, most of the time together with modems provided by different providers (Telstra, Optus, TPG, iiNET) and I love it. Currently, I'm on Superloop FTTP and I connect the NBN box to the ASUS directly.
Your next address might have the same type of connection. What kind of nbn is at the address your living in now? How much do you want to spend?