Telstra Modem Gen 2 + HFC + Google Mesh

Uncle Roger on 03/05/2024 - 16:13
Last edited 04/05/2024 - 22:26 by 1 other user

Hey all, trying to help out my in-laws with their terrible internet connection.

The NBN HFC/WiFi router is on one side of their double-bricked house, and as a result, connection is very bad even in the middle of the house. They're currently on 50/20 with Telstra (a rip off, I know…) The cheap TP-link extender they bought basically does nothing.

For starters, I'd like to help with the coverage. With the Google Nest Wifi on special today, would this be a good solution in simply acting as a mesh? If yes, would just the Nest points work with the Telstra Modem, or would I need to connect the Google router?

And then ideally I'd like to move them off Telstra completely, but they want to keep their landline services for now….

Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Internet Broadband Google Mesh Network nbn Wireless Router

Comments

  • mskeggs on 03/05/2024 - 16:23
    +1

    It will work fine, and likely offer a major improvement. Just plug one into the Telstra modem and follow directions.
    I suggest moving cautiously if they like their landline - very easy for it to get lost in ISP moves.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 17:38

      Not if you have an ISP that knows what they are doing. Generally its recommended to do a CatC Complex port when moving from Telstra to another provider due to the complex nature of Telstra billing and how they bundle services.
      The CatC port takes longer but makes sure you don't loose the number.

  • Cheapskates on 03/05/2024 - 16:44

    It will work. I have HFC and the Google Nest and also 1st gen Google WiFi in the same network. In my instance, my NBN modem is in the garage at the back, my house is smart wired so my Google Nest Router is in the middle of the house with another Point upstairs and an 1st gen Google WiFi router in the garage to provide coverage.

  • Twix on 03/05/2024 - 16:50
    +1

    Don't purchase the Nest Wi-Fi bundle if they want to keep the Telstra phone service. Nest Wi-Fi really wants to be the main router and Nest Wi-Fi doesn't support being an access point when you use two or three. There are no Ethernet ports on the Nest Wi-Fi points which is a deal breaker for some.

    Get a mesh setup that can be configured as Wi-Fi access points and if you can hardwire them together with Ethernet even better.

    —— is Ethernet and )))) is Wi-Fi.

    Option 1. nbn HFC NTD box —— Telstra router (Wi-Fi off) —— TP-Link Deco —— TP-Link Deco —— TP-Link Deco.
    Option 2. nbn HFC NTD box —— Telstra router (Wi-Fi off) —— TP-Link Deco )))) TP-Link Deco )))) TP-Link Deco.

    If you can get them scrap the Telstra phone service the Nest Wi-Fi is suitable.

    nbn HFC NTD box —— Nest Wi-Fi router )))) Nest Wi-Fi point )))) Nest Wi-Fi point.

    • Hirolol on 03/05/2024 - 20:58

      He clearly said that in the post but the parents want the VoIP

      • Twix on 03/05/2024 - 21:04

        Option 1 and 2 keep the Telstra VoIP and 4G failover working and you don't get double NAT/strict NAT problems.

    • Uncle Roger on 14/05/2024 - 12:01

      Hey mate, just setting up the Deco M5 now - you said to turn the wifi off on gen Telstra gen 2 modem - there was just a green wifi button on the back of the unit that I clicked and now it's off. That should be good?

      • Twix on 14/05/2024 - 12:03

        Yeah the Telstra Wi-Fi is off. Turn on access point in the Deco's settings.

        • Uncle Roger on 14/05/2024 - 12:21

          Thanks for that! Updated Devo to access points, network reset!

          Weirdly the Telstra network is still visible when I search available networks (very poor signal tho)

          • Twix on 14/05/2024 - 12:26

            @Uncle Roger: It's meant to be off. Login to the Telstra modem and turn off the wireless there.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 17:48
      +1

      Do we know what model Router / modem OP has? as the V3 model has Wifi 6 which should get a lot better coverage and Telstra themsleves do provide booster for that offering which might do the job and save a bit of messing around. Otherwise yeah I would do what Twix suggested.
      But if Telstra can provide upgraded equipment that will do the job as part of the contract then that would be easier.
      I would suggest going to a Telstra store (providing the OP has a decent one near by), some of them can still be a bit hit and miss. Like the rest of Telstra.
      They aren't the worst telecom's company anymore by far though, some of the private fibre operators are far worse.

      • Twix on 14/05/2024 - 17:51

        They have the older Telstra smart modem gen 2 with Wi-Fi 5 and are using it for VoIP and the TP-Link Deco M5 for Wi-Fi.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 18:09

          Oh right yeah I did read that. If possible an upgrade to the V3 modem from Telstra would be ideal but the Google Mesh system will work well and do the job.

          • Twix on 14/05/2024 - 18:57

            @[Deactivated]: No point getting the Telstra smart modem gen 3 as the Wi-Fi isn't being used. Telstra smart modem gen 2 is still fast enough as their router.

            • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 19:59
              +1

              @Twix: Yeah it was just a suggestion as I thought the initial issue was with the Wifi coverage, but I missed the part about the existing TP-Link modem that they had. The newer Telstra modem with the added wireless points would fix the issue though. More then one way to skin a cat as they say. Plus the OP mentioned about wanting to keep Telstra due to the improved landline. Well more due to the hassle of moving it which makes sense.
              Plus the new modem can be free as part of a contract, but it sounds like the OP has gained plenty of ideas anyway.

  • JimmyF on 03/05/2024 - 17:34
    +1

    And then ideally I'd like to move them off Telstra completely, but they want to keep their landline services for now….

    My rule of thumb is that anyone who wants a landline can just pay Telstra prices. Its not worth the hassle for me to move the number over to a VOIP service and set that up etc then support it when something isn't working right..

    That said, the mesh wifi will work in access points mode AOK, just remember to turn off the modems wifi, so the devices don't try to connect to that as well.

    • Uncle Roger on 04/05/2024 - 22:31

      Tend to agree with this, though honestly they barely even use their landline… it's just for the peace of mind I guess lol.
      Do any oher providers even offer landlines anymore at prices that would make a switch worthwhile?

      Regarding mesh, do I use the actual google modem as well, or I only need the 2 "points"?

      Thanks so much

      • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 17:59

        As the owner of an ISP, though aimed at businesses not the residential market, their isn't such a thing as a landline service under the NBN, its all data only the phone service is totally optional and not a requirement for most areas, Satellite and Fixed Wireless customers for the time being can still order legacy PSTN old school landline services but the majority of NBN phone services are now Voip Voice over IP.
        These services can be had cheaper then Telstra for around $15 a month or less even depending on if calls are included, but if the power goes out you need to either have a UPS connected to power the Router and phone or you get no phone service and no internet so are reliant on the mobile networks.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 20:18

      It's not hard for ISPs with decent voice teams who know what they are doing to support a voip service.
      Needless to say I've gone through a few wholesale voice providers till I found one with good quality. A lot use cheap codecs and such.
      Ironically I use the Telstra network for most of it.

      • JimmyF on 14/05/2024 - 20:37

        Ironically I use the Telstra network for most of it.

        So you tried others and ended back up on Telstra?

        So basically as I said then? Anyone who wants a landline can just pay Telstra prices. Its not worth the hassle for me to move the number over to a VOIP service and set that up etc then support it when something isn't working right.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 20:47

          I've got a few wholesale providers for my business but yes the main network provider is Telstra.
          Telstra retail is expensive you can get cheaper providers that still use the Telstra network.
          My business sells both Optus and Telstra data but Telstra still have the better voice network.

          • JimmyF on 14/05/2024 - 20:59

            @[Deactivated]:

            Telstra retail is expensive you can get cheaper providers that still use the Telstra network.

            Don't disagree its costly, but it does just work.

            My business sells both Optus and Telstra data but Telstra still have the better voice network.

            Ahhh but guessing those people pay you to support their VoIP services being you are a business selling them services, so that is where things are a bit different, to the OP/me who will be doing this for 'love'.

            Got no time for piss farting around to save them $20/m all while costing me time without pay!

            • [Deactivated] on 14/05/2024 - 21:07

              @JimmyF: Yeah it only works if you are the hardware provider and everything is pre-configured.
              That saves a lot of time and effort.
              Plus yeah being paid to provide the services helps as well.

  • vince088 on 03/05/2024 - 20:55

    Modem connect to 1st Google Mesh front of house > Place 2nd Mesh Middle of House > Place 3rd Mesh back of house
    Make sure turn on bridge mode on the Google.

    Full speed whole house, winning.

    ps. Telstra modem turn off all wifi, let the google mesh do all the wifi signals

    • Uncle Roger on 04/05/2024 - 22:32

      Thanks for that! The 3 pack we bought is the modem+2 points, do you mean that the modem is also able to be used as a point?

      Whats the best way to turn the telstra modem wifi off? Do I do it via APN settings?

      Thanks again!

      • Twix on 05/05/2024 - 12:40

        There are cheap VoIP companies. If they ditch Telstra they might lose access to the automatic 4G failover. 4G failover for internet and phone can come in handy in HFC areas when there are power outages.

        Login to the Telstra routers IP and there is a wireless section to turn off the signal.

        You use both the Nest Wi-Fi router and the Nest Wi-Fi points. Nest Wi-Fi isn't really the right product to use with the Telstra phone.

        Bridge mode is only supported in single-unit configurations (i.e., only the Ethernet-connected primary can be in bridge mode, and there can't be any mesh / secondary units).

        https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/How-to-Chan…

        In Bridge mode, this single mesh point will operate as a pure Wi-Fi access point connected over an Ethernet wire to your modem.

        Note: Bridge mode on Wifi devices only works on a single Wifi device setup. If you create a mesh network with multiple Wifi devices, your primary Wifi router can't be in Bridge mode because it needs to control settings and communication within your Wi-Fi network.

        https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6277579?hl=en-A…

        The ideal Nest Wi-Fi scenario is to plugin the Nest Wi-Fi router to the nbn NTD box. The negative is no phone and 4G failover.

        • Uncle Roger on 08/05/2024 - 10:46
          +1

          Thanks for all your helpful comments Twix!

          Reckon Deco M5 will be good enough?

          They want landline so will stay with Telstar for now I think!

          • Twix on 08/05/2024 - 10:51

            @Uncle Roger: Deco M5 is suitable. Go into the Deco's advanced settings and toggle on access point.

            • Uncle Roger on 08/05/2024 - 10:52
              +1

              @Twix: Sweet, will grab one (currently on special on eBay for $189), and will try move on the nest WIFI 3 pack

            • Uncle Roger on 26/06/2024 - 22:47

              @Twix: Update:

              Setup the Deco M5 on May 14, was flawless for about a month. Thanks for that recommendation

              In the past 2 weeks, they are having issues yet again, they like to watch Channel 7/9 at night, and now its suddenly not working again. I'm kinda at wits end because it worked so well for the first month, and now its back to square one - we are all so frustrated lol.

              They are still on 50/20, and as far as I know, nothing has changed - they use a recent model Lenovo laptop, so really not sure what the issue could be!

              @Twix Any ideas what may have caused this? TIA

              • Twix on 26/06/2024 - 22:57

                @Uncle Roger: So the 7 Plus and 9Now online player doesn't load at all? Are they using the built-in TV apps or web browser with an adblocker?

                • Uncle Roger on 26/06/2024 - 23:11

                  @Twix: Web browser I think, though maybe they should try the built in tv apps?

                  Is just so strange, because everything worked fine initially… And now suddenly back to how it was

                • Uncle Roger on 26/06/2024 - 23:16

                  @Twix: One thing I have nticed is that the signal strength between Decos on the app is down to one bar, which isn't how it looked when I set it up….

                  • Twix on 26/06/2024 - 23:30

                    @Uncle Roger: Adblockers can cause problems with 7 Plus and 9Now. If they use an adblocker turn it off for those two websites, refresh the page and report back.

                    Test the built-in TV apps and report back.

                    Maybe the laptop is connecting to a Deco that is further away. You might need to play around with the preferred Deco and preferred Wi-Fi band settings. https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/faq/3480/

  • Hirolol on 03/05/2024 - 20:57
    +1

    Yeah works fine
    I have exact same setup at my mums house, she is with telstra and refuses to switch coz of the homephone
    Except it’s the older model google mesh Wi-Fi that has more of a sharper edge

  • vince088 on 04/05/2024 - 13:36

    I also called and got a free upgrade on my Gen 2 modem to Gen 3 as long as I don't leave Telstra for next 24 months, which I don't plan to.

    • Uncle Roger on 04/05/2024 - 22:33

      Interesting, do you find its better than the Gen 2? Varying reviews online…

      • vince088 on 05/05/2024 - 09:56

        did not matter to me as I'm just using it as a bridge, connected to my mesh system

        ps. its free why not

  • Uncle Roger on 04/05/2024 - 22:24
    +1

    Thanks everyone for all the comments. Appreciate it!

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