Recommended Modem/Router for FTTN

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  ginger-gin on 24/08/2024 - 02:35

  +2

  Tbh, if you’re on fttn, don’t bother anything else as the max is only 100Mbps, Telstra modem box is reasonably good.
  I think you might only need good wifi coverage so make this Telstra modem box as bridge and buy a set of mesh routers( orbi, asus, tplink). This way in the future, if you have the chance to expose to other like fttp, fttb then we can still leverage from that with your old set of mesh wifi

  You cant chuck this Telstra modem as long as you’re on fttn, it will be haunted you until you change the address

  • 

    Spending2Much on 24/08/2024 - 04:58

    Thanks for your reply.
    Much appreciated.

    I can't wait to throw this old box, but seems like I'll be swearing at it for a while yet…

    Ok, so do you have a good suggestion for the 'mesh routers'

    I have TP Link TAPO indoor cameras and front door bell camera, so should I stick with the TP Link?

    Are the ones often posted on here worth getting?
    Or is there a cheaper alternative you suggest?

    Also, how difficult is it to make the 'Telstra Modem box a bridge'

    Thankyou

    • 

      ginger-gin on 24/08/2024 - 14:12

      Not sure abt TP Link but you can accommodate it since you’re have quite a whole ecosystem
      My friend using Orbi and he highly recommended

      Not difficult at all, just tick the box and you’re finished.
      This way you put all the loading and routing on the master router which i think fair enough
      There is also another design but i dont state here since hassle and not worth the effort

  • 

    ESEMCE on 24/08/2024 - 09:13

    +1

    100% agree. Telstra modems are good quality and modem technology hasn't changed for many years.
    Sounds like OP is in a Unit/Apartment…. Unless it's an enormous area, WiFi coverage should be pretty good just from the Modem provided it's reasonably centrally located and mounted high.

    The only likely WiFi range problem is the Garage.
    WiFi to a Garage is notoriously difficult though… I have fairly low expectations that anything will work even if OP is living in the units closest to the garage. If they're even one unit away, chances of coverage are next to none.
    Powerline Ethernet might be Op's best hope, but even that's not guaranteed.

    If the Apartment is big (or the phone point is only at one end of the apartment), MESH will help.

    Bridging to a Telstra modem is pretty easy, but does require some futzing about, especially given the choice of ISP (Exetel) who use PPPoE Authentication.
    OP will need to determine how tech savvy they are (and/or their techy friend is) to help get it up and running.

    Buying into an ecosystem like TPLink TAPO might be marginally easier to set up, but the brand of ecosystem wont make connecting other brand gear any simpler or harder, so it shouldn't be a buying consideration.

    The good news is that once it's up, you shouldn't have to worry about it again for many years.

    • 

      Spending2Much on 24/08/2024 - 09:29

      Thanks for your reply

      Large-ish free standing house, in strata complex.

      Wifi to garage is pretty much non existent using the Telstra box. It's plugged into the phone/ADSL wall socket in a middle room, and even getting outside is sketchy.
      Checking my phone now while writing this, I have 2 of the 4 bars only, of the wifi symbol while sitting in my bedroom.

      It's not 'mounted high' per se, but I'll see if I can get it any higher.

      • 

        ESEMCE on 24/08/2024 - 09:40

        2 of 4 bars sounds OK.
        Provided it's a reliable and sufficiently fast connection, I see no problem there.
        Most FttN connectuions are 50mbps or lower, so there's a fair chance your Internet speed is slower than 2 bars of WiFi provides.

        The garage/outdoors issue, the closer you can get to a line of sight connection the better, so yeah, a Mesh system might be a good solution, but if the garage is steel, or has double brick/stone walls, it probably still wont be enough, in which case Powerline Ethernet would be worth looking in to.

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  aat92 on 24/08/2024 - 03:14

  im also in a FTTN connection in strata complex. the nbn has a brochure you can print out off their site and hand it to your body cooperate or landlord or owner and pray they upgrade the building. i did this 6 months ago yet they just increase my rent not my internet speed.

  • 

    ginger-gin on 24/08/2024 - 14:08

    Damn bro 🤣 you handed an upgrade of internet and they gave you an upgrade of rental. Fair enough 🤣

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  bathuu on 24/08/2024 - 06:30

  I understand nbn is charging money to upgrade strata/complex connections. There is no "free" upgrade option for strata nbn at this stage. If you want to avoid crappy fttn, but can't get fttp then have a look at 5g home internet options considering you are closer to cell tower.

  • 

    Spending2Much on 24/08/2024 - 08:37

    I'd still need a 5G connection device, and WiFi device to get the range/connections?

    The small mobile Sim devices only have a limited number of connections?

    • 

      bathuu on 24/08/2024 - 14:38

      Seems like you gotta sort out your local wifi connection first if you have bad wifi signal all around. You probably need a good mesh system to make wifi signals to reach all the stretched areas like garage and back garden etc. Once this is done on your existing internet connection, and if the internet speed is still not fast enough then consider upgrading your internet type.