Looking to purchase a new router?
Looking to purchase a new router?
Hi Joey117, congratulations on receiving FTTP in the UK as Ethernet PPPoE—this means you won’t need a router with a built-in modem or similar port. Just use a standard WAN Ethernet connection (just note this differs from LAN ports available on most routers). It’s tough to suggest one router, but I’d advise choosing a well-known brand like Netgear, Asus, or TP-Link. Personally, I’d go with either Netgear or Asus, though I’m not using any of those three myself. They offer good value. If you’re getting a 300mbps package or more and plan to use Wi-Fi, expect some speed reduction from typical consumer routers. Based on your last comment about Wi-Fi issues, investing in a business-grade access point—like a Ubiquiti AP—might be worthwhile. A Unifi Nano HD costs around £160 and isn’t a router by itself; you’d still need your smart hub 2. This would let you disable the weak Wi-Fi from the hub and switch to the stronger signal from the access point. Thanks, Scott.
FTTP operates without a modem since it relies on standard Ethernet connections. Previously, with ADSL or VDSL (commonly referred to as Fibre by BT), users would connect a filter into a telephone socket and either link it to a modem or directly to a router equipped with an integrated modem. The older setup typically used a compact RJ11 cable featuring just two pins. I’ve attached a photo of my former Netgear router, which has only a WAN/Internet port (no modem), while the four Ethernet ports on the left serve as regular LAN ports and the yellow port on the right can connect to an external modem or directly to your GPON ONT (the white box visible in the background). You can still use a router that includes a modem if it has a WAN/Internet port, though you wouldn’t connect to the modem port. The Nighthawk model is likely a solid choice. The router shown is an older Nighthawk, probably an AC3200. The XR500 looks promising for your current setup, but I’m uncertain if it would deliver 900mbps over Gigabit. I couldn’t locate anyone testing it at gigabit speeds online, though it seems suitable for its price range. For faster connections, you’d likely need to invest more to upgrade to a higher tier. It’s unlikely you’ll achieve full gigabit speeds via Wi-Fi; you’d probably get around 500–700mbps under normal conditions, assuming the environment is quiet and interference minimal. As a tip, if you enjoy speed testing, note that Gigabit is the minimum required for hosting a SpeedTest server, so actual results might be lower if multiple users are downloading simultaneously from your connection. Running several servers at once and averaging their speeds can help gauge your own performance.