Good/bad options for VDSL modems

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deadlyllama

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#300689 28-Sep-2022 11:58

I've got a friend out at Kai Iwi near Whanganui whose VDSL is ~23/10 with occasional hiccups. They've got a Netcomm modem of some sort, supplied by Slingshot, and POTS.

I've found their master jack, so should be able to put a master filter there and use a spare pair on one of the internal wires to run the DSL signal to the jackpoint they actually want - I'll install an RJ11 jack there.

I dimly remember that some modems were better than others back when I was on rural VDSL in 2018 - the HG659 came recommended back then. Now our options are the Netcomm, or what's in my junk pile (some fritzboxes and grey Vodafone homehubs), or to find another HG659. Is the netcomm likely to be good enough or should I chase down something better, and if so, what?

Another option to throw into the mix is to get them to switch plans/ISPs to someone who provides a good modem, and VoIP rather than POTS.

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#2974097 28-Sep-2022 12:10

HG659 in bridge mode is good. Draytek DV130 also good.

deadlyllama

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#2974102 28-Sep-2022 12:16

Are the fritz!boxes good, bad, or average? I see from this old thread that they at least used to have very detailed line stats, spectrum graphs, etc.

I can easily pick up an HG659 from FB if that's what's needed.

Linux

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#2974114 28-Sep-2022 12:41

Fritzbox are very good

Huntakillaz

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#2974125 28-Sep-2022 12:51

Parents have fritz box 7490, been working without a hitch ever since I switched to it, also had a Asus dsl-n55u previously that worked well, replaced with fritzbox coz needed to mesh setup.

HG659b is also a good one.

extech

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#2974132 28-Sep-2022 13:17

I live rurally near Wanganui and am also on VDSL. I changed last year from Orcon and had to return their Netcomm modem.
Using the new supplied Skinny modem speed dropped down by about 20%.
I tried various other modems different HG659s, Fritzbox etc. all showed a markedly slower throughput despite letting them settle in. I eventually got an old Netcomm NF4V and speed increase was instant and has stayed so for almost a year. Go figure.

Huntakillaz

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#2974186 28-Sep-2022 13:27

also the cable matters a lot between the modem and the jack.

I had one that was working fine, but when it was switched out, I got a speed increase, so definitely try a few different ones and see

BarTender

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#2974457 28-Sep-2022 20:07

I would say Fritzbox, HG659 or any of the Draytek VDSL routers will work well.

Also don't unplug the connection / reboot the router as it will muck up DLM or ring up your ISP and ask them to do a port refresh and see what difference that makes.

Lastly make sure if you can replace cabling from the ETP to the jackpoint then do it if the cable isn't from this century.

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nztim

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#2974473 28-Sep-2022 20:52

What Colour are the wires from the ETP to the first Jack ?

If they are Red/Blue/Green/White then replace it
If they are blue/white orange/white its all good

this is what @bartender is talking about

DONT install the filter at the master jack, it goes in the ETP - in fact if the Jack has an M on it replace it with a jack marked 2 or 2C

Also what is the are the modem stats?

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quickymart

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#2974537 28-Sep-2022 22:16

How about a Spark Smart Modem? Must admit I've only ever used mine on fibre, but I believe it works on A/VDSL as well.

Tinkerisk

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#2974614 29-Sep-2022 09:29

DrayTek Vigor 166 or 167 if you want to go up to 250Mb/s via copper (some day) which the 130 can‘t handle.

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nztim

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#2974973 29-Sep-2022 18:47

Tinkerisk:
DrayTek Vigor 166 or 167 if you want to go up to 250Mb/s via copper (some day) which the 130 can‘t handle.

Do those have an NZ Telepermit? If they Brick a DSLAM
port you could get a nasty bill from Chorus

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Tinkerisk

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#2974978 29-Sep-2022 19:01

nztim:
Tinkerisk:

DrayTek Vigor 166 or 167 if you want to go up to 250Mb/s via copper (some day) which the 130 can‘t handle.

Do those have an NZ Telepermit? If they Brick a DSLAM
port you could get a nasty bill from Chorus

I don't know that, but I know that it was approved by our authority and also authorised by Telekom as the network operator. And those are generally considered to be very restrictive with their policy. At least GoWirelessNZ seems not to have problems to sell their range of modems/routers. Chorus would have to have internationally exotic technical requirements for their DSLAMs to be upset by a DrayTek. :-)

nztim

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#2974989 29-Sep-2022 20:11

Tinkerisk:

I don't know that, but I know that it was approved by our authority and also authorised by Telekom as the network operator. And those are generally considered to be very restrictive with their policy. At least GoWirelessNZ seems not to have problems to sell their range of modems/routers. Chorus would have to have internationally exotic technical requirements for their DSLAMs to be upset by a DrayTek. :-)

Regardless of what approvals it has overseas without an NZ Telepermit (PTC Number) it should not be used in NZ - for example the DV130 has a NZ firmware for to meet NZ Telepermit standards and an AU firmware for NBN standards.

While it will most likely work without any issues - Why run the risk of causing any issues to the chorus network?

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Tinkerisk

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#2975067 29-Sep-2022 21:40

nztim:

Regardless of what approvals it has overseas without an NZ Telepermit (PTC Number) it should not be used in NZ - for example the DV130 has a NZ firmware for to meet NZ Telepermit standards and an AU firmware for NBN standards.

While it will most likely work without any issues - Why run the risk of causing any issues to the chorus network?

Sure - that's something everyone must ultimately decide for themselves, but it is technically feasible. Here, it is common practice that unapproved devices are not allowed to be sold in the first place. If that is different for you, so be it.

nztim

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#2975073 29-Sep-2022 21:55

Tinkerisk:
nztim:

Regardless of what approvals it has overseas without an NZ Telepermit (PTC Number) it should not be used in NZ - for example the DV130 has a NZ firmware for to meet NZ Telepermit standards and an AU firmware for NBN standards.

While it will most likely work without any issues - Why run the risk of causing any issues to the chorus network?

Sure - that's something everyone must ultimately decide for themselves, but it is technically feasible. Here, it is common practice that unapproved devices are not allowed to be sold in the first place. If that is different for you, so be it.

Most likely parallel imported from the EU

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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