Spark Smart Modem 2 vs B618?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark Smart Modem 2 vs B618?

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#2773803 7-Sep-2021 17:30

I can ask the device team tomorrow about band steering but it may be faster to get someone with access to one to confirm first :-)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Jiriteach

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#2773804 7-Sep-2021 17:32

catspyjamas:

No worries about not being sure about the plans it's offered with, @talkiet, but what about myquestion about bandsteering? I already had a good look at the info page & support guide for the Spark Smart Modem 2 before asking here. Or @Jiriteach - are you able to tell me if the Spark Smart Modem 2 does bandsteering?

Yes it does provide bandsteering. Enabled by default.

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catspyjamas

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#2773805 7-Sep-2021 17:38

Ah thanks @Jiriteach - that's one thing I really like about the original Spark Smart Modem compared with the old HG695b. What's the wifi like in terms of distance covered? Is it still able to deliver good wifi over the 5GHz channel to a device say 13 metres away from the modem? I find the B618 struggles with that (it does better with 2.4 at that distance) but the Spark Smart modem version 1 manages that distance well.

@talkiet - no worries, Jiriteach has answered!

Jiriteach

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#2773808 7-Sep-2021 17:41

catspyjamas:

Ah thanks @Jiriteach - that's one thing I really like about the original Spark Smart Modem compared with the old HG695b. What's the wifi like in terms of distance covered? Is it still able to deliver good wifi over the 5GHz channel to a device say 13 metres away from the modem? I find the B618 struggles with that (it does better with 2.4 at that distance) but the Spark Smart modem version 1 manages that distance well.

@talkiet - no worries, Jiriteach has answered!

Can't really talk to the wifi quality or coverage since am not using it for wifi. I have a full Ubiquiti setup with Wifi6 AP's already. Based on some quick testing - I'm seeing good connection speeds from my MacBook's but havent really tested range.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

catspyjamas

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#2773810 7-Sep-2021 17:53

Oh OK. No problem. Thanks for replying @Jiriteach :) Maybe someone else with one can chime in about the coverage.

PJ48

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#2773817 7-Sep-2021 18:13

Does anyone know if the SM2 will work with the Smart MESH, or do they only work with the original Smart Modem?

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snnet

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#2773879 7-Sep-2021 19:27

PJ48:

Does anyone know if the SM2 will work with the Smart MESH, or do they only work with the original Smart Modem?

My understanding is they are meant to be compatible, it is after all from the same manufacturer

catspyjamas

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#2775785 10-Sep-2021 09:05

@snnet - If you don't mind and have the time, would you be able to give some feedback about wifi quality and coverage, esp on the 5GHz channel? If you've ever used the Huawei B618 I'd be keen to hear how they compare, esp in regards to coverage. Thanks!

snnet

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#2776054 10-Sep-2021 14:19

catspyjamas:

@snnet - If you don't mind and have the time, would you be able to give some feedback about wifi quality and coverage, esp on the 5GHz channel? If you've ever used the Huawei B618 I'd be keen to hear how they compare, esp in regards to coverage. Thanks!

Sure, as soon as it gets released by the courier who have had it out for delivery the past few days!

snnet

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#2776316 11-Sep-2021 10:58

@catspyjamas

In my house there is a marked improvement in WiFi coverage by the Smart Modem 2, however there are a few things you may want to know about the modem itself

If you're an existing wireless broadband customer, don't follow Spark's instructions completely when you get the new modem because they're wrong. I don't know why they don't fix these things or check these things but it's a recurring theme with this and other instances when they've sent SIM cards out with products. If you're an existing wireless broadband customer you're going to have to remove the SIM card that came with the new modem and insert the one that was in your old modem. If the old modem is a B618 you're going to have to carefully dismantle the SIM card that came with the new modem as the new modem needs a bigger size SIM (so you need to place the micro sim from the B618 in place of the one that's with the old modem, if that makes sense). Really annoying that they send you instructions with "just wait 5 minutes and you'll be online" and then making a call to the helpdesk and pretty much being told you're a moron for not bastardising the new sim and old sim to make it work. My sim is actually now stuck in the new modem because it didn't stay intact of the shell of the rest of the sim around it. I have half a mind to demand a replacement with the proper SIM activated. Why they couldn't just activate the new SIM is beyond me.

Anyway, another thing I've noticed is you can't adjust WAN DNS settings with this modem. Maybe you can by doing some static routing, which it does support.

My upload speed was improved quite a lot when I changed to this modem, so that's a plus.

Jiriteach

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#2776325 11-Sep-2021 11:10

snnet:
@catspyjamas

In my house there is a marked improvement in WiFi coverage by the Smart Modem 2, however there are a few things you may want to know about the modem itself

If you're an existing wireless broadband customer, don't follow Spark's instructions completely when you get the new modem because they're wrong. I don't know why they don't fix these things or check these things but it's a recurring theme with this and other instances when they've sent SIM cards out with products. If you're an existing wireless broadband customer you're going to have to remove the SIM card that came with the new modem and insert the one that was in your old modem. If the old modem is a B618 you're going to have to carefully dismantle the SIM card that came with the new modem as the new modem needs a bigger size SIM (so you need to place the micro sim from the B618 in place of the one that's with the old modem, if that makes sense). Really annoying that they send you instructions with "just wait 5 minutes and you'll be online" and then making a call to the helpdesk and pretty much being told you're a moron for not bastardising the new sim and old sim to make it work. My sim is actually now stuck in the new modem because it didn't stay intact of the shell of the rest of the sim around it. I have half a mind to demand a replacement with the proper SIM activated. Why they couldn't just activate the new SIM is beyond me.

Anyway, another thing I've noticed is you can't adjust WAN DNS settings with this modem. Maybe you can by doing some static routing, which it does support.

My upload speed was improved quite a lot when I changed to this modem, so that's a plus.

I alway using some cello tape to prevent that from happening but yes the sun sizes are different between the devices.

WAN DNS can be adjusted for fibre - PPPoE connections. For mobile - it can but its hidden from the web interface similar to the B618’s. You can always override on local devices.

I’ve also noticed stronger 4G connection from these devices which would mean faster speeds.
In the evening I’ve speed ~100mbs/45mbs which is very good but it’s highly variable.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

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snnet

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#2776327 11-Sep-2021 11:14

Jiriteach:

I alway using some cello tape to prevent that from happening but yes the sun sizes are different between the devices.

WAN DNS can be adjusted for fibre - PPPoE connections. For mobile - it can but its hidden from the web interface similar to the B618’s. You can always override on local devices.

I’ve also noticed stronger 4G connection from these devices which would mean faster speeds.
In the evening I’ve speed ~100mbs/45mbs which is very good but it’s highly variable.

Okay, I shouldn't have listened to the tech about not using tape to hold it in place either!

I haven't been able to find the hidden element for DNS with mobile connections - I did try this. I had alternate DNS settings in my laptop and it seemed to get forced to use what the router wanted to be used until I played with several settings like uPNP IGD and the firewall level - I don't know if it was a glitch or it actually changed a setting..

My increased upload has been pretty static, but time will tell I suppose. It's not as high as 45Mbit up, mind you.

catspyjamas

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#2776341 11-Sep-2021 12:25

Ah cheers for the replies @Jiriteach and @snnet.

Firstly that's good to hear about coverage. :)

Secondly I am actually a Spark VDSL customer, but they are going to remove PTSN services here very soon, and so I need to change to either wireless or fibre. Obviously fibre is the no-brainer, however there are issues in terms of installation; for now at least - a long story that I won't bore you with unless you're interested. So I'm actually going to be a new Spark wireless customer for the foreseeable, so no transferring of sims or set-up issues (I hope). Hoping that my Spark funded Neon and Netflix will automatically cross-over - I'm told they will.

I'm currently using the Spark Smart modem version 1 for VDSL, and the coverage is awesome. I have a strong connection over the whole house with that one. I have also used a B618 for wireless with Skinny. I like the B618 but the coverage isn't great. Close to the modem, I get anything from 60 to 150 down, and 25 to 45 up, depending on the day and time. Mostly it's between 80-110 down. So my speeds are already pretty good on 4G here (unless I'm more than one room away from the modem, and if I'm in the lounge it can be like being back on ADSL).

I hear you re frustratingly basic GUI with the B618. Would someone mind explaining exactly how you unhide those hidden features in the GUI for the Spark Smart Modem 2? And also the B618 for that matter - I may need to reconnect that from time to time if I can't keep to the monthly allowance of the wireless plan.

Thanks!

snnet

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#2776362 11-Sep-2021 13:18

catspyjamas:

Ah cheers for the replies @Jiriteach and @snnet.

Firstly that's good to hear about coverage. :)

Secondly I am actually a Spark VDSL customer, but they are going to remove PTSN services here very soon, and so I need to change to either wireless or fibre. Obviously fibre is the no-brainer, however there are issues in terms of installation; for now at least - a long story that I won't bore you with unless you're interested. So I'm actually going to be a new Spark wireless customer for the foreseeable, so no transferring of sims or set-up issues (I hope). Hoping that my Spark funded Neon and Netflix will automatically cross-over - I'm told they will.

I'm currently using the Spark Smart modem version 1 for VDSL, and the coverage is awesome. I have a strong connection over the whole house with that one. I have also used a B618 for wireless with Skinny. I like the B618 but the coverage isn't great. Close to the modem, I get anything from 60 to 150 down, and 25 to 45 up, depending on the day and time. Mostly it's between 80-110 down. So my speeds are already pretty good on 4G here (unless I'm more than one room away from the modem, and if I'm in the lounge it can be like being back on ADSL).

I hear you re frustratingly basic GUI with the B618. Would someone mind explaining exactly how you unhide those hidden features in the GUI for the Spark Smart Modem 2? And also the B618 for that matter - I may need to reconnect that from time to time if I can't keep to the monthly allowance of the wireless plan.

Thanks!

I'm in a similar position regarding fibre, though they may have improved it for me if they've allowed for my house at the back where other houses are (a drive kind of curves around behind my house) so I will look into that as well (it's where my power and phone currently comes in)

For unhiding things you can get chrome extensions like Unhide but I'm not a huge fan of leaving extensions installed because of the amount of them that end up containing malware (even with malwarebytes and other things installed to pick these things up)

Your services will come across usually, I didn't experience an issue with this. If it's a new plan you're changing to you'll be able to follow the instructions given and shouldn't have a problem

lapimate

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#2887150 16-Mar-2022 13:54

snnet: ... If you're an existing wireless broadband customer you're going to have to remove the SIM card that came with the new modem and insert the one that was in your old modem. ...

That does not seem to be the case now. I received a Smart Modem 2 to replace my B618 and the Smart Modem 2 came with its own SIM card and connected to the internet. (I had first tried the B618's card and that did not complete LTE connection).
Initially the Smart Modem 2 "Wireless Landline" did not function - just got interrupted dialtone; took Spark Faults several hours to re-provision the "Wireless Landline" service but there has been an improvement there because with the B618 there was previously a noticeable delay with connection after dialling.

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