Skinny Futura Modem

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Skinny Futura Modem

RunningMan

9288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4919

#318443 18-Jan-2025 11:51

Skinny Futura modem

Anyone know more about this device other than what's on Skinny's site? What brand/model?

The specs as linked above suggest there is no external antenna capability - is this correct?

1 | 2

3825 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1374

Lifetime subscriber

#3332914 18-Jan-2025 11:59

Not hyperfibre ready!!

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

telans

14 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#3332916 18-Jan-2025 12:11

Seems to be an Arcadyan router (logo in "Getting to know your Skinny Futura Modem"). Spark uses that manufacturer for their smart router. Not sure about the model here though

RunningMan

9288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4919

#3332918 18-Jan-2025 12:27

Spyware:

Not hyperfibre ready!!

Given it's only supplied for fixed wireless connections...

EDIT: Currently.

telans

14 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#3332968 18-Jan-2025 12:44

Looks like it's called the Meteor 2 or Modem 2, something along those lines. Might be able to do 5G with the right options? Can't find much info on it at all.

In use by Telstra and Bouygues Telecom (France) from what I can find.

https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/internet/5g2-modem-qsg.pdf

https://www.assistance.bouyguestelecom.fr/s/article/installer-4G-5G-box

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/3qr16pkj

(Good info here?)

Image results for "Arcadyan Meteor" look identical to pictures on the Skinny url

Jiriteach

1139 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 373

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3332970 18-Jan-2025 12:56

Apart from an extra LAN port and a different design - it has all the same specs are the previous Smart Modem 2 which Skinny and Spark use for the Wireless Broadband connections.
Hardware specs look indentical so perhaps just a visual refresh? - diff form factor?

Saying this - The Spark SM2 has been solid for my backup links.

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

Talkiet

4819 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3935

Trusted

#3332987 18-Jan-2025 15:17

It's just a newer Arcadyan modem intended to be used primarily for FWA. It works great with FibreMax as well.

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.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

telans

14 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#3332988 18-Jan-2025 15:19

Jiriteach:

Apart from an extra LAN port and a different design - it has all the same specs are the previous Smart Modem 2 which Skinny and Spark use for the Wireless Broadband connections.
Hardware specs look indentical so perhaps just a visual refresh? - diff form factor?

The Smart Modem 2 box seems to use the Qualcomm IPQ8072A (Cortex-A53), and going by the links (and logs) above the Futura/Meteor uses the MediaTek MT6890 (Cortex-A55). That matches with the reported clock speeds too (2.2 vs 2.0GHz). There are probably some gains to be had moving from a 2012 to 2017 CPU architecture.

RunningMan

9288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4919

#3332989 18-Jan-2025 15:22

Jiriteach:

[snip]it has all the same specs are the previous Smart Modem 2 which Skinny and Spark use for the Wireless Broadband connections.

Notably though, the SM2 lists this

Two (2) external SMA type antenna ports (antenna not included),

which is not listed for the Futura, nor can I see provision for them in the photos on Skinny's site. There's perhaps room for them behind a panel to the left of the FXS port, but who knows.

Helping a friend sort an internet connection which is probably going to be Skinny fixed wireless, but an external antenna is likely to be needed for decent signal.

telans

14 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#3332990 18-Jan-2025 15:27

Jiriteach:

which is not listed for the Futura, nor can I see provision for them in the photos on Skinny's site. There's perhaps room for them behind a panel to the left of the FXS port, but who knows.

A French review/blog on the router I read confirms that, there aren't antenna ports.

RunningMan

9288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4919

#3332991 18-Jan-2025 15:27

telans: [snip] https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/internet/5g2-modem-qsg.pdf

If it's the same device, that manual refers to external antenna ports, but doesn't go into it any further, but that does look promising thanks.

EDIT: And a link to some photos of the Telstra variant that shows 2 x SMA connectors behind a cover at the top rear of the modem. https://www.flickr.com/photos/200031666@N08/53490208838/in/photostream/

telans

14 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#3332992 18-Jan-2025 15:30

RunningMan:

telans: [snip] https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/internet/5g2-modem-qsg.pdf

If it's the same device, that manual refers to external antenna ports, but doesn't go into it any further, but that does look promising thanks.

I didn't notice that bit, perhaps it's an option Telstra decided to add?

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Shindig

1626 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 364

Trusted

#3344051 18-Feb-2025 06:03

Should I request it when ordering my UFB connection?

The little things make the biggest difference.

farcus

1640 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 447

#3344136 18-Feb-2025 12:45

Shindig:

Should I request it when ordering my UFB connection?

You want the Smart Modem 3 for UFB
https://www.skinny.co.nz/broadband/smart-modem/

RunningMan

9288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4919

#3381596 7-Jun-2025 16:55

To close this off, there's no easily accessible external antenna ports. In the place the Telstra variant linked above has the antenna connectors there is a large sticker on the Skinny version. I guess this could be removed to see if the ports are there, but it certainly doesn't look to be intended.

BlargHonk

179 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 137

#3402043 12-Aug-2025 12:39

I just got one of these off TradeMe for Fibre as the old Smart Modem 3 died. Anyone know if they still create a mesh network with the SM3 and/or Smart Mesh?

1 | 2