Options for Cheap VDSL Modem

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Options for Cheap VDSL Modem

Nettie3216

17 posts

Geek

#215075 11-Jun-2017 15:05

Have just changed from ADSL to VDSL, but I'm really not impressed with the Huawei HG630b that was provide with our plan. Keeps randomly dropping out and having trouble connecting at times. Lots of other routers in the neighborhood close by - this one is only 2.4GHz.
My old router(Netcomm NB16DG) was dualband - never had a problem. Can't use it - only ADSL or Fibre.
Considering buying a cheap router off TradeMe. Considering either a Netcomm NF15ACV-TP AC1200 (~$50) or a Fritzbox 7490 (might get it for less than $100).
Any others I should consider for VDSL? - btw because of our subdivision developer it's probably going to be a very long time before we get fibre :-( so that doesn't really come into the equation.
Is $50 ok for the Netcomm NF15ACV-TP AC1200 or is the Fritzbox 7490 much better? Any advice would be much appreciated - very keen to ditch the Huawei!

coffeebaron

6234 posts

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#1798050 11-Jun-2017 15:08

If you're happy with your NetComm then you could bridge a Draytek Vigor 130 into it.

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richms

28187 posts

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#1798052 11-Jun-2017 15:17

Draytek has been rock solid stable bridging to ethernet so I can run PPPoE on other devices.

Only downside is that some routers (like the unifi USG) do not also bring up an IP interface on the wan side so you can see the DSL stats when configured as PPPoE. So I have to unplug from the router, plug it into a PC and have a look at the line stats when its going slow inorder to know if its the line or something else. Most consumer routers seem to also pull in an IP address so you can just put the IP into your browser to see whats happening.

Richard rich.ms

smalltrader

174 posts

Master Geek

#1798068 11-Jun-2017 16:29

Nettie3216: Have just changed from ADSL to VDSL, but I'm really not impressed with the Huawei HG630b that was provide with our plan. Keeps randomly dropping out and having trouble connecting at times. Lots of other routers in the neighborhood close by - this one is only 2.4GHz.
My old router(Netcomm NB16DG) was dualband - never had a problem. Can't use it - only ADSL or Fibre.
Considering buying a cheap router off TradeMe. Considering either a Netcomm NF15ACV-TP AC1200 (~$50) or a Fritzbox 7490 (might get it for less than $100).
Any others I should consider for VDSL? - btw because of our subdivision developer it's probably going to be a very long time before we get fibre :-( so that doesn't really come into the equation.
Is $50 ok for the Netcomm NF15ACV-TP AC1200 or is the Fritzbox 7490 much better? Any advice would be much appreciated - very keen to ditch the Huawei!

I don't believe there is anything fundamentally wrong with the HG630b. In fact it uses a Broadcom chipset which is highly comptabile with cabinets which have Broadcom cards. I switch to VDSL in March and the HG630b has been rock solid with zero drop out. There have been lots of speed changes due to DLM and ddDLM but that has nothing to do with the modem. I only use the HB630b as a modem only as I have a much better spec Netgear R8000 as a Router/WiFi.

My gut feel is either you have a lemon HG630b or there is something wrong with your line. It is easy to blame the drop out on the modem but you might want to check for other factors.

Nettie3216

17 posts

Geek

#1810411 2-Jul-2017 14:53

Ok have now upgraded to the Fritzbox 7490. Everything is working well and no drop outs. Much stronger Wifi signals than the Huawei.

I don't doubt your comments about the Broadcom cards. However I think most of my problems were router issues not modem issues.

Just for reference if using a 2 Degrees configured Fritzbox. You need to restore it to standard firmware.
Instructions are here:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=85&topicid=148507

Follow the instructions by unsignedint - last reply on the topic

When connecting to Spark VDSL most of the Fritzbox automatic setting work well - but you also have to set the VLAN ID.
Just 'cos I was a bit slow with this: VID = VLAN ID :-)

Thanks!

RunningMan

8955 posts

Uber Geek

#1810412 2-Jul-2017 14:58

Nettie3216:
https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=85&topicid=148507

Follow the instructions by unsignedint - last reply on the topic

Just to make that easier

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=85&topicid=148507&page_no=1#1594948