[Snap] Thinking of UFB, but don't want to use FritzBox

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › [Snap] Thinking of UFB, but don't want to use FritzBox

shermanp

355 posts

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#132314 17-Oct-2013 07:23

Hi

We are currently looking at various options for how to proceed with UFB. One of our options is of course Snap.

However, if we were to choose Snap, I doubt the family would be terribly happy with having to fork out $275 (+ postage) on yet another "super router" - especially when we already have two good devices (a TP-Link WDR4300 for WiFi duties, and a Cisco SRP527W for UFB and SIP/ATA duties.

Will Snap provide UFB and phone services on alternative hardware, or at least provide the necessary settings?

EDIT: And no, we don't particularly want to sign up for a 24 month contract either.

chevrolux

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#916437 17-Oct-2013 08:11

The SRP527W only has 100Mbps interfaces and can only route up to about 85Mbps. So if you are wanting to go on a 100/50 plan you will never really have the opportunity to use it to it's full potential.

How much did your TV cost? Compare that to a cost of a good router and with the time you spend on the net I would say $275 is a drop in a hat.

sidefx

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#916443 17-Oct-2013 08:25

I don't think there are any major roadblocks using other devices on a snap connection, though I guess they are unsupported by snap so you'll need to be comfortable configuring it yourself. There have been a couple of threads with people having trouble getting snap VOIP settings to get VOIP working on other hardware.

I went with a 24 month contract to get the fritzbox cheaper (they weren't free back in those days even on contract) and haven't regretted it at all. And you can transfer a 24 contract to a new house if you move, even if it's not in a UFB zone.

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Inphinity

2780 posts

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#916445 17-Oct-2013 08:31

Choose the 'bring your own fritz' option if you like, but it'll be up to you to make it work. There's another thread here about VOIP with Snap on a non-Fritz.

SRP527W is gonna need to use a LAN port as the WAN interface with UFB, though...

timmmay

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#916457 17-Oct-2013 08:55

Snap told me you can use any router you like, but (and I forget how they phrased this) the support they provide will be very limited.

D1NZ

194 posts

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#916509 17-Oct-2013 10:15

For me I am using a self build low power PC with server grade hardware and runs pfSense 2.1 RELEASE as my router.
You don't have to use FritzBox if you know what you doing.

And I was only being asked to sign a 12 months contract as I don't need router. But with that said I have already had a FritzBox 7340 mailed to me back when I had VDSL2 with Snap, and that I rarely use only for troubleshooting purpose.

shermanp

355 posts

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#916553 17-Oct-2013 12:33

Thank you all for the responses. So the basic answer is, if it isn't FritzBox, we don't support it, but it should work.

As far as phone services are concerned, I'm seriously considering having a seperate VoIP service such as WXC or 2talk. How is the stability if Snap's VoIP service now? I know there was some trouble a while back regarding dialling automated phone services like banks, IRD etc.

The idea of using pfsense looks very appealing. We have a number of older PC's that could be put back to work as a router.

RunningMan

8953 posts

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#916639 17-Oct-2013 15:33

shermanp: [snip]

As far as phone services are concerned, I'm seriously considering having a seperate VoIP service such as WXC or 2talk.

There are a number of threads around where people has done precisely this - particularly people who have been with WXC, moved the internet connection (xDSL or UFB) to Snap!, but kept VoIP with WXC.

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kiwitrc

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#916645 17-Oct-2013 15:44

Like D1NZ above we just use an ethernet port on our IPfire (free software) firewall, no router required and really easy to set up.

sidefx

3711 posts

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#916661 17-Oct-2013 16:38

shermanp:
As far as phone services are concerned, I'm seriously considering having a seperate VoIP service such as WXC or 2talk.

This is exactly what I've done - snap for VDSL, 2talk for VOIP, works brilliantly. I have no desire to try snap VOIP, their calling rates aren't as good as 2talk and from the issues other seem to have, their voip service just isn't quite as mature as the likes of 2talk or WXC.

But on UFB you don't have the option of not getting snap VOIP right? My feeling if I was on UFB would then be more along the lines of: If I'm paying for snap VOIP, might as well use it :)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman