topic Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues? in Broadband

TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:41:07 GMT

Hello all

I know Sky have issues using TP-Link router direct to the ONT as TP-Link router don't have this "61" something on the settings.

I have Sky TV and the 300Mbs is available for £27 and 500Mbs for £29. I would like to know if the drama with "61" still there. I really want to use my own router otherwise Vodafone are doing £29 for 500Mbs with a giftcard and they allow all routers.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Chrisee — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:50:13 GMT

@Sayek no drama or issues it is simply to guarantee connection to a UK Sky service requires the router to support DHCPv4 Option 61 which TP-Link routers dont. You maybe lucky and becable to use the alternate DHCPv6 PD system but whether that works depends on the equipment at your exchange roughly 80% will and 20% wont.

Asus and other manufacturers routers support both methods why TP-Linkmdont is sometthing you would havecto ask them. If you are out of contract you can switch if you want. Sky "permit" but dont support any thitd party routers which I suspect is the same as Vodafone.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:09:45 GMT

Thanks for your reply @Chrisee

I appreciate Asus and Netgear routers work but they are a lot more expensive for same spec compared to TP-Link.

Asus and Netgear are aimed at advance users that like to fine tune settting.

I am currently using TP-Link AX73 on Virgin Media with great Wi-Fi range and stabiity on a 3 bed terranced house.

With Openreach FTTP now available on the road and my Virgin Media contract ends very soon, looking to switch. Vodafone don't have the complication with "option 61". Based on their forum you just obtain the user ID and PW over live chat and all good.

Would have been ideal to have both Sky TV and internet on same bill...but not happening it seems.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:14:50 GMT

Hi @Chrisee

So I have not dismissed the idea and looking at the suggestion you made.

So in the TP link router settings....what would i need to complete😊

Appreciate your knowledge.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Chrisee — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:19:44 GMT

@Sayek that looks correct but I am no expert on configuring third party routers some of the other SUs know this area in detail. As I warned the IP6 PD method is not guaranteed to work on every line as it depends on what equipment is in the fibre exchange you connection goes to.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:23:29 GMT

Appreciate your honesty. So its a bit like puchase a lottery scratch card 😁

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 06:47:55 GMT

@Chrisee

Thanks for the help. So I have Sky 500 now and tweaking the routers like a little school kid with new toys 😁

I connected Sky black router to ONT and TP-Link AX73 to Sky router and used at Wi-Fi access point, and did switch off the both bands of Wi-Fi on Sky router. Was happy with this setup.

But I was curious if the TP-Link would work direct from the ONT...and this morning I plugged TP-Link direct to ONT. The TP-Link app requested I reset the settings and it recognised the connection on IPV4.

So my questions, is there any advantage of trying the IPV6 setup or just leave everything working on IPV4.

Appreciate your feeback

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Chrisee — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:03:31 GMT

@Sayek if the router connected and remains connected you are in the UK as opposed to Ireland it is using the DHCPv6 PD method of authentication. What can happen though if you swp routers quickly the connection session set up by the Sky hub stays up but wont renew when the lease expires after an hour or so.

A dual IP4/6 stack is strongly recommended Sky have supported IP6 for as long as I can remember.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Thu, 01 May 2025 09:04:38 GMT

Appreciate your assistance. It's been running fine over 24h direct to the ONT.

I was a little worried before purchase that TP-Link may not 100% work but the risk paid off and all running smoothly.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Ikenna — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:13:51 GMT

Please I want to try this.Is yours still running?

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Chrisee — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:31:49 GMT

@Ikenna if you are in the UK and have not bought a router already TP-Link may not be the best choice unless your Sky connection is from City Fibre where the DHCPv6 PD method will definitely work. On the more common Openreach full fibre connections roughly 80% of lines support that method and 20% dont but there is no known way on knowing which system your connection can use in advance.

Once connected and the router stays connected for over an hour then you can be confident it will stay connected.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Ikenna — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:02:29 GMT

Thanks.

I am in the Uk and have AX73 tp link which i used with Virgin.Wifi was good and no issues for 2years.I joined sky few days ago and the WiFi max hub was good for 2days,then started disconnecting my work laptop.I used the tp link as access point,turned off the sky router and the problem stopped.However I tried connecting the tp link directly to the ont and it's working without any configuration.I guess I will have to see how long it will last.If it stops working then I will have to put it back as access point.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:08:59 GMT

@Ikenna It did work but my boys were on odd occasions screaming about internet connection when gaming.

I tested TP-AX73 and Deco X50 and both worked direct from ONT for me. But in the end I decided to plug the Sky router back to the ONT and plug the TP-Link to the Sky router. My TP-Link is setup as "Acces point" on the setting.

The Sky router Wi-Fi is disabled so only the TP-Link deals with the WI-Fi. The internet connection seems very stable with this setup.

Also I can monitor the connection of the LED on Sky router if any issues.

As @Chrisee pointed out it depends on your exchange. But going forward with any ISP I will leave ISP router connected to ONT and plug my hardware to ISP router.

Here is my TP-Link sitting top of a fan and Sky router in the background all hidden inside a TV cabinet

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Chrisee — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:10:15 GMT

@Sayek & @Ikenna incidentally my own home networks has a Deco system running in access point mode behind a Sky hub.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Ikenna — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:20:19 GMT

I have put the sky hub back.I didnt lose connection with the tp link directly to the router yet but I think it's best to have the ISP provided router directly to the ont to avoid any potential issues.I have now set the tp link as access point and disabled the sky hub wifi

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:08:06 GMT

@Ikenna TBH I never really noticed any connection issues and I work from home most days. But my sons on several occasion saying Sky internet is **bleep** and we should go back to Virgin Media.

I figured best to leave Sky router connected as it may go through the odd routine checks to validate the conenction.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

ptd006 — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:36:24 GMT

Hi all.

I just bought an AX73 (before seeing there were any issues with Sky).

So far (20 mins :)) it is working fine for me in east Birmingham but time will tell I guess! Nice having lower latency and full 500mbps.

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

Sayek — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:37:21 GMT

@ptd006

Another fellow TP-Link user...a fine choice. 😊

I initially had minor issues between 8pm and 10pm when the house was most active. I replaced with a TP-Link Deco X50 and same issues between 8pm and 10pm.

Been stable for a while now as per the monitor below..everyone happy in house with Wi-Fi. I used the AX73 for 2 years with Virgin Media and did a amazing job at a decent price too 😊.

Glad you appreciate a 3rd party router. Its crazy seeing so many people complain about Wi-Fi in this community while using Sky basic router..some people expect Wi-Fi upstairs bedroom 😁

Re: TP-Link router with FTTP still have issues?

ptd006 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:08:19 GMT

Still running well. I'm pleased with the upgrade 😀