topic Third Party Router / modem requirements? in Broadband

Third Party Router / modem requirements?

dannyhollie — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:47:44 GMT

Hi All,

I'm looking to upgrade my router to a Ubiquiti cloud gateway because I want to add security cameras to my property...

From my understanding I will need to use the Sky router as a "modem" with all other functions covered by the new Ubquiti router.

My questions are as follows:

1. Has anyone upgraded to a third party router and offer any useful advise / short falls of doing so?

2. Can the sky router be used in "bridge mode" i.e. modem only* mode?

3. Can the Ubuiti router be used without the Sky router at all? - I suspect not...

Thanks in advance and look forward to any responses.

Danny.

Re: Third Party Router / modem requirements?

Chrisee — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:01:22 GMT

@dannyhollie frequent question. If you have a partial fibre service over a copper phone line you will require a VDSL modem but you are free to buy your own. You can use the Sky hub if you want but it does not have a modem or bridge mode so you end up with a Double NAT set up. This is less of a problem than mostbpeople think but can cause issues with some apps like corporste VPNs.

If you have a full fibre setup then your new router can be connected directly to the ONT which should work but you will need to configure it to use the correct authentication. On most lines a simple DHCPv6 PD set up works on around 20% of lines the exchange doesnt support thst so you need to use DHCPv4 Option61 which requires a log-in string of anything@skydsl|anything

Ubquiti usually support both and you maybfind axwalk through if you search the forum. Howver Ubquiti are not thst common and are quite complex to configure. Honestly to support security cameras there are far simpler alterntives. My own Deco set up offers a guest network and one for IOT kit like cameras out of the box..

Above asumescyou are in the UK and arecaware that removingbthe Sky hub means you lose the digital voice line.

Re: Third Party Router / modem requirements?

dannyhollie — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 21:34:47 GMT

Thanks for the detailed response

My main reason for going with the ubiquiti set up is it being subscription free, and they offer great PoE cameras and video doorbells etc.

I will eventually install access points around the house / outside to cover the garden / garage. From what I've found, ubiquiti seems the best option.

- maybe a little pricier than others, but meant to be easy to set up in their software