Replacing Sky hub with ASUS RT-AX82U V2

[Bobbiecool]

Hi. I'm looking at replacing the Sky hub with an Asus RT-AX82U V2. After looking through various threads the Asus RT models would work at replacing the hub as both modem and router (don't care about the phone). I have FTTC and was wondering if this router would be fine or is it overkill, although I'm looking at future proofing as hopefully in a couple of years we'd have FTTP. Also, not sure how different the V2 is compared to the RT-AX82U? Both are AX5400, yet the V2 is £60 cheaper. 

[Bobbiecool]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-DSL-AX82U-802-11ax-Accelerator-Forwarding/dp/B08X2Q29XN/ref=sr_1_6?cri...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-RT-AX82U-Extendable-Compatible-Subscription-free/dp/B0BJ7F348K/ref=sr_...

[Chrisee · Accepted solution]

@Bobbiecool the second link in the your pist which looks to have grabbed by the forum filters does not appear to be a modem router so you would have to budget for a separate modem so probably work out similar cost. Look for DSL in model description on Asus modem routers as the models without that lack modems.

Both are "overkill" in terms of WiFi features for a max 80Mb/s FTTC connection but WiFi6 could be useful if when you get full fibre if you think you need very fast WiFi which in practice few people really do. For gaming ethernet is always the preferred option.

The trouble with trying to future proof yourself is there are always newer better standards coming along eg WiFi6e and WiFi7. Personally I find WiFi5 which gives me up to 600Mb/s is ample.

[Bobbiecool]

@Chrisee  Thanks for explaining, that would explain why it's a lot cheaper as the V2  wasn't  a DSL, which is clearly what I need. I'm also replacing the hub because for months I've been getting internet dropouts (not WiFi), Openreach have been over 4 times and have now done everything they could possibly do, they said a new router is the only thing left, however Sky sent me one at the beginning of the issue and the issue was still present. I have no faith in either Openreach or Sky at the moment, hence trying the Asus router.  I've read from reviews on google it solved Sky dropout issues, it couldn't hurt right? 

[Chrisee]

@Bobbiecool sorry to rain on your parade butbif your line drops are being caused by a poor line then switching modems is unlikely to make any real difference. The DSL modem stages in all units are much of a muchness in terms of both speed and stability. 

If you post your Sky hub's connection stats forum members can probably advise. However these days Openreach are increasingly unwilling to optimise copper lines so if the quick fixes dont work customers are hung out to dry. Sky are essentially powerless as of course are other isps using Openreach networks.

[Bobbiecool]

@Chrisee  the copper lines and connections have all been replaced, Openreach have actually done quite a lot but the problem still remains, there isn't anything else apart from the router as they cannot think of anything else that would cause internet drops.  
I did post my stats but all I was told is to wait for Openreach lol 

[Chrisee]

@Bobbiecool i have found your earlier post with the stats  where it looks like Openreach or Sky  have capped speeds at 40Mb/s and the noise margin is mildly raised at 6.9dB but you are still suffering from line drops which implies an intermittent issue with noise. @mae-3 do you agree?

These issues have always been very difficult to sort as even if you can find the cause. . Openreach used to have specialised teams who looked into REIN and SHINE issues. Have not heard of these guys for the last 3 years and I suspect they are history with the switch to full fibre. If your neighbours are also affected there is a better chance Openreach will investigate.

If you have access to an alternative network like Virgin Media you maybe better to ask Sky to release you from contract which Inthink they are quite likely to agree with if asked nicely.

[mae-3]

@Bobbiecool & @Chrisee 

It is a miracle that at that distance from the cabinet it works at 40Mbps downstream! If reliability is an issue then moving provider would be the answer.

[Bobbiecool]

@Chrisee @Thanks for the info. Skythemselves capped the speeds. As I have FTTC Virgin wouldn't be able to supply me as they're full Fibre only, have to go with someone else like Plusnet for example.  I did have a similar issue (dropouts coupled with poor speeds) for weeks and weeks  last year when I was with Vodafone, Openreach made 7 visits to that one lol. I believe it was a copper cable connection on my house that was the issue. That was sorted in Sept last year, I went over to Sky in Feb this year and all was fine until June, where I still have the issue. Why would it suddenly be a problem after being with them for 5 months until the issue started? Doesn't make sense to me. 
I think I'll ask to leave as it's well documented on their system the issues I've been having. Absolutely fed up with it. 

[Bobbiecool]

@mae-3 @Chrisee  To be honest before the issues I had last year and now this issue my speeds have been constant, always between 35/38. Something has changed....

[Bobbiecool]

@Chrisee @mae-3 @

 Forgot to mention I asked both my very few neighbors and Openreach if there are local dropout issues, it seems I'm the only one. 

[Chrisee]

@Bobbiecool your broadband travels down a long line from the cabinet which acts as an aerial so can pick up noise from nearby electrical kit the longer the line the greater the risk. Things can and do change but.it is unlikely in my opion that changing the modem will do much if anything..

There is no point switching to another iisp who uses the same line if nobody like Virgin or another supplier who only use their own cabling passes your home your only other option is mobile or satellite broadband like Starlink. Unfortunately while people with longer lines have the most to gain from full fibre you are not likely to be covered by Openreach's commercial roll out. It is a catch 22 I am sorry to say. 

[Bobbiecool]

@Chrisee @Before the last Openreach guy came out I decided to take off the master socket faceplate and plug in to the test socket as the issue was getting worse, the problem instantly went away until the engineer turned up over 1 week later,  put on a new faceplate and now after a few days the issue has returned. Does seem a bit odd I do that and it's fine. 
I also asked about interference when they were here but I was told according to their readings etc it looked very unlikely. 

[TimmyBGood]

@Bobbiecool 

Taking off the faceplate and plugging into the test socket removes electrical contact with everything internal to the property apart from the ISP router, which does tend to suggest a very local interference source.

[Bobbiecool]

@TimmyBGood  I understand, however the only cable in the master socket is the new one that comes in from outside, there are no extensions or cables coming off the socket, it's isolated. .