CyberShack gave free NBN Router advice to over 230 readers during August and September with a 100% success rate. Readers have been pleading for renewed access to this service, so it’s back with one small request.
All we ask is that you donate (whatever you think the advice is worth), in CyberShack’s name, to the Smith Family to help give children in need access to tailored out-of-school learning support and mentoring programs, to help them catch up, keep up, and stay motivated in school. Our kids are our future.
Or if you don’t donate, why not suggest to 10 friends that they subscribe to our newsletter – do something nice for them.
Here is what we need to know to help you. Please understand that we do not sell anything, don’t take commissions and do not pass on leads. Our advice is unbiased and based on the success stories of our readers.
The problem
While NBN FTTP and HFC can reach speeds of 2000/500 Mbps, but more typically need to handle the new base rate of 500/50Mbps, most existing Crappy NBN Modems can’t deliver that speed. It’s like having a V8 car running on two cylinders.
But there is a secondary issue, and that is how to get that 500/50 Mbps around the house.
Our advice covers the right router, and we do a WiFi heat map to let you know coverage and if you need a mesh system.
How to access Free NBN Router advice
First read read about what we learned. Crappy NBN modems – the lessons we learned from our free advice. We learned many things, but most of all that the NBN Reseller does not give a rats about whether its modem will work in your home.
Next, subscribe to our free weekly email (if you have not already)—no catch, no junk mail – just an overview of last week’s articles every week.
What we need to give free NBN Router advice
Send an email to [email protected] with the following:
All information is securely deleted after we respond to you.
- Optionally, your street address (it helps to use Google Street View to work out home/street orientation and whether we need to cover outside areas.
- Optionally, your phone number if we need a quick chat.
- What type of NBN do you have: FTTP, HFC, FTTP, FTTC, etc.
- NBN provider and plan speed.
- What brand/model of modem/router is attached to the NBN? A clear photo of the router label helps.
- What brand/model of booster/extender/mesh satellite is used, if any? Ditto
- Do you have or need a landline?
A home floor plan is mandatory. It does not matter if it’s a builder’s plan, one from a real estate advertisement or even a hand-drawn one. If you supply a photo of the plan, make sure that it is readable.
We need you to mark on the plan:
- Where the NBN Network Termination Device (NTD) is (that is, the internal Ethernet box with a UNI-D1 port) or if it’s FTTP/FTTC over copper, where the phone points are.
- If you have Ethernet wiring points and where the patch panel is, and where the room ports are (mark with an X)
- Where the TVs, set-top boxes, game consoles/PCs are?
- Which rooms must have good Wi-Fi?
- If you have outside security cameras or a video doorbell, and their placement.
- If you have solar inverters, heat pumps and more, that must connect to Wi-Fi.
- If you need outdoors coverage for the shed or garage.
- If any internal solid brick walls may interfere with Wi-Fi.
- Your approximate budget.
We will create a Wi-Fi heat map and tell you what you need to get far better Wi-Fi. A response can take a week or so, depending on workload.
A note on the budget
A large number of the readers we have provided free NBN Router advice to don’t know what to expect, and often suggest $200-300, as that is a typical crappy modem/router price. The price range below is for a mesh router and up to two satellites.
- $300-500 will get you a Wi-Fi 6 AX6000 dual-band. It is end-of-life technology, but excellent in smaller spaces.
- $500-600 will get a Wi-Fi 7 BE5000 dual-band mesh. Only recommended for smaller homes and best for Ethernet cable backhaul.
- $400-1000 will get a Wi-Fi 7 BE11000 tri-band mesh. This has been our most popular solution for Wi-Fi or Ethernet backhaul.
- $600-1500 will get a Wi-Fi BE14000 tri-band mesh.
- $1000-3000 will get the best there is with a Wi-Fi 7 BE22000 for real power users.
11 comments
Vu
Hi Ray,
I got the BE11000 3 pack and very happy with its stable speed at around 500/50 . I have tried plugging the TP link into Undi D port of the NBN NTD Box. I use Telstra SM 3 plugged into one of the 2.5 Gb/s port of the TP link. The internet works fine at 500/50 speed. However, I can not log into Telstra Modem at all. I need this log in to check other settings and port forwarding on my CCTV Hikvision cameras. So I decided to switch revert to original connection. I do not see any different. Seems the SM3 does not recognise the Sattellite for some reason. When I put the SM3 connected to NTD, then I can log into the Modem. Any clue please? Speed does not change and I still have landline service. Thank you
Ray Shaw
While you can run NDT UNI-D1 > SM3 > BE65 its not ideal because the SM3 can’t handle 500/50 under load. Log in is about IP address. Lets say the BE65 is 192.168.50.1 and the SM3 is 192.168.0.1. To access either you need to connect by Wi-Fi it its unique SSID or Ethernet cable. This becomes really complex so can I suggest that as it is working go with it. Later you could connect the Hikvision to the BE65 and set up port forwarding.
Mike Z
Hi Ray, I am really enjoying your articles so thankyou for this service.
We have been advised that we can have the zero cost upgrade from FTTN to FTTP. We currently have a Deco X68 mesh router connected to a Tenda modem which serves us reasonably well but a speed upgrade would be welcome. If I understand your reply to Terry correctly rather than replace the modem, I would be able to dispense with it altogether and plug the Deco into the NBN NCD. Is that correct? If so should I consider upgrading the Deco X68 to Deco WiFi 7
Appreciate you advice
Ray Shaw
Yes you can ditch the Tenda Modem (likely to be Wi-Fi 5 AC1200) which does not have the ram or CPU power to route 500.//50 let alone transmit it over Wi-Fi. The Deco X68 is an AX3600 and its WAN port will plug into the FTTP NTD UNI-D1 Ethernet port. It should do the job. If you want to send me the information in the article I can generate a Wi-Fi heat map and advise you on what would give whole-of-home coverage. We ask that you donate to the Smith charity whatever you feel the advice is worth.
Mike Z
Thanks for your reply Ray and the heat-map offer. The Deco X68 mesh Wi-Fi gives us complete home coverage so I won’t upgrade if it is suitable to connect to the NCD. Another question is whether to accept the zero cost upgrade because the service will cost $200 more per year and our current FTTN is “adequate”. Against that I suppose at some point FTTN will be dearer and by then the zero cost upgrade may not be available. What to do?
Ray Shaw
NBN has no obligation to fix FTTN faults if FTTP runs past the door. https://cybershack.com.au/smart-home/nbn-fttn-users-no-responsibility-for-speed-or-reliability-consumer-advice/ In part that is why its a free upgrade as they are under pressure to get a more reliable network. Definitely go to FTTP and then shop around for a deal. Most are $85-$95 for at least the first six months.
Terry
Given the opportunity, I’ll ask later for your advice on whole house internet but at the moment I’d just like to satisfy my curiosity about a single matter.
I’m running Aussie 500/50Mb on HFC coming in through a (crappy) NBN Modem gateway. That then is wired to a Dlink DIR 882 router that is, then, connected to a PC by ethernet, as is my TV. My question then is, does it matter that the NBN modem is crappy, because I assume it is only creating a direct straight through path to the PC which is giving me a reported 500 + Mb download and 40 odd up. Mind you, wireless is less than half that, even in the same room as the router.
So, what is the story with the modem? Does it matter that it’s crappy and yes, I appreciate that the router is somewhat ancient but that’s for another day.
Regards,
Terry.
Ray Shaw
Hi Terry
Crappy modem/routers lack the CPU and RAM to route 500/50, let alone transmit much more than 50/20Mbps by Wi-Fi. You don’t need the Modem/router at all – just plug your DLR 882 router into the HFC Arris UNI-D1 box. But the D-Link is an AC2600 device and frankly it will route OK but Wi-Fi transmsiion wont be much better than the old gateway. Summary: Ditch the old modem/router (unless you have a landline, then make it the secondary router off the D-Link). Changing routers may require you to ask your provider to kick (reset) the UNI-D1 port if, after power cycling it does not find the D-Link.
Marion Stewart
When my home was renovated I did not remove the NBN router. Will this be supplied by Optus – my telco provider.
As I read your excellent CyberShack emails I recognise how illiterate I am in the world of internet, wifi, etc. Your help is most appreciated, thank you.
Kind regards,
Marion
Ray Shaw
Hi Marion
Please read this https://cybershack.com.au/smart-home/free-nbn-router-advice-is-back-by-incredibly-popular-demand/ and I am hapy to help you get the right router for your home. I need more information to be correct.
Marion Stewart
Thank you for your quick response Ray. Apologies for my simple question. We organised the NBN router through the telco provided we’re going to use. Your help is much appreciated.