topic Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ? in Broadband & Landline

Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 11:38:19 GMT

Hello,

I am expecting to switch (finally) from BT to EE’s full fibre 1.6Gbps in the next couple of weeks and looking to get the best possible router. I’d be grateful if anyone can help me in regards to using the Asus ZenWifi BQ16 for this or possibly a good alternative.
Will the Asus be working on EEs line/plan fine? There’s quite a few devices at home all of which will be using WiFi since Ethernet is not possible the way things are.

Any input, advice and suggestions will be appreciated.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 12:19:00 GMT

@MultiDoc If you have the need for a very high speed internal network then it is way up there in performance for sure, are you looking to use 1 or 2 units, preferred wired backhaul if so or wireless backhaul, would just advise to download FW from Asus and setup before everything else, download the user manual and read carefully if you intend to use AI mesh.

The placement and connections are critical, shove it in a corner and you will be scratching your head.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

Northerner — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 13:16:34 GMT

Hi @MultiDoc

What set-up do you have now. Do you have a mesh network setup or are you planning on this network.

Thanks

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 13:21:33 GMT

Currently using the BT smart hub and another WiFi disk from BT to cover the whole house.

What I’m looking for is best possible speed and stability and of course coverage. I’m afraid the hub/router will still need to be placed not in a central area but near the entrance as is now cause that’s the entry point of the optical cable to the house.

I’ve been suffering with dead slow speeds for the last 5 years because of the damn copper I’ve been using and working from home while kids and other devices saturate the network isn’t fun

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 14:40:28 GMT

@MultiDoc Do you currently have ANY Wi-Fi 7 devices, or are you just looking to future proof your network. It does not matter where OR stick your ONT, from there you have a choice off how to get a ethernet cable run to a central location so you can put your Router at that point. The OR ONT will only have a 2.5Gb/s lan interface connection, as that is all they are required to fit to cover the speed, so really the Asus i use the XT8's are great, highly popular, will work no problems, but that model you have selected is way/way up there, and as i have said before, stick it in a corner, be pre-paired to buy extra or multiples.

Also as you have not mentioned, i have assumed, No EE TV and No DV landline as you are going for the 1.8Gb/s package.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 16:37:22 GMT

@MultiDoc Take a look at this Asus link when you get some time, would also save you a shed load of money.

ASUS ZenWiFi BT8｜Whole Home Mesh WiFi System

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 17:48:15 GMT

First off, thanks for taking the time to respond and help me.

Yes indeed no DV, TV etc that I’ll be using. Currently only use/have WiFi 6e devices, having 7 for future proofing is nice I think. As for placing the router centrally, again moving it away from the entry point unfortunately isn’t an option.
The ASUs BT8 that you suggested indeed looks to cover all bases in theory for my scenario; would you advise on a pair or a single? And its much more economical than the BQ16 (I appreciate it would be almost overkill but…).

Currently the main devices are 3 desktop computers, 2 iPads, 3 phones, 1 tv, 1 Apple TV, one NAS, a network printer and wireless camera in the backgarden, a game console and some other minor stuff that only come online on occasion (like GPSs, a laptop etc). All of the above on WiFi, Ethernet isn’t again an option for any of them.

As a side note, I’m expecting full fibre to be installed/activated in about 2 weeks, so I’m planning ahead so I don’t have any or minimal downtime. And ideally set it up from scratch with the new hardware instead of switching midway from the oem EE to aftermarket.

Again, I appreciate any advice!

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:00:21 GMT

@MultiDoc If you are going to keep the primary router in the corner, then automatic for operation will be 2 units, and if you do not have anything 10Gb/s nic capable, you are just wasting your money going with the higher spec, you only have a 1.6Gb/s pipe to shove it all down, but the choice is completely down to you and wish to have no influence apart from saying Asus is excellent. Use the link, download the 2 English manuals have a read and see what you think.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 21:12:28 GMT

Got you, I've spent some time and indeed the BT8 seems very capable to cover my setup. I'll order the set of 2 and get one setup as node I guess. I also went ahead and ordered a PCIe wifi 7 card to upgrade my desktop.

I'll probably ask for your help (if you don't mind) when my line goes live and i have the hardware at hand to set it up properly.

Thanks again and will update the thread as soon as everything is here.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 09:50:43 GMT

@MultiDoc If you are looking to have as easy a transition from one to the other then start to gather some info now. Let OR or there Contractor sort out the FF 1.6Gb/s package, give them the EE Pro router that you will get to setup and check that all is good to go, connected do not mess about with any other devices, they should try to speed test for you but having a device capable of getting 1.6Gb/s download test is very difficult unless you have one of the very latest smart phones etc.

You will need your current SSID and the Wireless Password that you use just now on the existing system to put into the Asus router, this save having to re invent the wheel and start connecting all devices one by one, but your choice so think decide which way you want to go.

Set up your Asus Account, you can do it now, download the Quick start guide, YOU are going to need it, setting up BOTH units on first GO is the best and preferred way to go, there is a sample in the guide for instructing, don't do it that way, then you are going to have to learn about router setup very quickly.... AI wireless backhaul is going to be your method NO MATTER WHAT, since you are not going to cable the 2 units together. EE Third part setting's you need, FF text.

How Do I Use My Own Router for Home Broadband? | Help | EE

You register the BT8 serial numbers on your Asus account, this will kick off and apply your 3 year warranty on the devices. X2 since you are going to have a dual unit, Each unit is a FULLY fledged Full blown router setup tweaks the operation of the required etc. Just some info to be getting on with for your prep.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 12:27:35 GMT

Thanks, so correct me if I'm wrong, what you suggest is let the engineer set everything up with the EE harware when the line is live and THEN replace it with the BT8 I ordered.

I already have an ASUS account since I have been using Asus products for many years but never networking stuff. And use the Asus app (which I already downloaded on my phone to setup the ZenWifi.

I hope I understood you right.

In any case I'll eagerly wait for OpenRerach to setup the line and EE to activate it and report back asap. I'm really gratefull for your input.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 12:39:14 GMT

@MultiDoc Yes you have to do so, the installer will only help with the EE ISP equipment, the Asus will be way out of there league. ISP is supplied as Plug and Pray. EE can only support there own hardware, so with any issues the Pro wi-fi needs to be reconnected so EE can run any functional test's. Your Asus will be way out side the scope for the ISP.

Having experience with Asus Zen WiFi this is going to be a walk in the park for you!

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 13:32:19 GMT

Update: I received the EE hardware yesterday and ahve already bought and received a set of 2 ASUS ZenWifi BT8's. I've also upgraded my desktop PC with a WiFi 7 capable card.

Problem is OpenReach haven't even come by for the survey they usually do on the outside of the premises and no appointment given yet for the engineer either. Checking through myEE app it gives an expected date for the engineer and the service to go live on the 9th... (order was placed on the 13th December by the way).

Anyway I'll post back again as soon as the service is up and @JimM11 I'll most probably ask for your input on how is best to switch over/replace the EE hardware with my own Asus.

P.S: does it really take that long to get FFTP switch over from the time of order to the service going live ?

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 14:41:11 GMT

@MultiDoc Does seem so, i ordered Sept 18th with the install set by EE Oct15th, failed at that point, then on the 16th Oct was reset for Nov5th. All about availability to get the work done...

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

Happytoon — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:47:48 GMT

The ZenWifi BQ 16 is excellent...
Currently I don't have broadband other than a 5G Data sim via a 5G router.
The Fiber (not event the "superfast" one from the cabinet) doesn't reach us, the very long copper last mile kills it for us!.
Looking for broadband deal online, the "guaranteed speed" is 9 mbps down and 1 mbps uplink (try to work from home, game and 4k streaming on this !!!). I am stuck on 5G with about 150/170 mbps max speed.
The BQ16 is overkill (currently) for speed, BUT my issue was the coverage.
I live in an old house with over 3 floors and thick walls. My biggest issue was that I couldn't distribute the signal from my topfloor window (line of sight with the EE mast) across the house. I tried Ethernet over Power plug (but I have an ancient electrical system) and I could only get about 20/40 mbps max in my son's bedroom.
I had an old Wifi6 Mesh system before and also had bad network (about 30/50 on a good day but very unstable, losing wifi backhaul all the time).
Sooo ...this Christmas, I invested in a BQ16 2 pack ( ie to stop my teenage son complaining that he was kicked out of his multipalyer game because we lost connection again!). This is an Excellent system. Internally, on wireless backhaul, I now have 1 to 1.5Gbps with excellent coverage (with 2 nodes, my old mesh had 3), hence my son now receives the max speed my 5G router can currently provide (150/170 mbps speed) direct to his room!
If one day "Openreach" reach us, I will jump on the full fibre and plug the Zenwifi behind the fibre router and that should be epic!
The WAN part of the BQ16 can be Static IP / DHCP (IP assigned by the WAN router), PPPoE.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

JimM11 — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:37:36 GMT

@Happytoon Hope you get a fibre with at least 5Gb/s symmetrical, those two Asus routers won't even break sweat! If OR do hit you with FF 500Mb/s really is the sweet spot unless you do need real high speed Down/Up limit's! Nice!👍👍

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

XRaySpeX — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:51:36 GMT

@Happytoon : Where are you getting getting your BB from to be able to get 1 - 1.5 Gig speeds? From your opening paras I thought you could only get 9 Meg ADSL BB or 170 Meg mobile BB.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

Happytoon — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:30:46 GMT

@XRaySpeX The 1 to 1.5 gbps is internally between my main BQ16 Router (connected to my 5G BB) and the Mesh Node in my son's bedroom. My issue was internal broadcast of WiFi signal due to large wall, many floors etc in an old house... Before BQ16, I only got about 30/50 mbps max in my son's bedroom). I chose the BQ16, not for it's max speed (as I am currently limited by my BB) but for it's 15 internal MIMO antennas, Wifi7 over quad band etc.
From a whole BB point of view, the bottleneck is now at BB source, the EE 5G router, that gives me max 170 mbps.
If one day I can replace the 5G BB with Full Fibre, the BQ16 Mesh will be able to distribute the FF speed inside the house (on wireless backhaul!).

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

MultiDoc — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:36:39 GMT

Apologies for the (very) late update to my intial post. After an extremely frustarting start having to fight with Openreach and EE, eventually had the full fibre up and running 3 months later.

So it has been setup from day one using a 2 pack BQ16 instead of the oem EE hardware and I must say I couldn't have been happier. The BQ16 are rock solid, haven't had any drops or disconnects (although nowadays I have setup a scheduled restart of both router and node weekly just to keep things "fresh"). Speed wise I get the full 1.6 (clsoer to 1.7 really) and all devices are getting the full nominal speed everywhere in the house.

I know it's a bit overkill and probably the BT10 or even the BT8 would have been fine, but planning to keep these long term and thought better to future proof and go overkill upfront. The configurability the BQ16 offers is unmatched, couple that with a very good web UI and you appreciate it very quickly. Highly recommend it overall.

Re: Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

Rich20148 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:53:39 GMT

I cannot get my bq16 to connect to the internet. What settings were critical?