topic Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion in Broadband & Landline

3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

littlepace1 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:43:06 GMT

Hi.

Please bear with me here as I'm pretty clueless when it comes to networking and everything that comes with it.

I'm desperately trying to solve an ongoing battle I've had for years with bufferbloat/link saturation. Anytime someone on the network uploads the ping goes upwards of 2000 and the internet becomes literally unusable.

We have an EE/BT FTTC package which only delivers a measly 16 down and 3 upload. Before anyone asks there's no option to get any better at my location. Trust me. I've tried everything.

Through research online I've been directed to a potential saviour. SQM and or some plugin(CAKE) on an OpenWRT flashed router. I've seen a video of someone with similar speeds to me who went from 500 ping under load to 30 ping after enabling this SQM.

The advice I got was to use my current ISP provided router in bridge mode and connect it to a 3rd party router. However from my understanding I can't use the Smart Hub 6 plus (SH31B?) In bridge mode. But there also aren't any modem/router combos for VDSL that will allow me to flash openWRT(as far as I'm aware). It seems like the only option is to get a standalone router. But that leaves me with the problem of needing a modem.

So my first and most important question is can I use a 3rd party modem and then connect that to a 3rd party router which has openWRT flashed on it? Would this even work? Would the modem need to be flashed as well? Can it even be flashed? I have no idea how any of this really works.

If not, Is there any other way I can make this work? I'm desperate for some sort of solution here.

Massive thank you to anyone who took the time to read and or reply.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

JimM11 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:10:17 GMT

@littlepace1 Look at something like the Archer VX1800v | AX1800 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 VDSL/ADSL Modem Router | TP-Link United Kingdom.

If you cannot make the EE Smart Hub 6+ work for you. The modem will direct connect on your VDSL, hopefully you are not using a landline phone or any kind off digital voice.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

littlepace1 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:20:08 GMT

Do you know if this router is supported with OpenWRT? And I also don't need any sort of landline/digital voice as we gave that up a few years ago AFAIK.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

JimM11 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:34:57 GMT

@littlepace1 With what you have posted you are NOT ready to be doing any flashing off a Router for operation. But if you need to go look at the OpenWRT database to see if it is supported. With the speeds you are quoting you are very close to being ADSL and not even on a FTTC line at all unless you know better.

Use the Address tester and post the table up and obscure your cabinet address etc. Bottom is a link to my old one..

BT Broadband

Re: Hot and cold messages from EE/openreach is this usual? - The EE Community

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

littlepace1 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:41:07 GMT

I was told it wasn't that difficult to flash openWRT to a router. Regardless, whether or not I'm capable of getting it done I'm keen to know if it CAN be done. And if so, how?

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

littlepace1 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:42:05 GMT

Also I'm 100% confident I'm on an FTTC connection. We just live a few miles from the cabinet. So the speeds are barely better than ADSL.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

JimM11 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:17:40 GMT

@littlepace1 [OpenWrt Wiki] Welcome to the OpenWrt Project

And go find a VDSL Modem that connects and can be done, TP-Link VR2600 is probably your best bet, if you can find a second hand one on the market place.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

XRaySpeX — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:38:47 GMT

@JimM11 : OP's connection is FTTC/VDSL. Impossible to get 3 Meg Up on ADSL. He must be over 2 km from cab.