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.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

JimM11 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:12:03 GMT

@XRaySpeX

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) typically offers download speeds from 1 Mbps up to 24 Mbps and upload speeds from 0.5 Mbps to 3 Mbps, depending on line quality and distance from the exchange.

Typical ADSL Performance

ADSL is called "asymmetric" because download speeds are higher than upload speeds, optimized for common internet usage like streaming, browsing, and downloading files. Standard ADSL connections usually provide:

Download speeds: 1–24 Mbps
Upload speeds: 0.5–3 Mbps
The actual speed you experience can vary due to factors such as line quality, distance from the telephone exchange, network congestion, and your ISP’s service plan. Longer distances from the exchange generally reduce both download and upload speeds.

Measuring Your ADSL Speed

To check your real-world ADSL performance, you can use online speed test tools that measure download, upload, and latency (ping):

ADSLtest.net provides a fast, ad-light test with real-time charts for download, upload, and ping, helping you verify if you’re getting the speeds promised by your ISP

adsltest.net.
Speedtest.net by Ookla and Fast.com are widely used alternatives that also measure latency and upload speeds

Speedtest by Ookla+1.
Cloudflare Speed Test can estimate your connection performance and provide additional network insights

Cloudflare.
For the most accurate results, it’s recommended to run tests on a wired connection during low-traffic hours and ensure no other devices are consuming bandwidth.

Factors Affecting ADSL Speeds

Distance from the exchange: The farther your home is from the telephone exchange, the lower the speed.
Line quality: Older copper lines or interference can reduce performance.
Network congestion: Speeds may drop during peak usage times.
Router and equipment: Modern routers and proper configuration can improve stability and speed.

Practical Considerations

For streaming 4K video, a download speed of at least 25 Mbps is recommended, which may exceed typical ADSL capabilities, making fiber or VDSL preferable.
For video calls or online gaming, low latency (ping) is important; ADSL can have higher ping compared to fiber connections.
If your speed tests consistently show lower speeds than your plan, contact your ISP to troubleshoot or consider upgrading your service

adsltest.net+1.
By understanding these factors and using reliable speed tests, you can accurately assess your ADSL connection and optimize your internet experience.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

littlepace1 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:04:19 GMT

If I want to use a router that doesn't have a modem built in can I use any 3rd party VDSL modem? Or does it need to be supported with the ISP. And if so is there a way to find out which modems are supported? As my understanding the modem acts as the gateway between your network and the Internet. As long as the router supports PPPoE it should work right? Apologies if I'm way off the mark here.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

JimM11 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:18:48 GMT

@littlepace1 Here is the problem. you are on a FTTC copper connection, so you need a Hub/Router that supports the connection type to start with and ideally one that can have the Bridge Function in that to start with also, those are getting VERY rare to find now....

After that any Router can hang on the back off this, you are going to connect the Wan of your supper dooper Hub to the Lan of that bridge modem.....

As before the Tp-Link that i mentioned first has all the Features that you would ever require, wither it works or not is a question. https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/dsl-modem-router/archer-vx1800v/

1910013396_Archer VX1800v_UG_REV1.0.0.pdf download and have a read through the manual.

vdsl modem with bridge mode - Search use this to look at and Draytek is looking like about as good as it will get VDSL wise, Tp-Link's are virtually all obsoleted now.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

XRaySpeX — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:02:40 GMT

@JimM11 : All v. well in theory but in practice you won't get more than 1.4 Meg from any UK ISP.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

XRaySpeX — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:20:46 GMT

You may use any VDSL modem with any Router-only.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

littlepace1 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:23:47 GMT

Bit of a random segway here. A friend is helping me out with this and told me to look into the WiFi enhancer/optimiser and the "game mode" it offers. Can't really find much feedback about it online or on this forum. Would this be any good for my situation? Or would it be better to continue down the 3rd party route.

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

XRaySpeX — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:31:10 GMT

Dunno, you decide: About WiFi Intelligence

Re: 3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

JimM11 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:36:15 GMT

@littlepace1 info is all in the EE Help.

EE WiFi Optimiser T&Cs – December 2025

Boost Your Connection with WiFi Optimiser | Broadband Help | EE