topic Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430 in Broadband & Landline

Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 16:51:49 GMT

I am managing my mum's broadband from abroad. Do EE replace Routers regularly? I feel like mum has had hers for 12 years! Her Brightbox has Serial J210047430 on it. Appreciate any help!

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

XRaySpeX — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 16:58:10 GMT

Not particularly unless you upgrade your package. I'm still running a BrightBox 2 from 2016. I prefer it to the modern "not-so-bright" EE routers. It is functionally far stronger than the modern 1s.

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Is hers a BrightBox 1 or 2?

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

Mustrum — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:07:41 GMT

@CJHamilton if you ask when you renew the contract they can send you a new router, and will ask you to send the old one back.

But as already mentioned, they are getting more difficult to deal with, and have less functionality - not to mention needing to change all the WiFi devices over to the new router. Due to the combined bands on newer routers older equipment can struggle to connect to some of the newer routers.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:15:08 GMT

Thanks, that is reassuring. There is no mention of 1 or 2 on the label, I do know it is 12 years old with a Serial J210047430. There are no real problems, we just noticed it seemed slow, so I thought I'd check this first. I didnt test it though, so I'll do that next visit. Thanks again, have a great evening

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:16:54 GMT

Thanks so much, in that case I will leave the router as it is, until there are real problems. Thank you.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

XRaySpeX — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 18:30:59 GMT

That'll be a BrightBox 1 if there is no mention of '2' in its title. Do you know the type of BB she has? They were issued for ADSL only.

If it is that, the trouble with them was they ran only 2.4 Ghz WiFi. A newer router would have 5 GHz WiFi as well.

Does she report any problems with it, particularly her devices dropping off WiFi?

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 19:52:56 GMT

Yes, Brightbox1 was installed in 2012, and now devices are dropping off when we visit. I have searched mum's account online and on the mobile App, but no details of Broadband type. She is only using a brand new Amazon Echo Show. As it is only running 2.4 Ghz WiFi, I should ask EE for a new router? THANKS again for your help.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

XRaySpeX — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 19:51:51 GMT

1. Post her full router stats:

For a BrightBox: login and go to Advanced Settings > System > DSL Status. Also post 'System Uptime' from top of System Log page.

2. What does BT Wholesale Broadband Availability Checker estimate for her phone number? Post just the whole table and the line above it, blanking out her phone number. If it doesn't recognise her phone number or she doesn't have one, use the Address Checker, not the Postcode Checker.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:02:32 GMT

1. Can't logon to router, the IP address 'took too long to respond'

2. Here is BT broadband avail checker table, thanks!

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

XRaySpeX — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:11:41 GMT

You/she needs to be connected to the router to do this.
She has just slow 4.5 Meg ADSL there. She could upgrade to up to 60 Meg VDSL & be given a modern router.
An Amazon Echo shouldn't need more than 2.4 GHz WiFi but the BB connection is slow.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:17:26 GMT

1. Sorry, yes, I forgot I was trying to logon to mum's router from abroad. Do you need the full router stats now we know mum can cope with the slow BB as she only uses an Echo Show?

2. We would like to use a faster BB when we visit, but I am guessing it will us cost more to upgrade to up to 60 Meg VDSL & be given a modern router? THANKS again!

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

Mustrum — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:25:12 GMT

@CJHamilton a word of caution, whilst much higher broadband speeds are available, if the landline and number is important, do check out the upgrade options on the account pages. You would need to ensure digital voice was available, and the connection would move from the landline phone point to the router.

If your mum has an alarm or any healthcare system you should do some further research. Also not that unless a battery backup is fitted calls will not be able to be made in the event of a power cut.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

XRaySpeX — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:34:19 GMT

No, I don't need the router stats now as the BTw Checker shows her BB type & speeds as you were able to provide a phone no.
An upgrade would likely be more expensive. How much is she paying now? 74 Meg Fibre would be about £30 pm.

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & trust it is now sorted.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:39:46 GMT

Thank you, Mustrum. Yes, the landline is very important as a phone connection for the Wellness Check Alarm. Does this mean we cannot upgrade from ADSL to VDSL? Thanks again!

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:51:18 GMT

Thanks again XRaySpeX. She is paying 45 a month for the slow ADSL, so if we can sort the fact we need to keep a landline, it may be worth upgrading to EE 40MegFTTC? Looks like 80Meg is NO-Landline. What would you advise?

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

Mustrum — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:00:02 GMT

@CJHamilton you need to get some advice from the Healthcare people, their website will no doubt have advice for what people need to do and what their options are.

As for costs, if she also has a calls package then current costs maybe OK, but like every other service these days, do your homework and research. Customer loyalty can come at a cost, but from what I have found, a call to the care team is always worth it - most of the time!!

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

XRaySpeX — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:01:56 GMT

80 Meg FTTC (EE's Fibre 74) & 40 Meg FTTC (EE's Fibre 37) should come with the same landline restrictions & probably cost the same. As she already has an analogue landline she should have a word with CS to see if it is possible to upgrade to legacy Fibre BB (not EE New BB) taking with her her existing landline. The rule is that no new analogue landlines may be sold.

Re: Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

CJHamilton — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 13:30:28 GMT

XRaySpeX, thanks so much for all your help, much appreciated. I wonder if your name is because you are a fan of the band 🙂