Wifi 6 router is it worth it with Fibremax ?

[Cedrik]

Greetings,

Am looking at the possibility of getting a Wifi 6 router as I now have Fibremax 300 installed. Apart from future proofing, are there any compelling reasons to get one / not to get one.

I must say I'm impressed with the Wifi capabilities of the new Smart Router, but am looking more to ther long term.

[Christopher_B]

Hi @Cedrik

I think the verdict is still out on Wifi 6 routers when it comes to speed. They are more about handling more devices better, so I would say it depends on how many devices you have connected at one time. 

Thanks

Chris

[EssexBoyEE]

I've got a Wi-Fi 6 router and a few Wi-Fi 6 devices and to be honest I can't say it makes any difference speed wise.

One thing I do do though is I set my 5ghz Channel up above Channel 100 or more where possible and any devices that can't reach up there go on 2.4ghz, at least on 5ghz Band I'm up there on my own without any interfering Nieghbours.

[pip11]

That's the difference between ISP supplied equipment and third party.

You won't see any significant speed difference between either of them but the amount of control over your network is chalk and cheese. Third party will always trump ISP supplied.

As regards future proofing then it depends how your fibre max is delivered. If by G.Fast then your choices of router are limited as it would need either a separate G.Fast modem or integrated one.

FTTP, any dumb router (ie no integral modem) would suffice if it suits your needs.

[Cedrik]

Thanks very much for the replies - food for thought.

I should say I don't know if the Fibremax is delivered by G.Fast or not. How much network control might I need ? I disabled the Smart Router on 2.4 Ghz and it works well re. neighbours at 5Ghz

[pip11]

If you have one of these (or similar) then it is FTTP.

If you connect to the phone master socket it is G.Fast.

Image will show when  a mod approves it.

[Cedrik]

Cheers,

Can't see the image yet, it connects to an Openreach ONT - not the phone master socket.

[psychopomp2]

OP, You'll be ok with a wifi 5 router (which I'm guessing what the EE supplier router is) as that can easily give 300+ Mbps over wifi 5 clients, but if you were to upgrade to the 500 Mbps or 1 Gig FTTP service, I would definitely recommend a Wifi 6 router as its almost impossible to get over 500 Mbps over wifi 5.

This is what my Netgear RAX200 gives me over my TalkTalk 1 Gig FTTP line, using wifi:

[XRaySpeX]

Then it's FTTP.  As @pip11 said any router will suffice; it doesn't need an integrated modem.

[Cedrik]

Hi,

Ta for your response. Just a point, I presume the EE Smart Router would be fine for the Fibremax 900 plan, as I presume they ship that router with it ?

Thanks again everyone for the responses, may well pick one up at some point.