3rd Party Router/Modem confusion

[littlepace1]

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.

[JimM11]

@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.

[XRaySpeX]

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

[XRaySpeX]

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

[littlepace1]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

Dunno, you decide: About WiFi Intelligence

[JimM11 · Accepted solution]

@littlepace1 info is all in the EE Help.

EE WiFi Optimiser T&Cs – December 2025

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