Asus ZenWifi BQ16 on EE full fibre 1.6Gbps ?

[MultiDoc]

Hello,

I am expecting to switch (finally) from BT to EE’s full fibre 1.6Gbps in the next couple of weeks and looking to get the best possible router. I’d be grateful if anyone can help me in regards to using the Asus ZenWifi BQ16 for this or possibly a good alternative. 
Will the Asus be working on EEs line/plan fine? There’s quite a few devices at home all of which will be using WiFi since Ethernet is not possible the way things are.

Any input, advice and suggestions will be appreciated.

[JimM11]

@MultiDoc If you have the need for a very high speed internal network then it is way up there in performance for sure, are you looking to use 1 or 2 units, preferred wired backhaul if so or wireless backhaul, would just advise to download FW from Asus and setup before everything else, download the user manual and read carefully if you intend to use AI mesh.

The placement and connections are critical, shove it in a corner and you will be scratching your head. 

[Northerner]

Hi @MultiDoc 

What set-up do you have now. Do you have a mesh network setup or are you planning on this network.

Thanks 

[MultiDoc]

Currently using the BT smart hub and another WiFi disk from BT to cover the whole house.

What I’m looking for is best possible speed and stability and of course coverage. I’m afraid the hub/router will still need to be placed not in a central area but near the entrance as is now cause that’s the entry point of the optical cable to the house.

I’ve been suffering with dead slow speeds for the last 5 years because of the damn copper I’ve been using and working from home while kids and other devices saturate the network isn’t fun

[JimM11]

@MultiDoc Do you currently have ANY Wi-Fi 7 devices, or are you just looking to future proof your network. It does not matter where OR stick your ONT, from there you have a choice off how to get a ethernet cable run to a central location so you can put your Router at that point. The OR ONT will only have a 2.5Gb/s lan interface connection, as that is all they are required to fit to cover the speed, so really the Asus i use the XT8's are great, highly popular, will work no problems, but that model you have selected is way/way up there, and as i have said before, stick it in a corner, be pre-paired to buy extra or multiples.

Also as you have not mentioned, i have assumed, No EE TV and No DV landline as you are going for the 1.8Gb/s package.

[JimM11]

@MultiDoc Take a look at this Asus link when you get some time, would also save you a shed load of money.

ASUS ZenWiFi BT8｜Whole Home Mesh WiFi System

[MultiDoc]

First off, thanks for taking the time to respond and help me. 

Yes indeed no DV, TV etc that I’ll be using. Currently only use/have WiFi 6e devices, having 7 for future proofing is nice I think. As for placing the router centrally, again moving it away from the entry point unfortunately isn’t an option. 
The ASUs BT8 that you suggested indeed looks to cover all bases in theory for my scenario; would you advise on a pair or a single? And its much more economical than the BQ16 (I appreciate it would be almost overkill but…).

Currently the main devices are 3 desktop computers, 2 iPads, 3 phones, 1 tv, 1 Apple TV, one NAS, a network printer and wireless camera in the backgarden, a game console and some other minor stuff that only come online on occasion (like GPSs, a laptop etc). All of the above on WiFi, Ethernet isn’t again an option for any of them.

As a side note, I’m expecting full fibre to be installed/activated in about 2 weeks, so I’m planning ahead so I don’t have any or minimal downtime. And ideally set it up from scratch with the new hardware instead of switching midway from the oem EE to aftermarket.

Again, I appreciate any advice!

[JimM11]

@MultiDoc If you are going to keep the primary router in the corner, then automatic for operation will be 2 units, and if you do not have anything 10Gb/s nic capable, you are just wasting your money going with the higher spec, you only have a 1.6Gb/s pipe to shove it all down, but the choice is completely down to you and wish to have no influence apart from saying Asus is excellent. Use the link, download the 2 English manuals have a read and see what you think. 

[MultiDoc]

Got you, I've spent some time and indeed the BT8 seems very capable to cover my setup. I'll order the set of 2 and get one setup as node I guess. I also went ahead and ordered a PCIe wifi 7 card to upgrade my desktop.

I'll probably ask for your help (if you don't mind) when my line goes live and i have the hardware at hand to set it up properly.

Thanks again and will update the thread as soon as everything is here.

[JimM11]

@MultiDoc If you are looking to have as easy a transition from one to the other then start to gather some info now. Let OR or there Contractor sort out the FF 1.6Gb/s package, give them the EE Pro router that you will get to setup and check that all is good to go, connected do not mess about with any other devices, they should try to speed test for you but having a device capable of getting 1.6Gb/s download test is very difficult unless you have one of the very latest smart phones etc.

You will need your current SSID and the Wireless Password that you use just now on the existing system to put into the Asus router, this save having to re invent the wheel and start connecting all devices one by one, but your choice so think decide which way you want to go.

Set up your Asus Account, you can do it now, download the Quick start guide, YOU are going to need it, setting up BOTH units on first GO is the best and preferred  way to go, there is a sample in the guide for instructing, don't do it that way, then you are going to have to learn about router setup very quickly.... AI wireless backhaul is going to be your method NO MATTER WHAT, since you are not going to cable the 2 units together. EE Third part setting's you need, FF text. 

How Do I Use My Own Router for Home Broadband? | Help | EE

You register the BT8 serial numbers on your Asus account, this will kick off and apply your 3 year warranty on the devices. X2 since you are going to have a dual unit, Each unit is a FULLY fledged Full blown router setup tweaks the operation of the required etc. Just some info to be getting on with for your prep.