How To Get Full FTTP Speeds via EE Smart Hub through Netgear NBR750?

[ChrisUK24]

Hi everyone,

I recently got upgraded to the FTTP so I have 1g speeds now and the speeds through the EE Smart Hub are great but when I attach my Netgear Orbi to it I seem to only get 90mbps or around that. I currently have a TP Link Deco system connected to the EE Smart Hub and had similar issues with that but it was pointed out I needed to set the Deco system to access point mode and that fixed the speeds but I have tried setting the Netgear Orbi system to access point and it makes no difference so I was wondering if there is something else I need to do?

You may wonder why I am trying to set up an Orbi when I already have a Deco system but I keep having issues with connectivity with the Deco so I am testing an Orbi to see if I could make the switch to them rather than use TP Link equipment.

Many thanks 😁

[ChrisUK24]

Hi JimM11,

I did already put the Orbi in access point mode and it made no difference to the speeds coming out of it. It seems there must be an additional setting needing changing to get the full speed.

[JimM11]

@ChrisUK24 Login to the orbi router and post a screen capture of the wan interface so we can see.

[Mustrum]

@ChrisUK24  I used to be a huge fan of Netgear routers, at least on DSL, but the documentation on your one on the Netgear site is not great.

That said, I get the impression it's main function is a 5G mobile network router, and perhaps the wired internet is a secondary function! Guessing here as I can't find the specs.

I think maybe sorting the TP Link mesh might be more productive. But thats just me!

[JimM11]

@ChrisUK24 Check the MTU value is at 1492 also see if it makes a difference. If you connect a pc on the lan of the orbi and speed test what kind of value does it return? 

[JimM11]

@ChrisUK24 If you can also check to see what version of FW the orbi is on, that would help also. In ap mode you are better to do everything on the web interface, app is not good once ap mode is set. Cat5e is fine cable wise, as long as you know the cable is good, easy to test by connecting to the EE lan and speed testing, should be up in the high 900's, when you report 90 then can be interface/cable thinks its on a 100mb/s interface instead of 1gb/s. This can happen on bad cables, all 8 cores are required for high speeds.

[ChrisUK24]

Hi JimM11,

In access point mode the WAN menu is greyed out so can't view it.

[ChrisUK24]

Hi Mustrum,

I have issues with stuff connected via wireless to the Deco system but when using Netgear products I don't. I spend about £1,000 on Deco thinking it might be good but have nothing but issues with it. I've checked for interferance and stuff but according to the Deco app everything is perfect. The Deco app is also junky. I wish I had opted for Netgear to start with.

[ChrisUK24]

Hi JimM11,

I'm not sure where I would find the MTU section.

[ChrisUK24]

Hi JimM11,

I have tried several new cables form different brands and get the same speeds on all. The firmware is the most recent one apparently which is V4.6.5.11_1.5.66 but at the top of the page it says there is a new firmware but when I click it it says there is no new firmware so not sure why this is.

I have just found the issue... and once again you pointed me in the right direction. It was because the cable was connected to my network switch which is an old 100mbps not 1gb. I need to buy a new switch. Duh!!!

Thank you again for all of your help you are fantastic at helping us newbies out 😁

[JimM11]

@ChrisUK24 New 1gb switch will certainly sort out the orbi issue. TP-Link do make some pretty good network equipment. So would not disguard  it in favour of orbi, when you are using any router in AP mode you are effectively crippling the system, and you are just throwing away good money, if i was you i would look at a couple of Asus RP-AX58 set up in AP mode. 👍