Replace routers, how often? Brightbox Serial J210047430

[CJHamilton]

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!

[XRaySpeX]

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?

[Mustrum]

@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.

[CJHamilton]

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

[CJHamilton]

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

[XRaySpeX]

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?

[CJHamilton]

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.

[XRaySpeX]

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.

[CJHamilton]

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

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

[XRaySpeX]

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