After a few years bumbling along at a broadband speed that can't cope with video and stops streaming music whenever anything syncs in the background I've finally decided to switch to satellite which can give upto 30Mbps!  Don't want to blow my mind though so I've opted for the basic 10Mb service first.

 

Although I can get their modem/router I'd rather get my own as I'm aware you can prioritise traffic on some e.g. Linksys. My son already goes mad for YouTube when he's anywhere else and watches the same inane clips incessantly instead of living his own life..  I need to control his addiction.

 

I was told by the person I booked the install with that I need a DSL router/modem rather than an ADSL one!  There doesn't seem to be much choice from Linksys though.

 

Can anyone please confirm whether I do indeed need a DSL device rather than ADSL or whether I actually need the one for "cable" instead?

 

Any recommendations/suggestions gratefully received.

 

Thanks.

Which service are you going with?

 

Most providers give you router as part of the service these days.

 

We had satellite broadband a few years ago, and although the speed down was fine, the ping times were massive. If your son games online, he will notice this.

 

If they don't give you a router, they'll just provide you with a modem and and it should just give you an ethernet connection. 

Simply plug this into the WAN port on any cable broadband router, and you're away.

 

If you want to locally shape traffic, you can do this on some of the more high end routers. I've always had no problems with Draytek, although it may be overkill depending on what you want to do.

Edited 6 July, 201511 yr by softscoop

I believe you cannot use an ADSL router with satellite so I would stick with what the provider is telling you.

As I understand it you will still require the modem they provide you & you will need to change to "modem mode" if you are wanting to then use your own router which will then take this out of modem / router mode.

 

Once you change this setting within the modem you will then attach your own router to the providers modem using an RJ45 cable, this will then be the DHCP server, wifi, DNS, etc etc.

 

I can provide you with many DSL router recommendations if you are still struggling finding a suitable one.

Thanks both.  I've got a subsidised deal with Avanti on a 12 month contract with no installation costs.  I'm ditching my landline too (I think) so will be saving compared to the measly 1/4 Mb speeds I currently get - when it works.  Openreach came out one time to tell me I couldn't get broadband - 9 months into my contract with BT!

 

I'm actually quite pleased about the latency as my son can't control his online gaming addiction when gaming at a relative's house.  Quite why he then needs to spend hours watching other people do the same thing on YouTube is beyond me...

 

In the absence of knowledge and to narrow down my choice to a coin-toss I looked at the TP Link N600 http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_1,cos_1.8,cos_1.8.6/152528 and http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_1,cos_1.8,cos_1.8.6/152527

 

I'm still unsure whether "not ADSL" means DSL or cable - or just cable (in layman's terms).

The first of the two you linked to will do the job - http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_1,cos_1.8,cos_1.8.6/152528

 

The ADSL2+ router will not work with Satellite BB.

 

Not ADSL means cable broadband. It takes a normal RJ45 connection from whatever source it gets, whether that's a satellite or cable modem it doesn't matter.

 

You can actually get that one cheaper through Amazon though. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WDR3600-Wireless-Gigabit-Router/dp/B008QBAXI4

Edited 6 July, 201511 yr by softscoop

Thanks.  That's helped.  The Costco one comes with a USB adapter too which might be handy with an old laptop and some thick walls in an old house.  My tablet tells me that it can utilise either 2.4 or 5GHz , but is there a simple way to tell with a laptop?  I'm guessing this is similar to b,g and n options for WiFi.

It's usually quickest to simply google the laptop model number and have a look at the specs.

 5GHz 

 

 

The speed on 5ghz is faster than 2.4ghz but the range and penetration is poorer so might have trouble with thick walls.

Ah, OK. Hadn't figured on that.  A bit like the mobile signal (still 2G here) then.

 

Laptop's an old ALDI special with a 3 year warranty that probably ran out 5 or more years ago.  At least I can plug it into the router as it needs full-time power these days.  More like a foldable desktop PC really.

You are aware that most sat services are HEAVILY restricted; although some claim to be unlimited, after a few GBs they often drop to near dial-up speeds, even if you havent used all of your monthly allowance. They are also often disrupted by bad weather, especially heavy rain clouds or thunder.

 

Nearly all the UK sat ISPs are actually resellers of the same (cr@ppy), sat provider.

 

I really hope you did your homework before signing  up.

Neighbours have it and say its better than our almost dial-up 200k broadband.  I used to struggle to use 10GB a month until I went "Unlimited" and this month I've used 20GB - also the cap on the satellite BB. Occasional iPlayer downloads have to be scheduled overnight as a 1hr programme takes hours to download with each MB taking between 30-60 secs.

 

Costing less than landline, I don't care really as I can always revert back in 12 months time; but thanks for highlighting.

 

Coincidentally my relatives who overlook your hills are getting fibre in a couple of days.

 

Have spent most of today doing Windows and AV updates while I can.....

OK, as long as you are aware of its limitations, and that many of the resellers have a very poor reputation when it comes to after sales service.

 

Do your relatives live on the West side of the hills?? Fibre arrived on the East side last year, although I dont know how far up it stretches.

Can't vouch for the aftercare service but my bro-in-law installs 'Too-way' around here but when were up near Fort Agustus last month with no phone lines/signal or mains power (used small home built hydro system) and we're running his demo gear with good results (he had to get footprint / region re allocated i think for the week by Tooway but this seemed straight forward) - re the original question i know his router was one he picked up from argos on the way up there so nothing special but he'd know exact info.

OK, as long as you are aware of its limitations, and that many of the resellers have a very poor reputation when it comes to after sales service.

 

Do your relatives live on the West side of the hills?? Fibre arrived on the East side last year, although I dont know how far up it stretches.

In the vale over the river.  But the sun always sets nicely over your way this time of year...

 

It's a shame there's no Airband option.  They're based in Worcester but I've not even noticed them when driving down Barbourne.  Apparently ther're doing some stuff down your way Jamie; although my geographical knowledge of the SW of England stops beyond Glastonbury.

 

On borrowed time at the minute as my landline BB is scheduled to be disconnected today.  Just checked my mobile data and speeds are 9k down, 11k up and 2.5 second ping.  Should make the satellite BB feel supersonic.

Edited 7 July, 201511 yr by RapidReaction

There was no Airband in or around Malvern last time I checked (about 12-14 months ago).