Fiber optic router 2024: These devices are suitable

Uncertainty is nothing new in new territory. What is new, however, is that the new territory in Germany should run more stable and faster. Various providers are pushing forward fiber optic expansion and many consumers are wondering whether they have to order a new router with the new connection. The short answer is no, because it depends on many different factors.

Difference: router and modem

Most people use the terms router and modem simultaneously and that is not entirely correct. The reason for this is that many WiFi routers have a modem integrated, as is the case with many Fritzboxes, for example. One by one: A modem receives the Internet signals from the cable, telephone or fiber optic socket and ensures that a single device is connected to the Internet via cable.

This is not convenient because several devices in a household usually want to be on the Internet at the same time and that is exactly why routers exist. The router only distributes the Internet that the modem gets out of the box. And how does he create the work of art? Mostly by setting up a wireless home network, which is popularly known as “WLAN”. And that means: You will need a new modem in (almost) every case if you get a fiber optic connection, because you cannot connect a cable or DSL modem to the new connection.

The modem is usually provided to you by the provider, i.e. Telekom, O2, Vodafone etc. The companies also offer routers with an integrated modem for an additional charge. You can save money if you simply connect your old router to the new modem using a LAN cable. The advantage of this is that you don’t have to set up a new home network to which you have to reconnect all your devices. However, whether this makes sense depends on the bandwidth you are using.

Fiber optic router: Bandwidth is crucial

Bandwidth is the data throughput of your internet connection and providers specify this in megabits per second (Mbps). Metaphorically speaking, it is the information highway. The more tracks it offers, the more data gets through without problems. A household of five people will want at least 250 Mbit/s if all members want to stream at the same time in high resolution without stuttering.

A normal DSL line offers a data throughput of 16 Mbit/s, with VDSL you can get up to 250 Mbit/s and via TV cable and fiber optic you currently get up to 1000 Mbit/s or 1 gigabit per second. Anyone who switches from a normal DSL service of 16 Mbit/s to fiber optics will almost certainly be able to buy a new router, because not every router passes on every bandwidth.

The router as a bottleneck

In the imagery, the router that is too slow would have remained the motorway junction, where the eight-lane motorway suddenly changes to one lane when the data is routed to other devices. For example, if you connect a WLAN router with 100 Mbit/s data throughput to the modem of a fiber optic cable with 1000 Mbit/s, you will waste a large part of the paid connection. The same applies if the router works with an outdated Wi-Fi standard.

So check the performance data of your old router and compare it with the booked bandwidth of your new fiber optic connection. As long as the router doesn’t slow down the connection, you can continue to use it. Danger: Of course, this only applies to routers available on the market! If you use a home device from your current provider, this is unfortunately not possible in most cases because the providers limit their devices so that they cannot be used as pure routers.

The Asus RT-AX86U gaming router is by no means a bottleneck. According to the manufacturer, it provides Wi-Fi reception for up to 200 square meters. What’s nice is that the router can set up a mesh network with appropriate satellites. This is a slightly smarter WiFi network that automatically finds the best access point for your devices. As far as its bandwidth is concerned, the router is one of the best in its price range with 4804 Mbit/s over the 5 gigahertz wave.

Use Fritzbox as a router

In many German households, a Fritzbox provides residents with a home network. As an example, we’ll look at how to configure it as a router for your fiber optic modem. This usually doesn’t work straight away, because Fritzboxes are routers with an integrated modem.

First check whether the Fritzbox has a wide area network connection. It looks like a normal Ethernet socket, but unlike the normal Ethernet sockets, it is blue inside. If it is available, connect your Fritzbox to the WAN socket with the modem. Complete.

If the WAN socket is not visible, you need to configure your device in the settings to use it as a router. To do this, connect to the Fitzbox via WLAN or cable and enter fritz.box in the address bar of the browser.

Then log in to the Fritzbox with your access data to access the user interface. Use the tabs on the left to navigate to “Internet” and then to “Access data” and select “Access via LAN” under Internet provider. Then connect the Fritzbox to the modem at its first LAN socket. Complete.

New router for fiber optic connection

If your old router is too weak for the new line, purchasing a new one makes sense. You have three options here: Either you rely on a device from your provider that combines a modem and router. This is the simplest solution, but can be a bit annoying if you want to set up a mesh network to improve Wi-Fi reception, for example. Alternatively, just have your provider provide you with a modem and connect a router to it. This is the most flexible solution because it offers you the largest selection of routers and suitable repeaters.

The final option is to purchase a router yourself that has a fiber optic modem built in. This is the most independent solution, but requires that you can enter the access data for your Internet connection in its user interface. For option one, you just need to follow your provider’s instructions. For options two and three, the article presents models and options below and uses them as examples to clarify what you should pay attention to when purchasing a new one.

1. Netgear Orbi RBK352: Mesh system with Wi-Fi 6

If you already have a modem and are now looking for a router for your apartment or home, you should pay attention to the following features:

A mesh network is a slightly smarter WiFi network. It consists of a router and one or more satellites. The highlight: The network automatically decides where your devices get the signals from. If you walk from the top floor to the basement, the network will always find the satellite that offers the best reception and connect your device to it without you having to do anything. This is more convenient than working with Wi-Fi repeaters that require you to manually connect your devices.

Logical: The router should of course be able to handle a 1 gigabit fast line. This makes sense even if your line is currently a little slower, because it means you are prepared for the future. You should also use the latest Wi-Fi standard. The current version is Wi-Fi 6. Compared to Wi-Fi 5, the new standard copes better with multiple devices and offers more bandwidth. Not bad, because vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, etc. are now causing trouble on the network.

And the Netgear Orbi RBK 352 set combines all of these features. It offers a router and a satellite and, according to the manufacturer, covers up to 200 square meters of living space. At least if the living space is not in an old building with thick walls. Here you may need to purchase additional satellites. For an apartment of up to 100 square meters, the set of two should easily be enough to get WiFi reception in most corners. You can set it up using a smartphone app that you can use to manage the home network later.

2. Fritzbox with accessories

If you don’t even want to use a modem from your provider, the Fritzbox is ideal as a control center for your apartment or home. Here it is important to pair the right Fritzbox with the right fiber optic connection, because there are two of them that are crucial for consumers. When it comes to fiber optic connections, a distinction is made between Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Fiber to the Building (FTTB).

FTTH

FTTH connections are usually found in single-family homes. Before you buy a modem for connection, you theoretically need to determine whether your network operator provides you with an active or passive fiber optic connection. In practice, you’d rather rely on one Fritzbox 5590 Fiber or 5530 Fiber, because both models work with an active and passive connection. The 5590 Fiber is the slightly more sophisticated router that supports fiber optic lines up to 10 Gbit/s. You can also set up a mesh network with both Fritz boxes if you have the appropriate ones Satellites Buy it from Fritz.

Fiber optic routers: FTTB and G.fast

FTTB connections can be found in apartment buildings. Here the connection is usually in the basement and is routed to the individual apartments via telephone sockets. What this means for you is that you don’t need a fiber optic modem, but rather a DSL modemthe G.fast supported. This is the successor to VDSL. G.fast enables the transmission of high bandwidths over short distances using a copper cable. This is not a full fiber optic connection. Unfortunately, there are not many models with G.fast. Worth mentioning here is the Fritzbox 7583, which is G.fast capable with up to 1 Gbit/s. Danger: Various buyers on Amazon report that they were delivered the wrong box that was not G-fast capable. It’s worth going to a specialist retailer. An alternative is this Vigor166 – G.Fast & VDSL2 35b. Attention: This is a pure modem without Wi-Fi, to which you still have to connect a router. Alternatively, you can use a router or modem from your provider.

Sources:computerbild.de, elektronik-kompendium.de, zdf.de, techbook.de

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