Hi,
We've recently had the full 38Mb Fibre service installed, and were given the HG633 model router. Service has not been satisfactory. There are currently three of us in the house, and we've all experienced sloooow speeds, and frequent disconnections from the wireless network. No one is connected via ethernet, though I've tested speeds via that method as well, and there has been no difference.
A summation of symptoms:
1) Account is for 38Mbps, and speedtests cap out at around 10Mbps down, and average 500Kbps up. When there are multiple devices connected, 500Kbps up can be problematic for even web surfing, as DNS requests start fighting each other for bandwidth. Now, I know that the 38 is the advertised, and I think 2 is what is advertised for up, but when we are getting, on average, a quarter to a third of those speeds, that is an issue.
2) Frequent disconnects to the network. All devices have had to reconnect several times, sometimes quite a few times per hour. I am unable to determine if this is is simply wifi signal strength, subpar wireless performance on the part of the router, or if the connection to the outside world itself drops, leaving us internal clients hanging while it reconnects.
Now, to be upfront about my background, I was a network technician and an ISP tier 3 tech for the better part of a decade – I can handle the little things. And so I have, to a point:
- I'd really prefer to run my own router and network gear; all we need in this house is a network connection, and I can handle the rest. The problem is that unlike every other modem/router combo unit I've seen supplied by providers around the world, this HG633 cannot have its routing functions turned off and placed into a modem only mode. That is...extremely frustrating, as my router is far more powerful and capable than this one (not to mention, already set up for my network).
- I have gone ahead and connected my router as a client of the 633 unit, essentially running an internal network. This works, but is not ideal, as I’m still reliant upon the 633 for DHCP/routing functions, and frankly, running two networks is inefficient. However, when anyone connects to my personal router, disconnects have gone away: this leads me to believe that the wireless functions of the 633 are underpowered, in addition to any other problems.
I’ve read on these boards that others have had similar issues with the 633; I know that this is anecdata, and am not assuming that the 633 is a poor device, but I do know that I don’t want it.
We’re getting far less speeds than we’re paying for (similar to others with this modem), and the routing functions seem iffy, and the wireless is not very robust. I’m trusting that the DSL/Fibre network and line to our house is fine, and that it is simply this piece of equipment rendering it a poor service.
I’m willing to provide logs if necessary, and to try some reasonable steps at troubleshooting. However, I think the best solution would be simply to have a DSL modem (NOT router/modem combo unit, though one that could have the router functions disabled would be reasonable) replace this HG633. Can a Talktalk rep help me with this?