Until recently only TalkTalk’s superfast “Fibre Broadband” (FTTC) subscribers could benefit from the free inclusion of the ISPs Gigabit (1000Mbps+) WiFi capable wireless ‘Super Router‘ (Huawei HG633). But now new customers who take the ISPs Plus TV bundle, be they ADSL or VDSL based, will also receive the device.
The Super Router itself was first unveiled 11 months ago (full details) and today’s move means that TalkTalk are the first major national broadband ISP to offer an 802.11ac equipped router to their slower ADSL using subscribers. Furthermore its support for both ADSL and VDSL means that Plus TV customers who later upgrade to FTTC will be able to continue using the same kit.
In relation to this TalkTalk have said that they’re retiring their old Essentials / SimplyBroadband ADSL router and will instead be supplying new customers on those packages with the model previously given to Plus TV customers, which is a bit better (i.e. four Ethernet ports instead of two, 300Mbps vs 150Mbps WiFi and improved wireless coverage via two internal antennas instead of one; the kit also has a faster processor and more memory).
Just to clarify, the new routers are being supplied to new customers, customers upgrading to new packages and to existing customers if they need a replacement.
UPDATE:
It should be noted that as part of this news the original Huawei HG635 “Super Router” has been silently withdrawn and now the HG633 is being used. Apparently the HG633 should benefit from better wireless signal strength than the HG635, despite being of a lower model number.
UPDATE 2:
The HG633 also appears to come with 100Mb Ethernet ports instead of 1000Mbps on the HG635. This appears to be a cost saving move by the ISP and forms part of the reason why they’re now able to offer the kit to their Plus TV using ADSL based subscribers.
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