Should UK Broadband ISPs Stop Locking Users to Bundled Routers

The “free” routers that so often come bundled alongside broadband ISP packages are usually nothing to write home about, not least because they’re often budget models and frequently come with key features disabled. But should provider’s be preventing customers from using their own kit?

The majority of internet users are probably quite happy to use the kit supplied by their ISP and many of them may never even bother to touch the device’s admin panel, except while setting it up for the first time. However a lot of people still prefer to use their own third-party router and that can be due to a number of reasons.

Top Reasons for Adopting a Third-Party Router

* Huge selection of kit to choose from.

* Possibility of buying a device with much faster WiFi and general performance.

* Much wider selection of advanced features available (file servers, 3G/4G connectivity, VPN etc.).

* Greater flexibility with device configuration (bundled routers will often lock down useful features, such as custom DNS settings).

Unfortunately those who may wish to use a third-party router (usually anybody with an IT background or a desire for better performance / flexibility) may find that they are unable to do so or are hampered by the need for a complicated setup. For example, Sky Broadband do not release the password for their end-user broadband connections and that is vital for using a third-party router.

Often the only alternative is to disable the bundled router’s WiFi settings and then plug your own third-party kit into the second router’s WAN port (i.e. only using the ISP’s router as a modem), although even this isn’t always easy because some providers will ship their router without a WAN port or they’ll lock you out of being able to access the needed network settings. Not to mention that this is easier for those who have some IT knowledge.

Cable operator Virgin Media does at least recognise that their customers may wish to use the SuperHub router in modem-only mode and so they support dual-use with a second router. Sadly this is often the only option for Virgin customers because a lot of other cable modems won’t work on their UK network.

However, using two devices is usually undesirable because it’s messy, consumes more electricity and can make it harder to diagnose problems with your local network (especially if you have to configure all of the network settings manually, which is sometimes necessary).

Why do ISPs make it so hard?

The key word here is “support” because if every customer purchased their own third-party kit then diagnosing related problems would become much more complicated (there are thousands of different brands with different user interfaces etc.), which also makes it more expensive to deliver effective support. As a bonus the end-user also benefits from regular firmware updates to resolve issues, add features and fix security problems.

On top of that it’s desirable for ISPs to only adopt routers that are fully certified to run on the underlying network, which is done to ensure correct compliance with the required standards (fewer bugs to worry about etc.). This is why providers on Openreach’s (BT) infrastructure usually have to get their kit certified before offering it to customers (uncertified routers might cause unexpected problems that are harder to diagnose).

Suffice to say that some providers will frown on customers that use third-party broadband routers on Openreach’s network (albeit only in their T&Cs), unless they’re an approved model. However in reality a good third-party router will usually perform better than what the ISP provides, regardless of whether or not it’s been certified for use on Openreach’s network (assuming it supports the right modem standards of course).

We should point out that providers generally won’t take any action against those who use their own kit (after all if an issue does occur on the device then it’s usually, but not always, only you who will suffer), although it’s always wise to keep the ISP’s own router handy so that you can plug it back in, such as when requesting support or testing for a fault.

What can you do about it?

The good news is that there are sometimes other ways of using your own router, without doubling up on router / modems via the WAN port or a complex network setup (assuming you can even use that). For example, customers of Sky Broadband with one of the operator’s Sky Hub or older routers can Google around to discover a method of using the Wireshark software to extract the password for their broadband connection.

Sometimes it’s also possible to ask the ISP directly for your broadband connection’s login and password. For example, customers of Vodafone have had success by making clear to the ISP that they took full responsibility for using their own router and were using an Openreach approved device (here).

On top of that the EU’s new Net Neutrality laws might be in your favour. In last year’s update from Ofcom the regulator claims to have identified “some areas where internet providers should improve their compliance with the regulation” (here), not least in terms of the rule that says “end-users have the right to use terminal equipment of their choice” (this could be applicable to broadband routers too).

Ofcom’s Statement on End-User Terminal Equipment

Article 3 (1) establishes the rights of end users to access the internet using the “terminal equipment of their choice”. During the first year of operation of the Regulation we identified a practice of concern through our own engagement with ISPs and independent monitoring.

We have opened an initial enquiry into the matter. The purpose of an enquiry is to determine whether there is a case to answer, and if there is, whether it would be consistent with Ofcom’s administrative priorities to carry out a formal investigation. If we decide to investigate, we will, in accordance with our normal process, publish the details on our website.

A second precedent for this has already been set in Germany, where the Government recently abolished ISP locking so that customers are now free to choose whichever broadband modem or router they want. However we probably won’t learn the outcome of Ofcom’s position until the next Net Neutrality report (due mid-2018).

Mind you this could create problems if people connect a router that causes harm to the operator’s network and / or other users. This is especially tedious in the UK, where Openreach refuses to publish a full list of approved devices (here) and doesn’t do enough pro-active testing of new models on their own initiative. A kite-mark system could be handy for new devices but that would also require manufacturers to be more pro-active.

The other, perhaps more obvious, approach would simply be to choose a broadband provider that doesn’t lock their kit and connection down in the first place. Most smaller ISPs leave the decision about router choice up to their users and those that do bundle a router will often still give you full control over the device.

Meanwhile anybody planning to use a third-party router of their own should ideally always check with their ISP first to see if they will release the login and password details for your broadband connection (assuming you haven’t got those already). NOTE: This is not to be confused with the login details for your WiFi network or router admin.