Are You Happy with Your Home Broadband ISP Router? Most Are

The latest online ISPreview.co.uk poll of 1,977 readers has found that most respondents (63.3%) got their broadband router from a UK ISP (e.g. as part of a bundle), while 36.6% opted for a third-party device instead (e.g. purchased in a shop). In either case the majority appear to be satisfied with its quality.

A decade ago the routers that ISPs supplied alongside their broadband packages were generally cheap, bottom of the range style rubbish. This reflects the kind of hardware that would often struggle to reliably deal with multiple devices and offered incredibly weak wireless (WiFi) connectivity.

Meanwhile modern ISPs, at least some of them, have long since cottoned on to the fact that routers can be a useful way to differentiate themselves and the standard of hardware has improved. Nevertheless if you really want the best kit and latest features then third-party routers are often still the best option, provided you’re comfortable with setting one up and your ISP supports it (always check first or use two routers, one for the broadband and one for your home network).

Where does your home broadband router come from?
63.3% – My ISP
36.6% – Third-Party (Shop etc.)

How would you rate the quality of your router and its Wi-Fi speed?
35.1% – Very Good
29.7% – Good
24% – Average
11% – Poor

How many of the router’s Ethernet (LAN) ports do you use on the back?
51% – 4 Ports+
16.8% – 2 Ports
15.9% – 1 Port
11.1% – 3 Ports
4.8% – None

Respondents were also asked whether or not they made use of their router’s Ethernet (LAN) ports, with 51% saying they plugged into all 4 ports. In the past some ISPs (e.g. Sky’s Q Hub) have supplied routers with only one or two ports and that isn’t enough for everybody. Using a wired connection, where convenient, also helps to get around the problem of poor WiFi performance.

Meanwhile this month’s new survey asks whether or not you support the Government’s aspiration to cover 100% of the UK with full fibre (FTTP) broadband by 2033? Vote Here.