Latest UK Openreach Approved List of VDSL Modems and Routers
Consumers have a lot of options when buying a new VDSL2 router for their ‘up to’ 80Mbps capable (66-63Mbps average) Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) based broadband ISP connection but strictly speaking you should be using an Openreach (BT) approved model. Thankfully uno has published the most recent list of approved devices.
Internet providers and manufactures often submit new routers to Openreach’s Modem Conformance Testing (MCT) process, which ensures that they are able to work correctly within the operator’s network and without causing any harm to the service or other users. The vast majority of VDSL equipped routers, whether approve or not, will cause no serious issues.
Many people happily use unapproved devices (we can’t blame them since Openreach’s testing only covers a few of the available devices and most people aren’t even aware of the rules), although if you ever need support from your ISP then don’t be surprised if they refuse to help unless you connect an approved device. You may even run the risk of paying extra charges if your unapproved kit is found to be the cause of a fault investigation (rare).
Sadly finding out precisely which modems and routers have been approved is a notoriously difficult problem, although uno have been maintaining an updated list for awhile and they recently updated it with several new models.
ADB Cisco
- Vox 2.5
Arcadyan
- Brightbox L
- Brightbox 2 L
- Home Hub 5b L
- EE Smart Hub L
AVM
- FRITZ!Box 3490
BSKYB
- ER110 – Sky Q Hub L
- ER – Sky Q Hub L
- NR701 – Now TV Hub Two L
- SR102 – Sky Hub Two L
Cisco
- 1921
- 887VA
- 897VA
- C897VA-K9
- CISCO887VA-K9
- CISCO887VA-M-K9
- CISCO887VA-SEC-K9
- C887VAM-K9
- C887VA-W-E-K9
- C887VAM-W-E-K9
- C887VA-V-K9
- C887VA-V-W-E-K9
- C887VA-CUBE-K9
- C887VAG+7-K9
- C887VAMG+7-K9
- C887VAGW+7-E-K9
- C887VA-WD-E-K9
- C887VAG-4G-GA-K9
- C897VA-M-K9
- C897VAW-E-K9
- C897VAM-W-E-K9
- C897VAG-LTE-GA-k9
- C897VAMG-LTE-GA-K9
- EHWIC-VA-DSL-A
- EHWIC-VA-DSL-M
- NIM VA
Draytek
- Vigor 2862Ln
- Vigor 2860
- Vigor 2860vn Plus
- Vigor 2860vac
- Vigor 2860n
- Vigor 2860n Plus
- Vigor 2860L
- Vigor 2860Ln
- Vigor 2860ac
- Vigor 2862
- Vigor 2760
- Vigor 2760vn
- Vigor 2760n
- Vigor 2762
- Vigor 130
- Vigor 2862ac
- Vigor 2862L
- Vigor 2862n
Genesis
- mBond
Huawei
- HG633
- HG635
- AR109X
- AR129
- AR129W
- AR129GW-L
- AR509G-L-D-H
- AR169FVW
- AR169FGW-L
- AR169FGVW-L
- AR169F
- AR1220V
- Vox 2.5
- BT Pico Cells L
Juniper
- SRX550M
- SRX345
- SRX340
- SRX320
Kenton
- Comtrend VR3030
- Comtrend VR3030U
- Comtrend VR3036U
- Comtrend VR3030/3034
- KBR1645 Velocity Lite
- 1321 Ethernet Access device
- 1322 Ethernet Access device
- 1645 Ethernet Access device
- One 270 AV2
- One 420 AV2
- One 425 AV2
- One 445 AV2
- One 540 AV2
- One 540 AV 4G
- One 700 AV2
- One 1520 AV2
- One 1540 AV2
Netgear
- D7000
- D7000v2
- D7800
- DM200 – Lantiq
Technicolor
- TG589Vac
- TG579vac v2
- TG588 v2
- TG588v v2
- TG589vn V3
- TG589Vac v1
- TG589Vac v2
- TG589vac
- TG789Vac v1
- TG789Vac v2
- TG789vac
- DGA1430
- DGA2231
- DWA0120
Virtual Access
- GW33110-V
- GW6600-V
- GW6630-V
- GW6640-V
- GW6642-V
ZyXEL
- VMG8324-B10A
- VMG8924-B10A
- VMG1312-B10A
- VMG1312-B10D
- VMG3925–B10B
- VMG3025-B10C
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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So the HG612 is not supported even though that’s what they supplied…
I think recently OpenReach announced they are ceasing any further firmware upgrades (not that they’ve released any in 4 years) for the HG612, so it’s probably true that they are no longer supported.
No Billion 8800NL on the list. Openreach engineer told me he liked the billion modem and say its very good one. Sadly openreach don’t approved of this modem.
Yes I can’t understand why the billion bipac 8800nl is not listed this is the only router I have found to be stable acheiving 1mb over a long long line
If Openreach refuse to support anything not on the list then i presume all current BT customers which are using BTs current Smart hub (AKA home hub 6) are using a non-certified or supported device.
I also assume BT will stop sending them out and Openreach for brand new installs where the customer has chosen an engineer install will refuse to connect it because i do not see that on the list???
Or more likely. The list is pointless and not even taken much notice of by even Openreach engineers.
The EE Smart Hub and the BT Smart Hub are identical devices bar the operator branding. So, while it’s not explicitly listed on the ISPReview list, it is part of the MCT approved devices set.
And, realistically, the only effect the MCT has is to allow Openreach to disconnect you and/or refuse to fix your service until you use an MCT approved modem.
I guess the only issue is there are versions “A” and “B” of the BT smart hub or home hub 6 (not sure if that was the case for EE) and the list still does not mention or differentiate. Which one or if both are compliant.
It also does not mean the BT hub 6 (AKA Smart hum) is compliant. Even if it is the same thing with a different brand sticker as EEs device. Software in the 2 is different (even if the only difference is image logos in that software/firmware, it would still mean that has not been tested and would mean it functions differently)
The prior generation Home hub 5 (complete with a little “b” next to it) is on the list but the “a” version is not and neither as i stated is the Smart hub.
I can only conclude that anyone using a Home hub 5A or hub 6 (both A and B) is running a non compliant device and BT should be refusing support for those devices and Openreach engineers if they swear by their list should not be touching them.
The list is either valid or it is not, there is no ambiguity as to what is and is not listed or what should or should not be supported.
You can not as a massive organisation just make it up as you go along, turn up at a premise and just assume because a BT logo is slapped on something it must be fine but anyone elses logo should raise questions. Is that actually what does happen? Or do they just take their own list with a pinch of salt regardless?
“Or more likely. The list is pointless and not even taken much notice of by even Openreach engineers.”
Agreed half of BT’s gear itself is not even on the list.
Quelle surprise there’s no Asus modem routers on that list…not.
And the whole MCT thing is in direct contravention of EU laws. So while we remain in the EU, Openreach can do nothing. That is approval of CPE equipment is done at an EU level and no national telecoms operator may legally add additional approval processes. Not much of a single market if you need 28 different approvals for every device is it.
So the BEREC guidelines regarding terminal equipment are in relation to provision of an “internet access service”, which is technically not something that Openreach sells to CPs, it purely provides an access service from the customer premise to the handover point of the nearest fibre serving exchange. So that moves the liability onto your ISP who are providing the IAS, however given their contract with OR mandates the MCT process they are somewhat hamstrung in rectifying if OR decide that it is causing issues.
There is also reference to an “objective technological necessity” to mandate obligatory equipment. Given that OR have had issues in the past with uncertified devices causing issues with their DSLAMs and monitoring systems I don’t think it is as cut and dry as MCT equals a direct contravention. I can’t see a national regulator raising a case where the user connects a device which fails to meet the published technical specification (which a lot of devices do not adhere 100%, especially in the OAM fault diagnosis space), impairs access for other users who are using compliant devices and is then cut off. Given that reporting details on CPE model/manufacturer/firmware to the DSLAM is part of the SIN spec, it is quite easy for OR to determine which devices are and are not compliant.
As part of a normal Openreach fault investigation process using a broadband repair product offered to the service providers, ie a SFVA (SuperfastVisitAssure), an SFI or Broadband Boost visit no engineer would know this as it’s not necessary to be part of the prerequisite and would probably be more harmful as engineers may start using an easy route to blame problems rather than actually fixing a fault.
When deeper problems become apparent which admittedly isn’t usually until after you’ve had quite a few ill experienced engineers or ones that can’t be bothered and that tends to be quite high with broadband repair jobs then the issue should be put into a special que of Multiple repeat reports and you should get a coach or if the problem is requested by the service provider for a REIN investigation then once all physical deformity’s with the line and noise and interference have been ruled out including long term historical analysis then Openreach engineers have the tools to find out whether routers are MCT approved and then they can take appropriate action to have investigations stopped for this particular issue until an MCT approved modem is used. Admitted the biggest problem with this route is one the customer or CP has no right of recourse over this action and most ISP staff don’t know what the MCT process is or have never heard of it.
ISPs are asked by Openreach if they want their approved devices publicly listed. Most simply refuse, look at what most ISPs are shipping and have been for the last number of years. Most missing from this list.
Not a surprise Kenton’s have a decent list, it’s in their interest as a fulfillment house..
It’s openreach’s list plus a bit of hearsay!
All could have been avoided if the network provider provided their own modem/ONT and left the rest of the CPE to the customer. Routers have different DSL chip sets, hardware design, processor and software. I have actually seen the same router can actually perform differently on different lines. If the line speed, performance and reliability was the full the responsibility of the network provider (not the ISP) then I suggest life would be a lot easier for all.
Thats what us Openreach engineers wanted, a Openreach VDSL/G.Fast box next to the NTE then a ethernet cable to a universal router with Wan port! Oh! Im sure that happened once, Progress hey! In my opinion, all FTTC and G.Fast installs should be engineer only, that way any internal wiring and external network issues can be sorted, line quality tested, and service sync test done at the NTE looking for any CRC errors and sync speed checked. That way the amount of early life failures would practically dissapear! But the CP’s would rather risk a Self Install and hope it doesnt go wrong than to pay for a engineer install!
OR have updated this in the last few days to include/confirm that one existing and one new device are approved for G.fast usage.
We’ve updated our list at https://uno.help/knowledge-base/article/openreach-approved-vdsl-modems.
A Comtrend GFR-9511U gets G.Fast approval before BTs own Smart Hux X (aka Hub 7). Interesting! Approve others before members of your own businesses group devices.
Pretty good broadcom chipset in that device though but my god does the build/casing look like some cheap generic alibaba crap.
Thanks for providing such an informative site. We are currently using ‘Daisy’ as the provider and have had a lot of issues with internet connection for some time now. After they sent us a ‘free’ replacement Router we had the opportunity to compare them. 1st of all the old Router Technicolour TG582n was giving us constant good download speeds of 11-12mbs which for us here in the sticks we accept as ok. Then in the evenings and every evening it would drop every few minutes or seconds between 11 and 0. After months of complaining we received a Technicolouyr DWA0120 and the immediate results were great a constant 10.6 download. However after a few days they are now around 5 constant. So learning the router is all important started research and find our way here.
We run a small business but need connection to upload video and use for emails etc. We do not watch TV or stream etc so really do not need Fibre but happy to pay the extra £10 per month if worth it. We are approx 1 mile from nearest BT box with quite old copper connection. The house is over 500 yrs old but don’t think BT was around then!
Is it worth upgrading to a better Router? Happy to pay just very new to such research. Would the DrayTek Vigor 2762 Series ADSL/VDSL Router wirelsss “ac” WiFi be a suitable and an upgrade from the current DWA0120?
Apologies for long post be interested to get any advice.
Many thanks Rod