Meatball
ULTIMATE Member
More new routers announced from Technicolor and more to come.
BT, Sky, Vodafone and Virgin will continue to do their own thing and Talk Talk are looking at a customised Mesh/Router (as opposed to a Router with Mesh). Other routers are for ISPs who can brand but not bespoke completely.
We have all experienced a history of separate modems, then routers and now multi functional devices along with awaited ADSL, FTTC and WIFI developments. They have also increased in size to accommodate antenna on the circuit board and increasing locking of firmware functionality.
What is clear when visiting the local recycling centre is the pile of discarded Routers, switches and WIFI devices of which I bet many are probably still working and functional. I know that the leading ISPs own their equipment and have recycling processes but these are often never enforced and its not clear what happens to the redundant kit, probably the same. The problem can only get worse as more proprietary kit is added such as "Boosts", WIFI Mesh etc. It may even include ONTs in the future (even though owned by a network provider).
I was therefore hoping that as we move forward to an FTTP world backed up by Mobile that ISPs would actually return to a more basic device design, about the size and functionality of an Ubiquiti Edgerouter X, with two WAN feeds, balanced or backup, possible bridge and basic router even if there is some ISP locking. Allowing the home owner to invest long term in their own wired Ethernet, switches and WIFI Mesh which is likely to last far more years providing good service between upgrades and would be independent of the ISP. In addition a small discrete device can sit tucked away with the ONT away from our living spaces.
For those technically minded we can still do it now but it is becoming increasingly difficult with the main ISPs where users are forced to use the ISP router for their services.
As confirmed by recent BB reviews for two close relatives, the loyalty of staying with an ISP is clearly still not rewarded (actually the opposite) meaning a change of provider at contract end and their CPE (even Sky to Now which technically should be the same). The change out disruption and fear that the change will not be without issue means some may stay (which is what the ISPs want) and pay the price but with the current cost difference the reality is people will toggle between providers.
An opportunity for a forward thinking ISP?
BT, Sky, Vodafone and Virgin will continue to do their own thing and Talk Talk are looking at a customised Mesh/Router (as opposed to a Router with Mesh). Other routers are for ISPs who can brand but not bespoke completely.
We have all experienced a history of separate modems, then routers and now multi functional devices along with awaited ADSL, FTTC and WIFI developments. They have also increased in size to accommodate antenna on the circuit board and increasing locking of firmware functionality.
What is clear when visiting the local recycling centre is the pile of discarded Routers, switches and WIFI devices of which I bet many are probably still working and functional. I know that the leading ISPs own their equipment and have recycling processes but these are often never enforced and its not clear what happens to the redundant kit, probably the same. The problem can only get worse as more proprietary kit is added such as "Boosts", WIFI Mesh etc. It may even include ONTs in the future (even though owned by a network provider).
I was therefore hoping that as we move forward to an FTTP world backed up by Mobile that ISPs would actually return to a more basic device design, about the size and functionality of an Ubiquiti Edgerouter X, with two WAN feeds, balanced or backup, possible bridge and basic router even if there is some ISP locking. Allowing the home owner to invest long term in their own wired Ethernet, switches and WIFI Mesh which is likely to last far more years providing good service between upgrades and would be independent of the ISP. In addition a small discrete device can sit tucked away with the ONT away from our living spaces.
For those technically minded we can still do it now but it is becoming increasingly difficult with the main ISPs where users are forced to use the ISP router for their services.
As confirmed by recent BB reviews for two close relatives, the loyalty of staying with an ISP is clearly still not rewarded (actually the opposite) meaning a change of provider at contract end and their CPE (even Sky to Now which technically should be the same). The change out disruption and fear that the change will not be without issue means some may stay (which is what the ISPs want) and pay the price but with the current cost difference the reality is people will toggle between providers.
An opportunity for a forward thinking ISP?
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