replacement HH5 router

Hi All,

My first post here, so sorry if this has been asked before.

I'm getting BT infinity 2 on the 19th April, and want to ask you, the experts, is there a better modem router to use instead?

I won't be getting the old separate modem that used to be given out, just the all in one HH5, so want the same all in one device that you guys recommend?

I won't be using Bt vision, just broadband

Thanks in advance.

Edited by regeger (Fri 08-Apr-16 18:27:45)

If I were you I'd give the HH5 they supply you with a go before you begin thinking about anything else.

You'll see many posts on this forum saying the HH5 is no good, I've had mine for over two years and it's been fine up to now. I get a solid 75 Mbps down speed and 18.5 Mbps up.

Not worth spending money on a different router until you've given it a go.

The only thing you might not like is that it will probably reboot every 14 days, mine normally does this at 3:00 am so it's not a problem.

Edited by DooGie (Fri 08-Apr-16 20:53:00)

Hi,

I ended up dumping the HH5 when it started rebooting many times in one night.

The main issue I had with the HH5 is when it comes to wifi security. It's very minimal. The HH5 is a very basic unit.

I ended up buying a HG612 modem from a well known auction site. Then I bought the Asus RT-N66U router, which has many options and customized firmwares for extra tuning. So far I've not had an issue with this setup.

I'm not sure of an all-in-one alternative. Maybe others can give a good recommendation for that.

I've had my HH5 for a couple of years, and it's never given any problems. It's stable, reboots every 14 days in the early hours of the morning which seems to be part of some schedule. It's stable and seems to give decent speed for the length of line.

I suspect it will meet the needs of the great majority of households. My only real issue is that the line diagnostics are a bit on the basic side. But then I don't make great demands on the device.

Note that one feature of the HH5 is that it provides for a secure BT FON service (part of the public access system for BT Infinity subscribers). If you don't use the HH5 then your network won't be part of the BT FON system. I don't know if by doing so you will lose access to BT FON if you use a device which isn't opted into the network.

I'd give it a try first. In any event, if you do replace it, then I'd advise keeping it as a backup device for two reasons. Firstly doing a device swap is a good way of diagnosing problems under some conditions (like is my router/modem faulty). Secondly, it's easier to deal with call centre staff if you are using standard equipment, so if you do have a connection problem temporarily connecting up the HH5 is a way of eliminating that variable.

Another happy HH5 (Type A) user here. I have replaced it a couple times since it came out and i have always gone back to it. The WiFi in my house at least is at full speed (75/19) everywhere and i can still connect to it round at my mates next door but one. Its always been rock solid and any blips have been down to line problems etc not the hub.

As for security if WPA2 plus a beefier password than the ones supplied aren't enough then maybe using WiFi isn't for you anyway.

Works flawlessly for me, no need to get anything else.

Strong wireless signal too, much further than sky's router in my home.

I have Type A & up to 30 devices connected wirelessly, although usually 10 to 15. No issues.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Sat 09-Apr-16 11:29:59)

In reply to a post by TheEulerID:

Note that one feature of the HH5 is that it provides for a secure BT FON service (part of the public access system for BT Infinity subscribers). If you don't use the HH5 then your network won't be part of the BT FON system. I don't know if by doing so you will lose access to BT FON if you use a device which isn't opted into the network.

You can use your own router and still use BT Wi-fi from other people.

In what way is the WiFi protection minimal? It has WPA2. There's no MAC address filtering, but as those can be spoofed anyway I don't think it's much of a defense. Of course if you want to go down the 802.1X security route then the HH5 is not for you, but I'd suggest that the great majority of home users are not going to want to invest the amount of effort and time required to go to that level of protection. That's more a corporate standard and requires specialist knowledge.

In reply to a post by TheEulerID:

if you want to go down the 802.1X security route then the HH5 is not for you

The HH5 does emit the BT Wifi-X signal.

Which is a different network to your home lan