Will my Speedtouch 510 V6 modem work on ADSL2 (21CN network)

Plus.net have emailed me to say that they will upgrade my connection: "...migration of customers from our 20CN network over to our 21CN network, allowing for faster speeds." This will give me "up to 20 Mbps" whereas I am presently on "up to 8 Mbps" and regularly get 5.6 to 6.5 Mbps.

I need to know whether my present Thompson Speedtouch 510 V6 modem will handle ADSL 2. (I have searched on this but no luck).

Will it please?

If not, can I please have a recommendation for a simple reliable wired ethernet router to replace it.

Thanks

Edited by deleted (Sun 22-Jan-12 11:14:22)

I should have mentioned that the router was bought about 5 years ago, so does it need a firmware upgrade, (if it is available now, the router being discontinued).?

Edited by deleted (Sun 22-Jan-12 11:26:33)

Speedtouch 510 v6 ADSL2/2+ Router

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UT...

Firmware
http://download.modem-help.co.uk/mfcs-A/Alcatel/Mode...

Edited by Moto (Sun 22-Jan-12 12:38:28)

Thanks for the references. The only reference to a search for "ADSL" which included "ADSL2" was in"

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?...

which described the router in its title as "Speedtouch 510 v6 ADSL2/2+ Router " which is tempting to take as saying that it will handle ADSL2.

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?...

reviews the 516 ADSL 2+ and says: "The new SpeedTouch 516 encompasses all the popular features of the SpeedTouch 510, and adds ADSL2+ support for downloads speeds in excess of 20Mbit/s.

I don't know what ADSL2+ means. If it is better than ADSL2 then the implication is that the 510 V6 can handle ADSL2.

The Wiki site states: "Under the SpeedTouch name Alcatel and Technicolor retail a variety of equipment including ADSL and ADSL2+ modems,...", but under the 510 V1/4 it refers to ADSL only.

I don't want to act on implications. Could somebody please untangle these technical things. I am just a guy who uses computers without having to delve into the technology more than necessary.

Thanks for any help.

ADSL2+ (up to 24 Meg) is what you want. That router handles it, as do most recent routers. ADSL2 (up to 12 Meg) is just a downgraded variant of it, useful for very long lines.

In reference to www.modem-help.co.uk/Alcatel/Speed-Touch-510i-v6-ADSL2--Residential...:

Alcatel Speed Touch 510i v6 ADSL2+ Residential Gateway

Max Communication Protocol: G.992.5(ADSL2+)

As XRaySpex says, you want ADSL2+. The 21CN network is ADSL2+ and the lower ADSL2 is only normally used when the systems detects a very poor line and downgrades the connection.

ADSL2 has a maximum speed of 12Mbps .

Now I know the significance of ADSL2+ ! Many thanks to everyone.

Just one question for XRaySpeX: Just to be sure, you say: "That router handles it, as do most recent routers." So that means that my 5-year-old 510 V6 will work with ADSL2+, and without a firmware upgrade. Yes?

Thanks.

Maybe! You might need a firmware upgrade, but someone gave you a link to one.

Easiest way to find out is if you go into its Settings/Config pages can you see an ADSL Mode field/dropdown that includes ADSL2+ or G.992.5?

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Maybe! You might need a firmware upgrade, but someone gave you a link to one.

Easiest way to find out is if you go into its Settings/Config pages can you see an ADSL Mode field/dropdown that includes ADSL2+ or G.992.5?

Even if it's there, on old firmware I wouldn't be happy. I think on router firmwares keeping up to date is almost always advisable, especially if moving to ADSL2+ from ADSL.

Under system Configuration there is nothing mentioning ADSL, just "Service Name" (Data (default( ( modified by user); Time zone; Summer Time (no); and Web browsing Interception (Automatic). Nothing else mentions ADSL.

Perhaps I should buy a new modem from my ISP (and go through the complex and confusing setting up, like 5 years ago, which I was trying to avoid). Heigh ho!

Yes, I will do that. Thanks everybody.

Yes it should work I was running my ST546V6 with firmware 6.1 on my ADSL2+ line before the Billion 7800 came along, quite smoothly too I might add compared to the lumpy throughput of the Billion.