Tp-link Archer VR2800 with FTTP

Hi,

It's been a long time since I upgraded my broadband but I am thinking of doing this now as my contract has come up for renewal. My current broadband is FTTC and I am thinking of opting for the 150mbps FTTP package from Community Fibre. I am currently using a TP-Link VR2800 router and was wondering if this would work with full fibre?. Would there be any benefit in upgrading the router to something like TP-Link AX5400? If so what would the benefits be? What settings would I need to get from the ISP to use a TP-Link router.

Many thanks in advance for any advice

[1] You connect to Community fibre with an ONT
[2] The TP-Link VR2800 router provides an RJ11 Port [which I think you will also be using for your FTTC], but it also has a 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 WAN/LAN Port, which can connect via an ethernet to your ONT

So on the face of it, it looks likely to work. What you need to know is whether CF use PPPoE or DHCP and whether the router supports the required protocol.

If you have a previous router for your FTTC, set that up on your old connection beforehand [and keep the FTTC on the go], so you still have internet while you play around to set up your FTTP connection with the VR2800.

The TP2800 was announced in 2016, so it is a bit long in the tooth. So, alternatively, you may prefer to source yourself a newer router. My last experience with TP-link was about 2019 and their customer support for a broken router was more than creditable, but my needs are better met by Mikrotik [not for everyone], so I can't comment on your proposed alternative

Thanks, I think it may be time to invest in a new router

It will work, but a newer one will have better Wi-Fi if you rely on that,
also a newer one will have four Ethernet ports that you can use instead of having one doubling up as a WAN.

It is up to you at the end of the day, myself if I had something like your VR2800 when I changed from VDSL to FTTP, I may not have bothered to get another router. If it does the job in my opinion then why buy new.

Your router would not have been updated firmware wise for a while, so could be a security hazard.

I have a TP-Link Archer AX53, which at the moment on Amazon is a good price at £65, it works well and do you really need to spend nearly £100 on a router?

Up to you at the end of the day

Many thanks for your comment & advice

In reply to a post by mgreshoff:

Many thanks for your comment & advice

I rather this one better for my future FTTP 500/75

You also need to enter the VLAN ID which you can find in Advanced>>Network>>IPTV/WLAN. Set the mode to custom and depending on whether you are on the openreach network or the city fibre network you'll need to set the VLAN ID to either 101 or 911. Also whilst in the router settings goto wireless and set the 5GHz Channel width to 20/40/80/160MHz. And that is the setup complete, you should now have an internet connection. Hope this info helps someone.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-HomeShield-Compatib...

Edited by adslmax (Sun 22-Jun-25 14:58:39)

@adslmax, the one I linked to is fine for what you will use it for, I am using it for 500/500, and it does the job fine for a lower price and mine is the version 1 hardware, the newer one should be better.

At the end of the day, they both do the job, the one you linked to have a slighty faster Wi-Fi and a faster Processor, plus a few other bits and bobs

Link to compare them.

In reply to a post by zyborg47:

@adslmax, the one I linked to is fine for what you will use it for, I am using it for 500/500, and it does the job fine for a lower price and mine is the version 1 hardware, the newer one should be better.

At the end of the day, they both do the job, the one you linked to have a slighty faster Wi-Fi and a faster Processor, plus a few other bits and bobs

Link to compare them.

That's good link of both compared. Thanks