Thanks for that information.

Is there an easy way, apart from labelling, to differentiate, eg the P600 illustration I saw had an external aerial on it - apart from no aerial, would it have a blanking plate or similar, where otherwise the aerial socket would be?

Or by logging in to its Admin?

There will only be wireless options in the router's user interface if the router has wireless hardware.

Agreed.

But that ("internal" Admin-accessed) wireless interface, requires some knowledge and experience apparently beyond the OP's "I'm a pretty non-technical person soon to have to take the giant step into wireless broadband".

So are you aware of any "obvious" external hardware aspects to alert him to the presence or absence of WiFi facilities in that router, as you appear to have some detailed knowledge of it.

As his router is "elderly", labelling could have all too easily "disappeared" etc.

If it is the WiFi version, it would be cheaper for him to at least try that router with his laptop.

Also it would better prepare him for a new router, whether purchased by him; or provided via an FTTC package.

As well as checking whether your existing router has WiFi or not, your Speed Test Results of 7 Mbps suggest that you may be some distance from your exchange.

With FTTC the critical length is from your gree/grey distribution cabinet somewhere relatively close to you; but according to a SKY Web Page, if more than 300 metres, is likely to have adverse effects on any FTTC provision.

I suggest that you should find out that distance information and also go through the Phone Line Quiet Tests etc, to ensure that you are getting good service at present; and that your phone line from that cabinet to your house is capable of giving good service under FTTC conditions.

Depending on your PHONE provider, the Quiet Test is accessed by ringing 17070, followed by selecting Option 2 (Option 4 if from SKY) - and some phones may not give access to it.

For the Exchange via Cabinet to House distance, try-

http://windows.mouselike.org/be/?DoAction=BrasChecker

You may get a response-

"Fetch BRAS Info anyway"

Click on that.

The Line Length is given if available, in the middle line of the bottom block-

"BT Recorded Line Length to Exchange (m): xxxx"

The Cabinet to House Length will be distinctly less than that, say around 10 to 25% of that.



You now have to locate the Cabinet, to get a better idea of that important-for-broadband final length.

http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/ADSLChecker.Teleph...

If available, the Cabinet Number is in the top line-

"Telephone Number is 0123456789 on EXCHANGE (Exchange Name) is served by Cabinet x"

This may NOT be the geographically nearest, the number is usually painted on it "somewhere".

You may already know its location - but try to confirm the number.

The Phone Line Route may NOT be the obvious one!

My Cabinet is about 25 metres directly "north" across the road from my front door; but I know definitely from when helping a Phone Engineer trace a fault on it, the line.

From the front door, it goes about 50 Metres "east" to a very small cast junction box on the foundations of another house, before crossing the road "somewhere", about 25 Metres, then returns west to the Cabinet - another 50 Metres.

And apart from the small Junction Box, all is underground, so not visible or obvious.

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You'll learn a lot!