Vodafone router

I have just bitten the bullet and decided to give vodafone a try.

I have read in lots of places that you have to use their router, however CS assured me this was not the case.

I have found this picture and instructions for their router and presume that as I have a normal FTTC connection I should connect the phone line to the DSL socket.

I do want to continue using my hacked Huwaie modem originally supplied by openreach. Would this work if I connected it to the WAN port on the vodafone device and connected the phone line to the Huawie.

Apologies if this is a stupid question.

Would this work if I connected it to the WAN port on the vodafone device

Yes

Thank You

I did not even know it had Wan, that is good then and it got 1Gb Ethernet which is more than what sky router have got.

I am looking at vodafone as one of my options, the problem is I may not be using their phone service for much longer, so the price will be higher then. While Vodafone tells you that you do not need to use their router, they do not tell not tell you any info that will allow you to use another one.
I have a TPlink, which is a good little router and that is connected to my BTOR modem, if I went for Vodafone I would like to keep to this.

Anyway, let people know what Vodafone is like as a ISP when you are up and running and if there is any difference with what you are using now.

Not going live just yet, however the router turned up today.

No wan port on the back as in that picture, until I pealed of a label, which said this port is not in use, and there it was. However no mention of it in the very meager instructions, so will just have to experiment once I am connected.

Will let you know how I get on in a couple of weeks.

I did 2 x live chats with vodafone yesterday asking the specific question: "can I use my own VDSL modem and router instead of the Vodafone unit, and will Vodafone supply me with the necessary authentication details to enable me to use my own equipment".

The first one said I would be supplied the username and password, but then went to imply that was for the wifi.

The second said yes, but when pressed would't send me an email saying that. They took my details and promised me a callback from their BB Team within 24 hours. I suspect it is unlikely they will phone me back, as Vodafone customer service is only slight better than what runs through the sewers!

Their chat and 1st line team do have a lot of people who do not really know what they are talking about.

When I rang them I was pit through to the broadband team who assured me I could use my own router, but I would need to speak to the broadband team once it was up and running. The same was said about a fixed IP address. These remarks should both be on their recording of the conversation.

As long as I can use my Huwae modem which is hacked to give the stats, then I do not mind about the router.

I shall await to see if you can connect with your own equipment. One of my mates managed to get a username and password from them, but has failed to get his 2860 to connect (was previously using on Sky, so maybe some old settings linger).

I'd certainly save a few quid switching to Vodafone, but Sky customer service has been outstanding, which is the total reverse of when ever I have the misfortune to have to speak to Vodafone. I have to weigh up savings vs rubbish customer service.

I did try ringing them, but I couldn't find the right options to actually speak to anyone about BB, it seemed to be much more mobile based (billing, or my phone doesn't work)... They might say the calls are recorded, but may be unlikely to dig them out unless the call is likely to find in their favour....

Sadly I have cancelled my order. The reason was basically increasing nervousness after reading countless messages on the forums. I rang vodofone and discovered that,

1. The will not allow you to use your own router. This was not critical except.
2. You can not turn off DHCP in the router, but you can allocate fixed IP addressed to particular devices.
3. 2 above was what they were interpreting as a fixed IP address. I wanted a web-facing fixed IP.
4. They do not offer mail services..

I know all these can be worked round, but life is too short.

Edit: I should add that I did manage to get through to the broadband team, by feeding in my account number rather than mobile number, although this was the first time this worked. Sadly the lady I spoke to understood none of the questions and had to refer to the technical team. The real downer was that she would not let me speak to the technical team. That was the final straw.

Edited by philippercival (Thu 07-Jul-16 21:08:34)

A quick Google search shows that many many other Vodafone users have had no luck what so ever using another router over a number of months.

There are also many threads you can find which seem to think that the Vodafone router is a pile of **** with crashing regularly, which then requires a power cycle, being one of the main faults (along with the lack of DHCP options and an inability to handle more than a low number of wireless devices without dropping connections).

That is disappointing news, but fully understandable. Probably a lucky escape!

and surprise surprise, Vodacretins never phoned me back. Guess I'll stick to my much more reliable and working Sky solution

In reply to a post by arendall667:

A quick Google search shows that many many other Vodafone users have had no luck what so ever using another router over a number of months.

True, but most were quite old and many indicated that Vodafone might be changing. Hence my calls to their CS who assured me various things were possible.

I also read comments from various users who said that the router was the best that they had ever had.

Rather like the ISP forums here, you have to be careful interpreting them as on the whole happy customers do not post, so it is rather a case of comparing ISPs on the basis of how many unhappy customers they have.

Same reason I bottled out.

Got the router before they put the cancellation through though and it looks like a smart piece of kit. They told me they've dispatched a returns bag for it but nothing yet.

Edited by deleted (Fri 08-Jul-16 13:03:29)

That is a shame, but if it don't do what you want then no point going for it.
I have just had another leaflet delivered offering me fibre for £7.50 a month. the problem of not being able to use my own router would certainly put me off vodafone. the problem with this is that if their router goes down you have to wait until they send another to get back online, at least if they allow another router I can use one of the ones I have got.
At the moment I am using the one I had from plusnet as my TPlink is playing up, but I will be looking for another router if I can not get the TP link one going.

I am not sure now about moving providers, Price wise, plusnet still seems to be the cheapest and while they have downgraded the upload speed I could not get it anyway. I will not enter into another contract i will just carry on as i am and if I do find something better I can go.

As for email, best not to use on from a provider anyway, if you move provider you lose that email address. Plenty of free ones, GMXis a good one.
i used to use it before I got my domain