Moving from VM to an OR FTTP provider

Hi,

I’m moving from VM to an OR FTTP due to the awful latency and reliability that DOCSIS but wanted to ask some questions

I know that the OR providers all use the same infrastructure, but I care about customer service after my poor experience with Virgin?

Also, I’ve heard that the ISP provided routers are a nightmare (my VM Hub 3 certainly has) - would you suggest I use the ISP router or another one? I’m terrible with routers as I’ve never had to buy one so would appreciate a model name/link. Budget is around £100-150 if it would be useful to have a better router.

I understand that there is no physical line with OR FTTP, but one of my family members wants a landline still (how annoying!). I’m new to the whole VOiP phone systems so would appreciate some guidance on that too.

Any help would be appreciated.

Avoid ISP's which run CGNAT, the experience can be poor - you get captcha's on Google, you are associated with all the bad behaviour of everyone who shares your real IP address which can be thousands of people, plus CGNAT can often be misconfigured into private IP ranges which should be for you to use.

A fixed IPv4 address is not essential, but the ISPs which provide this tend to be more attuned to a good customer experience, although this is only a loose indicator. Personally, I have only ever had one router from an ISP and would never want one again. The router itself was fine and I am still using it for wireless access, the real problem is that the ISP tends to control your internal network.

As for a router recommendation, the ISP router I had was Mikrotik and unlocking it alerted me to the capabilities of the brand and I run a MikroTik hEX 5 Port Router - RB750Gr3. I am content with this, but it was missing a default configuration change to the DNS when I changed my IP address. Once discovered, it was easily fixed. So I wouldn't recommend this one unless you are either confident on router setup or content to operate it in default configuration.

As for VOIP, if you go to BT you have to have digital voice, which means you have to grapple with proper VOIP and another ISP if you move from BT. So I recommend to start off by getting VOIP, but not from an ISP.

The infrastructure close to you is the same across all providers but then deviates into their own networks so there can be variation.

Using the provided router will get you the speed you buy via Ethernet, it’s the WiFi where things can vary as they don’t all have the latest technology. I would use the provided router before you spend on a replacement as realistically they’re not cheap.

Plusnet are generally well regarded and cheap but don’t offer a phone line - I would be looking at a separate VOIP provider as they will work with any broadband provider. Personally I’m with EE but that was more a Black Friday deal than any genuine reason to go there.

One of my family members moved from VM to BT. Wifi was better with the BT Smart Hub which negated the need for an additional Wifi extender, and 'the Digital Voice landline was good. For a one stop shop, they were happy. They are not IT literate, so just wanted something "plug and play".
However, if you are happy with hands on, then a better 3rd party router, your own Wifi AP's and VOIP would be the way. But, it's not really for the faint hearted.

Sigh, exact same question posted on ispreview forums:
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/threads/moving-from...

Are they not allowed to post here if they have posted on ISPReview? Maybe they wanted to get a good reach for the question?