Recommend a UK ISP for FTTP connection without router

I have just ended my contract with EE and declined a renewal.

I have an Openreach Huawei fibre modem installed.

I was wondering if there is an ISP out there that would provide a simple FTTP connection at a competitive rate that does not include a router, as I intend to provide my own.

Thanks

Aquiss and Olilo come to mind. Aquiss do not supply any router, but I can't think of another ISP which never supplies a router. Olilo cater explicitly for people who bring their own but can supply one if required. Plenty of other ISPs will let you use your own router, but you would normally expect to use the supplied router if you require support.

Ollio sounds exactly what I was looking for, a straightforward connection with no nonsense pricing.

They are top of my list so far.

Thanks!

Your Huawei modem could work for SOGEA (FTTC without a PSTN phone), but it is irrelevant for FTTP. If FTTP is available, the FTTP wholesale provider will install the ONT and fibre after you order from your ISP.

Zen is another option to add to those mentioned; they support bringing your own router, though the default these days is a Zen-supplied router. You can even bring your own device for Zen Digital Voice, though I would recommend Andrews and Arnold if you want voice service (A&A are more fully-featured than Zen, as well as being cheaper if you make few or no outgoing calls; Zen bundles 1000 minutes a month).

I would note that whether the isp supplies a router is not always relevant to if you can use your own router.

Your Huawei modem could work for SOGEA (FTTC without a PSTN phone), but it is irrelevant for FTTP. If FTTP is available, the FTTP wholesale provider will install the ONT and fibre after you order from your ISP.

Or this could just be a misnomer by the OP. That might be a Huawei ONT that the poster is calling modem.

To the first poster, do you currently have FTTP, or VDSL ?

I use Plusnet. I don't use the router that Plusnet supplied. I had to configure my own router to use PPPOE to activate the connection.

In reply to a post by David_W2:

Your Huawei modem could work for SOGEA (FTTC without a PSTN phone)

Fairly certain that they are referring to the ONT when they say “I have an Openreach Huawei fibre modem installed.” Also given the title of the thread is about FTTP.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In reply to a post by David_W2:

Your Huawei modem could work for SOGEA (FTTC without a PSTN phone)

Fairly certain that they are referring to the ONT when they say “I have an Openreach Huawei fibre modem installed.” Also given the title of the thread is about FTTP.

You and Zarjaz are probably right, but it is unusual to refer to an ONT as "a modem", and some people refer to FTTC as "fibre".

The best thing is for the OP to clarify whether they have a FTTC modem or a FTTP ONT in situ. That said, it doesn't change much about their main query; most ISPs are happy to supply SOGEA or FTTP depending on what is available at an address. That said, if FTTP is available, it is undoubtedly the better choice and, in some cases, the only option.

I have fibre to the premises.

I was unaware of the proper nonmature for the white Huawei box that the fibre optic cable goes into, but am always happy to learn.

Today I have learned that little white box is a fibre ONto the home Terminal.

I'm harking back to my 56K dial up days where I literally had a modem attached to router, it looked similar enough to me.

Edited by RobLittler (Tue 01-Sep-26 19:25:35)

In reply to a post by RobLittler:

Today I have learned that little white box is a fibre ONto the home Terminal.

It's an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) or Optical Network Unit (ONU).

The chassis in the exchange at the other end is the Optical Line Termination (OLT)

Pulse8 offer service without providing a router (they charge an additional fee, should you require one).

Though a potential issue is that it sounds like you have or are ceasing service with EE altogether rather than just migrating service to another ISP.

If that's the case, Pulse8 charge a £80 service activation fee, which they waive for migrations

Whether the ISP supplies the router is neither here nor there. It really doesn’t change the price you pay.

Virtually all Openreach based FTTP service providers will allow you to use your own router. If you are supplied with a router from the service provider, just keep it in the box and return it at the end of the agreement. No big deal.

Personally I would be concerning myself with other criteria upon which to select an ISP and whether they omit a router is as noted pretty inconsequential.

it's irrational, but this is what I seem to have found, it makes no sense, all I want is for someone to switch on the connection to the property, but they insist on sending me a plastic box every couple of years that comes with a crapton of restrictions if I use it.

I guess that is the way of the world. Olilo is exactly what I want in an ISP, but it costs more than if I just take the damn plastic box.

Thank you all for your replies, but I think that concludes this foray.

Olilo ISP are the one you can use service without their router.

In reply to a post by adslmax:

Olilo ISP are the one you can use service without their router.

The OP had worked this out for themselves two days ago Max.

https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/which_isp/t/478979...

In reply to a post by RobLittler:

it's irrational, but this is what I seem to have found, it makes no sense, all I want is for someone to switch on the connection to the property, but they insist on sending me a plastic box every couple of years that comes with a crapton of restrictions if I use it.

I guess that is the way of the world. Olilo is exactly what I want in an ISP, but it costs more than if I just take the damn plastic box.

Thank you all for your replies, but I think that concludes this foray.

With certain business grade services in the UK you can elect to go ‘wires only’ - but as far as ordinary residential broadband in this country the default ‘service model / wrap’ is the the provider gives a router as part of the service.

In some other European countries, certain service providers also employ a “BYOD” model. But that’s not how it’s traditionally worked in this country.

As said it certainly doesn’t stop you (on Openreach based FTTP, other AltNet networks may vary) from using your own router. As you’ve found a minority of service providers don’t provide a router. There is really not effect on the price you pay for a residential service either, whether or not they supply a router.

Like another contributor here (and posted in case anyone else is also interested) I had no issues whatsoever with using PlusNet to (a) arrange the OR fibre + ONT installation and (b) use my own existing router with the service. I simply had to decline, on ordering, the "free" (+ a delivery charge) company router.

Plusnet using my own router here also - no problems just use PPPOE with the supplied username and password.

If you go this route I suggest accepting the free Plusnet router as if there was ever a problem with the "line" Plusnet check you are connecting with their router (or they at least used to in my experience - many many years ago since I last had to do this though). I assume this is to just make things consistent for them whilst diagnosing faults.

You just have to remember to NOT throw away the router as they have started to ask for them back. Just stick a post-it on the packaging to remind you before throwing it in your wardrobe for safe keeping.

If you just want a simple FTTP connection say at 150/30 speed you should be paying around £20/month at Plusnet for a new customer on a 2 year contract. At time of writing equivalent to £20.33/month according to MoneySavingExpert.

Just remember Plusnet do NOT offer landline / voice calls.

[Edit: Just clarified that you probably need to be a new customer to get that excellent price at Plusnet]

Edited by think26872 (Mon 07-Sep-26 10:18:07)

In reply to a post by think26872:

f you just want a simple FTTP connection say at 150/30 speed you should be paying around £20/month at Plusnet for a new customer on a 2 year contract. At time of writing equivalent to £20.33/month according to MoneySavingExpert.

Currently showing as "£19.91" effective cost, that's based on:

* £22.99/mo initial price
* £26.99/mo from Apr 2027
* £30.99/mo from Apr 2028
* less £170 prepaid Mastercard (you must claim this within 2 months)

Yep - I was close enough

Perhaps the prepaid Mastercard changed (£10 more now?) as the effective cost is £10 less total across 24 months.

Worth mentioning you can also get Plusnet 300 and Plusnet 500 faster speeds for very little extra per month if you scroll down past the Plusnet 150 price.

TLDR prices are changing all the time but if you are a new customer and are around £20 effective cost per month I class that as a great deal for 150/30! At renewal you can usually match the then current monthly offer price (e.g. £22.99/month) with a bit of persuasion but they generally do NOT give the prepaid Mastercard. YMMV