OH yes, as an ex-BT engineer I do know they always like to blame your equipment just to then upgrade you and trap you into a new contract. Then you might find that there is still a fault and it's in the exchange. Or they induce a fault on your line to force you into a new contract.
I always wondered about that. I was with BT years ago and the internet speed kept going down, while they dogged me to upgrade. I eventually cancelled. BT is awful.
Ten years ago I finally got an admission theat they were throttling my Internet because of my 'excessive use' even though I was paying extra already for so called fast Internet.
I live rural and have no fibre broadband or landline. I bought a router off Amazon and an 'all you can eat' phone card from the mobile network. I'm not tech at all but with a little jiggery pokery of inserting key codes etc. it worked fine. Six years on and I'm still using the same system with no problems.
You still need a modem in the mix, even if you purchase your own router. It seems to be different in the likes of the US, but here in the U.K.,ISPs will only allow the modem they supply themselves to be used. If you buy your own modem or modem/router combo, it simply won’t work as modems need to negotiate access to an ISP’s network before being able to receive an internet connection and only modems with MAC addresses the ISP has approved will be granted.
That's not true for all UK ISP's. My own are happy for me to use my own hardware. The one they supplied has never left it's cardboard box in over 9 years.
@@aaronm9353 Wrong. Giffgaff sim on a 4g router on a pole. Details you need to put into whatever router on the website. £20/mth payg 100GB. Im prepping and this was one of the first basic human rights i tackled, before i got the heating working 😂 Edit: 'Outdoor router' few hundred quid + supports VPNs. But may not be so affordable for richards youtube upload qty/GB 's
If you have good WiFi on your phone, you don't need any other provider, you can use your phone as a hotspot but best to have unlimited data. This is how us boating community do it.
Don't you need a password from a provider? I just asked Staples if I could use my phone and they told me I had to pay for internet because I need a passcode or something.
@@adessachui7777 if using WiFi hotspot on a phone, the only password you need is the one set on your phone to access the WiFi it puts out. You can set the password to whatever you like in the settings. I have a feeling there is some miscommunication here somewhere.
You can use your own router, no problem. Your ISP will not provide any support for a third party router though. The router you need will depend on whether you have fibre to the property, or just a basic old copper connection (adsl). Some routers will do both.
@@fantastic1965Not necessarily. A mobile hotspot’s connection can also be shared with a single device via Ethernet (over a USB connection) as well as even Bluetooth, so WiFi is not the only means of leveraging your phone’s 4G/5G connection.
@@phubblewubbphubblewubb @phubblewubbphubblewubb Sure. Hardwire in is best. I put down what most folks will probably go for. Here you go then: To hardwire your phone's hotspot to your PC, you'll need to use a USB tethering cable. Here's a simple guide: 1. Connect your phone to your PC using the USB cable. 2. On your phone, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & tethering. 3. Turn on USB tethering. 4. Your PC should automatically install the necessary drivers and start using your phone's internet connection. Please note that this process may vary slightly depending on your phone's operating system and your PC's configuration.
You dont need the companys router... you can get a router yourself and get a tech engineer fit it,,, I have done it so i know it can be done Richard... Happy to give you name of router and the engineer that fitted it
@@FredPerps Not free but will be significantly cheaper... Im still tied into my old contract at the moment but when that ends it will change things significantly...But in Richards case it solves his issue of not being tied to another contract if he gets his own router and sends theirs back to them
It depends on the ISP. To my knowledge, none of the mainstream ISPs in the U.K. allow the use of any modem aside from the one they supply. Yes, you can connect your own router to that modem (all of the routers supplied by ISPs these days are actually modem/router combo units) in order to offload various duties, including Wi-Fi, to a device of your own choosing, but you still need the modem nonetheless to handle the connection to the external network of your ISP.
An outage would not kill your router. If you haven't already, pull the power cord plus any other cables connected to the router and leave it out for at least 5 minutes to ensure the cache is cleared. Plug the power back in leave it alone for 10 minutes or so it reconfigures it's self. Then try.
Well it could if there was a surge and no surge protector on the socket, however if it still turns on then I agree this is not due to the outage... Oh also very rare but possible, if the router software was in the middle of a BIOS update it could brick it
Hi Richard, yes you can buy your own router. We did it some years ago with our previous supplier. Look at the details on the one you have and that should give you an idea of type to buy. I have to say we've had outages and i've never heard of that sounds like it's been knocked offline esp as it came back for two hours. Have you checked to see if you need to put your router password in again on your computer to reconnect? The info should be on your router. Or tried the old switch it off and on again technique. Disconnect your router and leave it off for 5 mins then reconnect and see if it reconfigures. You could try switching channels on your router by logging into it - a quick Google should tell you how. Sounds to me like they just wanted to tie you into another contract, might be worth shopping around for another provider? The provider we are with you can take your contract with you when you move. 👍🏻
You can buy your own - but you’ll need to configure it. Pain in the butt. One option is to buy a mifi - portable - no setup - no land line - but needs good 4G telephone coverage. You’ll need to limitless data contract. Utility Warehouse do 4 unlimited Sims for £50/pcm - just a thought Or use a mobile phone as a wifi hotspot. Same as mifi
Also you can show a write up and speak a way for people can send a donation if they wish ,buy you a coffee for your work ,your channel has provided very interesting subjects and have some amazing people on your channel. thanks Richard
You can buy one and use that. They will need to provide you with the config if its ADSL that comes over your phone line that can usually be worked out by the speed as ADSL over the phone line goes upto 80 Mbits/second. If you have cable from virgin that can also be swapped for your own router as they present it from modem that has ethernet so it's a different type and no configuration from them is needed.
Absolutely, you can buy and use your own router. Just make sure it is compatible with your current connection. If you need more help with config there will always be someone who will help. Who is your ISP?
Id recommend getting a netgear router. they are really good, you dont need to get a specific router. They all basically do the same job but id recommend getting one with 2.4 and 5ghz split bandwidths
Your router will be fine. You just need to put in the correct settings. Has this outage happened because you haven't paid your bill? Why don't you use your old trick of accepting their bill as money and then writing on it in blue ink telling them to accept it as payment with this 'money' they sent you? It works every time -At least that what you told us.
Hi Richard, shop around for a new ISP, one that’ll let you connect with your own router on a no-contract basis. Then contact a computer networking company in your area and buy a preconfigured modem from them for the ISP you want to connect to. That way, when you move you can take your modem with you and if you stay with your new ISP, you can just plug into the network again once you move in. If you should change providers again, the networking company you bought the router from can reconfigure it to work again. Hope that helps.
You can use your own router with most ISPs but will need to spend some time configuring it and your ISPs tech support should help with this if need be. There is even free software called open WRT (I think) that you can download to set up a router exactly to your requirements (on the right kind of hardware).👍
Enforced obsolescence is part of it Richard. We've had similar issues - I wanted to install my own conduit - using my own easement - and fibre and Openreach et al are b@ggering me about. Yes you can purchase your own router - perhaps a friendly neighbour would let you use their WiFi (for a nominal fee/barter of services)? Also 4G dongles are still available, could you get away with that? There are 4G protection devices available too, if you're worried by such. I used to know more, but frankly after forty years of working with computers, IT systems etc, seeing how they're now so coercive and totalitarian? I'd almost rather go without so I've lost all interest. Good luck 💜✌️👍🤞🙏💜
I'm in Mid-Sussex, about ten miles from the coast, and we have had the internet going up and down like the proverbial drawers for over a week. Red lights, on for hours. This morning, we spotted a bloke up the telegraph pole near the house. Since he left, it has (touch wood) been going fine. My router is marked "Post Office", but they sold to Shell, then Octopus, then Talk-Talk within about one year. You should be able to use anybody's router. Cheers.
I have recently had to go home, my mom passed away and she had no Internet at her place. So I went to the company providing her TV signal and I arranged for them to come over, and MOVE their TV piece which they wrongfully installed exactly in front of the bedroom and install Internet as well. They told me they did not have a router and they sent me to buy one myself, so I found a 4G router with a price under 50 Euros in a technical shop in Bucharest. The technician was shocked at my request to remove the TV signal generator from in front of the bedroom, which makes me think they are either stupid or they are just mainly electricians :) In the end the whole buch was put in the entrance hallway where usually I don't spend time. I checked the signal with a measurement device and both in my bedroom and dining room it shows "SAFE". Try to visit a mall in the area where they sell routers and mobile phone equipment, you may find a 4G.
@@davidp4456 Dear David, you have proven you did not learn well in school, maybe there is time to go back and catch up. As for the Ouiiii board, I could tell you to stick it... but I'm still a lady....
I suggest buying a Fritzbox router which is German made has it's own internal diagnostics and has manuals that are written well and can be in English. This contrasts with the scrappy bits of paper usually supplied by far eastern manufacturers and are usually used by telcos. There're several different models that can handle telephone line, fibre and other connections plus the routers can mesh to allow more comprehensive networking and some of these routers also support IP phone connections.
Richard, when you can't pay your power bills you can get free electricity for life. When they've built that 5G tower in your garden that you've asked for, you can strap a lightening conductor to it. and long piece of wire. During a storm you can bring the connecting wire from the lightening conductor into your house, hold the bare wire with one hand and hold the kitchen taps with the other. This will then conduct all of the electricity you need for your house for free for the rest of your life.
Yes, you can own your own equipment. Yes you can find 2nd hand routers at thrift 2nd hand shops. Yes you could use a neighbours wifi if you negotiate with them, say when they are not using it.
The cheapest option would be to buy a refurbished 4g+LTE router and (a mobile sim with unlimited data).Do a search for mobile coverage in the area(not all will be good).You can get the sim on a 30 day rolling contract.
I never use an ISP provided router. If they provide one, I throw it out! I use a Netgear Nighthawk router! Recommended! Works fine with any connection in most cases! I use Fibre internet.
Another short term fix is you can use your mobile phone as a WiFi tether. I do this if I'm livestreaming away from home. Depends on whether you've got unlimited data or not though, but you should be able to connect your usual broadcast machine to your phone, & voila, you're sorted until you get a new router - & yes, apparently any router will do the job.
Have you a it virschecked, a friendvisited theother dewy and nd she got a message from hervirusprotectin saying my router was easily compromised nd told her not to cone ct to it.t is a zyxel
Routers are standard although some won't have fibreoptic and wireless ones use a sim card. You can probably buy one second hand. I have two I'm not using, but not practical to send one to the UK.
Personally I have an unlimited data simm from Smarty in a 4g router for £17.50pm no contract. I'm rural and have no issues watching the dreaded Netflix etc. You could always run an ethernet cable from a nice neighbour to your own router and go halves on his subscription. On a different note re difficult mobile contracts. The fact the internet was patented in the public domain is always one to hit them with, when challenged you won't receive a bill from them again 😉
I have the same, mines in a TP link thing I got from argos for about 40 quid, smarty is good for where I live but not always good in other areas, but as , like you say, you're not in a contact, there isalso gifgaf that run on the 02 network but they are more expensive than smarty
You can get any router (pretty much) from PC World etc. HOWEVER it must match the type of connection you have got. Either BT phone line / fibre or Virgin cable. They are specific for the connections. Just double check the wall cable “out” will fit the “in” on the router in photos on web if in doubt. Netgear, for example, does create for both. Hope it helps
There is also the question of the landline itself for voice calls if you still use that lol, i believe with full fibre those BT dect phones sync up with the router using VOIP and you need the router to run them on FTTP connections as no copper for traditional old fashioned telephones. EDIT from internet Old fashioned telephone fttp With the rollout of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband, some users may still have concerns about using their old-fashioned telephone equipment. According to the search results, BT will provide new hubs for FTTP connections, and old-fashioned phones will not work directly in the socket at the back of the hub. Key Points: Old-fashioned phones will not be compatible with the new FTTP setup. BT will supply new hubs for FTTP connections, which require specific telephone equipment. Users may need to port their landline number to a VOIP provider to separate their data and telephone services, similar to using a generic email address. Some users have opted to abandon landlines altogether, using mobile phones as their primary means of communication.
Everyone is correct. Of course you can use your own. But be sure it meets with your supplied broadband. Is it FTC or FTP - Some people use the term router and modem interchangably - but a router might not necessarily be a modem as well. If like most of us you are FTC then you need a modem-router which is designed for BT FTC ADSL connections, some of these are also FTP ready
Get your own Richard. I don’t do contracts. I was on BT but their router wouldn’t boot up for over an hour every time, and they gave me an EE mini router, at a higher cost lol, so I ditched them. You can use your phone as a hotspot, which I’ve occasionally had to do, but a router is better. I use Smarty unlimited no contract Wi-Fi for my phone and router. It’s half the price BT wanted to charge me! 🥰
Theoretically speaking appropriate router should work, you may want to avoid cheaper and older ones as sometimes they can't be updated to the ISP specs. However, from personal experience (be it in USA) - it also depends on the ISP level of obstructionism. I had ISPs where I could trivially get my own router and it would work (from that case the warning about newer and fancier ones as eventually my own router couldn't be upgraded to their ever changing specs). I had exact opposite too, they would test on connection and refuse anything but their equipment. Finally I had "middle of the road" situation where one ISP would allow my router seemingly trouble free but, every night connection would be cut in wee hours of the morning. That ISP attempted connection to their router every day after midnight (and they had full Admin control of their hardware) and, if that was failing (no, they couldn't log into my router) they would end connection and in the morning I'd need to re-log in and things would work be it with disruption. So, in the end, theory and specifications imply that it should be doable, ISP behavior might throw a wrench into it.
Why are you bothering with a landline ? You can get fast mobile unlimited data, with free calls, messaging and social media, without a contract now for £20-£30 per month. It means you can connect anywhere anytime, you can link your PC and take advantage of wifi when on the move. It answers all your problems. And you can tell the telecom company to go sling their hook.
I have unlimited calls, text and social media +100gig data for £20. I take my laptop around with me and use the phone hot-spot for Internet if I need it. In 5G areas it's faster than a 4G landlines, and if it's a bad area I just move or use WIFI if available. It's great. I hope you read this.
Keep it simple Richard, just go on contract, you can always cancel the DD if you move. So much easier. Getting your own router will drive you mad, and trust me I do this for a living. Tim
U can get one off the shelf, I recommend D-Link model (AC1900, dual channel, non AI) router, here in the US it is listed as $39.99 online from d-link, one of the best routers.
Hiya Richard, You can get a mobile router with unlimited data and take it with you wherever you go. It also depends on the area for a good signal, so you have to research the best signal for that area. Ps, ask Karen to put you in touch with us. Robo People's Assembly of Somerset.
@wildotk provided the most appropriate answer for you Richard, in my opinion. We would need to know what type of line you have and your provider in order to provide more specific suggestions. As an aside, if your router is old, it may well not have the necessary firmware to protect your home network from bad actors penetrating your router’s ’Firewall’ (if indeed your defunct router had the firewall activated) so a new, up-to-date router seems like the best plan. That said, it may take a few days to source and fit so, as others have said, popping an unlimited sim in your phone might be a short term solution. Finally, and forgive me being a little concise, it sounds like you may not have much idea about Network security which, given your public profile, you may need to address by hiring a professional or spending considerable time and effort learning to DIY a secure environment for all of the devices that rely on that router’s security specs and settings. Let us know if you would like some links to resources if you’re going to DIY but as advance warning, Network security can be a big can of worms! FYI, I run a Firewalla Gold - a good compromise between excellent performance and lay person friendly. Good luck.
It is very common in the U.S. to buy your own router---pronounced ROWWTER---and most, if not all brands will work on your system. Just a matter of programming it and they all come with directions, etc. One thing you might consider purchasing is an "uninteruptible power supply." Thus, when the power goes out, the UPS kicks in instantaneously so you don't lose power to the router, computer, etc. A good one costs a couple of hundred dollars stateside and they are easy to hook up. You might also find a friend, acquaintance etc. who is good at computers, etc. and have him help set up the router and UPS.
you just need a router that is compatible with your connection and ISP. Any router suitable, brand new, second hand for your speed and connection that is not locked to another isp. Usually ISPs have lists of supported brands and routers. Usually as long as you get one that can be configured for your ISP you should have no problems at all. There are many plug and play basically these days. I am from Australia and work with IT and Web technology. Not sure what speed, connection you are using but you shouldn't have any problems. Sometimes it can be easy just to get one from the ISP you are with, because its guaranteed to work with their connection. Here usually they can just add on to your invoice without extending or adding a contract. I am not sure how things work in UK.
Yes, you can use your own router, the settings you need will likely be in the pack you got rom your ISP. I had my trusty D-Link for many, many years however I now use my mobile which is fine most of the year but in tourist season (now) can get sketchy at times, I use USB tether rather than hotspot. You can pick up routers pretty cheap from most electronics shops (I used to use Ebuyer), tend to be pricey if you buy from the ISP.
Considering you do video uploads you're probably better off using land line rather than mobile, can be slow to upload and I only do short uploads! Other option is StarLink, not used myself but gather pretty snappy!
Perhaps if you don't want to control your own router as a BYO (bring your own router) you may decide to buy the router from a provider outright so you are not locked into a contract. It will be automatically configured to connect HOWEVER you would obviously want to disable the 5G so you would want to know something about that. I suggest using an ethernet cable it's more reliable and only using wireless when you have to or if others share and they have to use wireless. There are really good and economical, stable routers that if you chose to get to know how they work some of them allow you to put on stronger security by only allowing the MAC addresses of your own devices on your network so you are more difficult to hack. When buying a router look for something that is at least a year old so you can see the reviews for it and understand how the reviews have survived the test of time. Reviews are very helpful they are available for different price points and functionalities. Hopefully this works out well for you. If you were in my part of the world I would recommend routers for you but in your part of the world the availability may well be different.
Any damage to your own equipment that is attributable to your isp or bt ( who largely own the network ) will mean that they will have to recompence you!. They did it, they fix it. In this case a new router from your isp. It really is that simple!. You, with your it traffic via youtube, rumble etc will be a very important customer for your isp. You would obviously remind them of that. Config of a new router is fairly straightforward, just as long as you have your log in details etc. if you are not up to it, there will be a whole bunch of tech savvy chaps in your area who would be only too glad to help, i am sure of that. You can use your own router, but why should you, it’s clearly not your fault. Remember though, that a number of leading brand name routers will outperform the one supplied by isp companies.
I have recently stopped virgin media and bought a Smarty Router with a Smarty sim for my broadband and it’s billed monthly no contract and you can plug it in anywhere you can get tower signal. Easy, use it wired or Wi-Fi. Hope this helps 👍👍👍🙏🏻🙏🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧
Heres one to think about. Just noticed a BT hub info page it says the Firmware was just updated 4 days ago. On further investigation apparently BT automatically update the FW, they claim when new features or important updates come out they update the hub remotely. There doesnt appear to be a way to stop this and little info on the updates. I DONT LIKE THIS ONE LITTLE BIT
Hot spot your phone, and yes you can buy your own router. You can also buy mobile packages with router sim, external Ariel the lot. I have been looking into this. No contract just a one-off price for a set amount of years. I have been looking at the 3-year package for around 200 pounds. It uses phone masts so if you buy a plot of land you can take it with you.
There was a big solar flare that went off that was pointed directly at the Earth and at least 2 coronal mass ejections doubled up that will hit us today or tomorrow, so any kind of electronics might act funny for a couple days.
Yes,A double whammy cannibal one according to 'suspicious observers'-'Nemesis Maturity' etc,ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-61uHxY21mh8.html&pp=ygUQbmVtZXNpcyBtYXR1cml0eQ%3D%3D
@Trihalo42 thanks for the CME heads up. Thankfully Richard will be unaffected but the woman from whom he borrowed the connection for this video will never talk to him again.
@@davidp4456 good god no !!!!! could you imagine the carnage and civil unrest..... After Dorothy and olive from knit and natter club. overhear Richard Declaring the BBC may not be 100% accurate. on his little Mic from the back. Relay David have you lost your conkers!!!!!.
Possibly buy an iPhone (I don't have one), but I believe you can have a "hot spot" included with a plan. Not 100% sure how it works for the UK, but that does work here in USA.
I suggest a SIM router. You can buy the router, then buy an unlimited data SIM contract. It isn't as fast as a fibre connection, but you can take the router anywhere. For instance in your van or to your farm etc. because there is no cabling involved. Hope that helps.
An outage damaging a router is a lie. No you can buy your own router, but it takes a bit of setting up. I am with Talk Talk and I use my own router. I use a Draytek Vigor router. They are very good and really easy to setup. You can get cheaper routers, but I recommend this make.
Richard, get your own router I suggest you do some " qualified" research, pick out ones that appeal to your needs Then look at the Tech reviews of them In the end you do not really save any money but if you do your own setup, there are many security options that can help you Remember, be thorough, take your time, do your research. There are many excellent high quality routers out there. Good luck
@@NomadicNight I think you misunderstood him Of course he needs those ie an ISP Nevertheless, some of us are willing to spend some coin on getting our own routers, for better performance and security I don't think he mentioned anywhere in his dialogue that he wanted, needed or was contemplating being free of an ISP provider.
Get a surge protector for essential computer equipment too. - or if leccy goes off, make sure you unplug important electronics when the power goes off.
A UPS that can continue to power a pc for around 10-20 minutes after mains failure is also very useful; especially if the data you're working on is important (in Richard's case, editing footage etc). It gives enough time to save any project progress, close down programs and shut down the system safely, so as to not corrupt or otherwise lose footage or data.
i have tried upgrading my router with a newer one from a shop but the unfortunate thing is you need to get the voip number from them. Their own routers are configured with their own network code. I haven't found a way around this
You can buy your own - but you’ll need to configure it. Pain in the butt. One option is to buy a mifi - portable - no setup - no land line - but needs good 4G telephone coverage. You’ll need to limitless data contract. Utility Warehouse do 4 unlimited Sims for £50/pcm - just a thought Or use a mobile phone as a wifi hotspot. Same as mifi We’ve have 5 power outages this month - just normalising infrastructure failure.
Ha ha. That's all he needs to do if he can't pay the bill. Free stuff forever. Don't forget to write on it with blue ink, sign it as a sovereign man with your birth certificate number and tell them it's worth 10 million quid on the stock market 🤣
I would just get a replacement one off ebay. I would get the exact brand model and revision number. p.s meantime you could bring your laptop to a local library and upload using there free wifi.
You can buy your own router but if the modem itself is not working, chances are you will need to use their modem. On virgin media they have to approve the modem before it will work. Routers are just your way of sharing the connection over more devices you own. Most providers provide a combination modem with router in it. I would recommend getting on the blower to them again and state that you are not in contract but you are still paying for internet and would they like you to take your business elsewhere and share this experience on your channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers? You could remind them you are paying for a service and it is their responsibility to ensure you get service. Wouldn't look good for them if their outage damaged their hardware in your house and they refuse to resolve it without hooking you into a new full contract. You are paying for a damn service.
@@davidp4456 I don't think that Vobes has ever used a woodworking router, it is after all a slightly different situation to the one that he's describing. But thank you for supporting this demonetised channel.
you can use a cheap smart phone with a smarty sim card, set it as a Wi-Fi hotspot, may be a bit slow for upload but at least you will have a connection for your pc or laptop via wi-fi
In my case with my ISP, only their routers would work. I think that's often the case, if not for all. I would say to them, replace my defect router and leave the contract out of it. Moreover, if you won't do that, I won't be needing your services anymore. Now, only do that if you have another, friendly supplier available. You would be without internet for a while which isn't desirable. For that you could go for an unlimited 4G subscription, put it in a device that'll act as a hotspot e.g. an old phone, and you're on your way again. It would be radiation galore though.
Its all down to ADSL / FTTP v FTTC given BT switched off the copper network some time ago we are all fiber now i believe but some still have copper from street cabinet to house (FTTC) eek EDIT, bit ahead of myself sorry the copper switch off is planned by end of 2025!
Yes, absolutely, you can use your own router. Only downside is if you need tech support, you probably won't get it from your ISP. You've obviously worked out that you can tether to your phone. Another option is a MiFi (mobile WiFi) - widely available, I got mine from Argos - advantage is it works anywhere - all over the world actually - it's like tethering to your phone, but it has no phone functionality.
This is a question that can only be answered by the internet service provider (ISP). So you need to find an ISP that allows you to use your own router. Demon Internet used to be one such provider. The technical bit is setting up that router. But either way I think you’ll find that you still need to sign up to a contract.
Generally, you can use your own modem/router when you get the settings that pertain to your ISP off of the original one. I've done it myself in the past. Were I able to travel, I'd be happy to help, but I'm sure you can find someone close by to sort it for you.
