About 5 or 6 years ago, our sky 'hub' malfunctioned, but since they were so crappy we decided to buy a proper branded one to hopefully expand the range, speed and reliability. We got it home from Currys, plugged it in and then went to set it up- only to find that Sky purposefully block 3rd party routers from using their services and according to forums if they find out that you had done something to get it working, they would cut off your broadband entirely. Since then I think they have gotten rid of this policy, however I'm not sure if all providers did, always worth checking they do allow it before buying the gear (luckily at the time we were able to return it :) )

It's 2021 and WAP means something else now.

really really needed this, i showed THIS to my dad and after having our virgin media router replaced 6 times in the last year, were getting a new type. THANKS!

Could you do a video on doing the settings?

Great video man. Taught me more than school has in 8mins

If I bought that special router from amazon , would I just connect it normally to the wall?

Always appreciate these type of videos 👌👌

Do you have any recommendations for a replacement for the Smart Hub 2? I keep getting momentary drops and BT have been useless.

I have that bt hub and the same problems, should i get one of these and which router is best

Net gear is my first choice. I’m running a D600, had it for years and it’s never dropped out once. Its a wee bit expensive but worth the money. The GUI is well easy to navigate and setup. Most settings right out of the box works. Just need you ISP log in details and off you go.

Do I need a router or a modem? If I buy a router how do I connect it to my broadband? Through the original BT hub?

Love your videos man keep it up

im genuinly curious if i could swap out my internet connection provider company's issued internet router with a decent one, will it work or will i have to do something to get it to work? and should i look out for something that a new router will absolutely need in order to work?

This is a good video. I've noticed (first time by accident) that many ISP routers can be replaced without any configuring at all. I'm sticking to a cable though. Never WIFI again if I can avoid it. Biggest problem for me with WIFI is when multiple devices are connected. The total available speed becomes irrelevant because the device closest to the router will just hog the bandwidth (when streaming or dl'ing) and make it almost completely unusable for the rest of the devices. Even on gigabit connections this occurs. The whole thing is a facepalm. There are ways to try and limit bandwidth with QoS but that requires a manual input of IP and MAC addresses which can change very quickly, not to mention if there are a lot of random users. I've seen some very costly routers that have more options but most consumers never get anywhere near those. I thought 20 years of WIFI development might have gotten around this but it seems it hasn't.

Hey, I am a noob and need some help. So, if I get a 3rd party router (like the Linksys on this video) I just connect it to the ISP provider's device, right? Can I access the printer I have set up on my existing nework or would I have to set that up again (it's on the wifi)?

Hi Ryan, what would you recommend as of 2021, as a replacement of BT's Halo 2?

Hi please can you advise me if this router the Linksys E5400 WIFI 5 Router Dual-band (Fast Wireless Router, AC1200, 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports) is a good replacement for my Plusnet Hub One super fast fibre optic BB. Thank you

This is great thank you. We have a copper supply to our house, will a third-party router back a difference? We use talk talkfor our isp?

Hi there, I have decided to buy a gaming router, interested to see if it makes any difference, i am with BT, i seem to find that i need a modem to make this work, what would be the best modem to use or is there another way

We had loads of trouble with the older BT home hubs (slow and dropping internet connection quite often) but I will say since getting the Smart Hub 2 most of the problems has gone away so it seems to be a good WiFi hub but do you think we could still get faster speeds exc if we upgraded to a 3rd party one.

Hey, Ryan, I've got a total noob question here. While attempting to setup my new internet service/modem/router, it instructs to hook it all up (which I did), and then to go to the provided website to complete the activation. Now, am I just a dummy, or, don't you have to already BE CONNECTED in order to access that or _any_ website, and yet, can't connect until I've activated the service??!! Right??? How does _that_ work? O_o I need the chicken to get the egg but the egg to get the chicken??

Hi my B.T hub reboots 1to 3 times a day B.T say this is acceptable. Can i fix this with a different make of hub/router/device?

Hi really enjoyed your video, how much did you get your router for on amazon please and also the Router specifications. Thank you

What is bt email and pass used for I don’t understand

Hello your provider its Bt?, I wanna change from smart hub to my own router but how ?

Great. Looking forward to more network related videos

Great video bud. Came so close to answering what I've been trying to work out for ages....do you not still need a modem for your Linksys router to connect to? I'm which case, did you not have bridging problems with the home hub? Or is the Linksys a combined modem and router? Would very much appreciate any help on this one as I've been going nuts trying to work all this out!

higgildy piggildy...?? HA. lol! You're my new favorite British person

Can we replace the sky hub for a different router

How’s about putting a BT hub on a Post Office Telecoms Broadband ?

I had Linksys ADSL wireless modem router that was great for years. Then I switched to Fibre and supplied single band (2.4ghz only) router was ok (it did the job). I then bought a TP-Link fibre dual-band router that cost around £90 at the time and the internet was awful (both wired and wireless).

does it matter if I use a wired connection?

Hi is it an easy process switching from your ISP router to new router (i.e plug and play ) or are there settings to change?

Thanx for the informative video!😀

Been thinking of swapping my BT Smart Hub 2 for a mesh router as the wifi is weak, don't fancy paying extra for a disc, they're expensive to buy compared to say Eero beacon for example. could buy one cheaper off Ebay, but not sure. Problem is we have digital voice, our phone is corded and connected to the back of the hub, was wondering if it would still work if I plug it to a grandstream adapter or does it have to be a smart hub.

My isp is a router and modem. I have the google wifi mesh 3 pack. I'm trying to figure out how to configure it. Verizon's actiontec doesn't allow you to go in and do a whole lot to configure the router. Like turning the DHCP off.

Does this work with replacing NOWTV Hub

How much it is ? Or what is it control bandwidth.

What about the modem?

Ive had 4 hubs from talktalk all sucked. So I installed a tp link Ac1600 problems gone no dropouts and the WiFi even covers up the stairs now

I have a bt router can you send me all information to put on a new router

I mean, am I the only c**t that smirked at WAP??

Eggsnaple XD , keep up the good work , Ry ;)

How does the Linksys compare to a Belkin router? I’ve always had Belkin and had no issues. Also, a colleague of mine changed his ISP router for his own one, and his ISP (Sky) phoned him asking why they can’t access his network anymore. Anyone else had this issue? Surely they shouldn’t be anyway?

Ah I have to say, British weather is weird lol Neat and informative video as always man

Im so glad i found your great video j also have the New Router and now found the little one ( Plastic Still On It ) , i have mountains of questions mainly 1, will the smaller original router work as it's lit - up 2, Will this enhance my whole BT Experience be a lot better 3. I have just Factory Reset My Lenovo of many New Part's & new RAM - SSD - As now it's Flying all with a fine Back-Up or download the Microsoft Tool on a formatted USB. My 2Tb is just full of Good stuff i have kept old photos to different Builds of Ubunto where im heading to next or Kali as im used to NT and how it works on just a good Lenovo i bought for £170 quid off Marketplace on ye olde Facebook and what a buy and have bought loads since to selling my Tech Stuff old HPs to RAM + hdd's bar one same name but has my old windows - 7 on ,that i evaded for absolutly years of this dreaded windows 10 Pro ( no difference what so ever just a gimmick like easter eggs in word Google easter egg's in WORD and a full floating game is there ) ....... Thank You Very Much Indeedy Good SUBSCIBE --N E E D E D---0/

Yeah, I can't do that with sky so what I do is I use any old router (I use an old bt hub 4) and set it up so it uses the ethernet instead of the DSL connection for internet connectivity and I use it for the wireless as sky routers are ok for internetting but not for WiFi as they're only 802.11n.

I've just swapped my Plusnet router with a TPLINK router and Plusnet paid for it! Hell of a lot better with a 3rd party router and as you said you have more control over your router. Easy to setup, the TPLINK I bought had all the ISP's listed so all I had to do was enter my username and password for Plusnet. The Plusnet router is a pile of **** and is in the bin, it was doing everything you said, dropping out, kicking me off etc. So... yeah! Buy a third party router!!

I have changed my router a long time on sky" from sky router to asus router " and we had many "engineers" also open reach people but no one could get it to run without line disconnection, everytime someone was by us testing the socket and line, ther is a problem and over 10 "engineers" problem is still the same 😕 And it doesn't help to have a powerline internet connection on the router either to use than the WiFi in the other room.

Is it better to replace existing isp router for a better one or just get a mesh setup?

I’m in the Lake District and get 70 Download and 18 Upload. I use the ISP’s router because I tried another one and it made my speeds worse. I’m pretty sure it’s just because it was a very cheap one. Do you think if I got a WiFi 6 router my speeds would increase? Also what do you recommend?

I’m not the best at how this stuff works but I’m wondering if I buy a 3rd party router, like the Asus RT-AX58U, can I use it AND use my BT SmartHub 1 in the same house? If so, what would I need to do?

WAP WAP WAP

Hi thanks for the video. u got speeds of 306 MBPS downdload??????? I pay for super fast internet and i am supposed to get 70 mbps down load, when in fact i only get 20 tp 30 mbps. What speed are u paying for?

Hey, my ISP is Spectrum (a charter company). I have a Linksys WRT 3200 ACM router for connecting one desktop PC and several (perhaps 2 dozen devices at a time) devices with wifi 5ghz and 2.4 ghz. I also have a little box that connects to the ethernet connection from the wall and then it connects to the wifi router (thats all it does, it only has 2 ethernet ports). i pay for 100 mbps down and 10 up and speeds aren't as good as I thought they would be. I previously had an AC wifi router from my ISP but that thing was garbage (internet would sometimes be unusable for no reason, slow downs, etc.) so I bought the Linksys router in hopes of better internet performance. What would you recommend I do? Most my devices are in the 5ghz spectrum and all others mine and not mine are in the 2.4 ghz.

I have a problem with bt they wonted £30.00 a month more so I could get signal in the end room . Would love the do the new box think but wouldn’t have a clue how to set it up ☹️☹️ ps told bt no chance

Phil Mitchell 🤣... Subscribed!

I have a bt hub6 and it drops every so often and when I’m playing games it kicks me off and it’s pretty annoying if I’m playing for ages and I was thinking of doing this and I did but.... I have 2 spare routers 1 which is not for use as a access point and a spare bt router / multi use device I can’t find the power cord and they charge it every *#&*-&# n time so I have a useless router sitting in my cupboard with no use and I have a tp link router I could use but I don’t have the power cord for it.... so annoying I’m probably gonna buy a power source for the tp link but first I will look up the router name and try this method .

In changing a router should you still keep the ISP's router in connection?

at last, someone who agrees with me. ISP "routers" are fcuking crap.

Home Hub and rooter?

whats the best replacement for the god awful bt smart hub

Thank you very much for this! and do all british people say 'rooter'? I've never heard that before

7:35 I know right it was snowing only a few weeks ago now I’m sweating like a litre a day XD jk 😂

Yes I understood you very well .. nice bit of film .. concisely explained in easy to understand terms .. Now can you just tell my wife .. Lol .. just joking .. My wife & I are both pensioners & we keep our computer / " worlds " apart .. I don't use facebook .. & she almost lives on there .. somehow I have become the person who pays for McAfee & we have a Landline .. which is as old as the house 1950's .. & live in a strange area with almost no mobile connection .. Lots of Tall trees .. So lots of problems with BT .. They recently sent us the new faster super hub .. ( Liars ) & my wife has somehow convinced herself it is actually working .. faster .. like a go faster white stripe on a car .. lol So Music Daw & photography computers in my studio are having trouble .. My wife wont let me trail an ethernet connection across the hall .. & the printer is down .. So I shall try as you suggest an additional router .. They say first plug it in next to the bt "Hub " then once established move to the other room ? My wife is not bothered because the t.v is working & so is her phone .. No advice needed no reply required .. good luck with your channel / show ..

Hello Ryan I live in a house the is adjoined to my brothers and his family ….. and we have sky internet hub which is in his side house ..... but he has run a internet cable under the floor into my side of the property ,,,,, and I have a really old Linksys wag320N WiFi router connected to my downstairs pc …… and that gives me a weak WiFI signal upstairs would a newer router improve my signal with that set up ……. I can pick a weak signal from my linksys and also from the sky Modem any advice would be helpful Ryan

Nice vid i wanna new isp now haha

Brilliant interesting video!

Plume WiFi is quite excellent too. I needed mesh though.

Yeah good idea but not enough info. BT say the Smart Hub 6 cannot be set to run just as a modem. We need to know how to 'switch off' the Smart Hub 6's router function then setting a router with the BT details is easy, Im already doing that with an original BT modem that was supplied with the HH3!

Fantastic, thanks

right so i m on plusnet on my wifi speed as 1mbps i can t watch a fucking video on youtube without buffering. so what i should do is just throw the hub in the bin and get one of them linksys plug them as the plusnet hub and job done?

It isn't a hub at all? Well that depends on the router doesn't it? Most ISP provide router/hubs then a router/switch.

Hi Ryan. I recently upgraded to BT full fibre and was looking to improve my wifi performance throughout my house. Can I replace my Smart Hub 2 with the Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 ax6000 mesh system?

Why Dont you put Openwrt on the Isp routers, Alot of the problems get solved then.

Great video

it is sad that this will on longer be possibel is you want landline due to bt voice

Good info here, nicely done. I can’t stop looking at your nose.

Thanks a Lot and i mean it...

1:24 - via mac addresses not ip addresses, a switch is layer 2

Felt like you can do the explanation better. I’ve never heard of anyone describing a router as a Home Hub before. Neither do I know what a switch even is. Is ONT a modem? Maybe it’s just a region I like in, seldom hear these terms before. My ISP never introduced “Home Hubs” for marketing, it’s always just a router. It’ll be better if u can use less abbreviations

If your house is small why don't you just route ethernet cables around the walls?

WAP means something very different now lmao

If you use BT's Digital Voice, then you have to use the BT Smart Hub 2, who knows when third-party routers will be able to support it!

You having those issues are weird I have had all those hubs and now I have the Smart Hub 2 and never had a issue with them exept one but that died on me the hub 4 but you get that with any tech, I would like to buy ASUS RT-AC88U for about £200 but Really I dont need to and I would waste money since my Smart hub 2 costs around £100 to buy and the disc are £100 each I did not pay for them but I get the full bandwidth and extra at 1Gbps down and 120Mbps Upload on the Full fiber 900 package

Oh and Verizon wouldn't allow me to change the router settings saying if there's a wifi problem on their end they wouldn't be able to see it

I call “hubs” WiFi hub and hubs Network Hubs!

Unfortunately we have pretty much no choice but to use the “hub” that BT sent us, since we have been moved to digital voice when we switched to BT Im terms of WiFi, i am using my own router, i first started using my own router 2 or 3 years ago, because i had to run an Ethernet cable to one of the bedrooms because the WiFi on the ISP router (would have been when we were with TalkTalk) didn’t reach where the desktop PC in my bedroom was, and i decided that i might as well get a router to use as a wireless access point to help with the connection issues in the bedrooms And when we switched to plusnet, i continued using that router as a wireless access point, and then came the connection issues that we had with the plusnet router, the plusnet router would get screwed up internally and it would start slowing the connection down, a restart would fix it, but it would then happen again, i ended up reconfiguring the router i had upstairs to act as a router rather than an access point, although i kept the plusnet router connected, and that fixed the issues And a few months ago i decided to replace my router with a newer one (the one i replaced it with supports WiFi 6, and has features the previous one did not have, it still requires an external modem though)

A couple of very important questions I would love to put to Openreach ......... 1. I assume if you are offering PSTN to VOIP devices so the dialtone is emulated locally then you will be providing battery backup to enable emergency services calls in the event of a local power outage. Who exactly will be paying for the external battery pack or internal pack in the modems ? If this is the service provider that cost is going to be passed on to the end user. A cost that has always been covered by Openreach in the past with FTTP for example. Who is going to be paying for the equipment to keep a service that has always been a core responsibility of Openreach in the past. Regardless of the method employed Openreach are still responsible for the path from the customer NTE to the MDF.... or directly into the 21CN backbone in the case of direct IP / VOIP services. 2. I assume that unless fully LLU the core of current PSTN users can look forward to huge reductions in call rates and line rentals given that providing a VOIP service is substantially cheaper than a POTS line... No line cards and a large reduction in equipment power consumption at the exchange for example will result in huge ongoing cost savings for Openreach once the equipment change at the exchange is complete, a process that was well underway 14 years ago when I retired as a PTO / SFI engineer. Openreach appear to be trying to act the poor victim when this very long overdue switchover was announced and are complaining about bandwidth usage on the backhaul network. As anyone in the industry will tell you Openreach have been trying to prolong the usage of old slow creaking backhaul links to keep the profits rolling in rather than investing in backhaul links, FTTP and actually blowing new fibres and upgrading modems and switches to cope with an ever expanding increase in traffic. It does make you wonder what network latency will be like when all this additional VOIP traffic bogs down the existing antiquated links. My estimation is that overall latency will increase (something that voip services do not like very much) whilst service providers are left to cover the cost of additional or replacement equipment. As I cannot see directors and shareholders buffering these costs it is going to be the end user that suffers in the end. This is something that has been on the cards for many years. It is NOT something that has suddenly and without warning been dumped in the lap of Openreach to sort out. It is looking like the stopgap solution to this self inflicted disaster is to try and shift as much traffic as possible onto mobile network operators who will sooner or later hit the same problem wall that Openreach is shortly going to slam into... ................. We have an underfunded and under invested network backbone that is not going to be fixed by calling Scotty in engineering and asking for more power to the shields ! If I ever doubted the existence of Karma for corporate bigwigs and greedy investors I am sure that leaning back with my popcorn and watching these people tread water that is up to neck level for the next few years will fully restore my faith in this phenomenon !! Meanwhile I have two empty baked bean tins and a length of string on standby and ready to go. ☺ 😂

I've always found BT hubs to be sub-par compared to Virgin Media's "Super" Hubs. Wi-Fi is adequate, could be better as upstairs i'm getting about 80-90mbps (pay for 150) but it is quite reliable, and compared to BT and Sky, it can handle a full house with ease, and no one being kicked off the wifi like i have experienced in some Sky/BT houses.

Bugger!! I've been having problems for 13 years, since I moved into this house. Spent dozens of hours on the phone to BT, to no avail!! And, as a bone fide technophobe, I couldn't understand your video either 😔 I am disabled, very ill, and unable to sit at my PC due to pain, so 99% of the time, I'm on my tablet, and for the past 4 years or so the "WiFi" connection goes down multiple times a day, every day.....so much so, that I can't Live Chat or play any kind of game, because the WiFi is continuously going down for seconds at a time, then coming back. Even my music is affected, and just won't play sometimes. Sick to death if it. Thanks anyway

2 years later... UK is still a sauna but also in a global pandemic.

7:39 That cable thou..

Did anyone catch the discomfort at 2:10 regarding WAP :joy: :joy: :joy:

So can I throw out Bt hub?

What best router on 2024

Now how the fuck do I change they Virgin media router .

nice vid

Oh sorry a multi function network device

Great👍