Most businesses and homeowners upgrading to the NBN broadband service often find that their existing hardware does not meet connectivity standards. Although the rollout has been sluggish because of implementation issues, there is nothing lazy about having fast download speeds.
One of the issues most home and business owners face when upgrading to a new NBN plan is finding out they need to make an additional purchase of a router or a modem. While modems will work with the NBN network, several brands and models are not compatible with the system.
Knowing the Difference Between the Router and the Modem
There is a lot of jargon in the technological world, and one of the most misunderstood and often interchanged words is router and modem. To an average Australian, these terms may mean the same, but they are different in terms of device and use.
To remove the confusion, modems are the physical devices that connect the end-user to the internet. These boxes have prying prongs sticking out and emitting signals. On the other hand, a router is typically part of a modem. However, it is also essential to understand that not every modem has a router.
A router is often already integrated into the modem. Or you will need to purchase a separate appliance to make a wireless connection to your home or business network. Either way, you will not connect all devices in your setup.
Checking the NBN Compatibility of Your Modem
NBN connections have standard specifications and requirements for modems. It must have the ADSL2+, VDSL2, or VDSL label. They are also compatible with fibre optic connections without requiring the lay down of separate wirings or cable. You can use the same telephone connection to connect to the internet.
Additionally, it would help if you had NBN-compatible modems with an Ethernet WAN port for connection types like the NBN Wireless or Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) systems. Service providers often recommend an “NBN-ready” unit that can be easily pulled out of the box and connected to the network.
When purchasing a separate unit, you need to look for the attached sticker, which indicates that the modem is NBN-ready. Then, check the NBN Co website for the list of device requirements and specifications.
Which Modem Should You Have?
The key takeaway when choosing a router or a modem is its effect on the internet connection speed. Additionally, the cost of the unit also plays a good factor when selecting what to opt for.
VDSL modems are generally faster than ADSL units because they use newer technology. It has the potential to provide a download speed of up to 70mbps and typical upload speeds of 10mpbs. Theoretical data rates also indicate that there are VDSL modems that can reach up to 200mbps in download speeds.
Choosing the suitable modem for your business or home use should coincide with the amount of bandwidth speed your network is capable of. Most NBN servicers provide their units during installations, or they can recommend the appropriate device that will work to maximize your connection potential.