Virgin router replacement

[JAC]

Hi all,

Looking to purchase a router on Amazon that would be better than the current hub Virgin offer.

[phenomlab]

@JAC I doubt very much that this will work. I think the Virgin routers are secured using a MAC address which is predefined by the cable operator and registered on their network meaning that device is permitted to access their network.

Any other device is likely not to be registered and therefore will not work. However, there is a workaround. It means that you need to change the operational mode of the Virgin Hub so that it operates in modem only mode. Essentially, this means it passes through traffic to the router you purchased and own.

In a nutshell, you can never simply remove the Virgin Hub. Without it, no internet access. Using your own router gives you more control ultimately, but does also introduce a secondary point of failure or issue should anything go wrong.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Virgin router replacement:

@JAC I doubt very much that this will work. I think the Virgin routers are secured using a MAC address which is predefined by the cable operator and registered on their network meaning that device is permitted to access their network.

Any other device is likely not to be registered and therefore will not work. However, there is a workaround. It means that you need to change the operational mode of the Virgin Hub so that it operates in modem only mode. Essentially, this means it passes through traffic to the router you purchased and own.

In a nutshell, you can never simply remove the Virgin Hub. Without it, no internet access. Using your own router gives you more control ultimately, but does also introduce a secondary point of failure or issue should anything go wrong.

Apologies for the late reply.

I’ve agreed a new contract with Virgin for their 1Gig fibre so they are sending out the relevant router and WiFi pods for it. Hopefully this fixes the issue of wanting to buy a replacement (that would piggyback from the virgin router anyway).

[phenomlab]

@JAC 1Gb ? Wow. You could run the entire street with that.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Virgin router replacement:

@JAC 1Gb ? Wow. You could run the entire street with that.

Absolutely matey, it was their best offer and comes with a few ‘wifi inelegance’ pods. Which may solve our issue.

[phenomlab]

@JAC good luck

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Virgin router replacement:

@JAC good luck

Thanks Mark, will let you know how I get on .

[JAC]

@JAC said in Virgin router replacement:

@phenomlab said in Virgin router replacement:

@JAC good luck

Thanks Mark, will let you know how I get on .

Still awaiting Gig router ;).

[phenomlab]

@JAC said in Virgin router replacement:

Still awaiting Gig router ;).

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Virgin router replacement:

@JAC said in Virgin router replacement:

Still awaiting Gig router ;).

The router and speeds have been fantastic (wif based) so far, can’t complain

[JAC]

Right, I’m here again to update this thread…

We are on the 1gbps package with Virgin Media.

Obviously that’s the speed that goes to the router, but upstairs even with X2 adapters I’m only getting between 75-100mbps.

Would changing router help?

[phenomlab]

@JAC Most likely, yes. The Virgin Router is notorious for it’s abysmal throughput on wireless connections. I have the 400Mbps package, and the wireless speeds are almost non-existent.

I resolved this specific issue by purchasing a TP-Link AX5400 below

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax73/

However, this is not cheap (over £100), so you could start by attempting to change the channels that 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz are broadcasting on to see if that makes a difference.

[JAC]

@phenomlab Thank you for the advice as always Mark, appreciate it massively.

Will try this when back in.

[phenomlab]

@JAC No problems. You might also want to consider using an app which will provide the best available / lease used frequency. Some recommendations below

https://www.netspotapp.com/wifi-troubleshooting/best-wifi-booster-apps.html

[JAC]

They have sent out new cables. They agreed that the speed we are getting is incredibly low for the package we are on. There is over 1gbps to the box, but sometimes only 100mbps to a device.

I know certain devices only allow certain speeds so this will vary, however the speeds are still incredibly low when even tested in the same room as the router.

They appear to be taking note of my complaints now, seeing as there is only 4 months left on the contract.

I am going to have to look into alternatives and generally find Virgin to be the best but on principle this may go out of the window ;).

[phenomlab]

@JAC new cables are very unlikely to help in any way. The only way to improve the Wi-Fi speed of a virgin hub is to put it into bridge mode and place a decent WiFi router inline.

The Wi-Fi router then acts as the gateway and passes all Internet requests to the Virgin hub for resolution.

[JAC]

@phenomlab Thanks Mark.

How do I achieve this? Is there one that you recommend?

I have the latest Virgin router, is this clearly not good enough? - contract ends in December, the internet issues need sorting one way or another.

May end up getting a technician out yet, when I spoke to someone the other week from Virgin they said I shouldn’t get less than 800mbps, I get nothing like that, in fact I’m lucky to get 200mbps.

[phenomlab]

@JAC said in Virgin router replacement:

May end up getting a technician out yet, when I spoke to someone the other week from Virgin they said I shouldn’t get less than 800mbps, I get nothing like that, in fact I’m lucky to get 200mbps.

What speeds to do you get if you plug an ethernet cable into the back of the virgin hub and use a laptop? Remove the Wifi for the moment - I want to see what speeds the hub is actually delivering in terms of direct internet access.

[JAC]

@phenomlab said in Virgin router replacement:

What speeds to do you get if you plug an ethernet cable into the back of the virgin hub and use a laptop?

Will try this tomorrow and update.

[JAC]

I’m looking to either replace Virgin soon or at least get it working at some good speeds .

Is there anything you recommend personally like a mesh system?

The trouble is the router is downstairs, so anything upstairs isn’t getting great speeds despite having two WiFi pods that they provided, but the package expires in December, we have an engineer coming to look at the issue over the weekend, so it’s time to see what they can do to resolve the issue or what I can do differently myself.