Download speed drops when I switch off WiFi

[Andries]

I have a DSL broadband connection with a guaranteed download speed of 28 Mbps. My TalkTalk router is connected via an Ethernet cable to a TP-Link Deco X50-DSL, which handles my Wi-Fi 6 home mesh network. Since I don’t need the router’s Wi-Fi, I turned it off—but I noticed my download speed drops from 28 Mbps to 10 Mbps when I do. Why does this happen?

Initially, I had the X50-DSL connected directly, but TalkTalk insisted on adding their router in between. I assume this helps them better manage the network, which makes sense. However, I’m considering removing the TalkTalk router once everything runs smoothly and only reintroducing it when issues arise. Is this assumption correct? Is the router essential for network management?

In summary, I have two questions:

1. Why does turning off the router’s Wi-Fi impact my download speed?
2. Can I safely remove the TalkTalk router without affecting network management, keeping my TP-Link mesh network (which works perfectly in my 3-story house) as the primary system.

[Andries]

They said I needed to do it to get my speed upto 28 Mbps. Still don't understand as my X50-DSL clearly showed it was limited at 24999 Kbps. Why can't they change that limit?? That's why I installed the TalkTalk router and it is at 31 Mbps, giving me effectively something like 27-28....

[Andries]

X50-DSL  worked without problems but my download speed was limited at 25 Mbps ( I could see that at the router). When I complained about that TalkTalk told me I should use their router. So I installed it yesterday and connection is currently slightly improved but very unstable.

[AllyM]

So, to be clear, the X50-DSL has a built in modem and you previously had it connected directly to the telephone socket?

and this set-up was working without problems?

If so, then I don't see why you need the TalkTalk router, and I don't understand what you mean that they "insisted" you use it.

Many of us on FTTC  packages use our own third party modem/routers instead of the TalkTalk ones. It does mean that TalkTalk can't access our routers to see/update firmware versions, connected devices etc. but in most cases that is actually a good thing.