Alternative Router/Modem with WiFi Button for Full Fibre

[Dinosaur2]

Can anyone give me some suggestions for an alternative router/modem for Full Fibre that has a physical WiFi button on?

We don't usually use WiFi in the house (Ethernet connections for most things) and it's a nuisance to have to switch on the computer to turn the WiFi on or off when someone visits. In fact, I wonder what many elderly people do who have to have an internet connection installed as they will be needing it when copper landlines are switched off in the future, and who may not use computers themselves and wish to turn off WiFi?

I have the Sagemcom FAST 5464 at the moment.

[KeithFrench]

Who knows, the firewall might block it in the router and unless you use the same Grandstream model shipped with the eero by TalkTalk, it probably won't register & your line will not work. 

[Dinosaur2]

Yes, both my and my wife's phone work with WiFi calling so that's ok. Most people do contact us via mobile and now that we have VOiP neither would work in the event of a power failure or internet downage. Plus, as we don't have WiFi on usually, nobody would be able to phone us. 

[Dinosaur2]

The seller has suggested that using a Grandstream ATA adapter might work for the phone line? 

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Dinosaur2 

According to @slarty*1 you have bought a router with very old firmware, which won't get updated. You would therefore need to fully bug test this to decide if it is even safe to use. It does not support Digital Voice, so it is much worse than the Hub 3 that you got for free. Your Hub 3 fully supports Wi-Fi Calling for your mobile. I wouldn't call this old Shell router a bargain at all, but only you can decide if it was worth it.

[slarty*1]

The Shell Energy Sagemcom F@ST5359 uses firmware SGEK10003200 which is an earlier version of the firmware used in the TalkTalk hub3. 

If the mobile phone supports WiFi calling then that would be a good solution for a poor or non existent mobile signal.  WiFi calling can be enabled in the mobile phone's WiFi settings if the phone supports it.

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Dinosaur2 

As far as your mobile is concerned, I would have thought that the router should still support Wi-Fi Calling, so you won't be out of service if your phone is configured to use it. What firmware does this Shell router use?

[Dinosaur2]

Yes, the phone was working fine with the original TalkTalk router. Other than that problem, it's all fine and we can now switch the WiFi on and off easily. Nobody phones us on the landline anyway and we don't have free calls so we don't phone out. There's no mobile signal in the house for me although my wife's sometimes works, so we'll be "off grid" most of the time, it seems!! 

[Gliwmaeden2]

@Dinosaur2, if you plug in your Talktalk rather than your Shell router, does your phone line actually work?

It sounds like this whole business has got out of proportion to the issue of simply keeping wifi switched off except when you have visitors...!

Talktalk can't offer solutions for non Talktalk routers' software. So it's important that you check the line with the Talktalk router again. 

[Dinosaur2]

I've been "chatting" with Customer Service since 7.30pm, waiting for ages in between agents, passed on to 4 or 5 different "experts", none of whom seem to have a clue as to what to do!! I think I'll just have to let everyone know that my "landline" no longer works 😞 

[slarty*1]

I am assuming you mean the green telephone connection on the back of the router  (ATA connector)  and not the old analog BT DSL/phone line.   Telephony (digital voice/VOIP) services are switched off by default on routers.  The account specific details have to be provisioned (downloaded and enabled) by TalkTalk.  So you will need to ask TalkTalk customer service to do that.   

[nambuso-TT]

Okay, I understand and looking into your account I can see that you are a future fibre customer. Please refer to the below future fibre number to contact them directly.

Contact Number: 03451720074  

Opening Hours: 

VOICE - Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm; Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun: closed

WEB MESSAGING - Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm; Sat: 8am-7pm; Sun: 9am-7pm

Alternatively you can use the below live chat link:

https://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/Articles/Our-live-chat-team/ta-p/2230529

[Dinosaur2]

There's no connection and when I log into the hub online, which still comes up with Shell Energy, it says under "Digital Voice", "Status: Disabled" (see screenshot)

[nambuso-TT]

What is happening with your phoneline?

[Dinosaur2]

I've now got the Shell Energy 5359 router and it all works - apart from the phone line!! Is there some way I can sort that out? 

[nambuso-TT]

Hi there @Dinosaur2 thank you very much for letting us know. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks

[Dinosaur2]

Well, I'm taking slarty*1's advice and hoping to buy a router that they've recommended, which comes up now and again on eBay, for a tenner or so. 

[Gliwmaeden2]

Back in post 34 I mentioned that the Hub3 is the only one they send out now, @Dinosaur2  - so it works for all speeds / types of Talktalk package, otherwise they'd be leaving customers on lower speeds stranded when a fault develops.

We've been saying routers won't be replaced unless they develop a fault. 

You really are simply going to have to take the time to switch the wifi off/on from the computer, rather than hoping for replacement hardware without them charging for it. 

[Dinosaur2]

Ah, excellent. Thank  you - I'll try and win it (for under £10 🙂 ) 

[ferguson]

@slarty*1 

Yes, we know! The point is that TalkTalk are unlikely to send one of these simply on request to a customer who already has a fully functional and currently supported router. 

[slarty*1]

Here is a photo of the side of the shell energy 5359  (and I believe it will be the same on the newer TalkTalk hub 3)F@ST 5359