Shell Energy Super Router aka TalkTalk Hub3 ??

[bartosim]

I note that the newish TalkTalk hub3 (non Eero) is now a Sagemcom FAST 5359 which is the same model as the superhub that ShellEnergy rolled out just before the transfer to Octopus Energy then TalkTalk.     I am still using the Shell Energy router with my TalkTalk FTTC broadband as it provides wifi6 and it works well.  

The FAST 5359 is also used by some other international ISPs but there is no publicly available firmware to download for it.  The firmware must come from the ISP.

Is it possible for TalkTalk to update the firmware on the Shell Energy version of the router (firmware SGEK10003200) to that of the TalkTalk hub 3 ( firmware SGEK10004800) so that it continues to have the latest security patches (and will effectively become a hub 3 with TalkTalk branding) ?

[KeithFrench]

That is interesting, because I had one of the same variant and that had TalkTalk Business branding. My current one has the hardware version of just FAST5359. So perhaps my one will allow ISP specific firmware to set the branding. However, as I have said several times, you would need to change your router to get the TalkTalk firmware.

[bartosim]

Thank you Keith.  My hardware version is "FAST 5359 SHELL" so I guess it can't be updated.  Thank you for your insights.

[KeithFrench]

To make the branding change via a firmware update is technically impossible. The change is made via the hardware revision. The only way to change the hardware revision is to physically change the router.

What is your hardware revision version?

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[bartosim]

As far as I can see, the same hardware (Sagemcom FAST5359) is also used by other ISPs including EIR, PROXIMUS and KPN (as the Experiabox12) in addition to Shell Energy and TalkTalk.  Apart from the case moulding, I believe the only difference is the firmware - which is branded to the particular ISP and can be tailored to their particular requirements.  So I believe it is technically possible for TalkTalk hub3 firmware to run on the ShellEnergy supplied FAST5359 - whereupon it will appear to be a hub3 with all the TalkTalk branding on each page.

But only TalkTalk can update the firmware remotely, which they may not want or be able to do.

Of course I may be completely wrong in my assumption :).

It is a shame that the chipset in this model doesn't allow open source firmware like dd-wrt or open-wrt to be loaded.

[KeithFrench]

To get the TalkTalk branding, this cannot be done by simply performing a firmware update. I said before that it requires a new version of the Hub 3 router. There will be no firmware updates applied to your router, as it is a Shell Energy router, not a TalkTalk one. 

[bartosim]

It is a Shell Energy supplied router with Shell Energy firmware - so the branding on the homepage is Shell Energy.  If it could be loaded with TalkTalk firmware, it would have TalkTalk branding on the homepage.  But only TalkTalk (or the Shell transition team at TalkTalk) can update the firmware. That is what I am asking if it is possible to do.  If not - no worries.

[KeithFrench]

Is the branding Shell Energy or TalkTalk Business, then?

It is not a router that will have its firmware maintained. It will never have the TalkTalk branding.

[bartosim]

Thank you Keith for the response.  I really do not need another new router (I have far too many !!).  My point was that the Shell router could have its firmware updated by TalkTalk over the TR069 remote connection so that it becomes maintained by TalkTalk and doesn't go to an early grave.

[KeithFrench]

The Shell router has the TalkTalk Business branding or older. You would need a new WiFi Hub 3 f(still a 5359) or the TalkTalk for everyone branding, it is not possible to get that on yours. This new WiFi Hub 3  is the only one supported by TalkTalk. All firmware updates for this, just like all other TalkTalk routers, are automatically pushed to this router.

Have you spoken about a new router with the Better Value Team on 0345 1725157? Their opening hours are:-

Monday to Friday 9AM to 7PM
Saturday 9AM to 6PM
Sunday Closed

[Gliwmaeden2]

Staff won't be back on here before Monday, @bartosim.

If you are not receiving updates for your old router automatically, it's unlikely, but ask to speak to the Shell Migration team on 03451 720088 [Saturday 9am - 6pm] meanwhile. 

What package are you on currently?