Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service

Baldrick1 — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 13:01:09 GMT

Further to my previous posts relating to the BT Smarthub 6, see here https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Smart-Hub-6-Variants-and-Performance/m-p/1504366#M5170 and here https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Using-the-BT-Smarthub-6-on-a-Plusnet-Account/m-p/1587673#M8557 I have finally got my hands on a FTTP version so that I could look into the myths and rumours relating to its suitability for use on a Plusnet FTTC service. The results have been quite surprising.

I went through the normal set up procedure (switch off Smart Set Up, enter my Plusnet details then plug in the DSL cable) and it eventually came to life. So:

It does work on a FTTC service

Looking at the status page note:

It is correctly reporting that it is connected to BT Infinity (well at least the PN equivalent).
That the firmware had updated and was using SG4B1000B316, which I believe to be also the latest FTTC firmware.

I then tested the Ethernet ports:

Ports 1, 2 and 3 work but port 4 (the WAN labelled one) does not.

I then removed the DSL cable and without resetting the router I installed my spare unlocked Huawei HG612 model 3B between the DSL input from my filter and the router dedicated WAN port (the original LAN 4 socket). After a few minutes it again came to life and started working normally. So:

It works with a bog standard FTTC modem

Looking at the status page note:

It is correctly reporting that it is connected to BT Infinity 3 and 4. That is, it acknowledges that there is a separate modem in circuit.
The firmware has not changed.
Up and downstream sync rates are no longer reported.

The upside of this is that when used with the unlocked modem I am able to monitor my line statistics with programs such as DSLstats.

The downside for me is that unlike my Business Smarthub 6 (but as with the residential version) I can’t set my own DNS servers. Presumably there’s a Business FTTP model out there somewhere?

The other thing that I noted is that the sync rate has dropped by just over 1Mbps with an unchanged SNR suggesting that the BT modem is a bit better than the older Huawei one.

It therefore appears to me that the FTTP Smarthub 6 is a FTTC model with no more that the LAN 4 socket simply transferred to the interface between the modem and router interface then labelled WAN. Which makes sense if you think about it.

When used without a Modem

With HG612 Modem in circuit

Re: Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service

Bacalhau — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:15:05 GMT

Thanks. To identify if a Smart Hub is FTTP or FTTC, is the BTB EI number on the back of the box sufficient?

BTB EI/SI 1.1 or BTB EI/SI 4.0 ==> FTTC

BTB EI FTTP 1.0 ==> FTTP

Or do you actually need to open the box and look at the ports on the router?

Re: Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service

Baldrick1 — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 20:43:44 GMT

@Bacalhau

I don't know about this number. You can however tell from the part number. For example this FTTP router is Part 084318.

topic Re: Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service in My Router

Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service

Re: Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service

Re: Using a FTTP Smarthub 6 on a Plusnet FTTC Service