topic Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade in Plusnet Feedback

New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

davehudds — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:11:54 GMT

Has anyone else recently received a new plusnet router?
I was sent one to 'upgrade' my old Thompson speedtouch (which was originally supplied by plusnet), but the simple fact is that this is a downgrade not an upgrade in terms of security features.
If you have a speedtouch and used the feature of 'only allow new stations via registration' - that or anythings similar is not available in the new model. I used to connect all my wireless devices, and then set it so that new stations were not allowed (meaning that even if someone had the wireless key they could not connect to the router) that feature is no longer available and nothing like it.
One support technician told me the best alternative was to turn off the SSID from broadcasting, which is no use at all (I dont need to tell the tech savy guys on here why)
You also cannot rename the devices which connect to the router, in the speedtouch you could rename and devices in the device list so you knew exactly what was connected to the router at any time (now you just get the generic name and MAC address) - another downgrade.
Also the router comes with WPS automatically activated, which as we all know is not secure and actually causes vunerabilities on your network

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

ramissin — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 20:36:49 GMT

Just signed up today, I receive the new router in 5-7 days , will keep you posted.
Any reason why they are doing this ?...old stock clearance ?

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Oldjim — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 20:38:54 GMT

Exactly the opposite - the new one is a replacement for the TG582n which is apparently now out of stock
There are a couple of threads on here bemoaning the fact that it has so many features missing

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

davehudds — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:01:01 GMT

Allegedy its the newest stock, so dont see it that they are clearing out old stock.
Its telling that a router from the same supplier which was issued 4 years ago has features which blows the 'upgrade' out of the water
I rang technical support upon receiving the router, and the first guy wasnt at all helpfull (why would we continue to add features to a router that people dont use he said) perhaps those of us who are security minded do use these features.
The second guy I spoke to was more helpfull, and it was the first time someone had rang and spoke to him about the issue. He couldnt believe that the features had been taken out and agreed with me that it was worrying that a newer model router had so many features lacking.
I feel I was misold the 'upgrade' and as such the new contract should be void. The way it is shipped means that anyone with a litle IT knowledge knows that it isnt as safe to use as the older models.
Plusnet need to sort this out. The interface when you dial into the IP address of the router is almost as if its been written for kids, or for people without more than afew brain cells. Its just so basic its unreal. The build quality is crap, and to the little pink stands to make the thing stand up correctly dont work properly when you add an ethernet cable to it. also one of the feet is almost useless when you add the power lead, as there isnt much room for the lead and the foot in the same place.
Its the type of thing which you would associate with a cheap chinese knock off which is sold on ebay for a couple of quid.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

ramissin — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:39:09 GMT

Jeez, thanks for the heads up guys, this is one disappointment after another, I'm setting this deal up for my mum, I thought I'd found a good one with PN, but it doesn't seem to be the case.
I simply found her a better phone deal with unlimited broadband, and convinced her to switch from talk talk.
So far I've discovered the £50 cashback is a grey area and the supplied router is crap.
My bad for not checking this forum before I signed up, seems I have my work cut out.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Pettitto — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:47:43 GMT

I'm sorry to hear that you're not happy with the quality of router you've received from us.
I'm not for or against your comments at all, I'm extremely interesting in what features you think would be of benefit in addition to those on the current router?
The interface is pretty basic, for good reason, not all of our customer base will have a good understanding of what the information within a router is or means, so we've tried to keep it as a simple as possible for when/if we need to go through diagnostic checks with any of our customers over the phone.
If there's a router out there that you'd prefer, what would it be?
Just interested in your thoughts, your feedback has been truly taken on board.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

ramissin — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 23:08:10 GMT

So you've dumbed down for the masses ?...genius
How about an option to select which router you want when ordering ?

Quote
If there's a router out there that you'd prefer, what would it be?

ermm...the old one that had more features and didn't have the build quality of a pound shop radio ?

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Pettitto — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 07:39:25 GMT

You do have the option to take the router we provide or you could use one of your own/purchase one that's more for your needs.
You seem to have twisted my words there...

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

penfold — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 09:49:39 GMT

@chris
Personally I think there are 2 schools of thought here.... this issue has been raised a number of times by different forum members on offering a better router alongside the basic free offering. I didnt mind the tg582n, did what it said on the tin, and was resonably configurable even uf most via telnet. The new offerings I agree with the op, they are very basic to the point of it being insulting to more technically savvy users. The only way to get to any remotely useful configuration is to use a little advertised link.
But...... saying that the majority??? of users will have little need or want for more advanced option and just want something to plug in and work, which the new offering does, and does a resonable job of doing so (I currently use one on fibre whilst I decide what to get. Was going to put my billion 7300n on, but it appears crippled by the firmware for fttc).
So.... this begs the question as to where to go. Would users pay more to get a better quality router?? from plus net or prefer to buy their own. Is it possible sagem could offer a less dumbed down firmware that more technical users would prefer?
Maybe plusnet could do some basic r&d of the userbase see what users think. I dont think a forum poll would be helpful.
Interested in other peoples views.
ps I agree with the op that its a bit flimsy and looks like a cheap chinese import. It just dosnt feel robust tbh

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

ramissin — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:26:57 GMT

The pound shop routers are simply to save plusnet money, discussion is pointless, nothing will change.
@Chris, it seems you're just damage limitation "after the case", and as far as twisting words go, that seems to be your job.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

All4One — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:27:12 GMT

If you want a fancy router and are not happy with the features of the ISP router, buy your own, or pick up an older one off ebay. There's probably a fair amount of TG582n's or Home Hubs on there for a fiver
I agree it would be nice for ISPs to offer a basic router which was free then let's say for £20-40 you can take a much better one.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

penfold — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:32:00 GMT

I presume its possible to flash the tg582n with the fttc firmware?? Mine is one without a usb port.
1 feature I did like on the 582n was the abilty to see whats attached to the router, and the easy way to fix ip addresses.
if I can flash the fttc firmware to a non usb 582n I would be interested to know.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

w23 — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:38:16 GMT

@penfold, see http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,121504.0.html, particularly reply 18: http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,121504.msg1189917.html#msg1189917

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Pettitto — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:03:31 GMT

Quote from: ramissin
The pound shop routers are simply to save plusnet money, discussion is pointless, nothing will change.
@Chris, it seems you're just damage limitation "after the case", and as far as twisting words go, that seems to be your job.

Fair enough if that's what you think/feel, I'll not make any further comments.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

davehudds — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:09:37 GMT

This is another example of how poor the customer service levels at plusnet have got
Some one was supposed to be contacting me over this issue with a potential resolution or plan and I've heard nothing since
The support ticket has been updated by me to ask someone to sort things out and you guess no reply
Plusnet have obviously got this so wrong

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

penfold — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 14:07:34 GMT

Quote from: Chris
Quote from: ramissin
The pound shop routers are simply to save plusnet money, discussion is pointless, nothing will change.
@Chris, it seems you're just damage limitation "after the case", and as far as twisting words go, that seems to be your job.

Fair enough if that's what you think/feel, I'll not make any further comments.

Well I would like you're feedback!
Aa a member of the product team especially. Do plusnet have any plans at all to offer a different range of router. If not what about different firmware. Also are there any plans to offer an allin one offering for fttc as other providers are now doing. If so any information about which kind. If you are not going to offer an all in one solution why not? I would appreciate your insight.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Chris — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 14:44:57 GMT

Chris isn't a member of the products team, he's in our QA department.
At the moment we have no news on a new all-in-one router, when we do we'll let you know.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Krazeh — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:02:27 GMT

To be fair to the router it does appear to be quite capable. Unfortunately it has been crippled by the firmware that it has been deployed with. If you take a look at the Hardware forum there are people working to unlock all the hidden options.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

hillyfields123 — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:16:41 GMT

PN are a budget supplier so supply a budget router (Which is free after all).
If it doesn't suit your requirements then there's absolutely nothing stopping you from buying a router of your choice (Perhaps a HH5 or the Asus one that seems popular) and using that instead.

Re: New Plusnet routers - a downgrade

Finguz — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:54:33 GMT

If it's any help, I've got two of the little white ones I'm not using that I would be happy to return. I've actually got three, but I want to keep one as a spare