topic Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

Timalay — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:12:07 GMT

Had a call from your retention chaps today to try to get me to sign a new 18 month contract (didn't see the point, as would have been the same as what I'm paying now).
Basically the chap the other told me you are now offering a new dual band fibre router. Any information on this.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

AndyH — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:16:14 GMT

It's their new Plusnet 2704n router I reckon - no idea who makes it!
Edit: Looks to be Sagem http://www.sagemcom.com/broadband/gateways/dsl-gateways/fst-1704n-2704n/

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

Oldjim — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:18:53 GMT

Sagem probably as the number matches

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

AndyH — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:27:03 GMT

Looks to be dual band (2.4/5Ghz) also:

Quote
WLAN 802.11n 1*1 (F@ST 1704N)
WLAN 802.11n 2*2 (F@ST 2704N

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

ejs — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:35:41 GMT

There is no mention of dual band wireless on any page I've spotted so far. The sagem page describes it as b/g/n which suggests only 2.4GHz. Dual band devices would usually be described as a/g/n or perhaps a/b/g/n.
2x2 indicates two spatial streams (300Mbps using 40MHz bandwidth and SGI). Two antennae, not dual band! The 582n also is 2x2.
1x1 would be "n150", one spatial stream, only one antenna.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

AndyH — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 22:08:14 GMT

Ah - looking at a few foreign ISP sites, the router looks to be of a similar spec to the TG582n.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

bill888 — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 07:53:13 GMT

So this new Sagem router doesn't have a built in VDSL modem? Not even dual band or gigabit....
Surely PN will start offering self-installs later this year when I understand Openreach will stop providing fibre modems ?

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

Timalay — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:13:14 GMT

I was told by chap over the phone that it was dual band.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

bill888 — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:02:54 GMT

If it is a 2704N, then it definitely is 2.4GHz single band only looking at Sagem specs.
Even Plusnet's help page only seems to mentions setting channel numbers 1 to 13 which applies to 2.4GHz band only.
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/hardware/plusnet-2704n-wireless.shtml
There seems to be only one other ISP based in Brazil currently using the 2704N.

The 1704N/2704N appears to be a basic entry level modem router.
The lowest model in the entire range to feature dual band wireless N is the 5340. It also has built in VDSL modem too.
http://www.sagemcom.com/broadband/gateways/dsl-gateways/

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

Timalay — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 12:51:25 GMT

Can the staff offer any clarification on this?

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

plusnettony — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:06:13 GMT

The router is a Plusnet 2704n and it's single band.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

chenks76 — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:37:05 GMT

and it's fugly too.
for some reason, router manufacturer don't seem to be able to produce a product that would actually look decent sitting in your living room (or wherever you happen to place it).
they are always big plastic monstrosities, with 100 LEDs on the front.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

Anotherone — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:05:25 GMT

But flashing coloured LEDs can be quite pretty
More seriously, there doesn't seem to be an awful lot of information about it out there on the web or on sagemcom pages, just a basic spec. Plusnet's pages have more info

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

MisterW — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:25:35 GMT

Seems a bit shortsighted on PN's part to go for a new router that doesn't have any of:-
1) VDSL capability or a proper EWAN port
2) Gb Ethernet
3) Dual band Wifi

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

sjptd — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 15:08:54 GMT

I guess PlusNet's approach is to provide something as cheap as possible that will be adequate for most of their users; under the assumption that anyone who cares will get their own router.
Though it does seem odd to bother to change router at all to one without VDSL as they'll presumably have to provide VDSL ones fairly soon.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

picbits — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 18:18:12 GMT

Having read through most of the manual, it ticks virtually every box for the majority of customers
Assuming they are using a similar firmware to the one I've had a read up on:
URL blocking / allowing
Multicast for TV services
Guest Wifi capable
A gazillion different settings available to tweak the router
TR-069
USB File / Print server / DLNA
Parental control to allow time restrictions
QOS
Plenty more ......
*Edit - appears I was looking at the R version of the 2704 - not the N version. Should be interesting to see what the functionality is of the new one.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

ejs — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 22:24:23 GMT

There is a PDF containing some photos of the insides of a 2704N as part of the FCC application VW3FAST2704N.
There's a heat sink covering what is presumably the main chip, but there's a picture of the wireless chip with the writing on it readable.

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

Oldjim — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 22:30:59 GMT

Unfortunately the manual isn't what I was hoping for - just the quick setup guide

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

bill888 — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:04:51 GMT

I read this article posted on Uswitch on 16 Jan, for the new 'Plusnet Hub Zero' router. A bit vague on the details....
http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/news/2015/01/plusnet_hub_zero_router_launches_for_adsl_and_fibre_broadband_subscribers/
It is supplied with longer cable(s)....

Re: ISP PlusNet Launch Faster Hub Zero 2704n Broadband Router

NorthEasterner — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 23:16:48 GMT

Where can us customers get this new Hub Zero / 2704 router?
Not likely I'll keep it for the long term but will test its functionality, reliability and speed.
NE