Hub1 Router Replacement that won't clash with Sky Q mesh network - need more powerful WiFi please

[#1]

Hello all

I have a very good Fibre Broadband service from Plusnet, but the Hub 1 router has poor WiFi distance... okay we probably all agree there BUT...

Recently on the advice of a Netgear tech who said that their Orbi system would work with the Hub1 (it doesn't connect to the Hub1 WAN socket and whilst I could get it working using one of the 4 ethernet ports it clashed with the SkyQ mesh system...) it didn't!

It seems that Plusnet don't have a better Hub device we can upgrade to, so I need a complete replacement for the Hub1 and I suspect (having tried and failed) that the support team are not able to recommend a product that isn't one of their own. I'm happy to pay for the correct piece of kit, just as long as it will provide greater WiFi distance and won't clash with Sky Q.

Please can one of the community experts advise?

Many thanks

PS. Yes, I have split the 2.5 & 5 bands so they are not sync. I have a £15 tplink extender that helps a bit but I need a better range from a better hub that will just work. Thanks again, Mike.

[#2]

it doesn't connect to the Hub1 WAN socket 

Its not meant to!. The WAN socket is for an upstream connection to a modem, not a downstream connection to a wireless AP/Mesh system, that would connect via a LAN socket as you discovered.

[#3]

Well good to know I’d actually figured it out, albeit by luck, sadly the Orbi clashed with the SkyQ connectivity to the other SkyQ additional boxes. So I would’ve swapped rubbish WiFi for better WiFi but no Sky Tv in the kid’s rooms which wasn’t an acceptable choice. Thanks for the info tho, much appreciated. I just need a better hub now 👍

[#4]

Please can anyone recommend a direct replacement for my Hub1 Router? i.e. remove Hub1 from Plusnet and add new device that gives better WiFi distance/strength?

Preferably if know one that doesn't clash with a Sky Q system?

If someone from Plusnet can advise, that's great too 🙂

Many thanks

[#5 · Accepted solution]

Sorted myself. Bought a Netgear Nighthawk extender version 7500.. so far doesn’t clash and as it works in extender mode I’ve not had to change the network name or password 👍

[#6]

I used Powerline adapters for my Sky Q mini and plugged the main Q box straight into the LAN port of the Hub 1. Both devices connect fine and depending on where both boxes were placed in the house connected over Wi-Fi too ok.

I would suspect the Netgear Tech guy was trying to do some selling hence why you ended up with the Nighthawk.

I ended up with the Draytek 2762 simply because of the better Wi-Fi performance over the known issues on the Hub-1 and also because of the extra performance and security (built in DDoS and content filtering)