what kind of wireless router to buy in the UK?

Question

My friend from UK asked for help so she can share her internet at home. I think unlike in the U.S., in UK the wireless routers are internet specific (broadband or dsl) so for broadband or dsl there are diff routers, is that correct? will she have to buy the router with built in modem or can she buy just the rouuter and hook it up to the modem she already has...? i am not sure if she has broadband or adsl but from my research it seems both takes diff routers..
also, the wireless router from the U.S. wont work in UK, correct?

Answer 1

In the UK, Broadband Routers fall into two categories:

* Wireless ADSL Modem Routers for ADSL broadband subscribers
Providers include: BT, AOL, Zen, Bulldog
* Wireless Cable Routers for Cable broadband subscribers
Two main providers in the UK:- Telewest and NTL

Both types of broadband router perform the same function. The main difference between these broadband routers is how they connect to the Internet:

ADSL Modem Routers
ADSL Broadband is achieved by upgrading the standard BT telephone line (the line you plug your plain ordinary telephone into). ADSL Modem Routers work by plugging directly into your upgraded BT line, there is no need for a separate modem. However, if your friend's existing modem has an ethernet connection (not many do) then there is no need for the combined unit of an adsl wireless modem router (router with a built in modem)..a simple wireless router will do.

Cable Routers
Cable broadband subscribers connect to the service via a cable modem that plugs into the cable wall socket. Wireless Cable Routers work by plugging into the provided cable modem's built-in networking port (also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection)

As far as I am aware broadband from a BT line will always be ADSL..the "A" stands for asymmetrical ie the upload speed is different from (slower than) the download speed. However, the cable broadband will be DSL.

Answer 2

Yes the previous answers are correct in saying that DSL (sometimes called ADSL) is actually broadband. OK, here comes the rocket science stuff, explained as simple as possible.

Broadband means any telecommunication link that is capable of at least 384kbps. Which means Cable Modem, 3G cellular data, ADSL, Wi-Fi, are all broadband, while IDSL, ISDN are not considered broadband. There is no difference between US and UK for broadband, as far as you are concerned from your perspective. For DSL, the twist copper wires comes from the telephone office or CO (central office) and should go to the following (in sequence):

A. DSL modem,

B. then to a broadband router, which acts as a firewall and NAT (network address translation) to allow you to connect more than one computer to the Internet.

C. to an Ethernet switch to allow your more than one computer to be plugged in,

D. to a Wireless Access Point (Wi-Fi) to allow your more than one computer to be connected wirelessly. Wi-Fi works anywhere in the world.

Of course modern times have integrated the above 4 different boxes into one (1) box or two (2) different boxes (in various combinations) and it can be bewildering on what the vendors have invent new names to call them, i.e. integrated boxes of anything from 2 to all 4 of these different boxes. They can be called "Wireless Routers" (without or without the Ethernet Switch), "Broadband Router", etc. Similar thing have happened to TV + tuner, VCR, DVD. You can buy a box that have TV + tuner, VCR, DVD all in one box, or a DVD player with LCD display which is really a TV without a tuner + DVD.

Here's a hint on how to tell what you have.
1. if the box has 2 jacks, and one of them is an RJ11 (thinner with 2 or 4 wires for contacts), and the other is an RJ45 (thicker with 8 wires for contacts), and if the box is relatively new, then it is a good bet that it is a DSL modem + a router. This is case A + B, from the list above. Older box may mean that it is only A.

2. if the box has 2 jacks, and both jacks are RJ45, then it is a broadband router only, i.e. no modem included. One of the jack is labeled WAN and then other labeled LAN. This is case B only.

3. if the box has 5 jacks, one of them is separated from the other bunch and is an RJ11 and the other 4 (or more) are RJ45, then the box is A + B + C.

4. if the box is almost like #3 but instead of an RJ11, you have RJ45 alone and then 4 RJ45, then it is B + C.

5. if the box is just like #3 but also have an antenna, then it is A + B + C + D.

If you can follow the above and understand it completely, then I award you honorary rocket scientist status.

Answer 3

broadband and adsl are one and the same in the UK.
i would advise getting an 'all in one' router/modem.
i think US equipment will work in the UK.

not sure if i am allowed to say this but i recently got the WAG200 router (linksys) and matching pci card for my pc, the price is very reasonable (from misco) and for my first ever wireless i found it easy to set up.
in fact, simply following the easy set up steps got it working.

Answer 4

go gor 3com officeconnect router best ones around they will work with dsl and broadband

Answer 5

i would recommend either belkin or linksys routers. These both have wireless compabilities and they have the option to have a built-in wireless transmitter

Answer 6

dont buy one contact bt get a free modem with £500 DABS.COM vouchers email me if you want me to send you the link