The demand for fast and reliable Internet nowadays means having to install the right modem units in your households or offices. Providers like the NBN network will let you experience Internet connection in other devices aside from PCs and smartphones. It also allows you to stream entertainment shows at the same time.

At the end of this article, you will be able to learn the features to look for when buying the modem, its differences from other units, and what they do for your individual or business needs.

NBN: The Overview

NBN refers to the National Broadband Network, a series of technologies created with the vision to bring forward broadband Internet access to 98 percent of residents, locals and migrants, in Australia. This means that the Internet provided by the network must be able to get to the remote locations and far-flung areas, a system that is easier to do today than during the previous years.

To find the right modem, a responsible and informed customer must know about their particular needs, the pricing, and the features. You will also be able to learn the best nbn network modems available in the market today.

The government of Australia and the NBNCo create and distribute the modem, delivered through a multi-technology mix, or MTM that comes with newly-acquired geostationary satellite networks that launch and transport data in the orbit within this Pacific continent. They sell these products to ISPs or Internet Service Providers.

The network offers the following methods:

• Fibre-to-the-Premises or FTTP
• Fibre-to-the-Node or FTTN
• Fibre-to-the-Basement or FTTB
• Hybrid Fibre Cable or HFC
• Fixed wireless service
• Satellite Internet

The fixed wireless service refers to how the nbn network installs transmission towers in your area. People can access these signals through antennas located in the roofing of these houses and buildings.

Meanwhile, satellite Internet lets you access areas not accessible by other approaches. You access your Internet via the satellite dish installed in your residential unit or elsewhere in the property. Despite the media available, each of them is unique when it comes to their connectivity.

Router vs. Modem: Important differences to know

Before jumping with the buyer’s guide, it is important to learn about the differences of the nbn network modem and the router. Chances are, you have one of these in your area of residence, or these are the apparatus running the Internet in your office.

The nbn modem pertains to a device attached to your existing phone lines or cables. On the other hand, a router refers to a device that receives the signal coming in through the cables and phone lines, distributing these to the devices via wireless or wired connections.

Both the modem and the router provide the device to receive the signal from the Internet provider, distributing this to different devices, may these be your laptop or your smartphone.

Now that you have a clearer view of what these modems are, let’s move forward to the features to look for before purchasing these products.

A buyer’s guide to the NBN modem

There is a wide range of numbers, terminologies, and specs that may be very difficult to understand for the beginner. However, looking for the ideal modem based on what you need will be easy with this guide.

Know the number of devices you are connecting with

How many smartphones or how many computers will connect with the modem? This number will determine what type of hardware you will require.

To set this in detail, devices are connected via the modem router through a “band,” which can also be the “channel.” Modem routers with the dual-band provide two “channels” at 2.4GHz and 5GHz. These are the common choices.

If you have several devices in the vicinity, choose to have the tri-band modem router, which lets you have the third 5GHz channel. Always communicate with your Internet Service Provider to get advice on which router suits your needs.

Are there USB ports present?

Prefer to buy a modem from nbn network which has USB ports included. These will connect the devices to the Internet, including printers and hard drives.

The USB port will allow you to share your family photos in the hard drive, which then could be accessed via your phone, Internet TV, or laptops.

Determine the wireless range

Have you noticed that the Internet connection in one area at home may be slower than, perhaps when you connect from the third or fourth floor of the house? This concern is one of the major reasons why, as a consumer, it is important to know about the range.

There are products that are ideal for houses with several storeys, and products for walled establishments. However, there are instances when the range will have to be manually enhanced.

Homeowners and business managers have known to use Wi-Fi extenders they strategically place inside the house in order to enhance signals from the modem. Simply, take this as your electrical extension cords.

The ISP and the modem

One last consideration is finding out whether the Internet Service Provider or your ISP support the modem. Prior to the purchase, it is best that you connect with the ISP to find out.

If they do, then the router should be a simple plug-and-play device easy to use, and without the hassle. It will be a portable device you can use immediately upon installation.

When the provider confirms otherwise, then you must be able to go through a configuration process to find out whether your Internet will work for your individual necessities and office needs.

Do you have questions about these guidelines? It is important to coordinate with your network providers and Internet service companies to clarify on your concerns.

Top 5 NBN network modems

To give you more idea about nbn network modems, we’d be presenting the industry’s top five modems that customers trust for quality and price. Here is the rundown.

TP-Link Archer VR2800

For the price of $350, the TP-Link Archer VR2800 already includes twin USB ports, USB-based storage support for 3G/LTE modems, DSL service load balancing, configurable failover capacity, Internet setup, DSL service load balancing, VPN support, and time-based parental controls for those who will have the modem for the whole family.

D-Link Cobra AC5300 DSL-5300

The D-Link Cobra AC5300 DSL-5300 is a modem router with the fastest wireless capacity, allowing you to generate two independent networks of the 4X4 MU-MIMO AC type from eight antennas. It works best being a wired connection more than a wireless Internet router, but this does not diminish what it can do for your homes. Price is at $650

DrayTek Vigor2760n Delight

At $310, DrayTek Vigor2760n Delight is a modem for the nbnTM that should provide you with USB LTE support, failover, filtering, load balancing, LAN segmentation, and more.

Netcomm NF17 ACV VDSL/ADSL Dual Band Router

With Netcomm NF17 ACV VDSL/ADSL Dual Band Router as the modem router for your network, you will get free TPG bundles with 4 Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 LAN ports, VoIP features, two push-button connections, and more.

ASUS DSL-AC68U AC1900 Dual-Band ADSL/VDSL Gigabit Wi-Fi modem router

The features of ASUS DSL-AC68U AC1900 Dual-Band ADSL/VDSL Gigabit Wi-Fi include the dual-band modem, per-user monitoring, USB LTE support, time-based parental controls (similar with other top products), failover, load balancing, and more.

Final words

Aside from the several choices you can find in today’s market, one of the toughest parts of selecting the modem is on the technicalities. The dilemma remains as to whether you should totally rely on the installation team and their specialization or knowledge. Or, should you go hands-on during the installation?

It is always best to be in the know. Buying your modem from providers like nbn shall have you do your research, learning more about which products provide the best features.