{"id":17155,"date":"2024-05-22T09:16:03","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T23:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/?p=17155"},"modified":"2026-04-20T13:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:10:19","slug":"modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/","title":{"rendered":"Modem vs Router vs Modem-Router: NBN Equipment Explained (Plus BYO Advice)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everything you need to know about nbn modems, routers, and modem-routers. What they do, which you need, and how to choose the right one (or bring your own &#8211; BYO).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><b>TL;DR &#8211; Quick Takeaways<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A modem connects you to the nbn network. A router distributes that connection to your devices via Wi-Fi\/ethernet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people need a modem-router (one device that does both jobs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different nbn connection types need different modems \u2014 FTTP and HFC use different equipment than FTTN\/FTTC<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can BYO modem if it&#8217;s compatible with your nbn connection type and speed tier<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn-ready-modem\/\">MATE&#8217;s modem router<\/a> is $165 and works with all nbn connection types<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If buying your own, look for: nbn-ready certification, Wi-Fi 6 or 7, gigabit ethernet ports, good coverage for your home<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What&#8217;s the Difference? Modem vs Router vs Modem-Router<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s clear up the confusion. These terms get thrown around interchangeably, but they&#8217;re actually different things:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Modem<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A modem connects your home to the nbn network. It translates the signal from the nbn connection (fibre, coaxial, or phone line) into something your devices can use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of it as the gateway between the nbn and your home network.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A modem alone doesn&#8217;t create Wi-Fi. It typically has one ethernet port that you&#8217;d plug a single device into \u2014 or connect to a router.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Router<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A router takes an internet connection and distributes it to multiple devices. It creates your home Wi-Fi network and manages all your connected devices (phones, laptops, smart TVs, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of it as the traffic controller inside your home.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A router alone can&#8217;t connect to the nbn. It needs to be plugged into a modem first.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Modem-Router (Combo Device)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A modem-router combines both functions in one device. It connects to the nbn AND creates your Wi-Fi network. This is what most households use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One device, does everything. Simple.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When people say &#8216;modem&#8217; in everyday conversation, they usually mean a modem-router combo device.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Which Do You Need for nbn?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most people: a modem-router combo device.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless you&#8217;re running a complex network setup or need enterprise-grade equipment, a single modem-router handles everything you need:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connects to the nbn<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creates Wi-Fi network<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides ethernet ports for wired devices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manages connected devices<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>When You Might Use Separate Devices<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people use a modem + separate router setup if they:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want a high-end router for better W-iFi performance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need advanced network features (VLANs, custom firewall rules, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a large home and want to use a mesh Wi-Fi system<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already own a great router and just need an NBN modem<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most households though, a modem-router combo is simpler and cheaper.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>NBN Connection Type Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s the crucial bit: different NBN connection types need different modems.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #00b26b; color: white;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 12px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Connection Type<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 12px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">What You Need<\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 12px; text-align: left; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">FTTP<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Standard ethernet router (no modem needed)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">NBN Connection Box acts as the modem &#8211; just plug router into it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">HFC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Standard ethernet router (no modem needed)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">NBN Connection Box acts as the modem &#8211; just plug router into it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">FTTN<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">VDSL2 modem-router<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Must support VDSL2 &#8211; connects to phone line socket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">FTTC<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Standard ethernet router (no modem needed)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">NBN Connection Device acts as the modem &#8211; just plug router into it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Fixed Wireless<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">Standard ethernet router (no modem needed)<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e5;\">NBN Outdoor Antenna acts as the modem &#8211; just plug router into it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><b>Important: Check Your Connection Type First<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before buying any modem, check your nbn connection type:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn\/\">https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn\/<\/a> check-your-address<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter your address<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for &#8216;Technology Type&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This tells you exactly which type of modem\/router you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>BYO Modem: What You Need to Know<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re absolutely allowed to bring your own modem to MATE (or any nbn provider). Here&#8217;s what you need to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Compatibility<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your modem must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Match your nbn connection type (VDSL2 for FTTN, ethernet for FTTP\/HFC\/FTTC\/Fixed Wireless)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support your chosen speed tier (e.g., gigabit speeds need gigabit-capable hardware)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be nbn-ready certified (look for &#8216;nbn-ready&#8217; or &#8216;nbn-compatible&#8217; labeling)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2. Setup Knowledge<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With BYO modems, you&#8217;re responsible for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Configuring the modem with your provider&#8217;s settings (username, password, VLAN tags if required)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Troubleshooting connection issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firmware updates<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most provider-supplied modems come pre-configured. BYO means you handle this yourself (though it&#8217;s not difficult if you&#8217;re comfortable with tech).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Support Limitations<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you use your own modem:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your provider&#8217;s tech support may not be able to help with modem-specific issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll need to contact the modem manufacturer for hardware problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Troubleshooting gets more complex (is it the modem or the nbn connection?)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>4. Warranty and Replacement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your modem breaks:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provider-supplied modems get replaced quickly (often free or cheap)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BYO modems &#8211; you&#8217;re responsible for warranty claims and replacement<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>When BYO Makes Sense<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BYO is great if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already own a compatible modem<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want specific features (better Wi-Fi range, advanced parental controls, gaming optimisation)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are comfortable with tech setup<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to avoid modem fees (though MATE&#8217;s modem is only $165)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Best Modem Features to Look For<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re buying your own or choosing a provider&#8217;s modem, these features matter:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Wi-Fi Standard<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): Newest standard, exceptional performance, best for high-demand homes with many devices<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax with 6GHz): Extended Wi-Fi 6 with additional 6GHz band, great for congested areas<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Current mainstream standard, excellent performance, handles many devices well<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Previous standard, still solid for many homes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Gigabit Ethernet Ports<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure the modem has gigabit ethernet ports (1000Mbps), not 100Mbps ports. This matters if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have nbn 100 or faster<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to use wired connections for gaming or work<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Dual-Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dual-band modems create two Wi-Fi networks:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2.4GHz: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better range, slower speeds \u2014 good for IoT devices, phones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>5GHz: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shorter range, faster speeds \u2014 good for laptops, streaming, gaming<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is standard on modern modems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>MU-MIMO and Beamforming<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These features improve Wi-Fi performance:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>MU-MIMO: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handles multiple devices simultaneously without slowdown<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Beamforming: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focuses Wi-Fi signal toward devices instead of broadcasting equally in all directions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Coverage Area<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the modem&#8217;s rated coverage:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small homes\/apartments: 100-150m\u00b2 coverage is fine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medium homes: 150-250m\u00b2 coverage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large homes: Consider mesh Wi-Fi instead<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>MATE&#8217;s Modem Options<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&#8217;t want to deal with compatibility research or setup hassle, MATE supplies modems that work with all nbn connection types.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>What you get:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-configured modem-router &#8211; plug in and go<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Works with FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTC, and Fixed Wireless<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wi-Fi 6 or 7\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gigabit ethernet ports<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coverage for typical Australian homes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support from MATE if issues arise<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Cost: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$165 (included in your setup fee, not free)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See full specs and order options on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn-ready-modem\/\">nbn-ready modem page.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- Modem\/Router FAQ Section with Accordion --><\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-section\" style=\"margin-top: 60px; padding-top: 40px; border-top: 2px solid #00b26b;\">\n<h2 style=\"color: #00b26b; margin-bottom: 30px;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Do I need a modem for FTTP?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">Technically no \u2014 the NBN Connection Box acts as the modem. You just need a router to create WiFi and distribute the connection. Most people use a standard router (which is often called a modem-router even though the modem part isn&#8217;t needed for FTTP).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Can I use my old ADSL modem with NBN?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">No. ADSL modems are not compatible with NBN. Even on FTTN (which uses phone lines), you need a VDSL2-capable modem, not ADSL.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">What&#8217;s the difference between a $100 modem and a $500 modem?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">Higher-end modems typically offer: better WiFi range and speed, more ethernet ports, advanced features (gaming prioritisation, parental controls, VPN support), better build quality, and more device capacity. For most households, a mid-range modem ($150-$250) is plenty.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Can I use a mesh WiFi system with NBN?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">Yes. For FTTP\/HFC\/FTTC\/Fixed Wireless, plug the main mesh node into the NBN Connection Box. For FTTN, you&#8217;ll need a VDSL2 modem first, then connect the mesh system to it. Some mesh systems have built-in VDSL2 modems specifically for FTTN.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Will a better modem make my NBN faster?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">Only if your current modem is the bottleneck. If you have NBN 100 but your modem only has 100Mbps ethernet ports (not gigabit), upgrading will help. If your WiFi coverage is poor, a better modem with stronger WiFi will improve speeds in distant rooms. But if your modem already supports your speed tier properly, a fancier one won&#8217;t magically make your connection faster.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Do I own the modem if I get it from my provider?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">Depends on the provider. With MATE, you own the modem \u2014 the $165 is a purchase, not a rental. Some providers offer modems on rental agreements or lock-in contracts. Always check ownership terms.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">What if my modem stops working?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">If you got it from your provider, contact them for a replacement. If you BYO, contact the manufacturer&#8217;s warranty support. Most modems have 1-3 year warranties. Keep your receipt.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Can I use a gaming router with NBN?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">Absolutely. Gaming routers work great with NBN \u2014 they offer features like traffic prioritisation (QoS), lower latency, and better performance under heavy load. For FTTN, make sure it has a VDSL2 modem built in, or use a separate VDSL2 modem with the gaming router.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">What&#8217;s VLAN tagging and do I need to worry about it?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">VLAN tagging is a network configuration setting some NBN connections require. If you use a provider-supplied modem, it comes pre-configured. If you BYO, you may need to set the VLAN ID (often VLAN 2 for NBN). Your provider will tell you if this is required and what settings to use.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 5px; padding: 15px;\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #00b26b; font-size: 18px;\">Should I get WiFi 6 or is WiFi 5 enough?<\/summary>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 15px; color: #666; line-height: 1.6;\">WiFi 5 is fine for most households right now. WiFi 6 is better if you have: lots of devices (10+), NBN 250 or 1000, new phones\/laptops that support WiFi 6, or want future-proofing. WiFi 6 modems cost more but will last longer as more devices support the standard.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Ready to get connected? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn\/\">MATE&#8217;s nbn plans<\/a> and choose whether you want a modem included or prefer to bring your own.<\/span><\/p>\n    <div id=\"cta-nbn-btns\">\r\n        <div class=\"review-content-wrapper cta-nbn-btns d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row\">\r\n            <div class=\"rating d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row align-items-center\">\r\n                <div class=\"stars d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center mx-n1 mb-3 mb-lg-0 me-3\">\r\n                    <div class=\"item\">\r\n                        <img class=\"me-1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/themes\/custom-theme\/assets\/images\/stars-full.png\" alt=\"star-1\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"item\">\r\n                        <img class=\"me-1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/themes\/custom-theme\/assets\/images\/stars-full.png\" alt=\"star-2\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"item\">\r\n                        <img class=\"me-1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/themes\/custom-theme\/assets\/images\/stars-full.png\" alt=\"star-3\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"item\">\r\n                        <img class=\"me-1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/themes\/custom-theme\/assets\/images\/stars-full.png\" alt=\"star-4\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class=\"item\">\r\n                        <img class=\"me-1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/themes\/custom-theme\/assets\/images\/stars-full.png\" alt=\"star-5\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\">\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"info mb-3 mb-lg-0 me-3\">\r\n                    Over<span class=\"no\"> 2500 <\/span> <span class=\"remarks\">5-star <\/span>reviews\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div class=\"product-review ms-3\">\r\n                <img src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/themes\/custom-theme\/assets\/images\/product-review.png \" alt=\"Product Review\" class=\"img-fluid\" height=\"32\" width=\"161\" style=\"height:32px;width:161px\">\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <div class=\"content-bottom-links pt-3 mt-3 border-top\">\r\n            <div class=\"wrap\">\r\n                <h4 class=\"mb-4 flex-column flex-lg-row justify-content-start\">\r\n                    Are you ready to be our mate? Call now\r\n                    <a href=\"tel:13 14 13\" class=\"info-custombtn align-items-center\">\r\n                        <i class=\"fas fa-phone\"><\/i>\r\n                        <span class=\"tracknumber fs-5\">13 14 13<\/span>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n                <\/h4>\r\n                <ul class=\"links list-unstyled d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row mt-3\">\r\n                    <li class=\"pb-3 pb-lg-0 pe-3\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn\/\" class=\"btn btn-lg btn-yellow fs-16\">See our internet plans<\/a>\r\n                    <\/li>\r\n                    <li class=\"pb-3 pb-lg-0 pe-3\">\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mobile\/\" class=\"btn btn-lg btn-yellow fs-16\">See our mobile plans<\/a>\r\n                    <\/li>\r\n                    <li class=\"pb-3 pb-lg-0 pe-3\">\r\n                        <!-- <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/nbn\/\" class=\"btn btn-lg btn-yellow\">see our bundle plans<\/a> -->\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/bundles\/\" class=\"btn btn-lg btn-yellow fs-16\">See our bundle plans<\/a>\r\n                    <\/li>\r\n                <\/ul>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \n<div>\n<div style=\"position: fixed; bottom: 10px; right: 20px; z-index: 2147483647;\" data-testid=\"notifications-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"position: fixed; bottom: 10px; right: 20px; z-index: 2147483647;\" data-testid=\"notifications-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"position: fixed; bottom: 10px; right: 20px; z-index: 2147483647;\" data-testid=\"notifications-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everything you need to know about nbn modems, routers, and modem-routers. What they do, which you need, and how to choose the right one (or bring your own &#8211; BYO). TL;DR &#8211; Quick Takeaways A modem connects you to the nbn network. A router distributes that connection to your devices via Wi-Fi\/ethernet Most people need&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":17162,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23],"tags":[32,33,122,131,265],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Modem vs Router: What&#039;s the Difference and Which Do You Need for NBN?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not sure if you need a modem, router, or modem-router for your NBN? We explain the difference and tell you exactly what to get for FTTP, HFC, and FTTN connections.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Modem vs Router: What&#039;s the Difference and Which Do You Need for NBN?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Not sure if you need a modem, router, or modem-router for your NBN? We explain the difference and tell you exactly what to get for FTTP, HFC, and FTTN connections.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"mate\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/matecommunicate\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-05-21T23:16:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-20T03:10:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Modem-vs-Router-vs-Modem-Router-Main.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MATE Marketing Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@matecommunicate\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@matecommunicate\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MATE Marketing Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"MATE Marketing Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/#\/schema\/person\/1a486986e451f5228059cbd388d48202\"},\"headline\":\"Modem vs Router vs Modem-Router: NBN Equipment Explained (Plus BYO Advice)\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-21T23:16:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-20T03:10:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/\"},\"wordCount\":1605,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"nbn\",\"internet\",\"modem\",\"nbn home phone\",\"modem router\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Home &amp; Business Internet Blog | MATE\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/modem-vs-router-vs-modem-router\/\",\"name\":\"Modem vs Router: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need for NBN?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-21T23:16:03+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-20T03:10:19+00:00\",\"description\":\"Not sure if you need a modem, router, or modem-router for your NBN? 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