Is your internet connection playing up and you suspect the modem could be to blame? Are you switching to the NBN and wanting to know if you need to upgrade your technology? Is your modem just a little bit old and you're wondering if you could get better performance from a new model?
Whatever the reason, from time to time you will need to replace your home modem. In this guide, we'll talk about how to decide if that time is now.
In this guide:
How do you know if you need a new modem?
While these aren't steadfast rules, you may need a new modem if;
- Your WiFi speed is substantially slower than your speed when connected directly to the modem
- You're switching to a new internet type, for example ADSL to NBN, or NBN to 5G Home Wireless
- The internet drops in and out at random
- Your modem tends to need a reset in order to work properly
- The device won't connect to the internet at all
- Your modem doesn't turn on
- The modem has started making loud, or strange sounds
Why buy a new modem?
Maybe your current modem is under-performing, or maybe you're switching to the NBN. There are a couple of reasons why you'd think about buying a new modem these days and we're going to dive into each in a bit more detail.
You're switching to the NBN
If you're switching to a shiny new NBN connection, in most cases you'll need to make sure you've got a VDSL2-ready modem. The good news is most modems sold now are VDSL2-ready. Most providers have a branded NBN modem which you can pick up alongside your new plan.
If, however, your telco isn't upgrading your modem for some reason, you can work out if you need to buy a new one or not by looking at the at the row of ports across the back of your modem. If you can see a phone jack labelled VDSL, or if it says 'ADSL2+/VDSL' on the label with the serial number, it means your modem is ready for the NBN. Yay!
If you can't see anything like that anywhere on your modem, chances are you'll be needing a new one to connect to the NBN. The exception is if you have a FTTP, HFC Cable, Fixed Wireless or Satellite NBN connection. These connections require their own sets of equipment, but do not require a modem. Read more about whether you need a modem for your NBN connection type here.
Should I get the modem that comes with my NBN plan?
Provider branded modems that come along with NBN plans are a good place to start, but they're also guilty of a few modem misdemeanors.
Aspects like out of date firmware, and channel congestion are synonymous with NBN modems bundled with your plan. There are ways around these issues, but it may be worth looking further than your internet provider in order to find a good quality modem.
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A new modem can increase your internet speed
These days, a lot of broadband contracts come with a modem included. But sometimes the modem you're given by your ISP is pretty average. Depending on your provider, there's a chance you've been handed the bare minimum. While this isn't always the case, some telcos will try and save money by bundling in – quite frankly – terrible hardware.
In other cases, your modem may simply be old or may be clocking out sooner than expected.
In both the cases we've described above, you may need to buy a new modem. It's worth noting, however, that there's a difference between slow Wi-Fi (the speed of the connection inside your house) and slow internet (the speed of the connection running into your house). Buying a new modem can offer faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. It can also be the answer if you're experiencing frequent drop-outs. But it probably won't speed up your physical internet connection.
Slow internet may be caused by other issues too, like the NBN speed tier you're currently running. So before you go rushing out to get a fancy new piece of hardware, we'll need to isolate your modem as the source – or not – of the problem.
If your NBN connection is too slow
NBN Co did its own investigation into underperforming connections and identified modem problems as a huge contributing factor.
In our What to think about before you buy an NBN modem guide, we go through the main modem malfunctions and how to fix them.
How to identify and fix problems with your modem
There are a few easy things you can do to work out if the issue lies with your modem or something else going on with your internet connection.
1. Check your NBN speed
If you're on the NBN, take a look at your plan to check what NBN speed tier you've signed up for. It could be that the speed you're paying for is the cause of the poor performance. If you think you could be on the wrong speed tier, contact your telco to discuss the performance you've experienced and whether a speed upgrade could help.
For large families or households that use data-heavy services like Netflix, we recommend NBN plans with a speed of 50Mbps or higher.
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#1
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Kogan Internet
Silver Unlimited
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
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#2
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Tangerine Telecom
Value Plus NBN
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
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#3
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MATE
Ripper nbn 50/20
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
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#4
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Exetel
Extra-value nbn50
$60.99/mth
Min. cost $60.99
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#5
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Buddy Telco
Editor's Pick
Value nbn - Unlimited
$63/mth
Min. cost $63
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#6
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Moose NBN
nbn 50/20 Premium
$63.80/mth
Min. cost $63.80
Link not supplied
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#7
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Superloop
Extra-value nbn50/20
$67/mth
Min. cost $67
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#8
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Dodo
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$68.90/mth
Min. cost $68.90
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#9
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Swoop
nbn® Home Everyday
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
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#10
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iiNet
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
Min. cost $69.99
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2. Test your Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is often the culprit when it comes to poor internet performance, whether that's the Wi-Fi capability of your combined modem/router or the separate router that connects to your modem. And if it's not the culprit, isolating it from the issue can often help to identify the real source of the problem.
These steps are designed to isolate Wi-Fi from other issues that could be causing your internet problems.
- Take your device to the location in your house where you're having trouble with the internet. Run an internet speed test. Write down this result.
- Take your device to the same room that your modem is in. Run the speed test again. If you're getting a dramatically higher speed than you were previously, you're likely dealing with an issue with the Wi-Fi range on your modem or router.
- If you can, disable Wi-Fi on your device and then connect your device to your modem using an Ethernet cable. Run the speed test again. If you're getting a dramatically higher speed than either of the previous two tests, the modem's wireless functionality is potentially the culprit.
- If you want to be extra sure, repeat these previous steps with another device to confirm that the issue is with the modem, rather than with the device. If you're getting the same kind of results across multiple devices, the issue probably lies with your modem.
If you've identified the source of the problem as Wi-Fi, the good news is there are a number of fixes you can try:
- You could get a new or more powerful modem and/or router
- You could plonk down a Wi-Fi range extender
- You could get a powerline Ethernet adapter
Mesh network routers are particularly popular for large homes where your modem could simply be struggling to cover the distance. They can also be a solution for other black spot issues, like areas of your home in which density of appliances interfere with the Wi-Fi.
Click or tap here to learn more about mesh networks and how they can help fix your internet woes.
Powerline Ethernet adapters, on the other hand, can be a good solution if your problem is only with devices that connect to the internet via Ethernet cable. They essentially work by connecting your device to the modem through the powerlines in your home.
3. Check for other issues with your connection
There are other things, apart from your modem or Wi-Fi that could be causing poor internet performance.
If you're on the NBN, speed and reliability can be affected by issues like distance from the node (if you're on Fibre-to-the-Node technology), network congestion and even connection errors. Read our guide on what slows down NBN and what you can do for more information.
4. Google your modem
Last but not least, it's always worth Googling your current modem to get a feel for what others are saying about it. Australian broadband forum Whirlpool can be a good resource. If feedback is mostly positive, it's possible that your modem isn't the issue (or that you've got a faulty model). If feedback is negative, that's a good sign that it's time to get a new modem.
FAQs
How often should you replace your modem?
Every piece of tech has a lifespan, and for a modem that span is generally between two and five years. Cheaper modems will generally be less efficient and need replacing sooner, while the higher end models should last closer to the five year mark.
How do I know if my modem is outdated?
If your modem has surpassed its lifespan, or you've noticed your internet connection has deteriorated seemingly at random as of late, your modem may be outdated.
Do modems increase WiFi speed?
Modems don't increase your actual connection speed but they can increase WiFi speed. A more powerful modem with better range can make a difference to the download speeds your WiFi connected devices can achieve, simply because it is transmitting more efficiently.
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