Should I take the included modem and replace it?

Many Internet Service Providers provide their modem in subscriptions; this modem is branded with the operator’s name and is supplied in free loan for use or with a hidden cost, spread over 24-month activation costs (effectively binding the user on the cost of the modem and not on the cost of the subscription).

But it doesn’t say anywhere that we have to use the operator’s modem! In the following guide we will show you how to always replace the included modem of the operator following two simple ways: creating a DMZ cascade with a new personal modem (without removing the modem supplied by the operator) or using only the personal modem, without any other branded modem intervening on our line.

READ ALSO -> Best Fiber Optic: check coverage and offers

1) Is the included modem mandatory? Do you recommend it?

The modem provided by the operators is not mandatory but it is often recommended by all operators, promising support for maximum line speed and other spectacular features. In the vast majority of cases these statements are not true or are only partially true:

• a proprietary modem may be even slower than a free modem;
• the line could slow down even with the proprietary modem;
• not always the most innovative functions can be used on proprietary modems;
• from a security point of view, the proprietary modem is not always the best choice;
• a free modem can always be replacedwhile a proprietary modem is almost never changed.

What the operators don’t say is that their modems are often blocked at DNS server levelpreventing the use of free DNS or of Faster DNS than those provided by the operator himself (often blocked for access to foreign or unauthorized sites).

Added to this is that proprietary modems, from a security point of view, are not updated regularly (remaining exposed to hacker attacks) and can provide remote access without user supervision (function necessary for telephone assistance but also useful for hackers).

So finally the only advantage we can have is using a proprietary modem it is related to the assistance support: if we use a free modem, assistance will often “wash its hands” when we have problems with the Internet or have reduced line speed.

2) Replace the proprietary modem with a cascade DMZ

The first trick we can use to maintain support without giving up the freedom of a free modem is the DMZ cascadeconfigurable on all proprietary modems that provide the DMZ function within the settings.

First we connect our new free modem to the operator’s modem via an Ethernet cable, then we use the settings panel of the latter for configure the free modem IP address in the DMZ.

There DMZ allows a single IP address to be totally transparent to the modem settings, thus obtaining direct access to the Internet without active settings or filters; this setup is great for cascadingsince it effectively transforms the operator’s modem into a “transparent” modem (which does not interfere with the functioning of the free modem we have chosen).

After setting the free modem in the DMZ on the operator’s modem let’s make sure it has access to the Internet, by logging into its control panel and making sure it uses the IP address of the proprietary modem as Gateways and that it is configured in the same subnet (SubnetMask); the DNS server can also be changed, since the free modem will access its DNS without ever using the one included in the proprietary modem.

After the configuration we can also turn off the Wi-Fi of the proprietary modem and use only the Wi-Fi of our new free modem.

If we don’t know how to build the waterfall we can read our guides on how to connect a new router to the modem without switching networks come on how to use the FRITZ!Box modem on an FTTH fiber optic network.

3) Replace the proprietary modem with a personal one

If we don’t care about remote assistance e we just want our free modem for Internet access we will have to contact the operator by telephone (using the numbers of thehelpline) and ask to use our personal modem or use a free modem; we recommend starting the procedure only when the new modem is already in our possession.

At this point the operator will start the procedure for changing the proprietary modem to the free modem: a technical operator will ask us for theMac address of the new modem (necessary for conditional access to the network) and will also provide us with the Internet connection parameters and for VoIP telephony (if we have an offer that includes calls to landlines).

In a few minutes we will have Internet access again from our new modem, without any constraint; if in the future we want to change free modem we will always have to contact telephone assistance to configure conditional access (via Mac address).

If we want to try to configure FTTH fiber access ourselves, we can also read the guide to configuration for ONT and fiber optic connection parameters.

4) Best modems to use in Italy

Whatever the procedure with which to replace the included modem we advise you to use only quality modems, constantly updated and with all the latest functions ready for use. The best modems for FTTC and FTTH lines in Italy are:

• TP-Link Archer AX55 Router: WiFi 6 Dual-Band AX3000Mbps, 5 Gigabit Ports, 1 USB 3.0 Port, TP-Link HomeShield, OneMesh, Router F (FTTH | FTTB | Ethernet), Tether App, Compatible with Alexa.
• Tenda RX2 Pro AX1500 Router: Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band Gigabit, 1201Mbps/5GHz and 300Mbps/2.4GHz, 4 Gigabit Ports, 5x6dBi Antennas, Beamforming/MU-MIMO/WPA3.
• AVM FRITZ!Box 7530 AX Edition International Modem Router: Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band up to 2,400 MBit/s, ADSL/VDLS up to 300 MBit/s, Mesh, Base DECT, Media Server.
• ASUS DSL-AX82U AX5400 Dual Band Wifi 6 Modem Router: 802.11ax, ASUS Aura Rgb, AiProtection Pro, AiMesh, Gear Accelerator, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding, USB 3.0, Parental Control.
• Xiaomi AX3000 Mesh System: Up to 4,000 sq m of Wi-Fi Coverage, Dual Band Wi-Fi 6, Wireless Speed ​​Up to 2,976 Mbps, 256 MB Ram, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Band, Italian Version, 2 Pieces

“Router” or “Wi-Fi Mesh” devices are great for cascading the DMZ (although nothing prevents us from using a modem router as a simple router), while i device “modem router” they can completely replace the proprietary modem.

Conclusions

In the end it all depends on how comfortable you want to be with problems and how much you want to customize your home network. The modem provided by the operators is ready for use (nothing needs to be configured)but can present problems or blockages that are difficult to overcome.

If, on the other hand, we always want to have a modern modem full of functions we strongly recommend that you use the DMZ cascade on your proprietary modem (comfortable and decidedly easy to apply solution) or, for the more fearless, to completely replace the operator’s modem with our free modem.

To learn more we can read the guides on how to connect any modem to FTTH fiber come on how to change modem with fiber even if bound by the operator.