Cincinnati Bell fiber vs. vdsl2 confusion, similar modem to Zyxel 1432?

gbdonhowe

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Mar 22, 2014
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So we are getting Cincinnati Bell internet service soon (100/20) and want to bring our own equipment which isn't very standard for them so there is no supported equipment list like there are with other ISP's. Zyxel 1432 is the one that is used for there installs.

I'm trying to find a modem which is similar enough that could replace the Zyxel modem/router. Talking to cincinnati bell support, they mentioned that the modem needs to support vdsl2, but other people on support said that it will be a fiber connection, which is giving me some confusion as I thought those were two completely seperate types of internet. Any help is appreciated!
 
Solution
Sounds like they are putting in something other than fiber to the house. They run fiber someplace close and then use VDSL for the short distance left. That is how they can get such high speed using dsl. Many vendors call this a fiber connection even though technically then all internet connections would be fiber if you do not actually have to run the fiber to the house.

I would read the manual for zyxel they want to install. Most you can put in bridge mode and use as a modem only. You can then run pppoe on any other router. The VDSL will greatly limit the routers you can choose. If your only concern is something like wireless coverage and not features on the router you could just use their router and then use another...
Sounds like they are putting in something other than fiber to the house. They run fiber someplace close and then use VDSL for the short distance left. That is how they can get such high speed using dsl. Many vendors call this a fiber connection even though technically then all internet connections would be fiber if you do not actually have to run the fiber to the house.

I would read the manual for zyxel they want to install. Most you can put in bridge mode and use as a modem only. You can then run pppoe on any other router. The VDSL will greatly limit the routers you can choose. If your only concern is something like wireless coverage and not features on the router you could just use their router and then use another device as a AP turning off the wireless in the ISP router.
 
Solution


Thanks for the response! Do you mean VDSL will limit the compatible modems? Thought routers are generally compatible across the board so long you have a modem to convert the signal. I will definitely look into the bridge mode for it.