Question 1

Is it possible to assign separate ssids to the 2.4 and 5ghz frequency bands?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can set different SSIDs for 2.4 and 5 ghz with different passwords as well if required. It can all be done in the TP-Link Tether app.

Question 2

Can i use this instead of my sky router or will sky not let me ?

Accepted Answer

So sky hubs specifically do not have a modem mode. So you can not operate this TP-Link router using its extra security features & etc because of the fact that your ISP Sky do not allow their hubs to be ran in modem mode. Which is fine, as there are work arounds.

Router mode is where the TP-Link router handles the assignment of Local addresses & other router functions & features, such as its real-time protection & in depth network status information & other stuff. However, router mode can only be used if the sky hub can go into modem mode. Because there is no modem mode on the sky hub, the work around is, to disable the Sky hubs WiFi functionality, & connect this Tp Link router to it via Ethernet & set the Tp link routers mode to “access point mode”. Once that is done it will work.

But to answer the question, no you cannot replace this box with your Sky hub. & no you cannot use this instead of the sky hub. You have to use this complementary to the sky hub, in the way I have described above.

Question 3

What do i need to connect? Does it comes wth cables/leads? Some answers say it does, others say it doesn't!

Accepted Answer

Depends on your network as to its specifics as to if you need one.

Generally speaking however, you will need an ethernet cable to connect it to a central hub/modem. Do you need to get one? Well, consider the following when making that decision.

To give some extremely overly simplified and jargon-less background, you can think of this hub/modem as the box that acts as the source of internet for your house. You will obvs be able to know what it is im talking about, as its likely the box the ISP guy set up when adding their internet into your home. You may also refer to it as a wireless router, which could be an additional functionality of it.

Most ISP's transfer internet through fiber optic cables underground and/or copper or different generations of coaxial cables. That modem/hub has a port which is compatible with whatever cable type they use for their underground cables.

Your ISP will typically provide this modem/hub for a hidden charge that you typically wont see on your bill. Its just integrated into the cost of the monthly/yearly fee you pay for your internet service.

Most ISP's restrict you from being able to replace that hub/modem in their Terms & Conditions (T&Cs), so you can only ever use theirs. This is so that you dont get a reduced bill price from buying your own one.

There is no way feasible for a normal human to get around that. But what most people do to get around this quite dumb rule in their T&Cs, is buy a router like this to increase the overall quality of your wireless internet connection. The quality of your wireless internet refers to the speed you get when you run speedtests on your phone in different locations connected to your WiFi. This is generally the only thing that can improve through buying this router. The whole idea is that this router will act as an point of access to an already existing network, that has been established by your ISP. It broadcasts a signal that allows devices to access the internet connection on your existing network. Hence it routes. Hence its name, a router. If its wireless, we call it a wireless router. If it can also function as an input or can receive a source of internet connection from the underground cables, its a modem-router.

Unlike wireless, the wired connection speeds are directly determined by a combination of factors, but most of those factors are in the hands of whatever ISP you choose. But wireless internet speeds are mostly determined by limiting factors in your home network, such as a slow router, high number of household devices, high levels of interference from fridges, TVs and other large electrical appliances, and so on and so forth. This is why buying a router that can provide better quality wireless connection, and is probably why you are here.

It will come with its own power cable. It also does come with a very short ethernet cable to connect it to your hub to answer the question. However it came with a Cat5e which is a bit bare minimum quality. I recommend just getting your own, in your own choice of colour. I believe it came with a white one, but dont quote me on that.

IF you end up buying one, aim for a cat6e or higher. Also purchase one from a reliable brand, good reviews, and with the right length requirement to meet your needs. If not, dont buy one and use the one it comes with. If you are picky on colour and design, then I recommend buying a short one after it has arrived already. Its better to buy one after it arrives, as you can be more sure/precise in its length and design.

Question 4

Im getting 200mbps average stood right next to the router, is this supposed to be normal as it states 5GHz gives 2500mbps

Accepted Answer

It could be or it couldnt.

If you are only paying for 200mbps per month on your internet package. Then this is completely normal behaviour. If you are paying for 500mbps or 1gbps packages. Then you need to confirm if the ISP is at fault. To do this, connect a computer with an ethernet port on it, go on a browser like bing or google, and search ookla speedtest, and run a speedtest. On ethernet, if you get more than 200mbps, there is an issue with something yes as this router is capable of giving more speed. It is very very difficult to determine what else it could be with a vague question like this.

The 2500mbps advertisement of speed you see, is a theortical max. Meaning that if conditions were perfect, and we take the theoretical max speed that a WiFi 6, 5GHz band router with whatever processor and no interference, with the max speed per stream and blah blah blah. All the other information needed too, you can calculate and determine the theoretical max of the router. You can expect to get basically nowhere near this number, as you are probably limited by the the speed coming in by your ISP, and are limited through worldly things like interference, and that theory is not equal to practical results and so on and so forth. Don't make buying decisions based off marketing, would be my advice to you.

Brand	TP-Link
Product Dimensions	26.02 x 13.5 x 4.16 cm; 810 g
Item model number	Archer AX53
Manufacturer	TP-Link
Series	Archer AX53
Colour	black
Connectivity Type	5 GHz/2.4 Ghz
Wireless Type	802.11ax
Operating System	Windows
Are Batteries Included	No
Item Weight	810 g
Guaranteed software updates until	unknown

TP-Link Archer AX53 AX3000Mbps WiFi 6 Router, Gigabit VPN, Internet Booster, Ultra-Low Latency, EasyMesh, WPA3, Ideal for Gaming, Compatible With Alexa

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