Since August 1, 2016, router freedom has been in effect: every internet customer can freely choose and purchase or rent their device from wherever they want. This is guaranteed by the “Law on the Selection and Connection of Telecommunication Terminal Equipment,” which transposed an EU directive into national law. However, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the removal of router compulsion for consumers? Unfortunately, in some cases, the legally guaranteed router freedom has remained a nearly worthless paper tiger in practice.
The advantages of router freedom
The advantages of being able to buy your own router are evident to many, but there are also disadvantages that consumers need to be aware of.
Customers can now choose a model that suits their needs. This can include the Wi-Fi standard, available ports, wireless range, or simply the appearance. In contrast to the previously often branded compulsory routers, all functions of the router are now available without restrictions. Price also plays a role. Customers can compare prices and choose the most affordable option. Buying a router outright is usually cheaper than renting one for several years.
Previously, customers had little or no say in the model selection under router compulsion. Additionally, there were features that were blocked by the internet provider, such as free internet telephony (VoIP). Not only do providers predominantly offer models for rent, but customers are still required to return the leased router within a short period after the contract ends – they are not allowed to keep it or take it to another provider when switching. If the leased router is not returned, the provider usually charges the customer a penalty fee.
Fast updates, but no service from the provider
The abolition of router compulsion brings advantages and disadvantages in terms of update policy. While customers had to wait longer for software updates from the internet provider with a provider-provided router due to customization, they now receive software updates from the manufacturer much faster.
However, the downside of having your own device is that all hardware-related services from the provider are eliminated (e.g., immediate replacement in the event of a defect). In particular, in the event of a disruption, the customer must determine whether the problems are due to the hardware or the internet connection to contact the right support. Technical support or assistance from a technician in setting up and configuring your own router is no longer provided, or the provider charges an extra fee.
TV cable, fiber, hybrid: Router freedom only on paper
The practice of recent years has shown that true router freedom ultimately only exists for DSL and VDSL connections, as well as for mobile routers for LTE and 5G. There were and are no technical reasons for internet providers to restrict free router choice in these cases.
However, it has become clear that router freedom only exists on paper for TV cable, fiber, and hybrid connections.
TV cable connections: Cable internet providers generally allow their customers to choose their own routers. However, on the one hand, the range of available cable internet routers on the market is limited. And due to the underlying technology, the customer must register their self-purchased router through an activation portal provided by the network operator. The customer also has to configure the telephony in their own router.
At least with a self-purchased router, the disadvantage of leased routers, where the cable internet provider requires remote access to the customer’s router for configuration, is eliminated. It has happened in the past that the provider updated the leased router without prior notice, resulting in the customer’s entire home network setup being deleted, requiring everything to be set up again. This will not happen with your own cable router.
However, some cable providers have tied the availability of telephony options such as two lines to the booking of a paid add-on option. Often, this add-on option must be booked to set up telephony in a self-purchased router. If this option also includes a specific router model, such as an AVM FRITZ!Box Cable, from the network operator, the expected cost advantage of having your own router may disappear.
Additionally, some cable internet providers require customers to have the provider’s leased device available at home in addition to their self-purchased router. This leased router should be connected in case of a disruption instead of the customer’s own router. And of course, this leased router must be returned after the contract ends, or else a penalty fee will be charged.
Fiber connections: A similar technical discussion to cable connections has emerged for fiber connections – it is the discussion about where the network termination point is located. In a DSL and VDSL connection, it is located in the connection box, while TV cable and fiber providers claim it is in the modem or router, and therefore, the device is not freely selectable or must be remotely configurable by the provider. For many fiber connections, the customer must tolerate the fiber network operator connecting their own fiber modem at the connection box. The customer can only operate their own free router with this compulsory modem.
Hybrid connections from Telekom: Telekom’s hybrid connections combine an existing DSL or VDSL line with LTE and 5G networks. LTE and 5G signals are used as a data turbocharger, especially for streaming and downloads. Telekom has developed its own routers in partnership with a manufacturer to handle this circuit switching according to the network configuration. Other manufacturers have not yet offered routers compatible with hybrid connections, so there is no real router freedom. Connecting an LTE stick to the USB port of a conventional DSL router does not comply with Telekom’s specification for hybrid connections and is therefore not a substitute.
Discussion about the network termination point continues
The discussion initiated by cable internet and fiber providers about the network termination point in their connections is ongoing. Either the legislature overlooked these technical aspects when implementing router freedom, or the providers are using the discussion to reintroduce router compulsion through the backdoor.
In Germany, fiber connections are usually cost-effective and implemented as Gigabit Passive Optical Networks (GPON). This point-to-multipoint network architecture is a shared-medium technology with speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps, where multiple customers have to share a trunk fiber. The participant only has their own fiber up to the next cable splitter. If a customer were to connect a non-compliant device that sends disruptive signals into the network, it could interfere with all other connections.
In a point-to-point connection, each customer would have their own fiber from the exchange to their home. However, this would significantly increase the cost of network expansion for network operators, as many more fibers would need to be laid, and the network nodes would need to offer many more ports. The use of a free router would not be a problem with a point-to-point connection, but such connections are scarce in Germany.
The Federal Network Agency has also joined this discussion: many fiber network operators have argued to the agency that they only offer access at the optical network termination (ONT) because this is the only way to ensure that the networks are protected from disruptive network termination equipment (i.e., the commonly used modem/router combinations). Therefore, the Federal Network Agency is examining the claim that a device that sends disruptive signals into the network would not only affect the individual connection but the entire network cluster, leading to an extended service outage. Fiber network operators argue that an obligation to provide free access at the passive network termination point or expensive point-to-point connections would jeopardize the entire fiber expansion.
To achieve a unified solution, the Federal Network Agency has been in discussions with the industry association BUGLAS for some time regarding this claim. However, the Association of Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Manufacturers (VTKE) has already warned that the currently allowed exception for the passive network termination point could de facto abolish device freedom.
In our comprehensive router guide, we inform you about what to consider when buying a router. We cover current Wi-Fi standards, router models for all budgets, and other technologies and router features. In another guide, we provide tips for buying a TV cable router.
