DrayTeK Vigor 166 – G.fast capable

[UK Sentinel]

As some of you may know, Draytek produce a range of Routers and modems for the UK that comply with BT SIN498

I have recently contacted DrayTek to ask them regarding the progress of their new Vigor 166 which is suitable for BT (UK) g.fast connections

DrayTeK (Taiwan) have responded as detailed below and we are looking like later this year (my glass is half full) for its arrival to the UK ;-)

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Thank you for your interest in DrayTek solution.

The Vigor 166 (G.Fast) are now under development by DrayTek RD teams.
Vigor166 will be launched and will be taken through approvals and certification.
But we do not have a schedule for that yet.  We hope it to be during 2019.

You may follow-up with our partner in UK, https://www.draytek.co.uk/
They will keep new products updated on their website.

Thank you.

Best Regards,
 
Elena Chen

 

 

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[UK Sentinel]

Ok, so I contacted DrayTek yesterday regarding the release of there new DrayTeK 166 G.fast modem and there response is below.

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Due to the pandemic, the approval and certification from BT have been delayed.
We do not have schedule for the release of Vigor 166 yet.

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looking like 2021 before we realistically have any sight of the Vigor 166 in UK

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[UK Sentinel]

Ok, so I noticed this the other day on the DrayTek website, it does look as though the new DrayTek Vigor 166 will support both G.fast & VDSL2 35b Supervectoring standards.

Still no idea when the 166 will be released but it is interesting that this modem will support both G.fast and supervertoring, alas I cannot find what DSl chipset this will have but it is rumoured to be the new intel VRX618 ?

I do wonder what other VDSL2 35b Supervectoring modems will actually support G.fast whilst in bridge mode  (unofficially)

 

Source: https://www.draytek.com/products/vigor166/

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[UK Sentinel]

I just spotted the new DrayTek Vigor 166 for sale for £120 from a German store

Looks like the retailer accommodates UK power plug requirements, so good news indeed if also arrives with English language option

 

https://www.sotel.de/

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[adamgibbo]

I’m looking at one of these too. Has yours arrived yet? If so, any issues?

I assume it was the Vigor 166 Gen 1 which doesn’t support G.fast 212MHz. I was going to wait for the Gen 2 to be available but not sure if 212MHz will be supported anyway.

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[UK Sentinel]

The first version of G.fast specifies 106 MHz profiles and the second version specifies 212 MHz profiles

The DrayTek 166 will have to be BT SIN 498 approved, so I am assuming will also be suitable for BT’s implementation of G.fast (big assumption I know) but DrayTek are usually good in these areas of compliance.

Alas I am to far from cab for G.fast. so lucked out ? but I assume either profile will work with BT G.fast, just will effect speeds etc ?

Are you on G.fast currently ?

 

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[adamgibbo]

UK Sentinel wrote:

The first version of G.fast specifies 106 MHz profiles and the second version specifies 212 MHz profiles The DrayTek 166 will have to be BT SIN 498 approved, so I am assuming will also be suitable for BT’s implementation of G.fast (big assumption I know) but DrayTek are usually good in these areas of compliance. Alas I am to far from cab for G.fast. so lucked out ? but I assume either profile will work with BT G.fast, just will effect speeds etc ? Are you on G.fast currently ?

From the look of DrayTek’s site https://www.draytek.com/products/vigor166/#models they have or will have two models, one (Gen 1) supporting 106MHz and the other (Gen 2) supporting 106MHz & 212MHz. I’m assuming that BT (Openreach) will only support 106MHz for the foreseeable future because they’re concentrating on FTTP.

Not on G.fast just yet but looking to upgrade a FRITZ!Box 7490 with something future proof-ish.

 

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[UK Sentinel]

I see what you mean, G.fast (212MHz) is in service, but do agree very limited,  maybe add to your list the  Fritz!box 7583 as this supports  G. fast (212 MHz) profile also

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[adamgibbo]

I could go with the FRITZ!Box 7583 in bridge mode (If it supports it), but as I’ll only be using it as a modem to an OPNSense firewall the extra bells and whistles would be wasted.

 

I’ve not had any problems with my FRITZ!Box but would like to try a Vigor. They’ve been recommended to me from a few places. I think the Vigor 166 (Gen1) will do for the time being until FTTP is available for me.

 

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[UK Sentinel]

As you imply, the Vigor166 (Gen 2) is a nice to have and I am sure you will not be disappointed with the Vigor 166 Gen 1.

 

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[UK Sentinel]

So I noticed the other day the new DrayTeK Vigor 166 (GEN 1 – 106MHz) is now showing on the UK DrayTek website.

https://www.draytek.co.uk/products/business/vigor-166

I also see the DrayTeK Vigor 166 (G.fast) is available for back-order (UK plug) via Broadband buyer for £96.94

So I had a quick look on Draytek.co.uk for  Vigor 166 (BT) suitable firmware and so far no updates, so I have dropped DrayTeK UK an email to clarify UK availability

 

https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/41275-draytek-v166-k/

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[UK Sentinel]

Ok, so have had feedback from DrayTeK UK and it is looking as thought within the next two weeks the DrayTek Vigor 166 will be available in the UK

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Hello xxxx

The Vigor 166 is planned to be released imminently, either this week or next. At which point, it will be directly available from the Modems menu on the site.

Regards,

Amy – DrayTek UK

———

 

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[UK Sentinel]

A few DrayTeK 166 Screenshos

Vigor 166 Web Interface:

Pre-Configured for UK Broadband
The Vigor 166 is pre-set with the correct VLAN tag required by the Openreach VDSL2 and G.fast networks. Only the username and password need to be set on your router:

Updated Interface
In Full-Bridge (Modem) mode, the Vigor 166 only shows settings relevant for that mode:

DSL Status
The DSL Status can be viewed from the Online Status page of the modem:

 

Switchable Operation Mode (note, ADSL seems not supported via Bridge Currently)
The Vigor 166 can be operated in Full-Bridge (Modem) or Router mode, where the modem establishes a connection with the ISP and provides NAT:

 

Setup Wizard for Router Mode
To switch to NAT Router mode, select Router Operation Mode and follow the prompts to initially set it up:

 

Router Configuration
Configuring the PPPoE username and password on the Vigor 166 in NAT Router mode so that the modem establishes the connection:

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[smallal]

NetXL in Guilford (also trade as YayYay) have 100 in stock as of 23/12, but want over £130 + P&P

https://www.netxl.com/dsl-modems/draytek-vigor-v166-gfast-vdsl2-modem/

Interestingly they are also listed as a supplier via Amazon UK, but it’s even more expensive there!

Broadbandbuyer seems a much better deal (assuming they’ve not made a pricing error)

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[UK Sentinel]

£130 is still cheaper than a rare BT huawei mt992 Modem via Ebay, but Broadband Buyer is the by far the best deal

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