DSL routers from FRITZ!

A DSL router connects your home with the internet via the phone line. With its integrated DSL modem, the DSL router transforms your provider's signal and distributes the internet connection throughout the home – by Wi-Fi or LAN cable. This way multiple devices can access the internet concurrently.

If no modem is integrated in a router, it is classified as a pure router that receives the data to be distributed from a separate modem and then distributes it to the devices in the network via Wi-Fi or LAN.

The DSL modem is the link between your home and your internet provider and exchanges signals between the two. It is what makes the DSL connection possible.

A FRITZ!Box for DSL is classified as a DSL router with an integrated modem. It combines these two functions in one device – which is practical and saves both energy and space. It brings the internet to your home, makes it possible to stream, surf, and more, and protects your network from unwelcome visitors.

If you have an existing DSL plan, the wireless router for DSL is always the right choice. For the benefits of this technology are obvious: DSL is inexpensive and provides for stable connections, and launching operation of a wireless router for DSL is easy.

Especially in areas that do not yet have access to fast fibre optic technology, DSL is an economical and reliable alternative. Be it in private households, medical practices or law offices – to name just a few examples – wireless routers for DSL offer all users of a network an optimum connection to the internet.

What's more, installation and configuration is easy even for the layman. The wireless router for DSL is connected in no time at all, paving the way for surfing enjoyment, streaming and phone calls.

Important criteria for purchasing a DSL router are compatibility with the connection and the internet provider, support for the latest Wi-Fi standards, enough LAN sockets, and appropriate telephony and software functions.

Checklist for deciding which product to purchase:

1. Compatibility with the connection and the provider:
   The DSL router has to fit with the DSL connection. Ask your internet provider our router manufacturer which DSL router you can use with your connection or whether an external DSL modem is required.
   The FRITZ!Box with an integrated modem is compatible with most of the DSL connections installed in Europe and with most providers.
2. Wi-Fi standards:
   Select a DSL router that supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for the highest possible speed, but which is also backward compatible to older devices.
   The latest FRITZ!Box models for DSL support Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 and are also always compatible to the previous Wi-Fi standards 5 and 4.
3. LAN sockets:
   For gaming or other data-intensive applications, a stable cable connection is recommended. Check how many LAN sockets you need on a DSL router.
   Depending on the FRITZ!Box model, you have up to 4 LAN sockets, each with a speed of 1 gigabit or 2.5 gigabits.
4. Telephony:
   To use ISDN or analogue phones, your DSL router needs the appropriate connectors for the cable; for cordless phones over DECT, an integrated DECT base station is needed.
   A DECT base station is standard in all FRITZ!Boxes for DSL. The connections for cabled phones vary from one model to the next.
5. Software features:
   Additional functions like Mesh Wi-Fi, support for apps and smart home control provide for convenience and security. Set your priorities and check whether they are compatible with the devices you're using.
   All of the latest FRITZ!Box models come with the familiar FRITZ!Box functions, app integration and Mesh Wi-Fi. For the smart home, DECT and/or Zigbee are available in some models.
6. Updates & security:
   Regular updates add new features and keep your DSL router safe. Make sure to use a DSL router that places the highest priority on data privacy and security.
   Thanks to automatic updates, FRITZ! ensures that your home network is always well protected with the latest security. Thanks to long product maintenance, your FRITZ!Box will benefit from new functions and improvements even years after purchase.
7. Energy consumption:
   Energy-saving functions lower operating costs. Since a DSL router usually operates around the clock, it should use as little energy as possible.
   All FRITZ!Box models are designed to use as little energy as efficiently as possible. Idle functions are automatically put to sleep or reduced to the absolute minimum.

Configuration of a DSL router is super easy, and everything you need is included with delivery: The DSL wireless router itself, the power adapter, the DSL connecting cable for connection with the DSL line, a LAN cable and the quick guide which guides you step by step through launching operation. All you need is a free socket and the DSL connection.

The account information required for configuring the DSL modem are supplied by your DSL provider. You receive this information by either post or email. Many providers supply the account information online in a customer account, where they can be viewed at any time.

And where is the best location for the DSL wireless router? To ensure that the Wi-Fi signal can be distributed optimally throughout your home, please note the following tips:

• Place the DSL wireless router on the most central position possible in your flat or home. Ideally, the Wi-Fi signal should have to penetrate only a few ceilings and walls to reach the receiving devices.
• Raised locations are particularly suitable, such as on a shelf or mounted on a wall. This allows the radio waves to spread optimally.
• Do not place the DSL modem behind furniture or under cabinets, and avoid the vicinity of other transmitting devices such as microwaves.
• Should the Wi-Fi signal be insufficient despite an optimally positioned DSL wireless router, deploy a FRITZ!Repeater to extend the range.

Fibre optic, DSL and cable use different lines to transmit the internet connection. DSL runs over phone lines, cable over the cable TV network and fibre optic over fibre optic cables. To fit your connection you need a corresponding device for fibre optic, cable or DSL (modem or router) so that you can use the internet via your connection.

Fibre optic in comparison:

• Transmission via fibre optic cables
• highest throughput rates
• suitable for data-intensive applications like online gaming and streaming
• extremely reliable and nearly interference-free internet connections
• Fibre optic connections are under expansion, i.e. they're not yet available everywhere and more expensive
• a modem/router for fibre optics is required

Cable in comparison:

• Transmission via TV cable network cables
• relatively high transmission rates
• suitable for simple and data-intensive applications
• Speeds may drop at peak teams, since multiple households shar the available bandwidth
• available in many cities and metropolitan areas; somewhat more expensive than DSL but cheaper than fibre optics
• a modem/router for cable is required

DSL in comparison:

• Transmission via phone lines (copper wires)
• lower transmission speeds than cable or fibre optics
• suitable for simple applications and some data-intensive applications
  lower speed and line quality when the connection is far from the provider's remote site, but no fluctuations at peak times
• available everywhere and affordable
• a modem/router for DSL is required

The FRITZ!Box helps save energy through its own low energy consumption and because it combines multiple devices in one. If it is used as a smart home hub, it can help save additional energy by controlling smart radiator controls and lighting systems.

A DSL router generally operates round the clock. Thus it is a great advantage if the router's energy consumption remains low. The FRITZ!Box is designed for minimal energy consumption. This has been affirmed in comparison tests with other DSL Wi-Fi routers.

Various energy-saving mechanisms come into play: For instance, if no device is connected via Wi-Fi, the FRITZ!Box goes to sleep and reduces its processor power. This reduces the energy consumption. And if the DSL provider supports this function, the DSL router can reduce energy consumption as long as no data are being transmitted over the connection.

And last but not least, the FRITZ!Box combines multiple devices in one: modem, Wi-Fi, telephony, NAS, smart home and more. This replaces several separate devices and saves a lot of kilowatt hours every year.