Routers for modem / network from FRITZ!

Whether you need an additional router without a modem depends on your setup. If your internet provider already provided a router with an integrated modem, there is no technical reason requiring another device. However, many users decide to add their own router downstream. If the provider supports operation of your own router, the provider device can be replaced completely to achieve better control and higher performance.

A router without an integrated modem is the ideal companion in cases where you have a pure modem connection. For instance, if you have a fibre optic connection with an upstream ONT (Optical Network Terminal), which transforms the signal but does not provide any Wi-Fi or do any routing. Or you use a cable or DSL modem from your provider in bridge mode – in both scenarios you need an independent wireless router to manage the network.

Even if you find the functions offered by the router supplied by the provider too limited, you can often set it to Bridge mode and use a more powerful router without a modem behind it. This way you enjoy the latest Wi-Fi technology, Mesh capability, your own configuration options and, generally, better coverage.

Separating the modem from the router means that the modem transforms the incoming signal from the internet provider into a format understandable to the router. The router uses this signal to connect to the internet and distribute the connection throughout the home network – including Wi-Fi. Complete devices – combined devices like a FRITZ!Box with DSL modem – unify these two components in a single housing. But not every system has or needs a combined device.

Routers without a modem receive the internet via an external modem: This external modem can be, for instance, a fibre optic modem (ONT) which the provider installed, or a cable modem supplied by the cable provider. To this modem's LAN output socket you can connect your own router, which then takes over the network functions. The advantage of this division of labour is added flexibility. You can use the modem from the provider, but are free to select the router that manages your home network the way you want.

In many cases this brings added future security, since changing your type of connection entails exchanging only the modem, while you can keep the router you configured. For instance, you could operate a FRITZ!Box router without a modem on a cable modem today, and use the same router on a new fibre optic ONT tomorrow without having to rebuild the entire network.

There are a few common application scenarios in which routers without a modem are the perfect solution.

You have a fibre optic connection and your provider installed an ONT that transforms the signal. This ONT provides you with a LAN socket – ideal for the FRITZ!Box 4690, for instance, which receives the signal and routes it to your home network. This way you enjoy Wi-Fi 7, Mesh and all benefits of the FRITZ!Box on your fibre optic connection.

Your cable provider may supply a simple cable modem by default, or a router you can operate in bridge mode. Here's where a wireless router of your own comes in: you connect a FRITZ!Box 4050, for instance, to the cable modem by LAN. The modem conducts the internet connection and the FRITZ!Box takes care of routing, the firewall and Wi-Fi. This setup is often chosen when the router supplied by the provider does not offer all the functions desired, or when it's Wi-Fi is not strong enough. Your own router can then considerably improve performance and range.

Many users prefer to supply the router supplied by the internet provider for data privacy or performance reasons. In some cases the provider router cannot be removed completely, but it can be set to modem operation and your own router added downstream. This gives you complete control of your home network, letting you configure your own settings while you use the provider router as a pure modem.

In all of these scenarios FRITZ!Box routers without a modem show their strengths: powerful Wi-Fi, Mesh support, simple operation and many extras, to optimize your home network – regardless of the access technology used upstream.

Routers without a modem often score points with better performance and the latest technology, because the hardware is concentrated entirely on Wi-Fi performance and routing. This means that separate routers often include more functions and achieve greater Wi-Fi range and higher speeds.

A good example is the FRITZ!Box 4690, a pure wireless router with Wi-Fi 7 and a 10-gigabit WAN port, technology that is not included in many combined devices from providers. You also gain independence from the provider, enjoy complete control of your settings, receive new updates automatically, and do not have to rely on the provider's support for advanced configurations.

In terms of future security you stay flexible with a router without a modem, since its function is independent of technology so that it can be used even when the type of connection changes: downstream from a cable modem today, downstream from a fibre modem tomorrow. The modular structure is another plus, because you can replace the modem or the router separately if either device is old or becomes defective.

On the other hand, configuration is somewhat more complicated than for a plug-and-play combined device, since you have to wire both devices, may have to configure bridge mode in the modem, and enter account information in the the router manually. This requires some know-how, but can be managed easily using our helpful instructions. Another aspect is slightly higher energy consumption, because the modem and router operate separately. The latest FRITZ!Box hardware may work energy efficiently and reduce consumption when loads are low, but there are still two devices active.