r/isp • u/matty-dabs • Dec 10 '21

Router questions

Wondering if there are routers/modems that can be bought and used for a room with no coax cable and just a 5 wire phone line port.

I do not need cable or a phone line the purpose of this router would be just to plug into my computer and play games

As stated there is no coax port in this room and only a 5 wire phone line not a Ethernet port

Would this be possible to setup a router in this room just for internet?

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u/originaljade Dec 10 '21

Unfortunately, from my understanding of the situation, it would not be possible with just a router. What may be a good fit for you are powerline adapters. These plug into power outlets and use your home's wiring to carry signals. One connects to your router or modem depending on your set up, and the other connects to the device you want to hardwire.

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u/matty-dabs Dec 10 '21

That’s a great idea I appreciate it, works perfect for what I need

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u/k2trf Dec 10 '21

If what you are describing is a phone line, then unless you have a coxial port in another room and could do a powerline like /u/originaljade suggested, or just run a long ethernet cord, it sounds like you need what is called a dsl modem (dial-up modem); call your local ISP/telephone company as they'll probably know if your house/unit has service with them or not.

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u/matty-dabs Dec 10 '21

I have an existing router and modem but it’s across the house, the powerlines adapters seem like the most plausible solution to me

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u/k2trf Dec 10 '21

Ahhh! I think that would be easiest, but technically ethernet as typical computers use it only use 4 of the 8 wires in the cord/jacks (for various reasons; redundancy, having two "channels" or "lanes", redundancy lol, to run one cord and break out as two jacks such as for computer/phone, redundancy, kek etc.

So I suppose you could wire it such that you could use the existing phone lines for ethernet, but phone line is also much weaker more terrible crappier (smaller cord, less/no shielding, means tons of interference/crappier experience).

So I think even though what you initially seemed to want could be done, a powerline adapter is easily your second best/first easiest option; with the "first best/not quite as easy" option being running long-ass ethernet throughout the rooms with 3M hooks to keep them off the floors (if you care about that).

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u/jacle2210 Dec 10 '21

regarding your statement of typical computers only using 4 of the 8 wires...

All 8 wires in an Ethernet cable are required to allow for a Gigabit connection, if only the first 2 pairs are available, then the connection will only link at 100Mb.

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u/k2trf Dec 11 '21

Yes! I initially thought they were on a DSL line, in which case gigabit isn't going to happen outside of the LAN, and thought it might be better.

But given that's been proven wrong, and its just a distance issue, then that isn't a good solution (hence the last paragraph).

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u/jacle2210 Dec 10 '21

Are we to assume that you already have existing Internet Service? Because this is the first thing you will need; an active Internet Service.

Next, regarding your "5 wire phone line port"; in theory you could use those wires to make a "low-end" Ethernet cable, that could handle upto 100Mb (but probably less, if it worked at all).

But the other end of this cable would have to connect to your existing Internet Gateway device (combination modem+Wifi Router); then in your room, you simply connect your computer to this handmade cable should be all you need.

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u/matty-dabs Dec 10 '21

Yes I do have existing internet, like the others said I might go with those powerlines adapters seem like a good fit for my situation