ᐅ Internet Connection – Where Should the Router Be Installed? In the Utility Room?

Hello everyone,

I’m having trouble understanding my telecom connection. I’m a bit stuck, but it might not be that complicated.

Situation:
The telecom socket is in the utility room. I believe these are called TAE sockets. I also have one of these in the living room. There are LAN cable outlets in several rooms.

Where should the router be placed? In the utility room? Would that mean my telephone also needs to be moved to the utility room?
Or can I just use the TAE socket in the living room?
Or is it enough to just plug in the LAN cable and get online (just talking about the internet connection here)?

I know it’s probably not a big deal, but right now I’m confused.
I still need to get a router for Wi-Fi. Can I use any router I want? Telekom naturally wanted to sell me their latest one for about 120 EUR.

So many questions...

That depends on your specific wiring. If the TAE socket in the living room is looped through, the router can be connected directly there. If that doesn’t work, alternatively, the TAE socket from the main distribution frame (HAR) can be routed via LAN cable to another room. Simply plug in an adapter cable and connect the router to the LAN outlet in the other room. However, if there is only one LAN port in that room, further distribution within the house is no longer possible because that cable is already in use.

Regarding the router: it simply needs to support the standard you want to use. Assuming (V)DSL, any DSL router supports speeds up to 16 Mbit, almost every current model supports up to 50 Mbit, and for speeds of 100 Mbit or higher, you should carefully choose the model. This information is in the respective specifications. Any additional features you need (GbE LAN, telephone functions, etc.) must be provided by the router.

Let’s get started. Basically, I’m assuming a standard telecom VDSL connection.

The router can be placed either in the utility room or in the living room. Each option has its pros and cons.

Router in the utility room:
- Direct connection to TAE 1
- Direct connection to network switch (if only a few network outlets are leased, connection directly to the router is possible)
- Disadvantage: Wi-Fi is often poor because the utility room is remote (an access point is necessary)
- The living room TAE can be leased to the router (special cable or connector required)
- DECT functionality, like Wi-Fi, might also provide poor coverage throughout the rooms

Router in the living room:
- The living room TAE must be directly connected to TAE 1
- One network outlet in the living room must be routed to the switch in the utility room
- Wi-Fi coverage in the house is usually good since the living room is central (an access point might still be necessary)
- The telephone can be connected directly to the router, and DECT coverage from the living room is generally better

Nowadays, I’m a fan of placing the router in the utility room where the switch is, and distributing everything from there. It also depends on the wiring. I’ve seen a new-build wiring setup where you just want to throw your hands up in disbelief.

You won’t go wrong with a FritzBox. Personally, I wouldn’t choose the top model right now, but rather the 7490. There is a model below that one (I don’t remember the number offhand), but I’m not sure if the features are sufficient.

In our basement, we have the first Telekom TAE socket. From there, we ran the line via network cable to the living room and connected it there to a Fritzbox 7560. From this, a LAN cable goes back down to the basement to the switch. From the switch, the connection continues to the NAS, printer, TV, etc. The phone is also connected to the Fritzbox in the living room.

If you’re not a tech enthusiast, the basic Telekom smart comfort router, or something similar, is more than enough. It’s simple, no unnecessary extras, provides strong Wi-Fi, and looks nice too. Plus, it’s affordable through Amazon.

Wiring and router placement in the center of the house—nothing is more convenient than a good Wehlahn setup. You can walk around the entire house with your device and always have a connection, even in the garden.

Our wiring, the electrician, and I failed to install a proper network. The connection runs from the telecom box in the utility room to a Devolo device, and then there’s another one in the office with the router located centrally in the house, along with the telephone. We registered the second phone with a separate number directly at the router, and it’s placed in the living room. I have DSL 50,000 (50 Mbps), with about 44,000 (44 Mbps) actually reaching me. That’s acceptable. Karsten

@Nordlys Professionals usually keep a 10% reserve. 50 minus 5 equals 45, which is perfectly fine.