In advance of a planned migration of my home Internet access to VDSL2, I received a Belgacom BBox2 modem.
VDLS2 is actually a choice I had to make because ADSL technology is not really able to deliver in my area, due to the distance between my home and the phone exchange. On the other hand, Belgacom has been installing these fiber cabinets in every block recently in the framework of their FTTC project. Hence, a change of technology was needed for me if I wanted a faster Internet access.
The main issue with VDSL2 is the interoperability of equipment. The Broadband Forum is still working on this. As noted by the Belgian regulator IBPT in its latest consultation : “Interoperability between DSLAM and CPE is not guaranteed by an ITU standard and it may be more difficult to achieve due to the differentiation possibilities of the VDSL2 technology”.
Belgacom decided to purchase its VDSL2 equipment from Alcatel-Lucent. That equipment is using Ikanos Fusiv chips. Consequently, Belgacom delivers CPE devices based on the same chipset. There were few at the time when Belgacom chose its platform, so they went for a Sagem F@st 3464 modem, equipped with the Ikanos Fusiv Vx160 processor, which they repackaged (it’s ugly) and rebranded BBox2.
The Sagem box is not such a bad one, according to its specs. Unfortunately, Belgacom decided to design its own version of the firmware to adapt it to their commercial needs. Belgacom is agressively pursuing the triple play market. They wanted a modem that would be able to deliver two high definition TV streams at the same time it delivers Internet access.
The box uses Jungo’s OpenRG firmware , which is Linux-based. And although OpenRG offers lots of features, Belgacom managed to lobotomize it. Gone are the dynamic DNS, 802.11N, and IPv6 features, for example. While the dynamic DNS part is still there, although hidden, the IPv6 stack has been completely removed. Overall, this is the worst job of feature defacing I have seen in years.
As many new CPE devices, the BBox2 can be managed remotely by the telco using the TR-069 protocol. The good side is that it allows the telco to fix critical bugs, without user intervention. The bad side is that it also allows the telco to take complete control on your personal settings. For example, the BBox2 comes pre-configured to use the Belgacom VoIP service. While one can change the settings to use a competing offering, there is nothing that prevents Belgacom to reset the values remotely. Quite worrying from a competition point of view.
Which is why I foresee to move to a AVM Fritz!Box 7570 in the near future. I have had several AVM Fritzes in the past and was always delighted with their features and also the fact that the company is doing real innovation and development, rather than just repackaging someone else’s work. They currently have projects with Dutch ISP XS4All and Luxembourg P&T to deploy IPv6. The Fritz!Box 7570 has all you can expect. In addition to doing the basic work of connecting the home computers to the Internet, it also features a PABX with an integrated DECT base station, that will interact both with your landline but also with several VoIP providers, based on rules you set. The latest beta firmware for the box features complete IPv6 support, which, judging from this screen shot is fairly complete.
The Fritz!Box is based on the Infineon (now Lantiq) XWay Vinax chipset. It remains to be seen if it is compatible with the Ikanos chips in my provider’s infrastructure. At worst, I could use the Belgacom provided modem as a bridge to the Fritz.
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