A wifi extender with a KPN, Ziggo or Odido modem: what works together?

Three ways to extend your wifi

With a modem from your provider you have three options:

1. Your provider's wifi points. KPN, Ziggo and Odido offer their own extra points for their modems. They form one network with the modem and the provider supports them.
2. A separate wifi extender from another brand. It connects to your modem's wifi and passes it on. This works with nearly any modem.
3. Your own router or mesh system behind the modem. Your system then takes over the wifi and the provider's modem only handles the internet connection.

Which one fits depends on the size of your home and how much you want to set up. The difference between a repeater, mesh and access points is in the guide Repeater, mesh or access point.

A wifi extender from another brand

TP-Link writes that its range extenders work with any standard wireless router. You pair them by pressing the WPS button on the router and on the extender within about two minutes. TP-Link does warn that some provider modems have WPS switched off by default. Then you switch WPS on in the modem, or pair the extender through its app or web page with the wifi name and password.

AVM has its own instructions for pairing a FRITZ!Repeater with a router from another maker, also via WPS. So its repeaters work with routers of other brands too. Examples in the catalogue are the TP-Link RE605X, the TP-Link RE705X, the FRITZ!Repeater 1200 AX and the Netgear Nighthawk EAX17.

Such an extender is an extra transmitter next to the modem, not part of your provider's mesh system. Place it halfway between the modem and the room with poor wifi, not at the edge of the signal.

KPN: SuperWifi or your own extender

KPN sells and rents its own SuperWifi points. According to KPN they only work with a KPN modem, and not every generation fits every modem: KPN says SuperWifi 1 and the older Experia Wifi do not work with the Box 14. So first check which KPN Box you have.

If you don't want SuperWifi, a separate extender from another brand works with a KPN Box too, via WPS or the app. KPN also offers free modem choice: you may use your own modem or router. On fibre, KPN says you then need your own fibre box (ONT), and for TV your router must support IGMP.

Ziggo: SmartWifi pods or bridge mode

Ziggo has its own SmartWifi pods for its modem. If you prefer your own router or mesh system, you put the Ziggo modem in bridge mode. According to Ziggo you do this yourself in the Vodafone & Ziggo app under Service, Internet. In bridge mode the modem no longer provides wifi, the SmartWifi pods stop working and three of the four LAN ports stop working: you connect your own router to LAN port 1 or the 2.5 Gbps port. Ziggo says bridge mode is not possible on a fibre modem.

Behind a modem in bridge mode you connect a mesh system such as the TP-Link Deco X50, the FRITZ!Mesh Set 4200 or the ASUS ZenWiFi BD4. That system then handles the wifi throughout the house.

Odido: Wifi Plus or your own modem

Odido offers its own mesh solution, Wifi Plus. On its page about using your own modem, Odido writes that you may use your own modem and install it yourself, and that Odido can't help you install Wifi Plus if you use your own modem. A separate extender from another brand pairs with the modem's wifi here as well.

Your own modem: what the ACM says

According to the ACM, European rules mean customers must be able to choose their own modem or router. In the Netherlands those rules apply since 28 January 2022. So you don't have to use your provider's box. Your own modem must suit your connection: cable, DSL or fibre. The catalogue includes, for example, the FRITZ!Box 6670 Cable for cable and the FRITZ!Box 5530 XGS-PON for fibre. On fibre the modem must also suit the type of fibre network: going by its name, the 5530 XGS-PON is for an XGS-PON connection. Ask your provider which type you have. All modems and routers are under routers.

Mesh across brands: EasyMesh

The Wi-Fi Alliance has EasyMesh: a standard that lets several access points form one network, also from different makers, as long as they are all EasyMesh certified. If EasyMesh is not listed for both your modem and your extender, don't count on them forming one mesh.