CAT Fiber Internet service ... Recommended Router to buy and use.

Modest budget and higher cost budget recommendations ... Thank you

If you are subscribing to direct FIBER service (FTTx) then the Internet Service Provider usually provide the Fiber Optic Router, unless they use a "Media Converter" to adapt the fiber signal into another topology. They need to provide first device so the service can be converted from Fiber to Ethernet.

If you don't like the Router they provide, they can usually set it into BRIDGE Mode and you can use almost any Ethernet Router you like.

At my site, ToT installed a media converter, which has a digital Ethernet output (RJ45) which can connect to basically every router.

In this case really only a router is necessary,

Buying full blown "access points" with modem and router is a waste of money.

Can be used, but configured to be a router only.

Sorry, no idea about CAT.

There are precious few fiber modem/routers out there. Fiberhome is the one that seems to get supplied most often, with I think a Huawei out there too. I've seen that D-Link has a fiber modem/router but I've never seen one anywhere.

I guess my question to the OP is; what exactly are you looking for? Are you simply looking for a separate router for another reason, extra wireless, DNS, port forwarding etc, in which case you can do that several ways. Take what CAT gves you, either run it in Bridge mode and enter the user credentials in whatever router you connect, or simply us it route mode, then use your attached router of choice as a Access Point

Thank you all for your posts... The problem (my friend's problem) got resolved - finally after two weeks of arguing with CAT service. They provided the original Fiber 'router'/ connection ... and it went bad- kept disconnecting on any file download... to the point that no successful download could be done. Initially CAT refused to replace the router - kept telling her to buy her own. And stuck with that stance -- I am not sure why they finally gave in ... she must have made some calls ... Upstairs... They finally gave in and brought her a used router - older model.

She didn't know what to buy -thus the reason for my post. Thank you again.

Still sounds very odd.

While CAT could terminate the Fiber Connection with a Media Converter (Fiber to Ethernet), they should still supply a functional router if that's part of the contract. If it wasn't part of the contract, then so long as they terminated the connection with Ethernet *ANY* Router would do so long as it had the feature list required by the users on the site (Gateway Router, NAT, DHCP server, WiFi, etc) to service the connected devices.

I really dislike hearing when an ISP can't/won't provide final service as contracted.

Still sounds very odd.

While CAT could terminate the Fiber Connection with a Media Converter (Fiber to Ethernet), they should still supply a functional router if that's part of the contract. If it wasn't part of the contract, then so long as they terminated the connection with Ethernet *ANY* Router would do so long as it had the feature list required by the users on the site (Gateway Router, NAT, DHCP server, WiFi, etc) to service the connected devices.

I really dislike hearing when an ISP can't/won't provide final service as contracted.

I believe her story... I too do not know why in such a relatively small market area -- Krabi Town and Ao Nang... that any ISP -- CAT in this case would not understand that Farangs are going to tell everyone in earshot... Now at least 2000 people who read the Krabi/Ao Nang Locals FB group post know of her foul treatment. I suppose she initially - after asking nicely for help and they delayed - she became irritated ... and in reaction they 'got their back up' and refused to service their own router. Then finally bring her a older used model. Not a way to encourage new business from referrals.