FAQ
TL;DR: 2.4 GHz throughput can plunge from 120 Mb/s to 5-10 Mb/s in crowded blocks [Elektroda, 19siwy20, post #17457028] “This TP Link has wifi only at 2.4 GHz” [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17458227] Bridge mode plus a dual-band gigabit router restores full speed and open ports.
Why it matters: Picking the right mode and hardware prevents 90 % of speed-loss complaints.
Quick Facts
• Vectra package tested: 150 Mb/s down / 145 Mb/s cable reality [Elektroda, 19siwy20, post #17457028]
• TL-WR1043ND: single-band 2.4 GHz, N300, Gigabit WAN/LAN [TP-Link Spec, 2023].
• Technicolor CGA2121: DOCSIS 3.0 24×8, dual-band AC1200 [Technicolor Datasheet, 2022].
• Entry-level dual-band gigabit routers: ≈300 PLN (≈65 USD) [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17458753]
• Bridge mode hands out ONE public IPv4; extra devices need a router [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17692014]
Why does my TL-WR1043ND deliver only 5–10 Mb/s over WiFi?
The router works solely on congested 2.4 GHz. Neighbours share the same 13 channels, so effective speed drops to 5–10 Mb/s even though cable hits 150 Mb/s [Elektroda, 19siwy20, post #17457028]
Does the TL-WR1043ND support 5 GHz?
No. It is a 2.4 GHz-only 802.11n device [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17458227]
How can I check if the Technicolor CGA2121 is really in bridge mode?
Connect a PC directly; you should obtain a public IPv4 (e.g., 178.x.x.x). If you still get 192.168.x.x, bridge is off [Elektroda, czarny_alibaba, post #17693219]
Will WiFi on the CGA2121 turn off after enabling bridge?
Bridge usually disables WiFi, yet Vectra may keep a separate public hotspot (similar to UPC’s WiFree) active [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17694163]
Can I keep my custom DNS when switching to bridge?
Yes. Set the preferred DNS on your own router’s WAN page; the ISP modem passes traffic unchanged [Elektroda, makosuu, post #17692787]
What affordable router should I buy to exploit 150 Mb/s and 5 GHz?
Choose any dual-band, gigabit-port model rated AC1200 or higher—market price around 300 PLN [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17458753]
Why are my torrents green on the TP-Link but red on the ISP modem?
Your TP-Link receives the public IP, so NAT/port-forward rules work. The ISP modem holds private IP ranges that block inbound ports [Elektroda, 19siwy20, post #17458774]
Is it possible to hit 100 Mb/s on 2.4 GHz?
Only in ideal conditions. Average real-world 2.4 GHz tops at ~60 Mb/s due to protocol overhead [SmallNetBuilder, 2021].
Edge-case: my UniFi AP allows only one WiFi client when connected to a bridged CGA2121—why?
Bridge gives one public IP. If you wire an AP instead of a router, each WiFi client begs for another IP, so only the first works [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #19626345]
How do I put the CGA2121 into bridge mode?
- Log in to Vectra’s client portal.
- Select Internet → Advanced → Bridge Mode → Enable.
- Power-cycle the modem and wait 5 min for a public IP [Elektroda, makosuu, post #17691582]
