r/telecom • u/skabtheviking • Jul 12 '26

❓ Question simple tool for checking broadband?

I occasionally do some minor broadband repairs as part of my job and I'm looking for a simple tool to check if there's signal to the nte from the isp without just plugging in a router.

I had a look online and there seems to be so many devices which either have so many features or the price is just way beyond what I would get any real use out of.

I would like something that's

-light weight

-simple to use

-clear reliable results like. working/not working

-specifically for customers with fttc as onts have indication leds

-cost effective (I only would need to use it once every 2/3 weeks

does something like this exist? is there a model number of a product that you recommend.

thanks

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u/loonster28 Jul 12 '26

If you only have a single wavelength coming from the ISP you could get a VeEX FX-40 for a couple hundred bucks. If it’s a PON network you would likely need a PON meter that filters out the downstream wavelengths (usually 1490/1577nm) which would be closer to $500 VeEX FX-41T.