LandlineFREE - Dropping Ma Bell For Good

Yes, that's right, a special router is NOT required for Rogers Talkspot and Fido UNO. You just need a plain 802.11b/g router. I'm not sure what the encryption options/setup are required, but in general, any router should do.

The main problems are, you'll probably need to do more configuring if you want to use your own router, and if you have problems with your router, Rogers or Fido may not be able to help you. But if you're a technical person (or know one), you should be able to keep your router.

HOWEVER, you might want to get the Fido/Rogers Voice-optimized router anyway, and here's why. The whole reason for the voice-optimized router is that when you send/receive a phone call, it automatically gives your phone call priority over the internet over other people that are, say, downloading at all hours of the day. You'll still be able to use the internet, but downloads will slow down only while you're making/receiving a call.

So, that's why they're pushing these routers, because they know that people will either have trouble configuring everything (it's hard enough as it is) and they know that people like to use their internet connection a lot and that can cause problems with a voice conversation where things simply can't afford to be delayed by, say, 5 seconds. Lag is a big concern, so the voice-optimized router tries to ensure the right stuff gets through at the right time for everyone's benefit.

I think the routers they are giving out are pretty good, so I'd say take one if it is indeed free for you. Linksys is pretty well known for making good routers that are up to the challenge and highly configurable.