4th Utility broadband offers the Icotera i4850-25 as part of its full fibre broadband connection. It comes included at no extra cost, and 4th Utility supply it across their symmetric FTTP packages delivered through XGS-PON or Gigabit fibre. A small number of older contracts still use the Dasan H660, but the i4850-25 is the router that the provider currently supplies for the majority of new installs.

The device is built as a basic Wi-Fi 5 router designed to cover typical homes using 4th Utility’s full fibre connection. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a simple plug-and-play setup routed through the 4th Utility fibre bridge (ONT). Its strengths lie in its ease of installation, consistent wired performance, and low power use. However, it lacks modern Wi-Fi 6 features and does not match the wireless performance offered by many FTTP competitors.

4th Utility Router at a Glance

Model: Icotera i4850-25
Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
Ethernet ports: Four Gigabit LAN ports
WAN: Connects via 4th Utility’s supplied fibre bridge (ONT)
Antennas: Internal
USB ports: None
Wi-Fi features: Band steering, WPA2 security
Through-wall performance: Moderate
Power consumption: Low
Suitable for: Small and medium homes with light-to-moderate wireless use
Not ideal for: Large homes or properties expecting Wi-Fi 6 speeds, very high device counts, or large multi-floor environments

Setup and Installation

4th Utility supply a pre-configured router that is extremely simple to install. The engineer connects the ONT (optical network terminal) first, then links the ONT to the i4850-25 through Ethernet. Wi-Fi comes enabled out of the box, with the network name and password printed on the router label.

Setup steps typically involve:

Power the ONT and router.
Connect the ONT to the router’s WAN port.
Wait for the Wi-Fi lights to turn solid.
Join the Wi-Fi network as shown on the router label.
Optional: Log in to the router interface to change the wireless password or adjust security settings.

The router requires minimal configuration and users rarely need to access advanced settings. However, its interface offers basic tools such as device list, Wi-Fi channel change, and LAN IP settings.

Because the ONT handles the fibre connection separately, troubleshooting is straightforward: if the router loses connection, users can quickly identify whether the issue lies with the ONT, fibre line, or the router.

Performance

The Icotera i4850-25 is a Wi-Fi 5 router, so its wireless speeds never match the full potential of 4th Utility’s symmetric full fibre packages. In practice:

Single-device Wi-Fi speeds often fall between 200–350Mbps at short range.
Speeds drop in larger rooms or behind thick walls, sometimes falling to 60–120Mbps upstairs or across multiple rooms.
The router handles video streaming, web browsing, social media and HD calls without issues.
It can support 4K streaming provided signal strength is good, but multiple 4K streams at long distance may struggle.

Wired performance

On Ethernet, the router performs much better. The four Gigabit LAN ports consistently deliver the full line speed provided by the ONT, including:

900+Mbps download speed on Gigabit packages
Equal upload speed on symmetric plans

Latency remains low, and wired performance suits gaming, home offices, console downloads and smart TVs.

Coverage

Coverage is reasonable for small and medium homes, but the router has:

Limited range compared with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 routers
Average through-wall strength
Weakness in three-storey homes or large detached houses

Users often report on forums that the Wi-Fi signal drops off quickly once you move further from the router. If your home has thick internal walls or long corridors, you may need additional Wi-Fi support.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Included free with all new 4th Utility full fibre installations
Easy to set up with minimal configuration
Offers consistent wired speeds through Gigabit Ethernet
Dual-band Wi-Fi covers small and medium homes
Low power use and compact design
Works well with 4th Utility’s bridge for stable fibre connectivity

Cons

Wi-Fi 5 limits wireless bandwidth on modern devices
No Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 support
Weaker range in larger or multi-floor homes
Lacks USB ports and advanced features
No mesh support built into the router
Wireless speeds often fall short of 4th Utility’s fastest fibre packages

How It Compares With Other Providers’ Routers

BT Smart Hub 2 (Wi-Fi 6)

BT supplies a Wi-Fi 6 router on all full fibre plans. It offers greater wireless speeds, better coverage, and more modern features than the Icotera.

Sky Broadband Hub (Wi-Fi 5)

Sky’s main router uses Wi-Fi 5, but its range and wireless optimisation out-perform the Icotera. Sky’s Wi-Fi Max add-on introduces Wi-Fi 6 mesh as an optional upgrade.

Vodafone Ultra Hub 7 (Wi-Fi 7)

Vodafone’s Pro 3 customers receive a Wi-Fi 7 router, placing it far ahead of the Icotera in wireless capability.

Community Fibre Linksys Mesh (Wi-Fi 6)

Community Fibre includes a Wi-Fi 6 mesh system on most packages, providing stronger home coverage than the Icotera could achieve alone.

Virgin Media Hub 5 (Wi-Fi 6)

Virgin Media’s newest router supports Wi-Fi 6, giving it an advantage in wireless speeds and device handling.

Overall comparison

The Icotera i4850-25 falls behind almost all current UK ISP routers in Wi-Fi technology. It performs reliably on Ethernet but lags in modern wireless capability.

Using Your Own Router or Mesh System

4th Utility officially allow customers to use their own router, either:

Connecting directly to the Icotera i4850-25 (double NAT), or
Using the 4th Utility fibre bridge (preferred), where your own router handles all routing and Wi-Fi.

Common upgrade options include:

Wi-Fi 6 routers such as TP-Link Archer AX55, ASUS RT-AX58U
Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems such as TP-Link Deco X60, Eero 6+
Wi-Fi 7 routers or mesh if you want very high wireless capacity

Using your own router gives you:

Faster Wi-Fi speeds
Stronger wireless coverage
More advanced parental controls
Better device management
Improved performance across multiple floors

Most customers choosing faster 4th Utility packages (500Mbps, 900Mbps, 1Gbps+) will benefit from replacing the Icotera with a modern Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 device.

Is the Icotera i4850-25 Any Good?

The Icotera i4850-25 is fine for basic home use if you have:

A small or medium home
Light-to-moderate wireless use
Only a few connected devices at once
No need for the latest Wi-Fi features

It offers consistent wired performance, straightforward installation, and stable day-to-day operation. But for modern households with many devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, laptops and Wi-Fi 6 phones, the router is outdated.

For a full fibre provider in 2025, the Icotera’s Wi-Fi 5 hardware feels behind the wider market. Most competitors now supply Wi-Fi 6 or even Wi-Fi 7 hardware as part of their packages. Customers who want excellent Wi-Fi coverage or faster wireless speeds should consider upgrading to their own router.

FAQ

Does 4th Utility offer a Wi-Fi 6 router?

No. 4th Utility currently supply the Icotera i4850-25, which is a Wi-Fi 5 router. If you need Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7, you must use your own router via the 4th Utility bridge.

Can I replace the Icotera router completely?

Yes. You can connect your own router to the fibre bridge (ONT) and bypass the Icotera entirely.

Is the Icotera i4850-25 suitable for gaming?

Yes, but only over Ethernet. Wi-Fi performance is decent but limited because it uses Wi-Fi 5.

Will this router deliver my full 900Mbps fibre speed?

Only on wired Ethernet. Wi-Fi 5 is not fast enough to reach the full line speed in most households.

Do I need a mesh system?

If you have a large home or two or more floors, a mesh system will provide stronger coverage than the Icotera alone.

Is this router secure?

Yes. It supports WPA2 wireless security and has standard protection features suitable for home networks.