- Available for free from iPrimus
- Solid 2.4GHz WiFi reach and penetration
- Reliable performance for internet tasks
- Small 5GHz WiFi footprint
- Potential security concerns
- Comparatively sluggish WiFi 6
Preconfigured networking gear is great for everyday internet users because it simplifies getting online. Instead of messing around with companion apps or a web portal, you power cycle your NBN connection box, connect an Ethernet cable, and you're ready to go. It also makes troubleshooting a more straightforward process with NBN providers that bundle or offer preconfigured networking gear as add-ons.
Modem-routers simplify things even more by being compatible with all NBN technologies, with a DSL port for FTTN and FTTB homes, and a WAN internet port for everyone else. On paper, you can take a modem-router from one NBN provider to another and it should work. The disclaimers, though, come from modem-routers like the Optus Ultra Wi-Fi Gen 2 or the Kaon DG2144 when they make it trickier to input an internet username and password, something that's still required by several NBN providers nowadays.
Before you scroll on to the full breakdown of how the Kaon DG2144 performed in my tests, here's a look at the iPrimus plans you can get it for free with:
|
#1
|
iPrimus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Standard Plus Plan
$90/mth
Min. cost $90
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
iPrimus
FTTP, HFC
Premium Plus Plan
$100/mth
Min. cost $100
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
iPrimus
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Premium Plan
$100/mth
Min. cost $100
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
iPrimus
FTTP, HFC
Home Superfast Plan
$107/mth
Min. cost $107
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
iPrimus
FTTP, HFC
Home Ultrafast Plan
$122/mth
Min. cost $122
Link not supplied
|
And here are the Dodo plans you can bundle it with:
|
#1
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Unlimited Plan
$43.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $213.89
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $227.89
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $232.89
|
|
#4
|
Dodo
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Editor's Pick
nbn100 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $232.89
|
|
#5
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Superfast Plan
$69.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $239.89
|
|
#6
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Ultrafast Plan
$79.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $249.89
|
Home networking equipment is tested in a first-floor apartment with thick WiFi-interfering walls using an FTTC NBN 100/20 connection. The networking device is deliberately placed at one end of the apartment (instead of a central location) to test wireless range and penetration. Basic speed tests are performed at multiple locations inside and outside the apartment, first with a Synology RT6600ax router and then with the networking device being reviewed for comparative results. Everyday, internet tests are also performed with relevant results mentioned for streaming, web browsing, online gaming, video and voice calls, as well as downloading large files and transferring them across devices on the local network.
What we like about the Kaon DG2144
As a modem-router, the Kaon DG2144 can travel with you to any address regardless of the NBN connection type. While it has an $180 RRP, you can feasibly nab the DG2144 for a $0 upfront fee if you bundle it with an NBN plan from iPrimus. Sure, you've got to stick with iPrimus for 18 months to avoid a hardware exit fee, but the positives of the DG2144 look even better when viewed through a $0 lens.
And those positives start with a straightforward setup process, both for iPrimus and Dodo users – the DG2144 will arrive preconfigured – and for anyone else using this Kaon modem-router with an IPoE/DHCP NBN provider. In lay terms, that's any provider that doesn't make you use a username or password to connect to the internet. I tested the DG2144 with an Exetel NBN plan and, after power cycling my FTTC connection box, I was online in a few minutes after connecting the Ethernet cable.
Speaking of cables, Kaon has included everything you need with the DG2144: a DSL cable for FTTB and FTTN users, a power cable, and two colour-coded Ethernet cables. In terms of other ports, there are four gigabit Ethernet, one phone line, and a single USB 3.0 slot for network file sharing.
While there's no companion app, the DG2144's web portal has a logical layout with a respectable emphasis on security. For instance, you'll be prompted to change the web portal password the first time you log in. And if you want to update the WiFi password, you'll be forced to create something secure with a minimum of 10 characters, one upper case letter, one lower case letter, a number, and a special character. You may need a password manager, but you're unlikely to deal with a neighbour leeching off your WiFi.
Whichever location I tested the Kaon DG2144 from, I was impressed with low latency inside and outside my apartment building. The range is also worth commending, thanks to a 2.4GHz wireless band that has some impressive penetration capacities outside the home (and for tackling typical WiFi dead spots). Most importantly, I didn't have any issues with my usual online tasks, including browsing, social media, downloading files, online gaming, voice and video calls, and video streaming.
Routers, modem-routers and mesh WiFi systems are compatible with most NBN connections, including FTTP, HFC, FTTC, Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster satellite. All of these NBN technologies use respective network termination devices (NTDs), which is a fancy term for “connection box” or “modem”. If you live in an FTTB or FTTN home, you’ll need a modem-router to get online. You can still connect a router or mesh WiFi system to a modem-router, but the modem-router first needs to be in bridge mode so it can then connect to a router or mesh WiFi system.
What we dislike about the Kaon DG2144
While the 2.4GHz WiFi band has great reach and penetration on the Kaon DG2144, 5GHz wireless coverage is impractically limited. Effectively, I only had access to the faster 5GHz band in my lounge – the same room as the DG2144 – and not anywhere else, including adjacent rooms under five metres away from the Kaon modem-router. While that might not be an issue for any home with NBN 25 or NBN 50 plans, you will notice the impact to download speed on an NBN 100 plan or faster.
It's particularly disappointing given the Kaon modem-router's slow theoretical 1.5Gbps max combined speeds. That's okay for most NBN users, but it's not going to cut it for faster NBN plans. It doesn't help that the Dodo modem-router feels like it's heading the way of the Dodo in 2025, restricted to 1Gbps max speeds thanks to gigabit Ethernet ports.
Despite Kaon's push for secure passwords, convenience takes a hit. I also have security concerns. The DG2144 defaults to WiFi Protected Access version 2 (WPA2), even though the newer WPA3 is one of the supported settings. More concerning is the lack of any option to update the firmware. I can appreciate that this may not be an issue if it's an iPrimus or Dodo modem-router you're dealing with – ideally, their respective support teams are rolling out firmware updates – but it doesn't bode well for anyone looking to use the DG2144 outside of these providers. Worse is the scarily easy-to-find security exploits for Kaon modem-routers, including the DG2144.
While the DG2144 has a logical web portal interface, there aren't any tool tips or explanations to guide settings tweaks. Sure, I was able to change the WiFi name and password, then update the device's IP address, but most of the other settings required manual input with very little explanation. If you're a more advanced network user, this won't be a deterrent, but some guidance would help encourage tinkering to get the full versatility out of the DG2144.
Speaking of versatility, the DG2144 doesn't have a lot going for it outside of USB file sharing and the option for a home phone line (with the right provider). You can technically get a WiFi extender from Kaon, but that's seemingly relegated to the even older WiFi 5 standard. Similarly, while there is a Quality of Service (QoS) tab – a feature which, at its best, automates finite internet bandwidth for priority tasks – it's all manual inputs in confusing fields. In fairness, the DG2144 appears to at least have some baked-in QoS without tinkering, but while my video streams weren't stopped during my tests, I did notice the quality dip as I used up more of my NBN plan's download bandwidth.
Exetel is an IPoE/DHCP NBN provider, which means I don't need to manually input a username and password to get online whenever I test a new router, modem-router, or mesh WiFi system. Aside from being convenient to me, anyone else with an IPoE/DHCP NBN provider should be able to connect to another zero-credentials provider just by power cycling their networking gear.
That gets a bit trickier if you're with or shifting to a PPPoE NBN provider: one that needs a username and password to get online. For the Kaon DG2144, you can technically move to a credentials-required NBN provider, but there isn't an internet wizard to guide you through the setup process. Instead, here are the steps to follow to input your username and password after you've powered on the DG2144 and connected the Ethernet/DSL cable:
- Open a web browser and punch in the 192.168.1.1 default device IP address.
- Input the DG2144 username and password listed on the bottom of the modem-router.
- Click on the 'Network' tab in the left menu.
- Click on the 'WAN Configuration' sub-menu.
- Find the 'WAN_PPP_Vlan_100+_QoS' option under 'Description' (with a PPPoE 'Service Type'), then click the edit icon under the 'Actions' column.
- Input the internet username and password you got from your NBN provider.
- On the pop-up 'Edit interface' screen, leave the settings unchanged (unless your provider instructs you otherwise).
- Scroll down on the pop-up menu and click 'Save'.
- Click back on the 'Status' tab in the left menu to confirm that you're online (you may have to wait a few minutes).
Kaon DG2144 – Final Thoughts
The Kaon DG2144 is a serviceable modem-router whose pros are bolstered the less you pay for it. As an iPrimus or Dodo modem-router, it'll arrive preconfigured, and you'll also get priority tech support. But while the DG2144 can travel with you to another provider, you may have to dig into the settings to even get online. Couple the web portal weirdness with a WiFi 6 device that's feeling decidedly long in the tooth in the age of WiFi 7, and you're better off going with the TP-Link VX420-G2v or a Telstra Smart Modem if you want a modem-router that can comfortably travel with you.
We consider several factors when reviewing networking equipment, including:
- Type: Router, modem-router or mesh WiFi system. Supported NBN technologies and plan speeds.
- Design: Size, weight and standing options. Internal or external antennae. Available ports, WiFi version, and single, dual or triband wireless.
- Setup: Plug-and-play configurations vs laborious setup. Companion apps and guided setups are a plus.
- Performance: Ethernet and WiFi speed tests for downloads, uploads and latency. Real-time latency test for online gaming, VoIP and/or video calls. Plus, everyday use like downloading, uploading, browsing and streaming.
- Versatility: Band steering (single SSID), quality of service and other features. Ease of configuration, plus mesh expansion.
These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:
|
#1
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
|
|
#2
|
amaysim
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN50
$45/mth
Min. cost $45
|
|
#3
|
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value Plus NBN 50/20
$64.90/mth
Min. cost $64.90
|
|
#4
|
TPG
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$69.99/mth
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Aussie Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value nbn - Unlimited
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Extra-value nbn50/20
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#7
|
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
|
|
#9
|
Kogan Internet
All Fixed Line nbn®
Silver Unlimited
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
|
|
#10
|
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Unlimited Family nbn50
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
|
Nathan Lawrence
Freelance Contributor
Find a better internet plan
Thousands of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
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