Product Reviews

AVM's Fritz!Box Fon WLAN 7140 is an ADSL2+ modem with built-in VoIP telephony and a USB port for sharing a printer or storage. The router also connects to your regular telephone line, so you can continue to make standard phone calls as well. AVM provides all the cables you need in the box, including a special cable that connects to the router's ADSL port. This splits into two separate plugs that connect to your ADSL connection and your standard telephone line.

Configuring the router is surprisingly easy, thanks to the excellent CD-based setup wizard. This takes you through physically connecting the router, to setting up your internet connection and a secure wireless network.

Performance was excellent. Using a Centrino laptop speeds at 1m were amazing, and it managed 6.21Mbit/s at 25m, which shows that this router has great range and stability. We also tested with the Friz!WLAN USB Stick to take advantage of the router's 125Mbit/s turbo mode. This adaptor has a special trick that makes it easy to use: plug it into the back of the router to get the current wireless settings, then into your PC to transfer them. Throughput

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was quick, except at 25m. The 2.13Mbit/s we achieved was worse than with our Centrino notebook, but still fast enough for web browsing.

Configuring the router's advanced features is easy via the simple web-based management. VoIP requires a SIP account. There are details of the free www.sipgate.co.uk service in the box, but you can use any alternative service. By default, both phone ports use the same SIP service, but you can connect to two SIP accounts and give each port its own telephone number.

Dialling rules let you choose when to call out on your regular telephone line. The default rule diverts 999 calls out this way, but it's easy to set your own rules specifying how you want to make calls, such as dialling a 6 to use the landline. The router prioritises phone calls automatically using quality of service.

The router's USB port can be used for basic file sharing when USB storage is attached. It's easy to configure and can be username- and password-protected. Alternatively, a printer can be connected and shared over the network. Child-protection features let you set the times your children can go online, but we recommend dedicated web-filtering software, too. A firewall is built in as standard and is impossible to turn off, which helps keep your network protected.

There are all the features you'd expect on a router, such as UPnP support, which can be turned on independently for device discovery and firewall reconfiguration, and Port Forwarding.

This is an excellent performer and has a stunning range of extra features. However, unless you're going to use VoIP, it is expensive and Linksys's WAG325N is a better choice.