EU Ecodesign initiative comes into force

[Infinite Chaos]

European Union rules will oblige new networked devices such as modems and internet-connected televisions to switch themselves off when not in use.Many gadgets are connected to the internet 24/7, using 25-100 watts while their owners sleep.
But new devices sold from Thursday will fall to sleep, using a trickle of power when they are not in use. Link.

Strangely, my broadband supplier said I was doing the wrong thing turning off my broadband router when I wasn't connected.

We need some joined up thinking here...

 

[Declan]

All they are doing is a more low-tech version of what smart metering will eventually be in the US. If I turn off my router, I lose my home telephone and wifi service, not that we ever really use it. Not sure why they would not want you to turn off your router though.

 

[PeteEU]

Strangely, my broadband supplier said I was doing the wrong thing turning off my broadband router when I wasn't connected.

We need some joined up thinking here...

Your broadband supplier is correct in principle, but what they dont tell you is that your router is wasting tons of energy just sitting there doing nothing when you are not using it. All you need is to have a router that keeps the connection "alive" and that is only by sending a signal every so often.. which it does. But what is not needed is all the other stuff running while you are not connected. Powering down systems during the night for example would save you quite a bit a year. After all there is no need for the WIFI to be running when you are sleeping correct?

I understand the idea behind this move. Now if they can implement it well enough and not let companies skirt the rules is another matter.

 

[Infinite Chaos]

Not sure why they would not want you to turn off your router though.

Your broadband supplier is correct in principle, but what they dont tell you is that your router is wasting tons of energy just sitting there doing nothing when you are not using it-- SNIP-- After all there is no need for the WIFI to be running when you are sleeping correct?

haha, basically the router admin settings reset every time I turn off at the mains. I have wifi on a daily schedule of about <2 hours a day (morning and evening 45 minute slots) for my eldest son's gaming use

I understand the idea behind this move. Now if they can implement it well enough and not let companies skirt the rules is another matter.

The idea of the initiative sounds great - actual implementation will be something that manufacturers have to comply with properly - I'd rather turn devices off than have them sleep.

 

[PeteEU]

haha, basically the router admin settings reset every time I turn off at the mains. I have wifi on a daily schedule of about <2 hours a day (morning and evening 45 minute slots) for my eldest son's gaming use

Get a new router. It should not do that at all. It should remember all settings.

The idea of the initiative sounds great - actual implementation will be something that manufacturers have to comply with properly - I'd rather turn devices off than have them sleep.

But it would be cool if they could do it themselves no?

 

[Infinite Chaos]

Get a new router. It should not do that at all. It should remember all settings.

I know, I told the provider (as we're still brand new in the contract) but they can't solve the problem. The provider advice forums gave me all sorts of step by step instructions to do this but I don't expect to buy a car and have to tweak a brand new engine to make it work when I paid for a working model to begin with..

 

[PeteEU]

I know, I told the provider (as we're still brand new in the contract) but they can't solve the problem. The provider advice forums gave me all sorts of step by step instructions to do this but I don't expect to buy a car and have to tweak a brand new engine to make it work when I paid for a working model to begin with..

Hmm what provider and what make of router are we talking about? Usually the provider gives you the cheapest out of date router there is. Telefonica here until recently gave out A/B routers only... no G and certainly no N or better routers lol.

 

[Infinite Chaos]

Hmm what provider and what make of router are we talking about? Usually the provider gives you the cheapest out of date router there is. Telefonica here until recently gave out A/B routers only... no G and certainly no N or better routers lol.

We're off track but I just got the problem fixed - it was an auto-configure setting at the provider's end. The router kept checking back and restting itself on a daily basis. Didn't affect broadband or wifi speeds though.

 

[WCH]

broadband rationing