I'm currently in the difficult situation of trying to contact Telstra for support but am unable to due to the fact that NBN services require the Gateway Max modem/router to actually WORK in order to use phone/internet for support services.
Almost weekly, I have been experiencing disruptions to my NBN fixed wireless service, which affects me significantly given the fact that I have a server sitting behind my Gateway Max modem/router unable to do anything because it doesn't have any access to the internet.
After logging into the router configuration page, I can clearly see that it is attempting to lease a DHCP address from Telstra (says DHCP connecting), but is unable to lease the address after a significant period of time. I have found that a hard reset to factory settings (not a restart) fixes the issue instantly, however, is unfeasable due to the extensive range of settings that have to be then reconfigured to suit my requirements. (Remember, I am talking about the WAN DHCP address and not the local DHCP)
I have tried restarting the modem/router, but without success. Would upgrading to a static IP address fix the issue, as I currently have a dynamic IP address connected to a dynamic DNS service? Or would using an alternate modem/router not issued by Telstra fix the issue?
The issue doesn't resolve itself overnight (sometimes I have been without internet/phone for an entire week, because I am too reluctant to lose my port forwarding/DHCP static lease settings), but instead only once I have performed the reset.
I assume that the issue is with a recent firmware update by Telstra which has crippled the device, as resetting it to the factory firmware fixes the issue until it is automatically updated by Telstra.
This issue should NOT be happenning, and is as a result of Telstra deliberately crippling these devices (TG799vac) with their untested firmware updates. I am now considering switching to an alternate ISP - iiNET seem much better and at least their services actually WORK.