The review concerns a Cosmote FTTH connection and therefore applies to Cosmote subscribers.
Initially, for those interested in connecting the router directly to the fiber optic socket, this is possible. The box includes an SC/APC cable (the thick fiber optic cable you probably already have) to LC/APC (smaller and slimmer than SC) as the SPF module (the fiber optic port) accepts an LC/APC connector.
The first step is to activate the Fiber connection. If your provider has given you a separate ONT (a box where the fiber optic cable connects first and then Ethernet comes out for the router), you need to find and note its serial number as it will need to be entered into the FritzBox. It is usually on a sticker on the ONT as well as on its box (if you haven't thrown it away). The serial is in the form ALCLxxxxxxx.
To enter the serial, go to the side menu Help and Info and at the bottom Fritz!Box Support and then find the PON PLOAM option. After entering the serial and clicking Apply Setting, the router will be able to join the network.
Then, after waiting a little while for it to synchronize with the fiber, you can go to the side menu Wizards and "Configuring the Internet Connection". If you have connected the fiber directly to the Fritz, you should select "Using Fiber Optic for Internet Access". If you bought the router from an official AVM reseller, it will probably already have the COSMOTE profile installed.
In the next step, which says Account Information, if you have selected the COSMOTE profile, the details like [email protected] will already be filled in. You do not need to change anything at this point as your personal details will be automatically retrieved later via TR-369, so you can simply click Next.
At this stage, the internet should work. If for some reason it doesn't, your connection is probably IPv6 native. You should go to the side menu Internet and then to the IPv6 tab. If the "Use native IPv6 connection" setting is selected, make sure to enable the "Automatically determine IPv4 connectivity" box. (do this only if you don't have internet, otherwise it's not necessary).
Finally, for telephony, you need to apply to Cosmote to be sent the SIP code (call 13888 to ask about the process). Note that after you complete the process and send the required application, they will send you the code via SMS. This code must be activated within 30 minutes, otherwise it expires. I recommend doing the process after waiting a while from the time you activated and have internet so the router has time to get the correct internet settings (wait about 15 minutes).
Assuming you have the code and it is valid. You need to go to the side menu "Telephone Numbers and New Telephone Number". In the Telephony provider option, select "Other provider". In the Phone number for registration* field, enter your landline in the format +30xxxxxxxxxx, while in the Internal phone number in the FRITZ!Box** field, enter the number again without the +30. In the Account Information, enter as Username [email protected], the same in the Authentication name. The Password field is the code you received from Cosmote, while in the Registrar and Proxy server fields, enter ims.otenet.gr.
Below, in Additional Settings, enable "Use phone number for registration" and "Always register via an internet connection checkbox" and click Next and Next again. You should get a green indicator that the number has been activated and everything is OK.
In conclusion, FritzBox routers offer stable internet and telephony with many additional settings that the provider's router may not offer (such as DECT, which works properly, or Wi-Fi 7, for example) with fewer line interruptions and supporting more devices without any problem. However, I do not recommend it for a complete beginner as mobile phone companies will not provide assistance in case of a fault or for its configuration and setup.
