Ok clever people, over here please!

[MairyHinge]

Ok, so we changed broadband provider from plusnet to talk talk, that's when the air printer packed up, would no longer pick up and wouldn't stay on wifi.
Every time we tried to print a message would come up saying printer and device must be connected to same network.
Just as we thought it was KNACKERED and we'd have to buy a new printer, dh thinks lets just try using the old ( plusnet) router.
Well it's worked, the printer now works fine, we have full broadband, BUT my worry is this.. Talk talk are our broadband provider but we're using a plusnet router, so can anyone tell me if this is ok?
Dh said talk talk are providing the line, it doesn't matter what router you use, but I'm worrying plusnet will send us a bill, and I'm just generally very confused

Is he right? That's the router isn't relevent?

All and any help or advice very gratefully received ??

Your husband is correct. This is absolutely fine. You will not receive any bill from PlusNet. You could replace the PlusNet router with one you buy from PC World if you want and it wouldn't make any difference. The router just sits there and routes traffic. You own it outright. There is no charge for traffic going through the router.

yep - use any router you like... there should be a way to reset the printer to see the other one though...

We never used TalkTalk's router on our broadband when we had it with them.
Is your printer trying to connect to your old network? You may have to connect direct from pc to printer via usb and set the printer up with credentials for the new network.

Thanks all....the options for getting the printer to recognise the new network have all failed, this was our last try and it worked!

Why do they send out a new router then each time you swap provider? It's cost is £6.95 for the delivery of it and of course now we're not using it.
Why don't they say we will send you a router if you need one?

It started a freebie to encourage you to sign with them rather than with another provider who doesn't offer a free router. These days so many providers throw in a free router that it is seen as a competitive disadvantage not to offer one, even though the free router is only really useful if you either haven't got broadband already or your existing router is getting old and needs replacing.

Whilst some allow you to say that you don't need the router, many work on the basis that the cost of sending routers to some customers and not others, coupled with the cost of handling complaints when you get it wrong means that it is easier and cheaper to send a router to everyone regardless.

Thanks prh47bridge
That's a really useful explanation!