Do I Need a New WiFi Router

Recently, my internet connection has been intermittent. I have contacted my ISP. They inform me that the fault isn't there's. I live in the UK and my connection is through a British Telecom (BT) landline. My ISP has told me that there is currently a problem at the local BT exchange.

My ISP has promised to send me a new router to help with the problem. They're offering to supply it for free and they said they'd have remote access over it. Now I guard my privacy fiercely and am suspicious about the router. They've been my telephone and internet provider for 8 years so no good reason for them to provide me with a free router. If the fault with the internet connection is at a third party's exchange the router won't solve the problem, unless I'm missing something???!!! What sort of control could they have over my router? They say it's so they can adjust its settings if there's problems. Am I wrong or right to be suspicious? I can't see the reason for a new router if it isn't the problem. I currently have my own and purposefully purchased a good make. Why would they want remote access to my router?

 

I don't know much about the service set up. My provider originally told me they are a retailer who purchase their service from BT Wholesale. I've just checked the BT Openreach web site for any known issues. It says there is an issue in my area but that the engineers haven't identified the cause of the problem.