Infinity install engineer visit questions...

Hello all,

I wonder if somebody could help me please?

I was thinking of having BT infinity installed at my Parent's address. I live 100 miles away and can't easily be there for the engineer install.

* I don't suppose they do a DIY install option as I'm more than capable?
* If they don't offer a DIY jobby is it possible to arrange a weekend install?
* On the BT website it states that the engineer will want to install a load of software on a computer. There will be no computer available and the service will be used by tablets/phones.= only. Will the guy be able to set it up using his laptop?

Many thanks indeed to anybody who is able to help me with these questions

Most 'Infinity' installs these days ARE self install. You order and an Openreach engineer connects the line to the correct port. You set up the rest at home on the given date.

If you do go the engineer install route the installer will not want to install any software. The will happily give a demo using their smartphone, or make a wireless connection on one wireless device.

Easy.

Have they got broadband now, with a combo modem/router? If they have, an Infinity install just needs them to plug in the new modem/router instead. And wait a few minutes for the light to go whatever the colour is on BT Home Hubs these days. Blue, I think.

Edit: Ah, if they use any wireless connections then those need resetting.

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 27-Aug-16 18:23:02)

I'm not sure exactly what triggers a home visit install nowadays. One thing that usually will is if a line fault is detected on the line test that is carried out when the service or ordered.

Other than that it could be if a conversation has taken place between the customer and a call centre and they've decided the current location of the socket is of no use to their customer.

Interested in where on the BT website it says the engineer will install software on your computer.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Interested in where on the BT website it says the engineer will install software on your computer.

The OP might of been told this option verbally over the phone.

When I made our order for FTTP on Aug 12th I was told on the phone by BT Fibre to the Home team that where we are ordering FTTP Option 4 (300/20) the engineer could also setup a basic Wired LAN Network if needed along with some other stuff.

I was like thinking yeah right, good luck there LOL, luckily we already have our whole home networked up.

Maybe I was offered this due to Gavin Patterson getting involved? who knows.

Also the OP might be referring to the BT NetProtect Plus software, but then again who wants McAfee installed on their PC.

Paul

Hi all and thank you for your replies.

The engineer installation is described here...

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/36967...

...and it states.. "The engineer will also help you install the set-up disk on your computer. This disk contains important tools to help you set up your email and any wireless connection, and to find and fix problems."

I'd rather no BT software at all was installed on any computer if it's OK with you Mr. Engineer thank you very much.

The premises already has a filtered ADSL NTE5 faceplate as a master socket - OK I admit some back-ending has been going on

Is that socket going to be adequate for FTTC or will Mr. Engineer have to replace it?

The heading of your link is "How is BT Infinity installed (engineer installation)?"

That used to be the only way it was installed. The default now is self-install - they send a Home Hub with a dangly filter and a couple of cables or so. With very easy instructions.

Have you/they specifically ordered an engineer install, or just "ordered".

The filtered ADSL NTE5 will work but the latest VDSL2 filters are better. The "back-ending" that worked for ADSLx could very well be far from good for FTTC (VDSL2), which is a far more delicate beastie when it comes to home wiring.

Be prepared to have to alter the wiring if the speeds are bad. Several of us can help, once given a clear description of what has been done.

Importantly, is there any star wiring, and is this now the actual master, or are there two, or is the master remote and the NTE5 in use has had its guts removed so is just a fancy extension socket? How many extensions in total are there and how are they connected to what?

Are ring wires (Terminal 3) connected anywhere?

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 28-Aug-16 00:34:46)

Nope, the CP can order a 'Premium Service Wrap' and have then engineer fit ethernet leads. These will be surface mounted in the the same way they would run a telephone extension. This service is only available on the 330 product I believe.

A possible route may be for your parents having VDSL installed as usual; possibly engaging a local computer type, say from a local shop, to ensure that the installation is functioning properly.

Subsequently, you leave an older PC at your parents, with a remote control program such as TeamViewer installed, connected permanently to the installation by Ethernet Cable, with the program running permanently from boot-up.

You could then readily assist your parents in degree at any time, logging in remotely etc.

----

The costs would be significantly less than doing a 200 mile round trip, several times, say 5 gallons of petrol costing about £25; and with SKYPE etc added, giving you greater, immediate contact with your parents, both socially and for technical support

Teamviewer is great for saving 200 mile round trips to do family support, set it all up and train them about the yellow ethernet cable between PC and router.

Most issues tend to be PC software related, e.g. misunderstood anti-virus messages that make people panic etc

I don't think that sentence about the disc should be on the website. Openreach engineers aren't told to install any software and BT Retail aren't paying Openreach to do it. It just won't happen.

On a Managed Install they will put the router where you want it, and will have to find a way of getting cabling to that location. Whether it's a data extension from the NTE5 or just relocating the NTE5 itself. When it's all tested they'll just check it works on one computer, helping you put the wifi password in if you need help. That's it.

If you start talking to the Openreach engineer about a setup disc I guarantee you he won't have he foggiest what you're on about so don't worry about it

Edited by deleted (Sun 28-Aug-16 11:13:08)

.... and now I come to think of it, does the router even ship with a disc these days ??

There is the Godawful 'smart set up' which comes from the router, but who has ever used that ?

Two years back when I upgraded to VDSL, there was no disk with the EE Bright Box 2 Modem/Router, the necessary software being embedded in the BB2.

The one thing that would have been useful was being given the time for the installation s/w performing all its functions, about 5 minutes.

Otherwise everything went smoothly, with minimal, but obvious, input required.

Did not get a CD in my HH5 box, was just plug and play and the parental control nags as you first use a browser on different devices

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Nope, the CP can order a 'Premium Service Wrap' and have then engineer fit ethernet leads. These will be surface mounted in the the same way they would run a telephone extension. This service is only available on the 330 product I believe.

Ah, ok.

This is what it said for the engineer visit on our order:
bt_wbc_fttp_sbs_premium service wrap

We picked 300 / 20 Infinity Option 4.

Paul

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Did not get a CD in my HH5 box, was just plug and play and the parental control nags as you first use a browser on different devices

Agreed.

All I got in the Smart Hub (HH6) box was the following:
1: The Smart Hub.
2: User Guide.
3: Yellow Ended Ethernet Cable (wired Connection).
4: Red Ended Ethernet Cable (WAN Connection).
5: Power Supply
6: Extra Sticker with details.

And that was it, no disc nothing, I think the Net Protect Plus requires the user to download from the link on the BT Site.

I only had issues when I disabled the built in DHCP Server and for some reason it still validates that range even when its not in use.
Apart from that it seems fine, slightly higher sync connection speed, but with a higher latency.

But still using it on our ADSL2+ connection while we wait for the engineer visit for our FTTP over the next 2 weeks.

Paul

In reply to a post by VWGolfman:

Hello all,

I wonder if somebody could help me please?

* On the BT website it states that the engineer will want to install a load of software on a computer. There will be no computer available and the service will be used by tablets/phones.= only. Will the guy be able to set it up using his laptop?

Many thanks indeed to anybody who is able to help me with these questions

If there is no computer available then imo no software can be installed.
Depending on how the tablets are used [wifi or Ethernet] they can be installed by the OP and I guess the phones can just be plugged in as normal.?
So when the FTTH is active the OP can do the above at any time.?

The OP is talking about FTTC.

FTTH came in later as a side-issue.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

The OP is talking about FTTC.

FTTH came in later as a side-issue.

Thanks RobertoS I thought the OP was on FTTH, but would the same apply to FTTC.?

Largely . But that's what the thread is basically about. That unless an engineer visit has been ordered for FTTC installation there won't be an engineer turning up anyway.

The poster that mentioned FTTP had ordered it + the Premium Service Wrap. Which is apparently only available on FTTP.