In reply to a post by Zer0:

No Idea; it's just what the TB article says:

What do these changes mean and what is an impacted line? The clue is in the checker text which refers to a bridge tap and wiring issues. In laymans terms an impacted line is one where the VDSL2 service is running slower due to the presence of telephone extension wiring, or other things like non-twisted pair wiring in a home, or bad practice wiring (e.g. not using a coloured pair, but a wire from two different pairs). For the first four years of the FTTC roll-out these issues have largely been avoided, since the engineers arrive and install a filter faceplate and install a dedicated data extension if it was ordered. Once self-install becomes common we expect to see the same wiring issues cropping up that have regularly seen people with ADSL and ADSL2+ getting lower speeds than they should.

So what is to be gained by having a self install? You might save a few bob but forever have a lousy speed. Of course it might not be all coming up roses if a contractor does your installation.

Saves a day off work to wait in for the engineer.

The lousy speed should be fixable, and providers hopefully include a little note about microfilters and buying a VDSL2 faceplate if they want the best performance.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Saves a day off work to wait in for the engineer.

The lousy speed should be fixable, and providers hopefully include a little note about microfilters and buying a VDSL2 faceplate if they want the best performance.

Sure a home install might be OK for some and maybe such customers have the technical ability to upgrade the master socket and resolve internal wiring problems. Just as long there is the ability to ask for a engineer visit and pay a supplement for his services, then fine. The replacement/upgraded master socket comes free as well.

As the "baby sitter" for other family members having FTTC installs, on every occasion there has been a benefit in having an engineer install, usually to get the master socket moved to be next to the desktop computer and in one case to replace the drop wire. Remember that not everyone knows what a screwdriver is or for that matter, how to use it!