I started this thread over a year and a half ago - and promptly decided that there were too many unknowns in how Fibre would be installed into my property.

I have kept an eye on it since and have decided to bite the bullet, initially it was VM who got me interested but I have discovered that they will not (can not) use existing telephone infrastructure, specifically an underground telephone duct whereas Openreach will. I'm currently with Plusnet on FTTC and they just sent me an email to tell me that FTTP is now available (I guess it is not a lie!!!) but they also TOLD me, I don't need a landline, I then got into a silly argument where he again TOLD me that I had already had fibre run into my house - not great when I wanted to talk about the details of how it would be installed!

I have now placed an order with BT but only on the condition that I can halt it if I am not happy about the installation when it finally happens.

The BT Broadband Availability Checker for my phone number says - Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG Feed with no anticipated issues.

I am in Northern Ireland and I believe here it is common for an undergound duct to be run into the house, coming up at some suitable point. I think that is the case for me and it runs under the front door and comes up under the stairs into the existing BT Master Socket.

Assuming that is the case, will the engineer :-

1, Break into the duct outside the front door, run the fibre to there and install a CSP, drill into the wall and run fibre to an ONT and then a patch lead to the HUB?

or

2, Run the fibre along the duct to the BT Master Socket and simply fit an ONT there in place of the Master Socket (or beside it), and then again a further patch lead to the HUB?


I see that there are different approaches taken in different parts of the country but if an unblocked duct is already there all the way to inside the property and it is is convenient to use - it just makes sense to me.

If you have an existing duct that comes up under your stairs I would expect Openreach to pull the fibre cable all the way through the duct and fit a CSP and ONT under the stairs.

Be prepared the duct may not go all the way to the under stairs cupboard and may be partly direct in ground as has be seen in Northern Ireland in the past.

Ahh! Thanks for the warning.

If the duct is all the way through and no obstructions, then CSP and ONT where te existing master is. Mine comes to teh eaves, then through a loft to the CSP & ONT - no external drop down &c.

Is the CSP a small box, similar in size as a BT Master socket?

There are, I believe, slightly different versions. The one here is about 150mm sq and 30mm deep.

In reply to a post by MHC:

There are, I believe, slightly different versions. The one here is about 150mm sq and 30mm deep.

Another type is 100mm high, 160mm wide and 30mm deep which I believe is made by OFS

Great, Thanks

Just trying to plan where to locate them

If you want to see what the (OFS) white internal CSP looks like, here’s a link to a current eBay listing with some good photos.

If they do locate the CSP internally then it’s likely going to be one of those.

I am not sure that you get any choice re the siting on the CSP. I was told that it had to be located close to the copper wire entry point. That said, the fibre was run from the road using the existing duct. The installer was very happy to discuss the position of the ONT.