Types of ONT

Not really clued up about this so looking for help.

The Openreach ONT requires power and presents the end user with an RJ45 socket for a router etc.

I believe the ones installed by Virgin and some of the altnets are different, but in what way? Presumably they need a power supply, but do they also present an RJ45 or do they have a direct optical connection such as a Toslink or Coax (RCA/Phono type)? Simple to run a length of Cat5e/6 from the Openreach version, but what happens with one with an optical socket? I assume the router has to be close to this type of ONT as the option for an extension isn't there.

Reason for asking is that Virgin are now installing round here. My current ADSL socket is in the roof space (bungalow) with a length of Cat5e to a socket in one of the bedrooms. With a Virgin installation either the socket would have to be in one of the bedrooms or the router would have to be in the roof, always assuming the installer would put it up there. It is lit and boarded with a loft ladder for easy access so it shouldn't be a problem.

I doubt I'll go with Virgin, but if they wholesale the network there might be one of the better ISPs offering a service.

ONT stands for Optical Network Terminal.

It takes the incoming Fiber connection and converts it to an ethernet connection. An ONT will need to be powered to work.

These are passive devices in the sense that they do not have an IP address and are transparent to the network.

Virgin will normally install the ONT in the same spot as the current cable connection entry point. If its a brand new connection with any ISP (including VM) they usually give you a choice as where you want the fiber to enter your property.

Edited by Seansmit17 (Sat 12-Oct-24 04:02:53)

Positioning of an ONT is very much down to negotiation with the installer. When FTTP is installed, the installer will use existing ducts to get a connection to your home. This connection is run to an external box known as a Customer Service Point (CSP). The installer will then run an external grade fibre line to your point of choosing provided you are not asking them to do something that they deem to be risky.

For example, my CSP is located at the end of the existing ducting for my old telephone line at the side of my home. The installer has then run fibre down the side of my home to an entry point at the rear. This enters the property via a narrow drill hole to an internally placed ONT. The alternative was to place the ONT back to back with the CSP and then run internal cabling.

I have the option of an Alt Net. If I was to choose to go to one of their partner ISPs, the Alt Net would run its own fibre through the duct, and fit its own CSP and ONT. It would leave the existing OR Network CSP and ONT in place.

Edited by GoWest (Sat 12-Oct-24 08:18:58)

In reply to a post by Tacitus:

I believe the ones installed by Virgin and some of the altnets are different, but in what way? Presumably they need a power supply, but do they also present an RJ45 or do they have a direct optical connection such as a Toslink or Coax (RCA/Phono type)?

Toslink and RCA/Phono are not used for data services.

I've not personally seen any ONT which presents anything other than an RJ45 ethernet (1G, 2.5G or 10G) although it's possible that an altnet could have an ONT which presents a 10G connection as an SFP+ port, into which you could plug either a fibre transceiver on an SFP+ Direct Attach Cable.

1G/2.5G/10G RJ45 are all physically the same connector. You can use Cat5e extension cable up to 100m at 1G or 2.5G. Fir 10G you'd need Cat6 up to about 30m, or Cat6A beyond that up to 100m.

If you search the forums on ispreview I think there's an article from someone who had one of the early Virgin XGS-PON installs showing all the equipment.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Toslink and RCA/Phono are not used for data services.
I've not personally seen any ONT which presents anything other than an RJ45 ethernet (1G, 2.5G or 10G) although it's possible that an altnet could have an ONT which presents a 10G connection as an SFP+ port, into which you could plug either a fibre transceiver on an SFP+ Direct Attach Cable.

That's very helpful and what I was looking for. I notice that some of the latest Fritz routers come with a socket for a plug-in module which I assume would cover the above.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

1G/2.5G/10G RJ45 are all physically the same connector. You can use Cat5e extension cable up to 100m at 1G or 2.5G. Fir 10G you'd need Cat6 up to about 30m, or Cat6A beyond that up to 100m.

The Cat5 is only about 5m long so should easily covere up to 2.5G. I can see no reason why an installer wouldn't install in the roof space since it's easily accesible (bungalow), boarded, lit, and has a convenient power supply for the ONT.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

If you search the forums on ispreview I think there's an article from someone who had one of the early Virgin XGS-PON installs showing all the equipment.

Thank you. I'll check that out.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

early Virgin XGS-PON installs showing all the equipment.

If its VirginMedia ISP over nexfibre, or if its virginMedia ISP on their own network. nexfibre currently only have the one ISP but are open to others. VirginMedia on their own network has more complex history.

If it is VM, you can end up with one of three installs. The older co-ax cable install to the Hub, the next version RFoG is fibre to the house, then converted to co-ax for the Hub and the latest XGS-PON (Nextfibre) fibre to the new Hub 5X which has the "ONT"/SPF+ integrated. The other installs use either Hub 3, 4 or 5 depending on the speed tier. In due course, (2028?) the whole VM infrastructure is due to be completely fibre.

I have used a Fritz!Box 4060 now for over 2 years. It has a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and 3 by 1Gbps LAN ports. A standard ONT will not provide 2.5Gbps so anyone signing up to, say, EE’s 1.6Gbps service will get a 1.6Gbps capable ONT.

Fritz!Box builds modems/routers for the European market that do connect directly to the incoming fibre. If you are thinking about the 5590/30 fibre models then I understand that these are not suitable for the UK market. The UK FTTP market requires ONTs - hence the need for a WAN connection.

FWiW, I have used Fritz!Boxes for over 10 years and they are rock solid. With a 6000 repeater, I get maximum speeds using wifi around my home.

The recently released 7690 offers both 2.5Gbps WAN and LAN connections plus Wifi 7. It still needs an ONT.

In reply to a post by GoWest:

A standard ONT will not provide 2.5Gbps so anyone signing up to, say, EE’s 1.6Gbps service will get a 1.6Gbps capable ONT.

Yes if ordering a service greater than 1Gbps from EE or any other provider through the Openreach network they will upgrade the existing ONT on site to one that has a 2.5Gbps RJ45 LAN interface (on a Nokia the RJ45 interface is orange rather than yellow).

In reply to a post by GoWest:

Fritz!Box builds modems/routers for the European market that do connect directly to the incoming fibre. If you are thinking about the 5590/30 fibre models then I understand that these are not suitable for the UK market. The UK FTTP market requires ONTs - hence the need for a WAN connection.

all xxx pon services require an ont, be it a standalone ont, a sfp+ ont or an ont wireless router, they all have an ont somewhere. The box you mentioned support aon and gpon (and because it has a sfp+ cage) xgs-pon too.