FTTC Installation Advice

Hi I�m getting FTTC Fibre installed in October I understand we go back to the old days of having a separate router and modem.

My Dilemma is that I currently have my adsl router nicely tucked away in my office and I run a telephone extension a small distance 1 to 2 metres to the master socket in the hallway. My existing dsl router then plugs into the adsl filter at the end of the extension socket Unfortunately from what I have read with the new fibre we will be introducing an additional fibre modem

I notice from pictures the new fibre openreach modem has both a dsl socket and Ethernet (RJ45) socket - RJ45 connects the internal router to the fibre modem and the dsl connects the fibre modem to the master socket is this correct?

So I guess what I�m saying is a telephone extension cable to my office not suffice to place both the fibre modem and router in my office or must the fibre modem be next to the master socket?

Many thanks in advance

The way you describe the connectivity is correct. However, having a standard telephone extension cable for the modem is not recommended as it will likely reduce your attainable downstream and upstream rates. You should ideally have the modem by your master socket with an ethernet cable from the fibre modem to the router (router can be in your office in that instance).

Best practice is the modem at the master socket, and longer ethernet to the router.

If the extension is just standard telephone wiring, installer will want to replace it with the data extension, which you need to request when ordering service. Data extension is just posh words for a CAT5e cable that will carry the VDSL signal

Hmmm ok guys thanks for the advice Mrs S will not be amused I'll be sticking a modem in the hallway - Incidentaly could the master phone socket be moved to the office? By extending the master wires? The office is literally 1 - 2 metres away from the current master socket

The data extension kit is the way to go, it is free just make sure provider knows you want it when ordering and they book it via their supplier

In reply to a post by satattak:

Hmmm ok guys thanks for the advice Mrs S will not be amused I'll be sticking a modem in the hallway - Incidentaly could the master phone socket be moved to the office? By extending the master wires? The office is literally 1 - 2 metres away from the current master socket

OpenReach installation will normally do a resite of the NTE5 if required, espacially if there is no power point convenient for the VDSL modem.

Shouldnt be an issue.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

The data extension kit is the way to go, it is free just make sure provider knows you want it when ordering and they book it via their supplier

Exactly what is the extension kit please. how many of the wires are connected or is it just the pins 4 and 5 that are connected as the old BT adsl extension kits were set up? I am about to order Plusnet Fibre ( just waiting for a MAC number ) and one of the options is to ask for an extension kit. If it is the same as the one that is already fitted I will not bother.

Basically the same as the old ones. VDSL is nothing special just DSL running at even higher frequencies, so same wiring/splitters should be fine

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Basically the same as the old ones. VDSL is nothing special just DSL running at even higher frequencies, so same wiring/splitters should be fine

Wow that was quick thank you so much that answers all my questions.

Edit - AH I didn't spot the hijack of the thread
/edit ****************
I think you are getting in a tangle . This post may be useful to the OP though.

The data extension cable when provided is used to provide the VDSL socket up to 30 metres from the master. In effect, the master is moved. Do you need a phone socket where the master is now? Most engineers are able to provide that as well by back-feeding from the new location, usng spare wires within the data extension.

Or in your case there would be the option to install the data extension cable and use the existing extension wire in the opposite direction. Gets a bit bulky though.

The VDSL socket has a built-in filter. The installation looks like the pic on this page, with the modem plugged into the top and the phone into the bottom.

I believe the engineers have been told to wall-mount the modem if possible, to optimise its cooling. Will that be an issue?

Edited by RobertoS (Fri 28-Sep-12 01:57:59)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Edit - AH I didn't spot the hijack of the thread
/edit ****************
I think you are getting in a tangle . This post may be useful to the OP though.

The data extension cable when provided is used to provide the VDSL socket up to 30 metres from the master. In effect, the master is moved. Do you need a phone socket where the master is now? Most engineers are able to provide that as well by back-feeding from the new location, usng spare wires within the data extension.

Or in your case there would be the option to install the data extension cable and use the existing extension wire in the opposite direction. Gets a bit bulky though.

The VDSL socket has a built-in filter. The installation looks like the pic on this page, with the modem plugged into the top and the phone into the bottom.

I believe the engineers have been told to wall-mount the modem if possible, to optimise its cooling. Will that be an issue?

Thankyou for this, I have had a filtered faceplate fitted to my master socket for the last 8 years and an extension provided by Openreach to take the dsl signal through to the back room, I presume that this ill be replaced with a new one. The system works well. My query was about just what the extension cable they provide now is like and the confirmation that it is
the same cable I already have fitted works for me. When the openreach engineer comes out he can put the modem either at the back of the house on the end of the extension or in the living room by the master socket, I can cope with either, but I will ask that he does not fit it to the wall so that when he has gone I can try both ends to see which suits me best. If he is not prepared to do this I am fine with that, it will go by the master socket and I will buy a modem from eBay so that I can play around with positions or myself, I would even be happy to suggest that he leaves it loose and I will fit it to the wall when I find the optimal place for it.

In reply to a post by Bill_Lord:

I would even be happy to suggest that he leaves it loose and I will fit it to the wall when I find the optimal place for it.

you may find your Openreach engineer doesn't want to fit to the wall, mine didn't!

They don't have to wall mount it. It arises from the early Huawei HG612 ones, not the HG612 v 3B. The early ones tended to overheat when horizontal, though mine and many others were fine.

The 3B apparently fixes the issue, but the recommendation is still given to the engineers. OR, sensibly, don't want to have to send an engineer to replace modems that have melted bits inside.

I don't know how the ECI modem behaves.

At my last install, in early January, I had to actively dissuade my engineer from wall-mounting. I had to show him the piece of wood I was going to mount it on instead, and promise it would be vertical!

I had to actively dissuade my engineer from wall-mounting

The mind boggles .