Mate has just ordered BT Fibre broadband

My mate who isnt very technical has just ordered fibre broadband. He doesnt have a phone line connected at present (although does have the master socket). Ive never had fibre so not sure how it all works myself. Wil lthe BT package be FTTC or FTTP?

Also regarding setting it up, is it the same as setting up adsl. Master socket - router - computer? Do you need splitters like with adsl?

He will need a BT Retail line installing as well, but that will be part of what he has ordered.

Put his address (not just the postcode) into this checker. That should tell you if it is FTTC or FTTP.

If it is FTTC as most are, then half way down this page it tells you what the engineer does in most installations. In the case of BT Infinity he also connects the BT Home Hub to the modem and is supposed to test it works.

The engineer brings a modem. The Home Hub will be sent direct to your mate ready for the engineer.

Edited by RobertoS (Thu 04-Jul-13 20:29:28)

If your mate has a master socket installed they will connect that back up to the network as long as it's in working order when tested.

I your mate has been given only 1 install date it will be FTTC, FTTP requires 2 installs only 1 of which you need to be in for.

The engineer will fit a Specialist socket from otherwise known as a SSFP or Service Specific Face Plate, ( This will be the only connection usable to the VDSL modem, Extensions don't work with FTTC ) Your mate can have a Cat 5 network extension put in from the VDSL modem to the router, i believe this is upto 30 Meters.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys, so the BT guy should set up everything for him and get him online? Said i will go round to sort it if not

Edited by bobble_bob (Thu 04-Jul-13 19:45:17)

Yeah as long as the VDSL modem gets sync it should be all plug and play from there on in, nothing difficult.

If it's a Openreach engineer they may well get him to test it while they are there to confirm he is happy with the speed etc.

If it is a contractor tho they may say, Sync shown at the modem "Job Done" ( I speak from experience here, after having 1 contractor install and 1 Openreach install )

Great thanks

I'm slightly worried that the OP says his mate has ordered "BT Fibre".

If he means BT Infinity then as I said before the engineer is supposed to connect up the BT Home Hub and check all is working. It is a Managed install, unlike most others where all he has to do is check from the modem back to the cabinet.

If he doesn't mean Infinity then the Subject could mislead .

I think it's worth pointing out as well, for the OP (although his mate won't have any extensions at first) and any other non-techies that find this thread, that although you are right when you say extensions don't work with FTTC, that (I hope) you just mean FTTC can't be run from extensions. Phones can of course be used at extensions.

Edited by RobertoS (Thu 04-Jul-13 21:20:32)

So my mate got everything installed. Internet and phone line works. However today his phone line doesn't anymore. No dial tone and anyone that rings gets sn engaged tone. Tried new phone and cable same result. BT said try ftom test socket, and they confirmed its engaged. So what could be wrong? Was working fine for 24hrs and Internet continues to work ok

Are there any extension sockets/phones?

No nothing. Everything plugged directly into master socket. Was working for abit