Set up changes for Fibre

Hi

Would like some advice please on changes to my set up that may be required if I upgrade to fibre (FTTC).

Currently I have a micro-filter which has 2 outputs. One to my modem and one for telephone. Since the fibre faceplates don't need micro-filters are there the equivalent 2 outputs on the faceplate itself?

On the telephone side I have a wired connection to a dect transmitter with a wired connection from that to a separate dect telephone base station and a wireless connection from the transmitter to 2 separate receivers which in turn have wired connections into 2 sky boxes.

On the broadband side, I have a wired connection into a modem and from that into an airport extreme. From there have a wired connection into a desktop and a wired connection to a 200 Mbps wireline transmitter and from that have 3 receivers - one connected to a sky box, one connected to an airport express at the back of the house and another connected to an airport express in the shed at the end of the garden. This gives me full coverage everywhere.

The Openreach estimate is 60.8Mb to my house. I want to know if the above will all still work with fibre or whether anything will need to be upgraded (I read somewhere about maybe needing 500 Mbps wireline?).

I am currently with Zen for BB and if I upgrade with them I guess I will only need a new modem but I am tempted by BT Infinity and would be given a home hub 5 which doesn�t have a separate modem. Can it be used simply as a modem with its router functionality switched off in order to preserve my network as it is since it is unlikely the airport expresses will be compatible with the HH5?

thanks

The FTTC plate maintains the existing phone socket and adds an additional socket for the modem.
Assuming all your kit connects to just a single point I don't see why it shouldn't work as is.

In reply to a post by Ribble:

The FTTC plate maintains the existing phone socket and adds an additional socket for the modem.

MrSaffron's web site has pictures of the FTTC filter that show how it fits together. If you click that link, Heyokah, you'll see that, as Ribble explains, there should be no need to change your setup.

I have Zen FTTC and am very happy with it. It's a question of weighing up the pros and cons - Zen has a 12 month minimum contract period (the same as Openreach imposes on the underlying wholesale FTTC connection), UK based support and static IP (you'd keep the same IP address(es) you have now if you migrate your existing ADSL connection to FTTC). BT Infinity has a longer minimum contract period (18 months, I believe), support that is largely offshore and dynamic IP. However, BT Infinity includes BT Sport and the Home Hub 5.

I don't believe there's a way of setting up the Home Hub 5 as a transparent bridge, like an Openreach FTTC modem. The Openreach modem should connect directly to your Airport Extreme.

In reply to a post by David_W:

The Openreach modem should connect directly to your Airport Extreme.

It does quite nicely, I did this for about 6 months, then bought my Asus.

I thought that the Home Hub 5 comes without a separate openreach modem as it has an integrated modem.

Thank you.

I am very aware of how good Zen are and I wouldn't want to leave - but it is easy to be seduced by shiny advertising and BT Sport.......

In reply to a post by Heyokah:

I thought that the Home Hub 5 comes without a separate openreach modem as it has an integrated modem.

Not sure why you're replying to me, but yes, that is the case. Assuming you get a 5. There are lots of us on the forums with older HH who are using other routers with the openreach modem. I wonder if you can ask an openreach installer to fit a modem when a HH 5 is supplied? Anyone know?

At present Openreach FTTC installs include the openreach modem ( unless it's a PCP only/ self install trial) so you should expect to be left with the modem anyway.

Those who don't get left the modem probably had an engineer who has done the self-install course and knows the HH5 will do the job.

If I had paid (or got for free) for an engineer install I would ask for the Openreach modem, gives you a bit of backup for that horrible day when your HH5 gets fried by lightening.

That sounds good. I want the service but not the HH. Just want to plug their modem into my existing Airport Extreme.

If the engineer isnt an idiot and has read the job notes, they will know whether or not to provide the customer with a modem. If the CP is providing the modem, then the engineer shouldnt be giving another.
Although if you ask the engineer politely and explain what you intend to do, they may give you one anyway

Unless on an official trial, of which the customer should be made aware, the system until 31 December remains that an Openreach modem should be installed. The fact that an HH5 may be present on BT Infinity installations is irrelevant.

Linky.

My neighbour was recently upgraded to a BT fibre connection and she was only given the new HH5. She is not taking part in any trials that she knows of.

She uses the internet very little, so I don't know why she bothered, but was seduced by the BT salesperson who said that she would see a massive reduction in her bill.

Edited by RussellR (Sun 01-Dec-13 02:36:45)

BT are now supplying the HH5 - still an engineer-install though.

But why the OR modem isn't supplied is the question. The OR product without it isn't available until Dec 31 according to Andrew. If BT can do CP kit, so can every other ISP, or else something is wrong.

Later, if no-one else has done, I'll check the OR Price List.

Sky also provide a VDSL2 modem/router - SR102?

What is provided is irrelevant.

Managed Engineer Install with CP Device Note 1 and 8 (Operative date) 31/12/2013 99.00

See the operative date. All other prices show "... using Openreach modem".

Edited by RobertoS (Sun 01-Dec-13 12:21:38)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

What is provided is irrelevant.

Managed Engineer Install with CP Device Note 1 and 8 (Operative date) 31/12/2013 99.00

See the operative date. All other prices show "... using Openreach modem".

Unless the ISPs (BT Retail & Sky) have negotiated a "soft launch" in some areas with Openreach, isn't there some breach of Ofcom regulations going on here?

Internal memos and emails have said where a cp provides the modem, openreach do not provide another...

In reply to a post by deathtrap3000:

Internal memos and emails have said where a cp provides the modem, openreach do not provide another...

Makes sense, but surely should come into effect for ALL CP's at the same time, on the date published by Openreach in the price list?

I'm sure this discussion occurred recently, but having trouble finding it. So can't see what the conclusion was.

As you say, it is very odd if a couple of huge CPs can do it and not the rest, when it isn't supposed to be available.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

As you say, it is very odd if a couple of huge CPs can do it and not the rest, when it isn't supposed to be available.

It must be a "soft launch", checking there isn't a big incompatibility with the FTTC cabinets actually "in the field".

Not very soft, with only TT of the biggies missing.

Whatever is going on, it stinks to me .

The EE BrightBox 2 would presumably also count. To Ofcom they still count as an ISP despite just reselling BTw and are fairly large.

Sky have been beta testing the SR102 in the field for a while now, I just missed out applying for the beta test program by a day. I guess it also acts as a sort of trial of the self install option.