Multiple FTTP providers, swap out of ONT if one port?

Folks,

The pricing for the >330/50 FTTP services is absurd and in any event I'll be on the ECI OLT so can only order 330/50.

With this in mind ordering 2 services would be better. I suspect the new build will have the newer, single port ONT in place and no spare ports on splitters for two fibres to two separate ONTs.

How are my chances of either getting the older multiple port ONT or having them change it out?

Zarjaz will have the answer, since he�s done more of these. Contractors are not used for FTTP (at least not here), so it all depends on if the Openreach engineer has any spare older style ONTs left on the van.

They aren�t told not to use them (if they have some left), so I can�t think of a reason why it can�t be done.

My only concern would be removing your old ONT. That bar code would have to be removed from your records, and I�m not sure it could be done without proper justification.

Edited by deleted (Sat 04-May-19 09:57:51)

Exactly that Icaras, the Openreach bod would need justification to get the new serial number and ONT type entered on the system.

I suspect a lot of the 'new boys' doing installs may not be carrying the four port version.

In a new build these days you are almost guaranteed to have a single port ONT pre-installed. However its not a big deal, once you order a second FTTP line, Openreach will most likely swap out the existing ONT for a 4 port version - it would be far less hassle than running a new fibre from the DP. I believe each fibre strand supports at least 4 FTTP services so you've probably got nothing to worry about.

Btw its only BT Wholesale based FTTP services which are quite expensive for the half gig and above packages. Other ISPs such as Spectrum Internet (using their own backhaul) using the same Openreach FTTP infrastructure offer 500/165 for a much more reasonable £99/m (see here). But of course the majority of FTTP punters can't sign up with Spectrum as they are out of their coverage area

I believe that if you order a second FTTP service with a one port ONT you'll be upgraded to the fourt port version. At least from the wording of dslchecker mine says:
"ONT exists with active service. No spare ports are available. A new ONT may be ordered."

So, from that I'd hope that if I wanted a second FTTP service I'd be switched over to the four port version.

The pricing of 500 or 1000 is pretty steep and, although the splitter that you're on won't get upgraded to XGPON, you are currently monetarily better off with ordering multiple FTTP services of 330/50. I may do the same when my FTTPoD contract is up, if the pricing isn't more reasonable for '500' by then (I'm mainly interested in the increased upstream rate). However, I don't know if Cerberus support the type of bonding that I was used to with the AAISP and their FB2900 router. I know they do FTTC bonding but I imagine it works differently, and there's no mention of FTTP bonding.

Multiple DSL line bonding uses multiple ports on the DSLAM to aggregate. As far as i�m aware there is no equivalent on the GPON OLT.

It�s certainly possible to bond FTTP services (we�ve done it a number of times) but you�d require an Aggregation Node and a suitable CPE.

The secondary advantage of this approach ( which can also combine any number is DSL connections, or DSL, FTTP, FWA or Cellular) is you gain additional redundancy from the L2S & diverse backhaul, which you don�t get with a single CP DSLAM based bonded service.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Exactly that Icaras, the Openreach bod would need justification to get the new serial number and ONT type entered on the system.

I suspect a lot of the 'new boys' doing installs may not be carrying the four port version.

It's a new build so we'll see what they have there! I think the build has moved from older school ONTs to newer ones now.

In reply to a post by TechServ:

It�s certainly possible to bond FTTP services (we�ve done it a number of times) but you�d require an Aggregation Node and a suitable CPE.

https://www.silver-peak.com/products/unity-edge-connect

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

Btw its only BT Wholesale based FTTP services which are quite expensive for the half gig and above packages. Other ISPs such as Spectrum Internet (using their own backhaul) using the same Openreach FTTP infrastructure offer 500/165 for a much more reasonable £99/m (see here).

Plus a separate £599 activation fee (less £180 first six months discount, makes it £419).

If Cerberus charged the activation fee, then maybe they'd be able to drop their monthly rental to around £99 as well.

Edited by candlerb (Sat 04-May-19 15:13:38)

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by baby_frogmella:

Btw its only BT Wholesale based FTTP services which are quite expensive for the half gig and above packages. Other ISPs such as Spectrum Internet (using their own backhaul) using the same Openreach FTTP infrastructure offer 500/165 for a much more reasonable £99/m (see here).

Plus a separate £599 activation fee (less £180 first six months discount, makes it £419).

If Cerberus charged the activation fee, then maybe they'd be able to drop their monthly rental to around £99 as well.

Even taking into account the one-off activation fee of £599, Spectrum still work out significantly cheaper over say 12 months for the half gig service. £134 p/m versus £202 after discounts & setup fees. Also the Cerberus monthly pricing is forever, ie rolls on after 12 months so the activation fee surcharge built into the monthly pricing rolls on forever. The reason why Spectrum are cheaper is mainly down to them using non BT Wholesale tails.