Moving Entry Point When Going FTTP from Existing Copper

We have scaffolding going up and now seems like a perfect time to prepare for FTTP if we need to do so.

How tolerant are FTTP installers of changes to the location of the entry point from the previous copper entry point which was into a very tight unboarded loft space with a very small hatch and without the power socket etc requirements being met? The present master socket location is also unsuitable for our router and its wired ethernet connections..

We would like the entry point to be in the centre of the back of the house which involves a longer cable run. This would amount to around 40m from the pole to the other end of the house to that currently connected + drops + approx 17m around the house.

Is this all likely to be acceptable and do we need any preparatory work (as well as buying chocolate biscuits)?

They should be able to do this, it depends on the company installing it, though Openreach seems to be quite flexible. Usually, Openreach install FOC, it depends on if the ISP passes over any installation charges or not.

In reply to a post by Grimers:

They should be able to do this

I would suggest the OP waits to see if one of the Openreach engineers on here decides to reply as they would be able to give an indication if they would be prepared to do it if they got the job.

Edited by deleted (Fri 18-Mar-22 21:52:49)

Thank you for the replies.

1. As this would involve the cable going around a corner of the house what is the minumum bend radius of fibre optic cable?

2. What is the diameter of the widest bit of the fibre optic cable that has to fit through a hole?

The cable that runs from the CSP to your internally fitted ONT location is what’s known as an inside/outside cable, because it can be run externally and also stripped down to reveal an internal grade cable. Typically the outside diameter (black sheath) of this cable is 5mm and the ‘inside’ (white sheathed) cable is a smidge under 3mm.

The grade of optical fibre used is singlemode G.657.B3 which for the actual fibre itself has the tightest bend radius at 5mm for the actual fibre itself. However the actual cable sheath will not physically allow this - so you’re looking at a minimum bend radius between 10 and 20 times the cable diameter, depending whether it’s the outer cable or stripped to the inner cable…

Here is the spec sheet for one of the Dexgreen brand cables that Openreach use. Page 6 for bend radii data.

Thank you that is really useful.

With such a large bend radius how do you deal with outside corners (like on the outside corner of a house)?

In reply to a post by chris52:

With such a large bend radius how do you deal with outside corners (like on the outside corner of a house)?

Openreach engineers go round corners and doorways all the time with fibre cable so try not to worry about it as you can sadly over think it. Those on the forum who are able to give you a good indication on your hopes for the location of the ONT appear to have decided not to engage with this thread at the present time. What I would say is the existing location of your copper in the loft space is unlike to be acceptable so another location will have to be agreed.

Sorry to interject, but do you know if the black external sheath of the inside/outside cable (fibre only, not the combined copper/fibre cable type), do you know if this contains the waterproof jelly stuff that shouldn't be run internally?

Reason I ask is I have a length of sheathed in/out cable and wasn't sure if the sheathing should be removed internally as the jelly is classed as flammable?

The black outer sheath should always be removed or transitioned to an internal grade cable as soon as the cable enters the inside of the property. Irrespective of the presence of any gel or otherwise.

Thanks, can I ask the reason for this in terms specifically of the inside/out fibre cable? Looking at the specs it appears there is no gel but a waterproof inner membrane. What is the risk of having a long length of this cable in the wall without the outer sheath being removed?