FTTH

Hi,

I am looking at the possibility of getting Fibre To The Home and understand that the Optical modem has to be fitted to (the inside of) an outside wall. Assuming this is the case, is there an issue with having it under the stairs? Will being in close proximity to the house main fuse board cause interference and speed loss? The power supply for the modem is a double socket within 1.5 metres.

TIA

Quite a few members here have their ONT (optical modem) under the stairs or in a dedicated network cupboard/rack.

A standard Openreach FTTP install will see a CSP ( an external waterproof housing) attached to the external wall at ground level with the ONT on the internal wall, usually right where the CSP is located. Generally the ONT must be within a 10m fibre run from the CSP.

Most Openreach FTTP installs are done by subcontractors who work for 3rd party companies and are paid per job. They won't deviate from the standard install or do anything time consuming.

It's all about who your installer is on the day. If it's a subcontractor who won't do what you want then the installation will be delayed and rebooked for another engineer. When it's rebooked depends on local workload.
The 2nd visit is usually by an Openreach engineers on a salary (not paid per job) who may or may not be more accommodating.

To guarantee you get what you want you can always pay extra for a premium install though not all providers offer that option.

What you want doesn't sound too hard. It depends on the run from the CSP to the stairs and how long it is. Your can make your chances of getting what you want easier by pre installing conduit with a draw string behind any cavity walls that would make the install quicker (if that's possible for your specific job).

I had fibre installed by Cityfibre, and the guys were extremely helpful. They took their cable up 20 feet and drilled into the loft, next to my router and switch. No arguing or complaining.

As siad, it will all depend on who turns up and what mood he is in!

In my case, the CSP is actually inside - he asked if I really wanted the wire to drop 7m to the ground then back up? Or could it, as I wanted, go straight through the soffit and into my long conduit to exactly where I wanted the ONT.

Thank you all for the replies 🤗

In reply to a post by astanden:

Hi,

I am looking at the possibility of getting Fibre To The Home and understand that the Optical modem has to be fitted to (the inside of) an outside wall. Assuming this is the case, is there an issue with having it under the stairs? Will being in close proximity to the house main fuse board cause interference and speed loss? The power supply for the modem is a double socket within 1.5 metres.

TIA

the length of the cable on the ONT power supply is, I think shorter than 1.5m so you might like to move the ONT closer to the socket

When your fibre was installed, did they leave the copper pair drop-wire in place?

Cheers!

No, that was used to pull the new fibre in - and as there is a road providing emergency vehicles routes to te hospital plus a river to cross, it was simplest. What they did bring in was a hybrid drop though with both copper and fibre, and the copper wa sinitially live, but now cut back.