Is the Openreach external junction box essential

Hi,

Does anyone know if the Openreach external junction box has to be used, or whether the cable from the pole can terminate directly into the ONT?

If the external box must be used for some technical reason, does the cable going to the ONT only go in a "through the wall" direction, or can it drop out below?

Many thanks.

Openreach have a standard process as you would expect when installing full fibre to a property, this including the external box you make reference to and its called a CSP. The box is used to join the external fibre cable with the internal fibre cable.

Back in the day when Openreach used a different type of cable (round not flat) it was possible to run the cable all the way to the ONT and install the connector on the end manually but this is no longer the case so the Openreach process requires a CSP and as much as a lot of us may not want them its something we have to live with.

Edit: yes I believe the CSP does have a grommet allowing the internal fibre cable to come out the bottom.

https://dexgreen.com/blogs/quick-guides/csp-demarcat...

Edited by deleted (Wed 10-May-23 11:45:29)

The external cable is so stiff that it would be almost impossible to even get the bend on it required to get it through a wall without a huge loop on the outside, let alone manage it once it's inside the property. The internal cable is more flexible and won't give off nasty fumes in a fire.

The cable can drop out the bottom of the CSP.

Technical reason …… yes, provides an external test point. Otherwise you will ALWAYS have to provide access indoors.

Thank you for your quick replies folks - it has been very helpful.

In reply to a post by MrBen66:

Thank you for your quick replies folks - it has been very helpful.

….. and, as if by magic ….

<TING!>

In reply to a post by dect:

I believe the CSP does have a grommet allowing the internal fibre cable to come out the bottom.

https://dexgreen.com/blogs/quick-guides/csp-demarcat...

I have an inside/outside fibre cable rooted externally from the bottom of the CSP for a few metres along a wall, then through a hole in the wall to the internal ONT. Works fine with no problems

Edit: see the "Underground Commscope Cable" video from your link.

Edited by 4M2 (Wed 10-May-23 18:52:23)