Moving to FTTP and a few questions

I've been meaning to pull the trigger on FTTP for a while now but a few anomalies on our current broadband installation have been holding me back. Just had an offer through from IDNET which has prompted me into action. I've got a few questions about the installation and things I'll need to do up front.

1) The current BT master socket is in the centre of the house upstairs and there's a CAT6 running from where the copper line and "sausage" connects to the house eaves thought the loft space and then down through the wall cavity to the Master Socket location. I know this isn't standard and when i queried the previous owner he said that "an ex BT engineer had done it for him"

Q1 - Are they typically happy fitting an ONT into the loft space? (im assuming they'd run it overhead to the current pole?) Subject to the landline question 3 below I could then crimp and reuse this CAT 6 line to run to the router that currently sits next to the Master Socket.

Q2 - The outside of the house is rendered - do they typically drill a security clamp for the ladder into the outside wall to complete the work?

Q3 - My other half wants to keep the land line (ive tried to convince her otherwise) Will the current CAT6 line to the copper still be needed to support the landline? Or is there usually options to migrate to the new fibre line? Is so I can just run a new CAT 6line to the loft from the Router.

Many thanks.

Some will fit in a loft, some will not. It depends on, how it is accessed? - a good ladder or stairs would be needed/useful. Is it porperly boarded and safe? Is there good lightling? Is there a suitable power socket.

If it is in the loft - don't recrimp the Cat6 but install an RJ45 socket.

Yes, they normally drill an 8mm hole about 1.2-1.5 m up to tie off the ladder.

Migrate to VoIP - you may not have a choice. Then connect the VoIP interface to the router.

In reply to a post by WonkyJim:

I've been meaning to pull the trigger on FTTP for a while now but a few anomalies on our current broadband installation have been holding me back. Just had an offer through from IDNET which has prompted me into action. I've got a few questions about the installation and things I'll need to do up front.

1) The current BT master socket is in the centre of the house upstairs and there's a CAT6 running from where the copper line and "sausage" connects to the house eaves thought the loft space and then down through the wall cavity to the Master Socket location. I know this isn't standard and when i queried the previous owner he said that "an ex BT engineer had done it for him"

Q1 - Are they typically happy fitting an ONT into the loft space? (im assuming they'd run it overhead to the current pole?) Subject to the landline question 3 below I could then crimp and reuse this CAT 6 line to run to the router that currently sits next to the Master Socket.

Q2 - The outside of the house is rendered - do they typically drill a security clamp for the ladder into the outside wall to complete the work?

Q3 - My other half wants to keep the land line (ive tried to convince her otherwise) Will the current CAT6 line to the copper still be needed to support the landline? Or is there usually options to migrate to the new fibre line? Is so I can just run a new CAT 6line to the loft from the Router.

Many thanks.

Q1… no, not especially so. Well within their rights to decline working in there. They would normally always want it fully boarded, with good lighting, with a purpose made, fitted ladder. There needs to a permanent power supply for the ONT.

Q2 …. Yes, they will need to drill at least one eyebolt hole for their Tetra ladder safety kit.

The customer splice point will be sited on the external wall, the overhead fibre will run to this (it will be at ground level) then another fibre run on from the CSP and in to the ONT.

Do IDnet offer a VoIP service ? Copper based voice services are on their way out.

*there will be posters on here telling tales of all manner of things done on installation … but the Bob basic reply is that given by me above.

I’d be thinking about where you might site the ONT downstairs, by power. Then see about running your own ethernet from there to where the router is. Also, if this isn’t feasible, then make sure you order a premium install from ID Net

Yes, they normally drill an 8mm hole about 1.2-1.5 m up to tie off the ladder.

Nah, 8mm is the old dropwire through the wall, the eyebolt hole is 12 or maybe 15mm

One of mine was still there and I used it with an 8mm plug. Not sure what they used last time and it is now behind plants.

My CSP in in the loft! just along from the ONT!

In reply to a post by MHC:

My CSP in in the loft! just along from the ONT!

I refer the honourable gentleman to this excerpt from my post …

*there will be posters on here telling tales of all manner of things done on installation … but the Bob basic reply is that given by me above.

😄

Do I recall that you ran a conduit from the eaves to where you wanted the ONT to be, with a drawer cord too ?

It is down to a degree of luck on the day. Definitely go for a premium install though.

ONT yes - had not expected teh CSP though! It's fine by my as they look awful on the front of a house.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

*there will be posters on here telling tales of all manner of things done on installation … but the Bob basic reply is that given by me above.

Our installation was done by "Kowboy Comunication", they climbed a 'no climb' pole, never bothered lashing down the laders, didn't follow the then in place covid guidelines, and left a internal wall peppered in holes, one of which holds the ONT. So it just depends who might be contracted to do the job.
p.s. Ours was a combined fibre/copper installation with a 'figure of 8' cable, they refused to move the telephone master socket to be next to ONT, and broke into the copper side of cable at eaves to connect to existing copper, then fed the rest of the 'figure of 8' cable to CSP, nailing the cable to the rendered wall with clips which I noticed t'other day are starting to fall out, still it's getting repainted next year which in my experiance will do a better job of holding the cable.

Edited by burble (Thu 07-Sep-23 21:13:48)

Cable clips never stay in render! Get some TowerSchneider Pin Plugs https://www.millsltd.com/default/wall-pin-plugs-pk-1... A 5mm hole and the cable clips hammered in

Thanks for the feedback folks. It is all boarded, with a ladder, lighting and power supply up there so should be doable. Basically if it isn’t going there it’s unlikely to happen.

One more thing, I think my only option is OpenReach via IDNet at the moment but I did notice Cityfibre digging half a mile down the road over the summer. Just checked their website and they are expecting availability at my address shortly.

Is it worth holding on for Cityfibre or doesn’t make much difference ?

In reply to a post by WonkyJim:

One more thing, I think my only option is OpenReach via IDNet at the moment but I did notice Cityfibre digging half a mile down the road over the summer. Just checked their website and they are expecting availability at my address shortly.

Is it worth holding on for Cityfibre or doesn’t make much difference ?

Might be a long wait …….. https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/fibre/t/4742973-ci...

Depends on the CityFibre Civils Contractor.

If they haven't already dug your road, it could be a while before they dig it. Once the infrastructure is in place, it took about 3-months before we could order service (I didn't order straight away anyway).

My opinion would be - go with what you can get now - as by the time CF may be available to you, your existing IDNet contract may be up for renewal (IDnet also provide service over CF I believe...and it may be cheaper than OR). They may be able to migrate you (not officially via any migration process) to the CF infrastructure and save you some money...

In reply to a post by MHC:

Cable clips never stay in render! Get some TowerSchneider Pin Plugs https://www.millsltd.com/default/wall-pin-plugs-pk-1... A 5mm hole and the cable clips hammered in

These look good, I need to order some.

I use plenty of them - in mortar courses or bricks wherever I need a cable clip. The best around are te Tower/Schneider ones - most electical wholesalers keep them as do ScrewFix

In reply to a post by MHC:

as do ScrewFix

Even better