FTTP ordered! A few basic questions about installation..

Having received the Openreach email on Christmas Day (!), I have put my order in for FTTP install.

1. BT wholesale checker confirmed available - says KCI2 Assure, and "Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG congested duct". Is there likely to be an issue, or does this just mean they haven't inspected the duct yet?

Here's the current duct into the house:
https://imgur.com/HmqW6mU

Some of my neighbours appear to have different ducts to their house. Checker calls them "2.5 Inch plastic duct 56." Seems odd for there to be variance - it's a relatively new housing estate - all houses built same time, 2007.

2. When they install and fit the ONT, I've seen threads discussing preferred locations. I'm thinking just into the same spot suits fine? I can easily then run some cat 6 cable and site the router more centrally in the house, I assume?

Here's the current box for FTTC:
https://imgur.com/Wwp3SPh

Can they just put the new box in its place, and avoid drilling another hole through the wall?, especially when there are some likely power lines running very close to that spot!!

3. Approx how long does installation take? Does the engineer test the connection with their own equipment, or get me to connect a device via ethernet, and run a speedtest, or something like that?

Thanks for any help!

I'll try to answer some of these

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

1. BT wholesale checker confirmed available - says KCI2 Assure, and "Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG congested duct". Is there likely to be an issue, or does this just mean they haven't inspected the duct yet?

Someone must have identified some congestion for it to be in the comments, its hard to say if it will be an issue or not. You will have at least two visits and they will tackle getting the fibre cable through the duct on the first visit which will be done before the appointment date they have given you.

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

Some of my neighbours appear to have different ducts to their house. Checker calls them "2.5 Inch plastic duct 56." Seems odd for there to be variance - it's a relatively new housing estate - all houses built same time, 2007.

BT duct 56 is the standard, yours may not say it is but its highly unlikely it would be anything else.

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

Having received the Openreach email on Christmas Day (!), I have put my order in for FTTP install.

1. BT wholesale checker confirmed available - says KCI2 Assure, and "Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG congested duct". Is there likely to be an issue, or does this just mean they haven't inspected the duct yet?

Here's the current duct into the house:
https://imgur.com/HmqW6mU

its hard to tell untill the day of the install, you may find as its KC12 assure, an OR bod around your area or street a few days ahead. do go an discuss your install.

You should get a small external box to the side of that called a csp. Its there to resolve a number of issues, mainly if theres a break in the fibre.

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

2. When they install and fit the ONT, I've seen threads discussing preferred locations. I'm thinking just into the same spot suits fine? I can easily then run some cat 6 cable and site the router more centrally in the house, I assume?

Here's the current box for FTTC:
https://imgur.com/Wwp3SPh

Can they just put the new box in its place, and avoid drilling another hole through the wall?, especially when there are some likely power lines running very close to that spot!!

If you are not keeping your normal phone line, then yes they can use the existing hole.

Thanks both!

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

3. Approx how long does installation take? Does the engineer test the connection with their own equipment, or get me to connect a device via ethernet, and run a speedtest, or something like that?

...and in answer to your final question;

Installation time varies! Wooly answer but that's the truth, and mostly depends if they have issues getting through that duct from the street. With no issues, they could be done and dusted within an hour, but more likely 1 to 2 hours. If they have issues, need to get someone else out to help, it could stretch further into the day or they may have to come back another day to complete it.

They will test the light levels with their own equipment. They will usually wait around for you to connect the ISP-supplied router (or your own if you've set it up) to the ONT to test you have connectivity etc.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

3. Approx how long does installation take? Does the engineer test the connection with their own equipment, or get me to connect a device via ethernet, and run a speedtest, or something like that?

...and in answer to your final question;

Installation time varies! Wooly answer but that's the truth, and mostly depends if they have issues getting through that duct from the street. With no issues, they could be done and dusted within an hour, but more likely 1 to 2 hours. If they have issues, need to get someone else out to help, it could stretch further into the day or they may have to come back another day to complete it.

They will test the light levels with their own equipment. They will usually wait around for you to connect the ISP-supplied router (or your own if you've set it up) to the ONT to test you have connectivity etc.

Also if the ont doesn't play ball, that may take up another 30 mins or more. Typically a firmware update is done and then the pon config (which includes a phone call) to add the ont into the existing pon that you will be in.

Okay.
Thanks again, everyone.

I've experienced the sub-one hour install with one technician and the 4 hour plus long haul with two or three techs.

Indeed, like other things (a) really depends on who you get; some are super organised efficient and could do it in their sleep. Others not so much (b) what snags they encounter and how good the centre are at helping them sort it.

I’ve had, shall we say mixed luck with ONTs over the years. Didn’t want to jinx the OP. Sometime the gods are with you and sometimes not.

Should really be fine though 🤞😎

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

I’ve had, shall we say mixed luck with ONTs over the years. Didn’t want to jinx the OP. Sometime the gods are with you and sometimes not.

Should really be fine though 🤞😎

Yeah we don't want to jinx it for the OP, most of the potential issues i think we have said about ..

Thanks - yes, I assumed there is always an unknown with these things, so I guess I was just looking for a range of times to expect. An hour, or half a day. But it sounds as if both a possibility. That's fine - always easier to manage with expectation.
Last engineer who came out to fix/replace faulty box took about 15 minutes, and just oozed experience and confidence. Friendly too.

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

Thanks - yes, I assumed there is always an unknown with these things, so I guess I was just looking for a range of times to expect. An hour, or half a day. But it sounds as if both a possibility. That's fine - always easier to manage with expectation.
Last engineer who came out to fix/replace faulty box took about 15 minutes, and just oozed experience and confidence. Friendly too.

we all hope that you have one of those quick installs and do report back with your shiny new toy!

UPDATE 1

OR engineer arrived this morning, to do the 'outside work'.

Used his yellow rod in the duct, and the last section had resistance.
Blocked duct?
Nope - damaged duct, and the rod came out of the duct and through the soil....

https://imgur.com/QlMgAnm

I excavated what I could, but couldn't locate the damaged bit of duct pipe, and where the rod was exiting.
So engineer has just passed the fibre cable on the line the rod took..

He said it was the 'armoured cable' variety, so won't matter being in a bit of soil.

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

UPDATE 1

OR engineer arrived this morning, to do the 'outside work'.

Used his yellow rod in the duct, and the last section had resistance.
Blocked duct?
Nope - damaged duct, and the rod came out of the duct and through the soil....

https://imgur.com/QlMgAnm

I excavated what I could, but couldn't locate the damaged bit of duct pipe, and where the rod was exiting.
So engineer has just passed the fibre cable on the line the rod took..

He said it was the 'armoured cable' variety, so won't matter being in a bit of soil.

Sadly the duct end appears to finish short of current above ground level which means its probably had years of ingression of soil, rocks and stuff which doesn't help, Just my opinion but I think I would have pushed for it to be fixed by a civils team rather than what they have done.

Not so much damaged, rather never installed correctly in the first place it would seem. There really should be no ‘gaps’ in the duct from the bend, running in bare earth, up to the section that runs up the wall. Should be contiguous. Ideally.

The drop cable is external grade cabling, but it’s not armoured in the traditional sense of armouring.

It will probably be fine in the fullness of time, as evidenced by your existing copper cabling (which isn’t armoured either) but you can also quite easily protect the short length of exposed cable with a bit of corrugated conduit (split) and seal the entrance to the duct.

The driveway was extended a few years back. I suspect the digging caused damage to the duct.

I'll get some corrugated conduit..

UPDATE 2
All installed and mostly* working!

Took about 45 minutes.
No new holes drilled - pulled the copper out, and put the fibre through that hole.
Connected router (A&A supplied Technicolor DGA4135) and it took a bit of back and for with A&A to get it up and running.

Ordered the 1000/115, and getting 650/110 via ethernet to the router.
WiFi wasn't working, with devices just dropping the connection after 2-3 seconds, and then trying to reconnect. But I have switched off the router wifi anyway, and connected it to my existing Mesh (BT WholeHome Wifi Mesh AC2600) and getting 450-500 all over my house, so I think on balance that's pretty good!

*The one thing that isn't working is the VOIP.
I have posted my query in the VOIP forum, to ask for help.
https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/voip/f/4771363-hel...

But i wish the router came with detailed instructions and advice on what all the settings mean, and how to configure for VOIP.
A&A have some support pages, but they're quite complicated for a noobie.

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

But i wish the router came with detailed instructions and advice on what all the settings mean, and how to configure for VOIP.

Funny that. We had a post here yesterday which sent me looking for a manual for that router, but there does not appear to be any such thing.

I wouldn't have an ISP supplied router. Had one once, but definitely not a fan of the idea.

Yeah; once I understand more about networking, I would definitely buy a different router. One that came with lots of instructions, and online support!!

In reply to a post by DFScale:

In reply to a post by iDoccy:

But i wish the router came with detailed instructions and advice on what all the settings mean, and how to configure for VOIP.

Funny that. We had a post here yesterday which sent me looking for a manual for that router, but there does not appear to be any such thing.

I wouldn't have an ISP supplied router. Had one once, but definitely not a fan of the idea.

I was thinking of that thread too

I used this https://support.aa.net.uk/DGA0122_VoIP to set up mine as they are the basically the same router

Thanks.
Yes, I followed that guide, with the exception of the RTP ssh bit, as I got error messages.