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This is the first time of switching FTTP fibre providers for me (well, the MIL), from Plusnet to Sky. During the signup, I'm prompted to select an engineer visit date, which I thought was a bit odd - isn't this just plug'n'play - change the router?
I then receive an email from City Fibre confirming the appointment to install a new ONT if required, which I also thought was odd. Apparently I have much to learn!
Is this totally normal/expected?
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Tony
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If it is Sky using the CityFibre network which getting an email from CityFibre suggests then perfectly normal.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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Ah thanks.
Do they usually require a different ONT, or is this a maybe? I ask because that requires furniture to be moved, although I do plan to be there on the day.
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Tony
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Register (or login) on our website and you will not see this ad.
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Sounds like you've booked a move from Plusnet via Openreach to Sky via CityFibre.
CityFibre is a totally separate network, it may or may not use Openreach ducts/poles (PIA) to get to the house, but it will not use the existing fibre to the house or ONT.
As a new install CityFibre will be XGS-PON rather than GPON that Openreach use and you'll get a symmetrical service.
The CityFibre appointment is normal as they will need to install their network to your house, note this will be running a new fibre to your house and the ONT install, not just a new ONT. They won't touch the Openreach fibre or ONT used for the Plusnet service today.
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Can you please clarify if the MiL is currently using Plusnet through CityFibre and they are switching to Sky through CityFibre?
To be honest I didn't think you could get Plusnet through CityFibre.
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Plusnet are part of BT Group and at the current time they only offer services via Openreach.
That means the original posters MIL will be doing an Openreach to CityFibre migration as well as a Plusnet to Sky migration. Hence the new ONT and new fibre to the home needed and the CityFibre appointment.
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this is PN (openreach) to Sky(city fibre)..
its effectivly a new install
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A whole new install, from one fibre network to a different one.
New fibre into the MIL’s property, a new ONT, and most likely, a different router too.
One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.
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Yes PN OR and move to Sky, which I discovered is with City Fibre.
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Tony
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Oh dear, what have I done  !
She had fibre installed by OR 2Y ago, from a pole across the street. I don't think she will want more boxes installed to the front of her house, or inside, so I may well need to back out of this. I, mistakenly it seems, assumed the basic infrastructure at the house would be used.
The second issue is that I now have a recollection that City Fibre dug the road over the last few years, so that's likely their route. But underground won't work as that would mean digging the drive - which is not going to happen. Am I jumping to the wrong conclusions?
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Tony
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Do you know if there is a way to request Sky to use the existing OR fibre installation, or will they simply always use City Fibre in a given area?
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Tony
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CityFibre could be underground or they could also be using the Openreach pole, it depends on which build method they used for that location.
Easiest way to check is to see if there is a toby box (small black plastic rectangular box with CityFibre written on) in the pavement outside your MIL house, that would indicate an underground CityFibre install from there.
If there is no toby box you may see a CityFibre box next to the Openreach ones on the pole.
The CityFibre install will have a small box on the outside of the house and the ONT inside very similar to the Openreach install.
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Oh dear, what have I done !
I just played with my address and one "locally" that has city fibre and or available - sky only shows cityfibre deals when theres or and cityfibre. You weren't confused or did something wrong, they should be upfront and allow you to choose city fibre or OR.
She had fibre installed by OR 2Y ago, from a pole across the street. I don't think she will want more boxes installed to the front of her house, or inside, so I may well need to back out of this. I, mistakenly it seems, assumed the basic infrastructure at the house would be used.
Different networks will use their own cabling, even if its the same ducts/poles. CSP and ont will be different of course.
The second issue is that I now have a recollection that City Fibre dug the road over the last few years, so that's likely their route. But underground won't work as that would mean digging the drive - which is not going to happen. Am I jumping to the wrong conclusions?
I don't know if city fibre shows what type of install your MiL will have.
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Thanks, I will make contact to see what can be done.
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Tony
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I will get someone to check for me - the location is in Kent, and I'm in Hertfordshire.
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Tony
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If CityFibre dug the roads up it would be extremely unlikely that they pay for PIA to go up a pole and to do an aerial install, I've never seen it.
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Do you know if there is a way to request Sky to use the existing OR fibre installation, or will they simply always use City Fibre in a given area?
I doubt Sky will do that, I expect they have a better deal with City Fibre, a better network anyway.
Adrian
Desktop machines Mac mini pro with macOS Sequoia, also pc Ryzen powered with windows something or other.
Zooming with Zzoomm FTTP,
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"Better network" depends on your definition of "better".
Cityfibre offers faster speeds, yes. But in terms of physical reliability, the OR 50mm ducting is longer-lasting and more repairable than the Cityfibre shallow-buried microducting; arguably the OR network could be more reliable in the long term.
Cityfibre have also not been without power problems at their FEX's (active POP sites). e.g.
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/12/cityfi...
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/10/cityfi...
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Is 'she' a landlady?
For me CityFibre was done from the existing Openreach pole, was no digging, as others have suggested, if you have a toby box, will indicate the likely method of installation.
There will be a new external box, and a new ONT (internal box), although these are very small, it takes a very fussy person to have issues with these. The unknown bit is how the fibre will reach your property (overhead or underground), if you got no toby box, then pole is my bet.
You might be able to successfully get sky to use the existing Openreach ONT, although they might then say its CityFibre or nothing, you dont know until you ask.
Currently CityFibre have superior PON tech and symmetrical speeds, but Openreach will be rolling out XGS at some point in the future.
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Are basically for a very long story short the internet companies example Plusnet or Sky don't actually use their own internet service so their own physical service as in the internet cable coming to you so when you move to sky sky uses a different physical internet provider so they are called in this case city fibre so for example city fibre will provide internet services for multiple companies the good news is they are a new company I personally am on City Fibre and I have had zero issues Touchwood for the last 14 months so let it happen pick a good spot make sure it works and happy days
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Thank, yes I understood each ISP would use their own equipment, but I (mistakenly) assumed they would pick up the connection externally from the house, not add a complete new wire (fibre) with new boxes inside and out. The internal box/ONT now makes sense, and on the external stuff, it makes sense that OR own the existing connection so any new supplier has to install their own - it's just a bit daft and inefficient.
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Tony
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Thankjs for the info.
She is just an 86-year old that requires basic internet. She lost the traditional copper landline 2Y ago when Plusnet wouldn't renew (but offered to move her to BT DigitalVoice - for the heafty price they charge), so I moved her to a VoIP system from AA at that time, which has been rock solid. At least the phone is separate from the broadband!
There is no Toby box outside her property, and to make matters harder, she has a driveway completely resin covered, there's no chance they will be digging that up!
I hope they will use the OR pole too. Replacing the ONT is not a major concern, but it requires large furniture to be moved, but leaving the existing ONT and adding a new one is not that great - I know she won't want that.
I will ask Sky if the OR connecting is a possibility, but from what I've read, I doubt it. Then I'll let it play out. If I don't like the situation on the day, I will not proceed.
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Tony
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Thank, yes I understood each ISP would use their own equipment, but I (mistakenly) assumed they would pick up the connection externally from the house, not add a complete new wire (fibre) with new boxes inside and out. The internal box/ONT now makes sense, and on the external stuff, it makes sense that OR own the existing connection so any new supplier has to install their own - it's just a bit daft and inefficient.
Just to clarify, for want of a better term, Openreach and City Fibre are Network Services Providers and Network Services Providers do need to install their own hardware. But you can change between many ISP's on the same network without needing new hardware.
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I will ask Sky if the OR connecting is a possibility, but from what I've read, I doubt it. Then I'll let it play out. If I don't like the situation on the day, I will not proceed.
you may need to call them as they supply OR installs as well, you may also have to pay a different price and or loose any incentive for your gran to join them. Good luck
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I hope they will use the OR pole too. Replacing the ONT is not a major concern, but it requires large furniture to be moved, but leaving the existing ONT and adding a new one is not that great - I know she won't want that.
The existing ONT is a OR one, if sky/cityfibre install their own one I don't think they will be touching the OR one as they are unlikely to have permission to remove another companies equipment.
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Thanks, yes all clear - I was just thinking back the unbundling over the last 20 years where the actual wires coming to your house were used by whichever provider you selected, changes made at the exchange typically - not right to your house. Of course, Virgin for example, literally installed a new wire to your house (often), and that's what I'm getting me head around with this OR to City Fibre change.
Thanks all for the feedback.
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Tony
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Thanks, yes all clear - I was just thinking back the unbundling over the last 20 years
Yes, its not well explained anywhere.
Unbundling was in the days of the "last mile" (actually any distance) between your home and the network provider being shared. Openreach (BT plc) was everywhere, so other companies could RENT space in the telephone exchange and provide other services over these wires. With high speed optical fibre it unfortunately doesn't work this way, so that sort of unbundling doesn't exist.
In some towns it may be possible to have 3 or 4 physical network operators in the street outside your door. In my street I have two alternate network FTTP operators, Virgin coax, and Openreach copper pair.
26 years of broadband connectivity since Sep 1999 trial - Live BQM
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Yes indeed, meanwhile, in some streets - mine included, no fibre FTTP, but that is changing. How daft, of course, it's just business economics.
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Tony
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Yes indeed, meanwhile, in some streets - mine included, no fibre FTTP, but that is changing. How daft, of course, it's just business economics. My parents are in a town of 120,000 people and no FTTP, perhaps because of the cost of digging the ground. Where I live is a block of flats, so we have the networks in the street, but landlord won't give permission for them to connect!!
26 years of broadband connectivity since Sep 1999 trial - Live BQM
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So with no Toby box, it will probably be via the pole, they wont replace the Openreach ONT, as its not their property, it will be 2nd ONT installed.
If they turn up and are doing anything she isnt comfortable with, you can refuse them and turn them away.
Edited by Chrysalis (Sat 24-Jan-26 21:20:27)
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