In reply to a post by youngsyp:

The same could be said for cat5/ cat5e cable too though. If you go down the cat5e route, the cable should have the specification printed on the outer sheath. And make sure it's not CCA too.

Seems like it might be my most practical option. I can't see the openreach engineer wanting to take the time to carefully run my cabling though a difficult set of rooms and make hole in walls. I'm assuming i'll need to get shielded cat5e indoors with the amount of power cabling that's nearby. I did consider getting armoured cat5e and running it outside and drilling back in at the place I need it - could well be easier than running inside.

In reply to a post by Garlic:

I'm assuming i'll need to get shielded cat5e indoors with the amount of power cabling that's nearby. I did consider getting armoured cat5e and running it outside and drilling back in at the place I need it - could well be easier than running inside.

There's no point using shielded cable unless every cable used is shielded in your LAN. The inherent noise rejection the cat5e offers, by design, will be sufficient. It would be worth spending the little extra on low smoke, zero halogen (LSZH) cable though, from a fire safety perspective.
If you went external, you can buy specific external grade cat5e. It's not armoured but, uses a different spec plastic for the outer sheathing for greater longevity when exposed to the elements. Personally, I'd not bother with armoured cable but, that's a personal choice.

I have cat5e running from my drop line all the way to the loft where my master socket resides. BT state I should achieve a max of 3.5Mbps on my line and I manage 9.8Mbps, so it certainly performs well enough!

Paul

Edited by deleted (Mon 04-Aug-14 15:44:38)

The Home Wiring Solution, which is what Openreach now called the Data Extension Cable, can be run externally. The external cable is van stock.

Re the 40Mbps installation cost, if the HWS is still free then I would expect the necessary engineer visit would also be.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

The Home Wiring Solution, which is what Openreach now called the Data Extension Cable, can be run externally. The external cable is van stock.

Aren't they still using this https://claritybroadband.co.uk/clxcart/BT-Openreach-... - isn't external grade cable generally used for relocating the NTE5?

The clarity kit is apparently two pair so is also good for 100Mbps ethernet

Edited by 4M2 (Mon 04-Aug-14 16:06:53)

I'm merely quoting some posters' experiences and a certain knowledgeable person whose nick begins with "Z". I'm sure you can fill in the blanks .

The HWS no longer plugs into the VDSL socket. It is hard wired to the internal IDC connectors.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

The HWS no longer plugs into the VDSL socket. It is hard wired to the internal IDC connectors.

Thanks - that's interesting, guess they do that off the new interstitial plates...previously a rj11 plug on solid core never really seemed like a good idea

Be careful to work out the costs over the full term of the contract. Possibly a bit longer if you're considering using a line rental saver option, iie calculate for 24 months as well as 18 months to allow for the double line rental saver.

As an example I'm using BT Infinity Unlimited. In terms of monthly costs Infinity 1 is £4/month less for 3 months then £3/month less for the next 15 months. That makes a total saving of £57. However Inifinity 1 has a £30 activation charge whereas Infinity 2 does not. That brings the saving down to £27 or £1.50/month over the length of the contract.

In reply to a post by Kronos2001:

Be careful to work out the costs over the full term of the contract. Possibly a bit longer if you're considering using a line rental saver option, iie calculate for 24 months as well as 18 months to allow for the double line rental saver.

I think I'm paying 15£/m atm so i might benefit from line rental saver, interesting thanks i need to check that.

As an example I'm using BT Infinity Unlimited. In terms of monthly costs Infinity 1 is £4/month less for 3 months then £3/month less for the next 15 months. That makes a total saving of £57. However Inifinity 1 has a £30 activation charge whereas Infinity 2 does not. That brings the saving down to £27 or £1.50/month over the length of the contract.

Its fairly marginal certainly - one reason why if BT won't come out to fit my data extension cable (I can't find anything about 'Home Wiring Solution' on bts site have they changed the name) without charging for Inf1 it would pay to get Inf2 just to avoid the call out @ £129. I do have some concerns about some of the smaller providers and their reliability/customer services (and some of the modems they supply look poor compared to HH5 and worse still then the stand alone models) but then I suppose you tend only to hear about the problems.