Personally I was not enamoured with the service from Zen over FTTP, it was fine on BTW, but when they moved to their own Zen GEA network it was pretty spotty. Even less enamoured with the process of trying to get it sorted. I'd strongly consider using someone else. I think AAISP could be an option, depending on whether any of the caps they have fit with your usage, I've been very happy since moving to them.

Edited by jimbof (Mon 30-Jan-23 09:33:08)

If you plan on ordering an Ultrafast service (300Mb/s+) on the 2nd FTTP line then I would advise you avoid Zen.
The forums are full of users having issues with throughput on Zens faster FTTP offerings. Zen don't seem interested in fixing this in the slightest.
The issues don't seem to effect their slower FTTP packages.

Well this is awkward lol, Zen where the only people who could actually complete the order after confirming with openreach and he placed the order with confirmation of engineer visit date.

He is ordering the 900mbps package, surely it should be fine?

Have a read of the Zen section of the forum. Specifically those discussing a GEA migration.

You could ask Zen how they are provisioning the line. Whether it is via BT Wholesale, Talktalk Business or their own GEA network (called Plexus).

Basically Zen have 3 options for carrying your traffic from the exchange to them (the backhaul). Those are the 3 I mentioned above, BTw, TTB and Zen GEA.
The issue is anyone who has been moved from BTw/TTB to Zens own GEA network (or anyone put straight on their GEA network) have seen a drop in throughput for Ultrafast downloads.
Zen seemed initially keen to diagnose the problem but now it seems it just isn't a problem to them any more.
They have let quite a few people leave their contract or moved others off their own GEA network but others have been told as long as the line meets the minimum guarantee of 450Mb/s then Zen aren't interested.

Things might have improved. You'll likely have a smooth install process with Zen. I used to highly recommend them and managed a number of Zen lines for others but their response to the Ultrafast issues on their GEA network has left me unimpressed.

Keep the thread updated. I'm keen to see how the 4 port ONT swap goes and how seamless it is now or if you end up with 2 1 port ONTs and 2 drop cables.

If you get the Zen service installed and it works then you have nothing to worry about, if it doesn't work properly then at least you have grounds to exit the contract with the bonus that you have an ONT installed and a serial number to give to any new provider.

Keep the thread updated. I'm keen to see how the 4 port ONT swap goes and how seamless it is now or if you end up with 2 1 port ONTs and 2 drop cables.

A second drop would be OK but I’d personally find a second CSP to be a bit more annoying. They could splice 2 drops inside, like they used to with blown connections.

According to a recent SIN update, both the mysterious Nokia 4-port as well as a new ADTRAN 4-port ONT (even more mysterious) could be supplied. 🍿

Edited by Pheasant (Mon 30-Jan-23 15:56:15)

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

According to a recent SIN update, both the mysterious Nokia 4-port as well as a new ADTRAN 4-port ONT (even more mysterious) could be supplied. 🍿

The Adtran kit is slowly getting out there. We seen the new Openreach branded Adtran SDX 611Q (1 port) ONT with 2.5GbE port recently.

The 4 port versions are always going to be much rarer.

In reply to a post by Thanosfibre:

My BTWholesale checker states; "ONT exists with active service. No spare ports are available. A new ONT may be ordered."

assuming that is correct, you may need to wait a while.

if it had something like this

"Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues.

ONT exists with active service. A spare port may be available or a single port ONT may be swappable to a multiport ONT. A new ONT may be ordered."

then there would be less issues

Edited by Taras (Mon 30-Jan-23 18:40:22)

In reply to a post by Thanosfibre:

Hello, My brother is looking to get another ISP for FTTP and i was wondering if this was even possible as i currently have BT Full fibre service at the same address?

Yes, it's entirely possible to have multiple FTTP services at the same address on paper.

The issues you might encounter are:

- ISPs like Sky who don't like a second service (and def not a second one from them if you used them for the first one etc)

- Limited Ports available on the pole/underground feed

- ISP auto-ordering systems that barely cope with FTTP, let alone "ONT exists, takeover not wanted"

among others.

I *personally* prefer the multiple single-port ONT setup simply because if one dies I don't lose all my connections... so I'm not in favour of the multiport unit idea - but I do get why they exist.

You need a clued up ISP I imagine who can correctly order it, but it absolutely is not an impossibility - I have multiple FTTP services.

In reply to a post by Taras:

In reply to a post by Thanosfibre:

My BTWholesale checker states; "ONT exists with active service. No spare ports are available. A new ONT may be ordered."

assuming that is correct, you may need to wait a while.

if it had something like this

"Our records show the following FTTP network service information for these premises:-Single Dwelling Unit Residential OH Feed with no anticipated issues.

ONT exists with active service. A spare port may be available or a single port ONT may be swappable to a multiport ONT. A new ONT may be ordered."

then there would be less issues

I've only ever seen the multi port ONT swap message on lines where a new ONT cannot be ordered because the network is at capacity.

It might just be that (I'm positive it is) it just doesn't show the multi port ONT message if there's capacity on the CBT/Splitter.