FTTC a question or two!

Hi

Sorry if any of this has been asked before. I've had a look round and google and not quite got my head round it all.

I've just seen our exchange is on the list to be upgraded to FTTC, so thats fibre to the cab? And from what I understand the equipment with be in the cabinets rather than the exchange. Does this mean that in terms of speed, you would use the distance to the cabinet you are connected to rather than the distance to the exchange? I think I know which one I'm connected to, about 100m away.

Will we be needing to change router etc? Or does it just work with current routers?

And lastly, Im with sky max at the moment, so would this mean I'd could get the full 20 mbps? (I currently get 3mbps) and do you think an upto 40 mbps will be a seperate subscription?

Sorry again if any of this has been asked before, I've just not been able to find too much information on fttc at all.

Thanks!

In reply to a post by adamwebb28:

I've just seen our exchange is on the list to be upgraded to FTTC, so thats fibre to the cab? And from what I understand the equipment with be in the cabinets rather than the exchange. Does this mean that in terms of speed, you would use the distance to the cabinet you are connected to rather than the distance to the exchange? I think I know which one I'm connected to, about 100m away.

Yes..if your ISP is going to use the facility. I think that the copper is being left in place though so it'll be optional.

Will we be needing to change router etc? Or does it just work with current routers?

Modems

It should work with your existing modem but you won't see as much of an increase.

And lastly, Im with sky max at the moment, so would this mean I'd could get the full 20 mbps? (I currently get 3mbps) and do you think an upto 40 mbps will be a seperate subscription?

Ah. you fall into the category of ISP where it's a bit more complex.

You're on an LLU connection which means that your line plugs into Sky's DSLAM at the exchange. At present only BT are looking at installing equipment in cabinets. That means at first glance nothing will change for you. However BT have been in discussions with LLU ISPs and have come up with a product that will allow your line to use BT's equipment in the cabinet.

I don't know if any LLU ISPs have actually done this yet though - it may still be in the design stage. It also affects the ISP's ability to control your connection which might reduce their ability to compete on price and/or service level. In effect it slightly reduces the advantages of LLU over none-LLU.

i think FTTC will use VDSL over the shorter copper link, so will be incompatible with existing ADSL modems/routers. The first install of this service is on the news page, and is an engineer install where they come and fit a BT provided modem in your premises. You could in theory then use your adsl modem router purely as a router.

In reply to a post by Kr1s69:

i think FTTC will use VDSL over the shorter copper link, so will be incompatible with existing ADSL modems/routers. The first install of this service is on the news page, and is an engineer install where they come and fit a BT provided modem in your premises. You could in theory then use your adsl modem router purely as a router.

Correct, except VDSL2. See this News Item showing what is involved.

Thanks for the answers.

So to really see a difference, I would need to be on bt broadband or one of the bt wholesale products (that is the term for it isnt it?) or hope Sky take up BT's FTTC?

Does anyone know the timeframe for the upgrades? Is it next couple of years?

Thanks again!

In reply to a post by adamwebb28:

So to really see a difference, I would need to be on bt broadband or one of the bt wholesale products (that is the term for it isnt it?) or hope Sky take up BT's FTTC?

FTTC is a BT Openreach product, not BT Wholesale.

The handover at the exchange is by Ethernet connection from the Openreach equipment to any ISP present in the exchange. I assme, but don't know, that some specific contract terms will apply between Openreach and the ISP.

In this context BT Wholesale is just another ISP. (Basically they are LLU just like the ones we call LLU). They could then supply the current body of BT Wholesale-based ISPs through the WBC/WMBC system.

Other LLU ISPs could have the connection made into their equipment.