Zen - FTTC - Self Install

FTTC cabinet has finally appeared and there is a RFS date quoted as 14/dec so am wanting to upgrade my zen adsl to fibre as soon as possible.

Was hoping to do a Self Install but do Zen offer this? I found some posts nearly 2 years old statin g Zen were trialling it with their own employees but then the trail went cold.

If Zen do not offer self install which ISPs do?

Cheers

I had FTTC installed around 4 or 5 months ago with Zen. They didn't have self install available then.

There is of course the wholly unsupported route... That is, you have the BT engineer fit the new socket and modem, and then either just plug in your own, if the master socket is where you want it or if you wanted to use another socket, remove the master socket "overplate" they install (you will need some other screws to hold it in). Then, use microfilters as normal and locate your own VDSL modem/router.

Standard disclaimers apply.

I don't believe Zen have launched self-install FTTC yet.

In reply to a post by r00ty:

There is of course the wholly unsupported route... That is, you have the BT engineer fit the new socket and modem, and then either just plug in your own, if the master socket is where you want it or if you wanted to use another socket, remove the master socket "overplate" they install (you will need some other screws to hold it in). Then, use microfilters as normal and locate your own VDSL modem/router.

If you have an engineer installation, it's best to get the master socket moved to where you want the VDSL2 device if the engineer is agreeable, or to get a Data Extension Kit run from the master to where you want the VDSL2 device (should be free if the cable run is less than 30m and the cable route is relatively simple - make sure Zen specify the Home Wiring Solution on the FTTC order).


If you want to site the VDSL2 device remote from the master on an existing engineer install, I would argue it is far better to run a data only extension over good quality twisted pair cable from the IDC block on the faceplate filter (the top right item in MrSaffron's exploded picture, the block is arrowed yellow in the thumbnail).

Extending over twisted pair cable from the IDC block on the faceplate filter means that the extension wiring is filtered. If you remove the faceplate filter and use microfilters, the extension wiring is not filtered, also there is the possibility of someone incorrectly removing a microfilter.


I'd suggest leaving the VDSL2 device at the master socket if possible, in order to maximise performance.

I upgraded from Zen ADSL to Zen FTTC at the beginning of October. It was an engineer install at that time.

I'm guessing your only issue is having to wait in?

John

In reply to a post by jjones:

FTTC cabinet has finally appeared and there is a RFS date quoted as 14/dec so am wanting to upgrade my zen adsl to fibre as soon as possible.

Was hoping to do a Self Install but do Zen offer this? I found some posts nearly 2 years old statin g Zen were trialling it with their own employees but then the trail went cold.

If Zen do not offer self install which ISPs do?

Cheers

Zen do not supply a "free" router and therefore your installation will require an Openreach modem to either hook into using a privately purchased cable router or dispensing with the Openreach modem for a combination device after the engineer has departed. Now you only get the Openreach modem from the engineer who visits your home.

Most installation engineers will ensure the service to your master socket is fit for purpose to give you the best internet experience. To achieve that they may carry out activities which you would be unable to do yourself. So to me, an engineer visit is a good investment for a trouble free future.

The downside to an installation engineer visit is waiting in for the AM or PM slot with it not being unheard of "no shows" and the disappointment of a contractor to service your needs. That said do stick with Zen since if you do have the need to call them you will at least be able to understand what they say!

This link goes someway towards explaining why some ISPs are reluctant to go the 'self-install' FTTC route:

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/10/aaisp-a...

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Most installation engineers will ensure the service to your master socket is fit for purpose to give you the best internet experience. To achieve that they may carry out activities which you would be unable to do yourself. So to me, an engineer visit is a good investment for a trouble free future.

The downside to an installation engineer visit is waiting in for the AM or PM slot with it not being unheard of "no shows" and the disappointment of a contractor to service your needs. That said do stick with Zen since if you do have the need to call them you will at least be able to understand what they say!

+1.

FTTC is far more sensitive to noise than ADSL2+ so you want to make sure you're synced at the optimum speeds when your service goes live. At least when the engineer is there you can ask him to investigate any problems there and then, eg visit to the cab to check on excessive cross talk.

Also not all contractors are poorly trained , the Quinn fella who installed our TTB FTTC service was extremely knowledgeable and only too happy to comply with any requests (eg he installed the master socket in a location of my choice and was happy to give me a 'spare' ECI modem to faff around with). Though we did bribe him with stacks of freshly made samosas and unlimited mugs of tea

Thanks all, the only reason was to avoid the inconvenience of a home visit and the curtain twitching that the tortuous will (s)he won't (S)he turn up game entails!

Would rather go to work and come home and set it up myself once the cabinet has been swapped over.

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Zen do not supply a "free" router and therefore your installation will require an Openreach modem to either hook into using a privately purchased cable router or dispensing with the Openreach modem for a combination device after the engineer has departed.

I had my own router up and connected before the engineer arrived from the cabinet. He didn't even bother to leave an Openreach modem. I'd also already fitted the VDSL2 interstitial filter. It was pretty much a self install.

Edited by caffn8me (Wed 19-Nov-14 12:17:37)

In reply to a post by caffn8me:

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Zen do not supply a "free" router and therefore your installation will require an Openreach modem to either hook into using a privately purchased cable router or dispensing with the Openreach modem for a combination device after the engineer has departed.

I had my own router up and connected before the engineer arrived from the cabinet. He didn't even bother to leave an Openreach modem. I'd also already fitted the VDSL2 interstitial filter. It was pretty much a self install.

So, when your line develops a fault, and a BTOR engineer calls to check the connection what are you going to say when he asks ' where is the BTOR modem'? I have my own modem/router but, at Zen's insistence, i re-installed it before the engineer arrived to carryout a lift and shift. Following the visit, I now have 2 BTOR modems that I never use.