topic Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation? in Everything else

Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

cemcgill — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 22:46:03 GMT

Hi there - I'm moving into a new flat soon, and was informed that the current tenant has a "Fibre 150 VoIP" plan with TalkTalk. I took that to mean (to the best of my knowledge - I am NOT tech-savvy, so please bear that in mind...:)) that the flat already has full fibre installed. However, when I went to purchase a PlusNet plan and entered my address, it said they'd have to make an appointment for an engineer to come drill holes in the wall etc etc in order to install full fibre...

Am I somehow entirely mistaken, and it's possible the existing tenant has a 'fibre to the cabinet' installation? As far as I can see, Talk Talk only offers their Fibre 150 plans with full fibre, direct to the premises.

And if I'm right, and there is full fibre already installed in the property - shouldn't the Plusnet technician just be able to connect my new router to the existing fibre? As far as I can tell, both Talk Talk and Plusnet use the same full fibre network, Openreach.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Townman — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 07:27:00 GMT

150mbps is not FTTC so it is one of the various FTTP services.

Talk Talk use two infrastructure providers - their own and BT Openreach. Plusnet (and most ISPs) are not permitted access to Talk Talk’s infrastructure in the same way that BTOR are obliged to provide access to all.

Consequently if you want service from a supplier other than Talk Talk the connection would need to be on BT’s network, which if it’s not there, needs to be installed. You need to find out whose network is installed already. There have been even some cases where BT’s installation records are incorrect.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

dvorak — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 07:25:39 GMT

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to Everything Else

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 07:37:06 GMT

@cemcgill

This link https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome provides an overview of what services are available to the property.

The narrative at the bottom should indicate if a Openreach ONT is already installed

Take a screen shot of the page if you require any help

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

jab1 — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 07:51:54 GMT

If the OP's intended new home has FTTP from TT, I would have thought that they already have a 'BT' connection - unless I am totally mistaken (possible), TT use BT 'wires', even if they have their own equipment upstream?

Even if I am mistaken, and TT work like an altnet, surely all that is needed is the replacement of the cable and associated ONT, which can surely follow the existing route?

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

MisterW — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:02:08 GMT

Even if I am mistaken, and TT work like an altnet, surely all that is needed is the replacement of the cable and associated ONT, which can surely follow the existing route?

@jab1 as @Townman said above TT can supply FTTP using an altnet ( CityFibre I believe )

If thats the current installation then I suspect any Openreach installer is not permitted to remove any part of the existing equipment and so a totally new installation and route must be established.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Townman — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:03:45 GMT

TT use City Fibre in some areas.

I’m sure that when one of the alt nets (Zzooom or Whoosh) was installing on my street they said it was TT’s own network.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

jab1 — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:06:09 GMT

@MisterW Apologies - I read @Townman 's comment to imply they had their own full network - didn't realise they used CF. If that is the case, then I apologise for my error, and shall cease from further comment. 😀

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Townman — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:12:53 GMT

John,

On good days we learn something we did not know previously!

Though I could not find an explicit reference I think TT do have their own network, or at least a substantial investment in one. You are though correct where “wires” are concerned - copper borne FTTC is over BT Openreach infrastructure to the exchange.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

jab1 — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:25:10 GMT

Just checked and Uswitch state ; 'As with many of the broadband providers in the UK, the majority of TalkTalk's packages rely on the Openreach network. But for its full fibre connections, it shares the full fibre networks of Openreach, CityFibre and Community Fibre' - so they do not have their 'own' network, apparently, but rely on those quoted. Obviously, if they use either of the last two, and the OP wants PN, then it will need to be a new install. More detail is needed.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Townman — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 09:24:15 GMT

See https://www.talktalkgroup.com/newsroom/2020-TalkTalk-launches-new-company-FibreNation-

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Townman — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 09:28:55 GMT

And https://cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-completes-its-acquisition-of-fibrenation-increasing-its-rollout-plans-to-pass-up-to-8-million-premises

So the connection with City Fbre has its origins in TT launching its own network … in your neck of the woods! That said I’m certain the local installer of one of the above brands claimed it was for TT.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 09:31:16 GMT

@Townman

That's a very old story, think you'll find they are now part of City Fibre

https://cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-completes-its-acquisition-of-fibrenation-increasing-its-rollout-plans-to-pass-up-to-8-million-premises

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

jab1 — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 09:30:15 GMT

FibreNation acquired by City Fibre in March 2020 - see https://cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-completes-its-acquisition-of-fibrenation-increasing-its-rollout-plans-to-pass-up-to-8-million-premises

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

cemcgill — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:18:00 GMT

Hi, all - thanks so much for your responses! So if I'm understanding correctly, the property definitely has full fibre currently, but depending on what network TalkTalk is using in my area (if it's not the Openreach network shared by Plusnet), I'll require a new install...

I suppose it's hardly the end of the world if that is the case, but I'd rather not wait in for an engineer appointment and have extra holes drilled in my walls if it turns out it's not necessary.

I checked my address using https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome as @Dan_the_Van recommended, and these were the results - unfortunately, I'm rather at a loss as to what any of this means. 😅 You've all already been very helpful, but is there any chance someone could have a look at this and see whether it indicates if Openreach fibre is currently in place?

Thanks very much!

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

bmc — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:40:41 GMT

@cemcgill

Find the websites for the following and use their PostCode checker to see if they supply FTTP for your new property.

CityFibre and Community Fibre

From what you just posted OpenReach do. Once you find out which of the others do, then you're in a position to make a choice of supplier. If CF do supply the address, then you are free to use any ISP who uses CF - I believe Zen Internet do.

Note you will lose your analogue phone line plus any PN add ons you may have (like email) if you leave PN.

Brian

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

MisterW — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:42:06 GMT

@cemcgill whatever is in place is NOT an Openreach Fibre install. If it was, the narrative below the Availability results would say 'ONT exists' . Rather it says 'new ONT can be ordered', so it will be a new install and a new hole and ONT will be required.

Slightly concerning is the phrase 'Complex L2C' which implies the install may not be simple.

Is access to the building difficult ?

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

jab1 — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:48:15 GMT

As an aside, the 'new hole 'is tiny, and will be hidden behind the external CSP and internal ONT anyway.

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

cemcgill — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:51:04 GMT

@MisterW
Is access to the building difficult ?

Ahh, I see... re: access to the building: it's an old 1900s tenement, and my flat's on the 3rd floor, which is itself on a fairly steep hill. I have very little idea how fibre is actually installed; does that mean they'll have to send someone up a ladder/scaffolding to drill through the wall from the outside? Or maybe it's a problem as the walls are old/thick?

As an aside, the 'new hole'is tiny, and wlll be hidden behind the external CSP and internal ONT anyway.

@Cjab - that's certainly good to hear! That's what I was hoping - the whole mess still seems like a bit of a faff, though. I suppose that's what I get for moving into an old tenement

Re: Can Plusnet be connected to existing Talk Talk fibre installation?

Dan_the_Van — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:56:25 GMT

@cemcgill

remember to engage with the property management for the flats as they may need to grant permission for any external work.

Have you a reason to stay with plusnet as you could move to the current infrastructure provider.

Check City Fibre here https://cityfibre.com/ who are used by a number of providers