FTTP install without grey box

[#1]

I was speaking to an Openreach guy and was querying about the grey box.

He told me they dont always fit the grey box and can take the cable straight to ONT

In the case of an existing duct from pole to existing telephone point, the new fibre cable can be pulled in directly without any need for the grey box.

[#2]

I don't think so!

The internal fibre is pre-terminatef  with a plug to fit the ONT. The 'free' end of that must then be spliced to the external fibre at the CSP ( grey box )

AFAIK it's not possible to fit a plug to the external fibre to allow it to connect to the ONT

[#3]

@Bella123 I think the guy was telling you porkies - the FTTP uses totally different technology and cabling - and does require a CSP (outsisde grey box).

[#4]

@Bella123 

That was how they did my install - back in late 2017. This was before they introduced the grey box for outside.

Brian

[#5]

There is a smaller internal CSP that can be used, maybe that's what he meant. But AFAIK, there's no way to request one, just pot luck as to whether the installer has one onboard & is willing to fit it.

[#6]

When i was questioning him about fitting the grey box he said 'we're supposed to but dont sometimes' like in the case of underground duct going directly to phone socket, how can they mount an external box in that case without digging outside to find the duct.

I think they use something called a field fit connector to connect the black wire to ONT

[#7]

They know where the duct is - otherwise how did they route the copper cable. IIRC, they don't, and haven't for many years, use 'field-fit' connections.

[#8]

They may know where it is but they wont be digging up the driveway!

[#9]

Just coming back here to update.

The Openreach guy wasn't telling porkies and just one box used in the FTTP install. No grey box outside either.

The fibre cable is connected directly into the ONT, 

[#10]

@Bella123 

So can we see a photo of the ONT then please?

[#11]

The ONT is in the enclosure.

[#12]

@Bella123 

Good to hear the install went OK. Is the ONT in your desired location?

Were the pictures taken before an etherent cable was connected for the router? I'm guessing the two cables shown are the incoming fibre cable and the power supply. Though having said that the incoming fibre could be behind the ONT itself.

Brian

[#13]

Were the pictures taken before an etherent cable was connected for the router?

Not from what I can see. The black cable is the Ethernet. The fibre is the one pre-terminated with the green plug.

The excess fibre is coiled up, where it goes from the ONT is not obvious. All the visible fibre is internal type, so it must be spliced somewhere to the external fibre ?

[#14]

Agreed @MisterW 

I recall for a short period OR used a method without a CSP whereby the black outer sheath of the fixed length incoming (pre-plugged) cable was stripped back to reveal a white internal cable, but I didn't think that method was still used, so if it's not been done that way I wonder where the splice is?

[#15]

@MisterW 

I'm thinking the incoming fibre is hidden by the ONT. It would have been stripped back to the fibre sheath at the wall and then fused to the pre-terminated Green Plug. The excess cable is then coiled up as can be seen in the pricture.

Brian