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FTTP install without grey box

Bella123
Grafter
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Registered: ‎15-01-2025

Re: FTTP install without grey box

Yes, that's the way it was done.

The black fibre cable comes in via rear entry, connected to underground duct back to the pole.

The black fibre was stripped back and the green connection plug fitted to the inner white core.

No other splice.

He told me thes type of boxes are like hens teeth atm, and on back order.

 

Bella123
Grafter
Posts: 74
Thanks: 5
Registered: ‎15-01-2025

Re: FTTP install without grey box

Yes, the ONT is fitted over the existing telephone point backbox.

The black fibre comes in the rear, stripped back to white inner core and green plug fitted to it

MisterW
Superuser
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: FTTP install without grey box

 stripped back to white inner core and green plug fitted to it

I wasn't aware they could fit the green plug on-site. Obviously they can...

Superusers are not staff, but they do have a direct line of communication into the business in order to raise issues, concerns and feedback from the community.

bmc
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Registered: ‎28-02-2017

Re: FTTP install without grey box

@MisterW 

I believe the technical term for the Green Plug may be "Pigs Tail" - it'll come pre-attached to a metre (at least) of cable.

 

It then gets fused to the incoming fibre cable. The only difference to the Grey Box method is the fusing is done indoors and not outside.

 

Brian

Bella123
Grafter
Posts: 74
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Registered: ‎15-01-2025

Re: FTTP install without grey box

That's correct, he showed me tthe green plug initially pre attached to a black cable in a packet.

Said he had to  remove it from that and attach it to fhe white core.

There was some sort of equipment to do this fusion. 

pvmb
Pro
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Registered: ‎12-02-2014

Re: FTTP install without grey box


@Bella123 wrote:

Yes, that's the way it was done.

The black fibre cable comes in via rear entry, connected to underground duct back to the pole.

The black fibre was stripped back and the green connection plug fitted to the inner white core.

No other splice.

He told me thes type of boxes are like hens teeth atm, and on back order.

 


This interests me, as it looks like it could (possibly) be a method suitable for my address when FTTP becomes available. In my case there is no "pole", the existing landline being fed a very short distance underground from a BT duct/manhole outside my front door. One snag being the existing landline cable is armoured, implying it passes directly through the ground to my existing NTE rather than a duct - but I don't know.
Can I take it your existing landline cable was removed first (thus breaking the existing connection), to allow the FTTP cable to then replace it?

 

PS. I recently observed some Openreach people rodding the existing main duct run in the pathway outside where I live. Some days later a telecoms contractor turned up with a single length of blue cable that I assume they installed in the BT/Openreach underground ducting. But I have no idea what was going on!

Bella123
Grafter
Posts: 74
Thanks: 5
Registered: ‎15-01-2025

Re: FTTP install without grey box

Openreach cut the existing phone line outside, tied the new fibre cable to it and pulled it into house.

Essentially the old phone cable was used as a draw wire to pull in the new fibre cable

RobPN
Seasoned Hero
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Re: FTTP install without grey box


@pvmb wrote:

 

PS. I recently observed some Openreach people rodding the existing main duct run in the pathway outside where I live. Some days later a telecoms contractor turned up with a single length of blue cable that I assume they installed in the BT/Openreach underground ducting. But I have no idea what was going on!


(my bold)

@pvmb 

Are you sure it was a cable and not just a length of rope (as blue is generally the colour of the draw rope used)? 

pvmb
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Re: FTTP install without grey box

Cable or rope? I don't know, that never occurred to me, I just thought 'cable'. Wish I'd gone out and asked them what was going on, now. I might have got a look into 'my' BT/Openreach manhole to see if I could detect any ducting leading away to my property.

mystreet1
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Registered: ‎26-01-2024

Re: FTTP install without grey box

@pvmb the chance are, as you telephone cable is armoured, there is no ducting and it is buried directly in the ground.

That is how our line is.

Think that from around the mid eighties ducting must have been used on all new builds. Sure someone will post more accurate timescale.
Was a member for years, but moved from PN fttc to fttp from an AltNet. Getting 940Mb up and down. Happy to stay on here and try to help others. 
bmc
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Registered: ‎28-02-2017

Re: FTTP install without grey box

@pvmb 

This is the chamber for my house taken while the network install was in progress. The CBT is in place but no house connections made.

DPb.jpg

 

One length of blue rope goes up the street to the next chamber - not used in the end. The other ropes go to properties where the duct has been proven clear.

 

Brian

pvmb
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Re: FTTP install without grey box

It cometh!

Seems to be a followup to that rodding and later blue "cable"(rope?) I saw outside my front door a few weeks ago. In the main road, off of which I live, I see various excations in the pavement atributable to Openreach - with a blue draw rope clearly visable in exposed underground ducts. Man today measuring out distance with a ground distance measurement wheel.

(What I find strange is these excavated holes are immediately adjacent to existing BT manholes, which are still closed.)

bmc
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Re: FTTP install without grey box

@pvmb 

Are you sure they're from OpenReach?

 

I'd be out asking if they're headed in your direction.

 

Brian

pvmb
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Re: FTTP install without grey box

Loads of holes in the ground with work going on now around the district I live. Keep seeing OCU Group vans - another of those utility/infrastructure companies.

During a walk this morning I saw long lengths of looped, black cabling just lying on the verge. Picked it up to have a look: it was covered in a black sheath, felt very hard and likely armoured. Dropped it back on the ground just as it started moving! Further up the hill I saw some men with an OCU Group van pulling the cable towards them. I assume this was main optical feed being inserted through BT/Openreach ducts.

pvmb
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Re: FTTP install without grey box

It's here! Just got the email from Openreach.