Installation of FTTP

[#1]

I would dearly like to move from FTTC to FTTP.  However I'm not convinced that OR would be able to install the ONT where I need it.  I've had FTTC since 2012 and was only 67 then and easily able to help the guy fitting the copper wire through the loft to the back bedroom being used as a study.  The front of the house has the kitchen, bathroom, etc which are not suitable for fitiing the ONT.  I'm not sure how easily fibre cable can be used compared copper but my ability to move around the loft at 80 is somewhat limited.  Ideally I would like an assessment of the possibilities but I don't see any way to easily get that.

[#2]

@rodneymf 

I assume you want the ONT in the back bedroom, the same as your current set up.

Is the loft floored, have easy access and space to work?

How does the cable get from the loft to the study?

Finally what does the following say for your phone number.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

You're looking for WBC FTTP in the left hand column and Available / KCI2 to the right. As important, below the results window is a narrative regarding an FTTP install. Waht does this say?

This information would give Members on the Fourm an idea of what to advise.

Brian

[#3]

Thanks.

"I  assume you want the ONT in the back bedroom, the same as your current set up."

Exactly, although the exact position doesn't have to replicate the existing.  A LAN cable could deal with the rest.  The loft is floored and is reasonably accessible via a fixed dropdown ladder; a few things might need moving. Currently the copper goes into the loft through a hole accommodating the overflow pipe, around the loft fixed to the timbers and then goes through a hole in the ceiling plasterboard inside a cupboard, down to the floor and around the skirting.  The ONT could be fixed just outside the cupboard where there is a wall power socket.

Broadband checker is currently unavailable but my next door neighbour has FTTP though TalkTalk so I'm 99.9% certain it's available and, anyway, Plusnet have been offering it for several years now.

Rodney

[#4]

@rodneymf 

I gather the Checker can be a bit flakely. You can check FF availablility by logging into your PN Members page (see below) and seeing what offers are available for upgrade. It's the narrative I'm interested in - it'll tell you if any install problems are expected.

Given your age have you registered with PN as a Vulnerable Person? I'm not certain if age is enough but if you look under My Account  and then Additional Support (I think) you can check and register if qualified. This ensures PN and OR take extra care when dealing with you.

I assume you know you lose your phone line. Does this matter? Any house or personal alarms?

Brian

[#5]

Thanks for the tip about vulnerability,  Brian.  I will act on that.

My current offers go from Full Fibre 74 to Full Fibre 900 with several in between. Screenshot attached.

We have a personal alarm but it is connected via its own SIM to the mobile network.

I've looked into VOIP services and think that will work for us

Rodney

[#6]

@rodneymf 

Thanks for the information. You most definitely can get FullFibre.

As you have discovered there is no method of requesting a pre-install visit. These cost time and therefore money. If has always been the case you only discover on the day as to what is, and is not, prossible when you talk to them. A good engineer will always try and work with you.

From what you say I think there is a good chance they will install as per your request. No real extra work required, no extra holes to drill etc. Hopefully others will jump in with their opinion.

The loft will need to be clear in the areas the installer needs to work. If you are lucky you'll get an internal CSP in the loft. Something like this (you might even get it inside the cupboard in the study).

 

You might consider puting some duct around the loft where the fibre cable will go. Protects the cable and saves the fibre being stapled to the timber.

As regards VOIP - the key thing is to do nothing (other than research) until after Full Fibre is in and PN have confirmed the fact. You then have 30 days to port your number if you want to keep it. Note VOIP doesn't work during power cuts and you may need to spend some money sorting your phones out to work with VOIP. There will be some downtime on the phone.

Depending on your phone usage A&A have a good reputation and can handle "ceased" numbers (as your will be).

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

Brian

[#7]

---

@rodneymf wrote:

 my ability to move around the loft at 80 is somewhat limited.  

---

This bothers me a bit, if the loft has a ladder access and is fully boarded, what would impede you or an installation technician's ability to move around freely, for example, is there limited headroom?

Is there a 13A mains socket available in the loft?

[#8]

Thanks, Brian. That helps my confidence a bit

Rodney

[#9]

Sadly no 13A power in the loft.

My ability to help is about being 80 rather than 13 years younger.  My main concern has been about the flexibilty of fibre cable compared with copper (optical being the operative word) and how easy it is to fit through bends as well as copper.

If the OR engineer says it can't be done when he gets here, what would actually be the result at that stage?

[#10]

Look at the options where you think the ONT could be situated. From that location can you get a network cable run to your chosen location.

[#11]

@rodneymf 

The CSP doesn't require any power. It is simply a box which protects the join between the external and internal cables.

Are you still fit enough to get into the loft. If so, then perhaps all the help that would be required would be to coil the fibre cable inside as it's fed through to the loft from outside.

Can you post pictures of the incoming copper cable, how it's run aound the loft and then the exit to the study. Below is a picture of my fibre cable being run to a back wall.

The bend wouldn't go any tigher than this.

If the installer is unhappy with your desired location they would look for alternatives to discuss with you.

Brian

[#12]

Thanks to all who have commented, advised and added suggestions.  I feel as though I am better informed now and can move forward with a reasonable degree of confidence.,

Rodney

[#13]

@rodneymf 

Happy to help.

If you do place an order for FTTP do lets us know how it goes.

Brian

[#14]

---

@rodneymf wrote:

... My ability to help is about being 80 rather than 13 years younger...  

If the OR engineer says it can't be done when he gets here, what would actually be the result at that stage?

---

My experience from two installations is that the installation technicians neither require or welcome help, however, they do like tea and choccy biscuits.

If your requested location site is deemed impracticable then another location has to be agreed. This might or might not require a separate visit. Remember that the Router does not need to be installed close to the ONT, you can use up to 100m of CAT5e or better Ethernet cable between the two.

[#15]

Having decided to proceed with FTTP, I got myself organised with an order at Plusnet and got my temporary telephone number up and working on VOIP.  So far so good.  That's as good as it's got!!!!

The day arrived and an OpenReach contractor duly turned up.  I showed him what I was aiming for as the above described much earlier.  He said it's quite doable having inspected everything until I showed him where the copper cable entered the loft via a hole in the soffit where my cold water tank overflow pipe comes out.  No problem with that in principle but he hadn't been trained on flat roofs!!!!  Why do you need to be trained to work on a flat roof?  Oh well it's just postponing the completeion I thought.

So I get another date (this morning).  All is going fine.  ONT installed with cable and cherry picker sorted to get the cable from the nearest pole.  Then the OpenReach man spotted our telecare box.  Oh dear, I can't do any more because you've got telecare.  I showed him that there was only one lead (power) to the box and there was a short aerial lead for the SIM to connect to the mobile network.  That isn't good enough apparently so he had to leave and go back to base and I will be hearing from somebody sometime.

I have now spoken to Plusnet and they're telling me that because we have a telecare system I will have to transfer to BT to keep my telephone line!!  Has the world gone completely mad? I don't see why I should have to change ISP in an enforced fashion like this.  I really don't need this aggravation at my age and am thinking of cancelling the whole idea of moving to FTTP since nobody seems capable of doing anything sensible any more.

Sorry about the rant.

Rodney