Moving from copper broadband to fibre soon

[#1]

Hello you,

I'm currently on good old copper ADSL broadband and my 18 month contract expires soon.

I'm thinking of going to fibre.

I know FO connectivity IS available in my area, but I currently only have the standard BT phone connector in my house.

As far as I'm aware there are no other connectors entering my house except the TV antenna connector.

So, my questions are:

1) If I move to FO, will engineering work be required to bring some kind of connector into my house?

2) Can I select the room where this connector will be placed?

I'm going to assume yes to both of these questions, but would love a confirmation before going ahead.

And furthermore, what company would be doing any of this work.

Many thanks,

Me.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Unless you're referring to FTTP, fibre uses the existing openreach network. So apart from openreach potentially changing your master socket, you're unlikely to have any other modifications, apart from a new router, if you're talking about FTTC.

[#3]

Hey thanks,

So does this mean that PlusNets FO "upgrades" are FTTC - so basically no better than ADSL2+ as it comes from the standard BT phone connector?

Seems that I have the better option of Fibre To The Premises (FTTP), which will yield greater bandwidth.

Especially as the current copper wiring has been in place for decades and will probably massively reduce the throughput from cabinet to home as it is. Unless I pay OpenReach to rewire it.

It makes sense that if I pay significantly more that I get more.

Quite a quandary.

Thanks for the clarification.

[#4]

@YouKnowIThatGuy 

And now the answer to your question.

FTTP requires the fibre to brought to your property as a new install. This then enters your property and a new ONT (Optical Network Terminator) is fitted. This is mains powered and serves the same purpose as your current Master socket.

The location of the fibre entry has to be agreed with the installation technician so as long as the preferred location is easily accesible then tea and choccy biscuits are recommended.

Currently Plusnet do not offer a FTTP service, however, If the available FTTP is provided by Openreach then, if you contact Plusnet they will allow you to transfer to BT or EE now without imposing cancellation charges. See https://community.plus.net/t5/Fibre-Broadband/Repeated-connection-drop-outs/m-p/1837031#M128594

[#5]

Thanks for your help.

As it stands FTTP from another provider is just way too expensive for what I need, so I have decided to stick with PN on their FTTC (then copper to my house) Extra option.

My main worry was that the copper wiring is old in this building and distance will drop the throughput.

If it ends up being rubbish due to this I'll just sadly return to ADSL until I can find a better solution.

I can, of course, only blame OpenReach for not maintaining these copper end point lines or upgrading it all to FTTP whilst they're seemingly obsessed with implementing an expensive Wi-Fi system that no one wants to use.

[#6]

Hiya @YouKnowIThatGuy. I'm sorry for the concerns you have with FTTC.

Should you experience any issues with the service and the speed drop below the minimum guaranteed advised for your line, don't hesitate to get back to us on here and we can assist you further!

Should you have any further queries or need any support from us, just let us know.

[#7]

@YouKnowIThatGuy  So you have decided that FTTP is far too expensive,  and that Plusnet Fibre Extra is what you want, I am not sure how you arrived at this decision, have you checked what is available at your premises, your phone line may not be able to support the higher speed fibre extra product.  Try putting your phone number into this checker and post the result in this thread ( omitting the phone number of course)

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

For similar speed services FTTP ( if available) is around the same price as FTTC or even cheaper if you can find a special offer. Also if the price is a problem Plusnet unlimited fibre (up to 40Mbps down 10Mbps up) is a bit cheaper than the extra option. First you need to know what is available and the likely speeds, then an informed decision can be made.

edit: Openreach are rolling out FTTP all over the country but it will take time, I am intrigued by their expensive Wi-Fi system that you mention, what would that be?

[#8]

@YouKnowIThatGuy 

If you use the checker just mentioned, it'll give you an estimate of likely speeds for any given product.

FTTC will show as VDSL in the left hand column, FTTP as WBC FTTP (not FTTP on Demand).

Brian

[#9]

"their expensive Wi-Fi system that you mention, what would that be?"

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/btwifi.co.uk

That one.

[#10]

@YouKnowIThatGuy  BT Wi-Fi Hotspots are nothing to do with Openreach.  How are you getting on with your Fibre extra order?

[#11]

Wow, you're like one of those fellas who write aggressive comments towards "n00bs" on the Linux forums when they ask something about package installer scripts.

Yes, the order is going ahead smashingly.