Question about upgrading to full fibre

[#1]

Hello all,

I'm a bit of a luddite with tech, so please bear with me!

I currently have plus net fibre and my contract is due for renewal. I'm thinking of upgrading to full fibre and I have some questions. The Hub Two router is included in the package I'm looking at, but I have an old house with thick stone walls and historically I've struggled to get good WiFi around the property. That was until I upgraded to an Orbi router RBR20.

The Orbi router was night and day better compared to anything we had in the past. As my wife and I both work from home, this is really important to us. If I go ahead with the upgrade, can I still use my Orbi router? I'm thinking of a 145 or 300 MB package. I'd keep the Hub Two as a back up device.

Will the engineer help me set this up?

Anything else I should consider too?

Thank you in advance!

[#2]

@John68 

I assume you've checked and full fibre is available to you and you are aware you lose your landline..

You have a bit of leeway as to where the internal ONT goes but this can only be decided on the day by the installer. The router connects by ethernet cable so that gives you further options on its location

.

Once installed you might consider running an external ethernet cable upstairs terminated with wall sockets to get a good starting point there. Not the cheapest option but it is future proof.

If your Orbi router supports PPPoE then it can e used on FTTP.

Brian

[#3]

That was until I upgraded to an Orbi router RBR20.

@John68 since the RBR20 is a router only (no modem) I'm assuming its currently connected via a VDSl modem of some sort ?

If so then for Full fibre, you just disconnect it from the modem, and connect it directly to the ONT that will be installed as part of the Full fibre install

[#4]

Thank you for the fast feedback.

Both Openreach and Plus net state that full fibre is available at my address. Up to a maximum of 1000 MB.

I'm also aware that I'll lose the landline. And hopefully all of the spam calls that I get for solar panels, ground source heat pumps and windows Helpdesk etc!

My current fibre is via a copper line, which is from a telegraph pole (behind the property) over the garden to my house. The line runs around the outside of the property and enters the house close to the front door on the ground floor. Currently I have a wire running from the front door to my home office (1st floor) where the router (and modem is based). The modem is a Huawei Echolife HG612. I have an Orbi satellite on the landing (1st floor but the most central point of the house) which ensures full coverage around the property.

If I understand correctly the Huawei modem isn't needed with full fibre. The Orbi router can connect to the Internal ONT.

I guess the key is if the engineer will position the ONT in the same place as my current set up or maybe decide to enter the line into the property on the same side as the telegraph pole.

Looking at my router settings my current ISP setting is PPPoE

If there is any difficulty between the base Orbi and Satellite Orbi, I understand I could hardwire an ethernet cable between the two which should resolve any connect issue.

I appreciate your time and hope that I've understood everything correctly!

Thank you!!

[#5 · Accepted solution]

@John68 

If I understand correctly the Huawei modem isn't needed with full fibre. The Orbi router can connect to the Internal ONT.

That is correct, effectively the ONT is a fibre modem and replaces the HG612. Your Orbi configuration will be exactly the same.

I guess the key is if the engineer will position the ONT in the same place as my current set up or maybe decide to enter the line into the property on the same side as the telegraph pole.

There's a useful Openreach installation guide here https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist

As @bmc says there's some leeway as to where things are installed and you can agree these with the installer on the day. However there are some restrictions.

I believe the CSP (the external grey box) must be at ground level as the engineers can not splice the fibre at height.

Thye prefer to install the ONT internally opposite the CSP as it makes the internal fibre install simple. AIUI they will run up to 10m of fibre internally BUT they will not drill through walls and will just clip the fibre to skirting boards etc. If you have trunking ready installed with a draw string they will likely use it BUT be aware one end of the internal fibre has a connector pre-installed.

Hope that helps

edit: another thing I'd suggest checking, if you are proposing going for the 500Mb or 900Mb product, that the Orbi is capable of handing that throughput WAN to LAN (NAT). If the Orbi has any QoS settings and you currently use them, you may well have to disable them as QoS at higher speeds requires significant processor power which most routers just dont have...

[#6]

Thank you. All clear (I think). Much appreciated.

[#7]

@John68 

Couple of things. Unless you'e in a need of a lot more speed then FF145 might well do you. You should get around 140 down.

From what you say you might have a couple of choices as to where the ONT goes - either front or back. Although the CSP has to go at ground level you might also get the installer willing to run an external cable from the CSP up to the fist floor. As it's an overhead feed they'll be qualified to work at hight and have the equipment to do so.

Either way you could have a thing about your internet provision around the house prior to the install. If you're in a position to run ethernet cable (either indoor or out) then this gives a good starting point at each of hte cable locations.

Brian