Time to go for Fibre

[#1]

Hi All,

I'm currently on John Lewis standard broadband which is coming to an end. Time to go for fibre!

A few queries please: I believe the router provided is the rebadged SH2 (on the entry level fibre package 74). How good is this router? Will speed/reliability overall be equal to say BT? 

I currently connect my router via two sets of AV plugs to my Smart TV and to a basic Plusnet router configured as a access point (due to very solid walls in old house. Can/Should i still do that with the SH2, hopefully using my old BT HH6 as the access point instead of the old Plusnet 240N?

Lastly, the fibre will reach the house from a nearby telegraph pole to an upstairs bedroom. Last time we had Openreach out to reconnect a copper line, they wanted to drill anchors for their ladder into the front wall due to the height. i wasnt happy with that and fortunately they got an extending platform vehicle out for the job. Is there a way to insist on the same when Openreach install? can i organise this via Plusnet when i order?

Thanks for your help and advice.

David

[#2]

@Prologica 

The Hub2 has better WiFi than the HubOne but you can't split the bands,

The router connects via an Ethernet cable to the Optical Network Terminal (ONT). After that, it's up to you. If you're happy to run cable the router can go where you like.

The joys of Health and Safety. You probably won't get an answer about height access until the engineer turns up on the day. But you do have a certain leeway on where the cable comes into your house if another location is more suitable. If it's possible, a good engineer will work with you.

Althugh the website only shows FF74 as the lowest speed FF36 is available.

Brian

[#3]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Broadband

[#4]

@Prologica 

I assume that you are enquiring about the Full Fibre product, not FTTC?

The Plusnet Hub 2 is a BT Smarthub 2 but it has it's own bespoke firmware. The performance in terms of speed and reliability is the same as the Smarthub 2. The BT infrastructure it uses is the same as BT.

There will be no difference from your current set up with using AV plugs.

I don't know if later firmware has solved the problem, but I had problems in the distant past with using an original Smarthub as an Access Point. The BT forum is the place to go to seek advice with that.

[#5]

Hi @Baldrick1 

yes FTTP. I was using my HH6 previously as access point with Plusnet, following your set up instructions so hopefully can do same again.

regards

david

[#6]

I was on PlusNet FTTC with the Hub One router until FTTP was available here, I had to move to EE full fibre as PlusNet hadn't yet started doing FTTP at that point.

My fibre comes overhead via a couple of poles and across our neighbour's garden.  We had the same need for the OR engineer to drill a couple of holes for his ladder system and I was a little worried about what it might look like afterwards, we live in a Sussex flint barn conversion. To be honest I now have no idea where he actually drilled for the ladder supports, I am pretty sure he must had drilled holes (as it's more that his job's worth not to) but I can't spot them.   I don't think you'll get much help around this until the engineer arrives on the day and you discuss it with them... you should get some texts from OR in advance of the appointment and you could try asking for a platform/cherry picker in response to those. They can call them in on the day if one is available, our guy did because the pole didn't have a safety label to say it was safe to climb.

The EE router is dreadful, so I am using a BT SH2 that I got from an online auction.  So far I am very pleased with the WiFi range and in it's new position I have full coverage of the house and some of the garden. I have been able to stop using the two WAP that I previously needed for full coverage.

We have had FTTP for 6 months now and it's been great - we get the full 74/20 speeds and great ping times.  Our previous FTTC was on a long copper line and we only got 15/0.7 speeds there is just no comparison!  My only regret is having to move to EE, will be looking to move back at the end of our contract.