Full fibre concern regarding router

[#1]

Am currently on an FTTC fibre contract with PlusNet and contemplating whether to pledge with OpenReach to enable 'ultrafast full fibre' as we live in a rural area but I have a major concern. When I originally signed up with PlusNet some time ago the router they supplied was a disaster and, even with an extender, wi-fi connections were being dropped all the time to the extent that it was unusable. I think I read somewhere (it might have been here) that the router they supplied had known issues and to simply grab a secondhand BT Home Hub router off ebay. I did this and it fixed all the problems and everything has worked really well ever since. Presumably if I commit to full fibre with PlusNet I will need a new router and I was wondering if anyone had any experience in regards to the router they provide, especially if you're trying to provide wi-fi in a reasonably large house spread over 3 floors. Any constructive help much appreciated.

On a separate but related note regarding OpenReach pledges and PlusNet, what happens if we don't take out the pledge with OpenReach but want to move to full fibre at a later date?

[#2]

@padmamati 

What router were you supplied with originally?

If not enough people pledge then OR may delay the installation of FTTP. The pledge doesn't involve PN - simply tat you'll take a FTTP service within a set number of months after it goes live.

Brian

[#3]

Hi Brian,

I was originally supplied with a Thomson TG585 v8 when I first signed up on a simple broadband package.

My question regarding the pledge (which already has enough people signed up) is what happens if I don't sign up now but in 18 months time decide I want full fibre.

[#4]

was originally supplied with a Thomson TG585 v8

well the current router , the Hub 2 ( similar to the BT Smart hub 2) has much better WiFi than that

However

especially if you're trying to provide wi-fi in a reasonably large house spread over 3 floors. 

I'd start looking at mesh systems

[#5]

I'd start looking at mesh systems

I've currently got the original BT Home Hub and a single TP-Link extender and it's worked really well for the last 4 years in the property so wouldn't it be reasonable to think that the Hub 2 router would be OK?

[#6]

@padmamati 

You'll receive a Hub2 from PN which is a modified version of a BT unit - the software is shlightly different. For example the phone socket doesn't work.

I believe the voucher system is related to government money. A sum is available to OR to do the work but they need a certain amout of people to take the service to get the full amount. However, once it's live anyone can get a connection. The voucher is designed to bring FTTP to an area, not specific addresses.

You can sign up with PN to Full Fibre at any time during your contract at the cost of a new contract. You also lose your landline.

Brian

[#7]

@bmc

My area already has the requisite number of people signed up. My current fibre package is more than enough for us at the moment. I was considering pledging but wasn't too keen on being expected to sign up for an 'ultrafast fibre' package within 2 months or risk having to repay the pledge amount. Based on what you've said I think I'll sit back for now. Thanks again for responding.

[#8]

My brother has had BT installed recently in a bungalow, over quite a big floor size. He has had to make use of the circular wifi repeaters (https://www.bt.com/broadband/complete-wifi) for reliability and range.

Mark

[#9]

@padmamati   You may wish to do some more research and if possible get in contact with Openreach.

 My concern about sitting back would OR then miss cabling near my property resulting in not being able to take advantage of a full fibre option in the future? It may not be an issue, depending on how isolated from other properties you are.

That said, why would you not take advantage, ISP's including PN offer similar speeds and costs to existing FTTC contracts - and some are cheaper. 

There is of course the landline to consider, but the PSTN service will close  sooner or later - no doubt within the 18 months you have to take up the OR pledge.

[#10]

@Mustrum 

There is of course the landline to consider, but the PSTN service will close  sooner or later - no doubt within the 18 months you have to take up the OR pledge.

We gave up the landline when we switched to FTTC fibre a month or two ago.

That said, why would you not take advantage, ISP's including PN offer similar speeds and costs to existing FTTC contracts - and some are cheaper.

My concern with switching to FTTP is that I'll need a new router and having got everything working really well with things as they are (having had major problems) I've no idea how a new router will work out. Also, if the PN router supplied for full fibre is similar to the BT Smart Hub2 then I assume it won't let me separate SSIDs for the 2.4 & 5GHz bands, something I make use of currently.

[#11]

@padmamati   the good news is you do not have to use the ISP supplied router - I also am not a fan of combined SSID's - but thankfully other routers are easily available, and these days can come with Mesh facilities to do all the things you need and more.

You can even change SSID's to match what you have now to save you changing all your devices if you have many. Oh and you don't have to spend a fortune, and they will be updated 

[#12]

@padmamati 

Is your phone line an overhead feed or underground?

Doesn't really matter though. When installing the network OR put a Connectorised Block Terminal (CBT) in an underground chamber or hang one from the pole serving you. When you place an order, the final distance to your property is cabled.

As stated, you can easily use your own router if you so wish.

With FTTP there may be a certain lee way in where the Opticital Network Terminal (ONT) is sited on an internal wall - it may not need to be where the router currently is. It should be discussed with the installer on the day. In the same vein the router connects via an ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run cable.

Although it may take a bit of effort to all and intents it's a one off job to get things the way you want.

Brian

[#13]

@padmamati 

Does the BT unit you currently use support FTTC (or PPPoE) and does it have a WAN ethernet port?

If yes I beleive you can continue using it.

Brian

[#14]

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@padmamati wrote:

My concern with switching to FTTP is that I'll need a new router and having got everything working really well with things as they are (having had major problems) I've no idea how a new router will work out. Also, if the PN router supplied for full fibre is similar to the BT Smart Hub2 then I assume it won't let me separate SSIDs for the 2.4 & 5GHz bands, something I make use of currently.

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I assume that you are using an original BT Smarthub. These are getting very long in the tooth now.

Why not ring Plusnet and ask for a Hub 2. It’s the Hub supplied for both FTTC and FTTP so you can try the performance compared with the Smarthub now

[#15]

@Baldrick1

Why not ring Plusnet and ask for a Hub 2. It’s the Hub supplied for both FTTC and FTTP so you can try the performance compared with the Smarthub now

I need to be able to have separate SSIDs for the 2.4 & 5GHz bands and assumed the PN Hub 2 doesn't allow that?