Hub2 location/extender

[#1]

We are about to be connected to by Openreach to their ultrafast broadband and have ordered the connection from Plusnet to replace our existing Plusnet service. As super non-technical we did not know and have only now been advised that the Hub 2 needs to be either next to or ethernet cabled to the ONT. The ONT  will realistically have to be in a small cupboard in our garage attached to the house which is where the current phone connection comes in. our current router is in our lounge connected via the internal phone cabling. It is not practicable to run an ethernet cable inside to anywher useful without substantial work. So, if we put the Hub2 in the cupboard what is the best extender system to use to ensure we get coverage throughout the house or should we ditch the Hub 2 and plus a mesh system in to the ONT?

All ideas gratefully received.

[#2]

@brookorchard1 a couple of things to be aware of fiirst

you realise you will lose your phone?

The ONT needs to be within 1m of mains power

Ok with that out of the way, there is usually some leeway as to where the ont is located. Is your feed overhead or underground? 

[#3]

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@brookorchard1 wrote:

It is not practicable to run an ethernet cable inside to anywher useful without substantial work.

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Could you not run the cable round the outside walls ?

[#4]

Thanks MisterW. Fully aware that we lose the phone line but disappointed that we were only told after signing up that we needed power supply by ONT and that the router needed to be directly connected to the ONT rather than via internal telephone cables. The fibre cable will come in via the existing underground duct (which Openreach have to sort out as there is a pull through problem) which results in the ONT having to be in this cupboard.

[#5]

Wouldn't gain much because of the location of the ONT vis a vis a useful location for the router

[#6]

@brookorchard1. I hesitate to recommend them since their performance is extremely variable but powerlines( homeplugs)  MAY be an option. Providing the garage mains sockets and where you want the router are on the same mains circuit and you are not ordering a fast full fibre ( >145Mb).then they may work. You connect the ont to one in the garage and another to the router in the lounge. Beware of extravagant speed claims for them though, the 1000av versions will Max out at around 150Mb under ideal conditions.

Shout up if you need more info.

[#7]

@brookorchard1 

The router is connected to the ONT by ethernet cable so can go anywhere you're happy to run cables. It also needs a power supply along side the ONT.

Is running external cabling an option for ethernet?

As mentioned, their is some leeway as to where the ONT. If you catch OR sorting out the duct you could ask their advice but they're likely to be a different team who don't do installs.

Brian               

[#8]

Thanks Brian. i appreciate that I can run an ethernet cable to the Hub2 but to get it to anywhere useful inside the house is a problem hence my question as to whether I could use a mesh system instead of the Hub2.

Does anyone know?

Many thanks.

[#9]

Thanks MisterW. Unfortunately that won't work as we are looking at 300mbs. Do you know if a mesh solution would be possible?

[#10]

@brookorchard1 

Running an external cable is not the cheapest or easist option but it would give you a solid starting point for your house internet. It is also future proof in that it doesn't required technology to work.

It might also add value to your house.

Brian

[#11]

Do you know if a mesh solution would be possible?

@brookorchard1 using a mesh system with the primary unit connected directly to the ONT is technically possible. Whether that would achieve the speed/coverage you require TBH I have no idea!, I've never used a mesh system Im afraid.

I'm with @bmc that a wired connection is best. You say you have existing telephone wiring between the garage and lounge, that's going to be redundant , is there any possibility that it could be used to pull an ethernet cable through any existing route ?

Alternatively is there any chance that the cabling is cat5e already , how many cores does it have ?

[#12]

Unfortunately our wiring is not cat5e ready and pull through is a no go. I appreciate that an ethernet cable is best so will have to work out where we could run that to and have power installed there as well. that will be extremely difficult hence my question about a mesh system.

Would be a lot better if you were advised of all this before signing up!

[#13]

To be fair , it does detail it here https://www.plus.net/broadband/full-fibre/ in the FAQ.

The problem is, I suspect, that most people don't go to look because they don't expect it to be any different than the existing...

[#14]

@brookorchard1 

You can buy flat ethernet cable which can be run under a carpet which might help, they are sold premade.

The danger with mesh network if they interconnect using wireless rather than wired you might lose speed across the mesh nodes, having the router node hidden away in a cupboard would not be best.

HTH

[#15]

@brookorchard1 

Going back to the current incoming copper cable. You say it comes into a small cupboard in the garage - where is the Master Socket?

Does the cable run under your garage floor (or driveway)?

The actual install puts a Consumer Splice Point (CSP) box on an outside wall. Depending on the route of your cable you may be able to divert the new fibre to a better outside location but this requires OR agreement - probably in advance as it might involve you preinstall external duct.

Brian