Fibre broadband for dummies

bouicca21

I have a standard broadband connection with TalkTalk, the sort that comes down the phone line at a speed of 14 mbps (though strangely a previous supplier managed 18). That has always been enough for my needs. With the current situation the connection is totally unreliable, constantly dropping out.  The online check says my router is ok and that there is no fault on the line.  Also I see from the supplier’s user forum that others are experiencing the same problem, so presumably there Is some kind of throttling because of increased usage.  I assume the demand means this is happening to people with other suppliers too.  I rely on online access.

So I’m thinking of upgrading to fibre - except that I don’t really understand it.  Do I get some kind of dedicated line into my flat?  Does that mean it has to be installed?  If so how does one change supplier?  Or is it that my ordinary phone line connects to something better?  Would that sort of connection be any more reliable?

Browntoa

ADSL is copper pairs between the exchange and you 

Fibre is to your nearest cab ( green BT cabinet by the side of the road ) and the remaining part your copper pair.

Fibre is likely to be much more stable as it eliminates most of the losses on the ADSL line and the amount of connection points . Mine is 100% more stable since I upgraded

Fibre will not address lack of network capacity from your exchange if that is the cause of the throttling

Its self install , plug in the new router if they send one , most modern hubs do both so your existing one may suffice. 

The standard lead times are lengthening at the moment due to covid so expect some delay

DoaM

Have you tried unplugging everything, removing the faceplate from the master socket, and plugging in a corded, analogue phone into the test socket? The line should be silent (you may need to dial 0 or something first) ... any pops, squeaks or crackles and there's a fault on the line (that online testers tend not to detect). Such faults need to be rectified first as they'll affect fibre too (if the fault lies between the fibre cabinet and your house).

Google is your friend for more details about Fibre To The Cabinet.

JJ_Egan

Its not throttling its just large scale increased usage  of the pipeline and some web sites are overloaded .

https://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com/

Is this connection over WiFi ? as that may be sub optimal setup .

If you need internet then consider a business contract .

As said fibre is to the local cabinet  see in street a green cabinet . From that its the same old phone line to your home .

Worth checking what speeds swapping to fibre will give at your location .

RumRat

Without frightening you off anything.....All that will happen for you is that you will get a new router, which will be easy to install with the given instructions. You should be able to see a significant increase in speed. Fibre has far more capacity than ADSL so will have a higher contention rate, which is needed in the present situation with everyone at home. So, you will not experience as much slow down at busy times.

bouicca21

thanks.  I get it now.  And yes I’ve done all the basic stuff about turning router off, checking cables etc.  The TalkTalk site is awash with similar complaints so it’s likely to be usage (?). at times today it was falling over every few minutes.  I wish they would simply own up and say so.  After all it is understandable that the system is under pressure, it is pointless pretending all systems are working as usual.

Equally I suppose in the current situation, with lots of staff off sick, swapping suppliers may not be straightforward.

RumRat

bouicca21 said:

Equally I suppose in the current situation, with lots of staff off sick, swapping suppliers may not be straightforward.

At the moment their call centre (at least in UK) and engineering staff are classed as 'essential', however, that won't take into account those that are self isolating. It may, understandably take a little longer, but, maybe worth the call.

Le_Kirk

Have you considered FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) as that will give you a dedicated line into your property.  Used to be very expensive but we've just had fibre installed to a point very close to the all the houses in the street ready for all householders to spend even more money to get it connected to the property.  Might be something worth considering if your property is served by very old copper cables.  Also, if it is close by, it doesn't require any contact from installers so they may be able to do it now (or soon).

Browntoa

I thought fttp still required an engineer visit , although they were looking at self install .

Currently openreach have suspended customer premises installation unless you are vulnerable

bouicca21

Here’s another dummies question - if fibre gives a stronger signal at the router, would the WiFi signal be correspondingly stronger or not?

Norman_Castle

No, a new router might give a stroner signal irrespective of fibre. If your currnet signal is poor or dropping out try changing channels or moving the routers position.