Vodafone: new ‘fibre’ router needs at least two power sockets???..edit:now installed. 17 August 2021 at 11:45AM edited 19 August 2021 at 8:36AM in Broadband & internet access 11 replies 2.3K views

Biggus_Dickus

My son is having his Vodafone broadband upgraded to 100Mbps ‘fibre’ router very shortly and in their communications they say, quote: “Remember, you'll need at least two power sockets, so have a think about the best place for your router to be installed.”

Before I ring them for clarification I’d appreciate your comments.

Why does the new router need at least two power sockets?...the present router is in a position that only has a ‘single mains power socket’.

Would a ‘double/triple adaptor’ or a short 3-socket extension lead be ok in the absence of a mains ‘double wall socket’ ?

As ever, all replies gratefully received.

 

 

Neil_Jones

This is more likely a separate standalone modem and a standard DSL router.  They both require their own power sockets.  You can use either plugs or extensions.

The power usage shouldn't be any greater than the existing router, since broadband routers are cheap to run - £15 a year tops if that.

JJ_Egan

FTTP   probably an ONT box and a router that both need power .

My BT FTTP cabling comes in over the front door  to ONT box  bottom of the stairs . Cabled from that to the router in another room .

neilmcl

As mentioned, as it will no doubt be the FTTP product you'll need a power socket just for the ONT where the incoming fibre cable terminates and one for the router.

I'd advise to hold fire for a couple of months because Openreach are in the process of getting OFCOM to agree to them reducing the price of their wholesale fibre offering which, if agreed, will filter down (hopefully) as cheaper prices from ISPs like Vodafone, Sky etc (assuming Vodafone use the Openreah infrastructure).

neilmcl

On a slightly related note does anyone know how flexible Openreach are with regards routing the incoming fibre cable? I don't have any power sockets on the side of the house where traditionally the drop wire is, the current copper cable comes round the side of the house to the back but even then the master socket is on a side of the room without power so I'd have to get them to bring the fibre cable to the far corner at the rear, basically the opposite corner of where the drop cable attaches to the front.

The obvious option would be bring it at the front, ie, into my living room but I've not long had the front rendered and I don't want that compromised by drilling through it.

JenB79

neilmcl said:

On a slightly related note does anyone know how flexible Openreach are with regards routing the incoming fibre cable? 

Very flexible. If you're getting an external Openreach CSP (customer splice point) fitted, then their installer can fit the ONT anywhere in the home within 30m of the CSP, as long as there's no major obstacles in the way. If you're getting a connectorized install, then its a 160m cabling limit from the DP (distribution point) to the ONT. 

JJ_Egan

Main problem with routing the optical cable on my install was avoiding  sharp bends .

That cable came off the pole to front of house dropped down to above front door  . Frame drilled , cable then split to BT Master socket inside door and optical cable carried on a bit further to ONT .

neilmcl

JJ_Egan said:

Main problem with routing the optical cable on my install was avoiding  sharp bends .

That cable came off the pole to front of house dropped down to above front door  . Frame drilled , cable then split to BT Master socket inside door and optical cable carried on a bit further to ONT .

Yes, they do say there's a minimum radius that should be adhered to, I believe OR suggest a £2 coin as an example of the radius.

Biggus_Dickus

neilmcl said:

On a slightly related note does anyone know how flexible Openreach are with regards routing the incoming fibre cable? I don't have any power sockets on the side of the house where traditionally the drop wire is, the current copper cable comes round the side of the house to the back but even then the master socket is on a side of the room without power so I'd have to get them to bring the fibre cable to the far corner at the rear, basically the opposite corner of where the drop cable attaches to the front.

The obvious option would be bring it at the front, ie, into my living room but I've not long had the front rendered and I don't want that compromised by drilling through it.

OP here; update for anyone remotely interested,

...new fibre b/band was installed yesterday. The fibre cable was pushed through the same conduit that housed the copper phone line,...it took the guy quite some time to get the cable to the front door,..he started some way down the street.

The installation does indeed need two power sources,...the small (approx 10cm x 10cm and permanently affixed to the interior wall) ONT box which terminates the fibre cable needs its own power supply as does the router itself.

We only had one mains power socket in that location but a bog-standard mains double adaptor was perfectly adequate.

As for the interior  ‘aesthetics’ it does look like something of a dogs dinner when all the cables are connected,...it’s not pretty. On the exterior wall there is also a large’ish grey hinged plastic box that the fibre cable enters/exits;...the exterior box is about 15cm x 15cm and to be honest it’s a bit unsightly so it’s something to consider when you’re deciding where to site your new equipment.

I use Virgin 110Mbps fibre in my own house and that’s just a single cable through the wall straight into the router.

However, the whole installation took about 2.5 hours and wi-fi  Ookla speed tests were consistently showing 109Mbs download & 20Mbps upload so it’s a huge improvement. £23/month on a 24 month contract; (which is considerably cheaper than my Virgin b/band contract!)

 

 

 

neilmcl

Biggus_Dickus said:

neilmcl said:

On a slightly related note does anyone know how flexible Openreach are with regards routing the incoming fibre cable? I don't have any power sockets on the side of the house where traditionally the drop wire is, the current copper cable comes round the side of the house to the back but even then the master socket is on a side of the room without power so I'd have to get them to bring the fibre cable to the far corner at the rear, basically the opposite corner of where the drop cable attaches to the front.

The obvious option would be bring it at the front, ie, into my living room but I've not long had the front rendered and I don't want that compromised by drilling through it.

OP here; update for anyone remotely interested,

...new fibre b/band was installed yesterday. The fibre cable was pushed through the same conduit that housed the copper phone line,...it took the guy quite some time to get the cable to the front door,..he started some way down the street.

The installation does indeed need two power sources,...the small (approx 10cm x 10cm and permanently affixed to the interior wall) ONT box which terminates the fibre cable needs its own power supply as does the router itself.

We only had one mains power socket in that location but a bog-standard mains double adaptor was perfectly adequate.

As for the interior  ‘aesthetics’ it does look like something of a dogs dinner when all the cables are connected,...it’s not pretty. On the exterior wall there is also a large’ish grey hinged plastic box that the fibre cable enters/exits;...the exterior box is about 15cm x 15cm and to be honest it’s a bit unsightly so it’s something to consider when you’re deciding where to site your new equipment.

I use Virgin 110Mbps fibre in my own house and that’s just a single cable through the wall straight into the router.

However, the whole installation took about 2.5 hours and wi-fi  Ookla speed tests were consistently showing 109Mbs download & 20Mbps upload so it’s a huge improvement. £23/month on a 24 month contract; (which is considerably cheaper than my Virgin b/band contract!)

 

 

 

Are you sure about that. I have an old Virgin Media installation and the incoming cable is terminated inside to a wall box modem, very similar to an ONT although it doesn't require power, which I then connect a router too.

tallmansix

neilmcl said:

Biggus_Dickus said:

neilmcl said:

On a slightly related note does anyone know how flexible Openreach are with regards routing the incoming fibre cable? I don't have any power sockets on the side of the house where traditionally the drop wire is, the current copper cable comes round the side of the house to the back but even then the master socket is on a side of the room without power so I'd have to get them to bring the fibre cable to the far corner at the rear, basically the opposite corner of where the drop cable attaches to the front.

The obvious option would be bring it at the front, ie, into my living room but I've not long had the front rendered and I don't want that compromised by drilling through it.

OP here; update for anyone remotely interested,

...new fibre b/band was installed yesterday. The fibre cable was pushed through the same conduit that housed the copper phone line,...it took the guy quite some time to get the cable to the front door,..he started some way down the street.

The installation does indeed need two power sources,...the small (approx 10cm x 10cm and permanently affixed to the interior wall) ONT box which terminates the fibre cable needs its own power supply as does the router itself.

We only had one mains power socket in that location but a bog-standard mains double adaptor was perfectly adequate.

As for the interior  ‘aesthetics’ it does look like something of a dogs dinner when all the cables are connected,...it’s not pretty. On the exterior wall there is also a large’ish grey hinged plastic box that the fibre cable enters/exits;...the exterior box is about 15cm x 15cm and to be honest it’s a bit unsightly so it’s something to consider when you’re deciding where to site your new equipment.

I use Virgin 110Mbps fibre in my own house and that’s just a single cable through the wall straight into the router.

However, the whole installation took about 2.5 hours and wi-fi  Ookla speed tests were consistently showing 109Mbs download & 20Mbps upload so it’s a huge improvement. £23/month on a 24 month contract; (which is considerably cheaper than my Virgin b/band contract!)

 

 

 

Are you sure about that. I have an old Virgin Media installation and the incoming cable is terminated inside to a wall box modem, very similar to an ONT although it doesn't require power, which I then connect a router too.

I've lived in several houses with Virgin Media and seen several different combinations of inside / outside box.

1. No outside box - cable through the wall to inside box - very old 20 years ago.
2. No inside box (current house) just an outside box with single cable into the house and a splitter for the modem / Tivo box
3. Both boxes inside and out (previous house)