To FTTP or not to FTTP

HawkE

In my area Openreach has not upgraded the BT network to fibre so Open reached based broadband providers like BT, Plusnet, Sky do not provide fibre broadband.

In the last two years fibre only networks have been visible in the area and companies like Community Fibre and G-Network have put their own fibre networks.   They regular mailshot offers through the letterbox to sign up at attractive prices (lower than the ADSL broadband prices I am currently paying).    However, with each of these providers (as far as I can tell) it would involve the provider doing installation work outside and then installing an ONT box inside.   While they are incentivising by not charging for installation it seems that once signed up with fibre optic network provider you can't simply change provider when the initial attractive terms expire, but it would entail another installation work outside and inside the property by the new FTTP provider.   Being five floors up this seems like it could get complicated and would require space for multiple ONT boxes within a small property.   For this reason I have not yet taken the plunge to FTTP thinking it would be better when there are multiple providers on a single infrastructure,  but there are no indications when Openreach will put fibre in my area.

Have others been in the same situation?  What did you do?  Are there developments that might negate the need for multiple ONT boxes on the horizon?

Peter999_2

I have had City Fibre with FTTP (1Gbps up and down) since 2015 so nearly 10 years.

Over these years I have changed ISP 3 times.  2 times the new provider sent me a new router that I installed.  The 3rd time they replace the ONT.   They literally took the guts of the existing ONT box out and put the new ONT inside it.   You wouldn't really know that anything has changed.

I originally paid £25.70 a month and currently pay £31.99 a month.

HawkE

Thanks Peter999_2.  I was under the impression that a new service provider would not touch/alter any existing equipment installed by a prior service provider.   

I'm guessing that on the occasions you only had to install a router the new ISP was using the City Fibre network.

littleboo

yes, changing ISP's on the same physical network is not the same as changing between physical network providers. If you have more than 1 network provider, you will have a fibre and terminating equipment from each provider. 

iniltous

If you have access to multiple networks, and order service from one and then later from another, they  will do a new installation , so a new ONT etc , it’s conceivable that someone who switches regularly and has access to ( for example ) 3 networks , would have 3 ONT’s fitted , and the T&C’s often include a provision that if you stop using that network , the ONT has to remain in situ , not necessarily powered up , but fitted and available should a new order be received in the future, so you can’t take it off the wall and bin it if you don’t want it anymore , once it’s fitted , it’s permanent.

Some networks only sell their own ‘in house’ ISP access , other networks have multiple ISP’s available, so switching ISP may not need a new ONT , obviously any enquiry about service with a new ISP , they will  say if the network they intend to use needs installation or a suitable network already exists