New Full Fibre wires are looking a complete mess, I'm thinking of going to a 5g sim router instead.

AndyPK

Stick with copper? or is it expensive?

molerat

flaneurs_lobster said:

Is there any reason why the new FTTP cable couldn't follow the route of the existing phone service cabling?

Usually because it is too difficult for the lazy fitters to install.  My daughter's fibre comes from the pole to the eaves then down the wall to half height - the reason for half height is that otherwise they have to drill a hole in the wall for an eye to secure the ladder at every point - big and wide round the corner then pinned along the wall, round the next corner big and wide, just laying across the flat roof porch, cable tied down the gas pipe to the junction box and into the house.  Took a lot of convincing to get them to take it to the front of the house where the old NTE box was, copper cable running back to front through the loft, and convenient position for the router rather than into the kitchen.

Timalay

What speed/package are you on at the moment?  If it's an FTTC (fibre to the Cabinet) broadband, it might be fine for years to come.  The only thing would be is that BT/Openreach are doing away with Cooper line repairs, so if something does go wrong, you'll more than likely to be upgraded to Full Fibre.

flaneurs_lobster

Timalay said:

What speed/package are you on at the moment?  If it's an FTTC (fibre to the Cabinet) broadband, it might be fine for years to come.  The only thing would be is that BT/Openreach are doing away with Cooper line repairs, so if something does go wrong, you'll more than likely to be upgraded to Full Fibre.

That's my situation - as you say the FTTC copper is fine for my usage but I'm now out of contract with BT and renewing with them (or another supplier) means an FTTP install. 

Dilemma - continue as is at ££ more/month than a FTTP introductory offer or risk the disruptive FTTP install.

Probably just putting off the inevitable.

Scrounger

Roobags said:

Thanks, I should have said we are a recently retired couple with no kids, so very light users. I am very tempted to try a 4/5G router with a cheap data Sim and a virtual landline, I estimate the router would cost a one off £100 and thereafter £10pm for a monthly Sim card and less than £10 pm for a virtual landline....so about £20 per month instead of BT currently charging me £58. We want to keep our traditional landline phone handsets as they are more comfortable to hold for long phone calls with elderly parents. Has anyone else done this?...

@Roobags we switched over to 4G/5G broadband in July (after finally ditching NowTV broadband & landline) and am pleased to report that it has exceeded my expectations.

I briefly tested the ZTE MF286D and whilst it was functional I was not keen on the user interface so finally settled with:
Samsung A22 5G handset coupled to an Asus AC86U router; a TP-Link MR600 V3 router & TP-Link MR105 router for testing.

If you need an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor) I can recommend the Linksys PAP2T which provides two analogue ports for your existing telephones (in conjunction with a VOIP provider eg Andrews & Arnold).  Make sure you get an 'unlocked' version (as often they come locked to providers).

As for data SIM I bought 2 x 3 500GB/month until November 2027 for £75 each from Scancom via Amazon (Currently price increased to £189.99  ).

Happy to provide any further assistance.


Scrounger