ISP Cable Types

[Lamentable]

I am trying to future proof my internet connections a bit. As such I want to put in place three cables now in conduit for each ISP in my area whilst I have opportunity.

What are the different cable types they use?

Virgin (I have this now)
Coax type cable joined externally in a brown wall box before routing internally.
Easy to buy terminated extension cables from eBay in a range of lengths.

City Fibre
Unsure on the cable type an if an outside wall box is fitted.

BT
Unsure on the cable type but believe they terminate in an external box first before routing inside.

Does anyone know the cable types for City Fibre and BT please?

 

[morqthana]

Ask them?

 

[Lamentable]

Have you ever tried calling BT ?

 

[Lamentable]

I asked chat GPT.
Apparently both BT and City Fibre use a Single-mode SC-APC to SC-UPC cable.
Hoping this is correct!

 

[endecotp]

Both BT and City Fibre use optical fibre, which they will supply. Just put some string in your conduit. Make it short, I have the impression they prefer just to drill straight through the wall between their external and internal boxes. If you really want to know more, Openreach have a “Guide for Developers” (as in Property Developers, i.e. new housing estates) that includes some details about what they need a new build to have ready for them to finish the installation.

 

[Lamentable]

Thanks for replying, I just found these guides which are very useful:

https://www.openreach.com/content/dam/openreach/openreach-dam-files/new-dam-(not-in-use-yet)/documents/help-support/New-Sites-Fibre-Handbook-August-2024-online.pdf

 

[morqthana]

Where/how did you find that? I'd like to have a rummage to see if they have similar re overhead fibre from poles....

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Where/how did you find that? I'd like to have a rummage to see if they have similar re overhead fibre from poles....

My fibre is overhead, from the pole. The normally bring fibre across at high level, then down the outside wall, to the outdoor joint, at low level, then indoor fibre through the wall, to the ONT.

My original system, had the phone line/master socket, and router in the loft. I managed to persuade the installer, with my assistance, to bring the outdoor fibre all the way into the loft, the joint between outdoor fibre, plus ONT, and router, co-located in the loft.

 

[morqthana]

The normally bring fibre across at high level,

That's OK.

then down the outside wall, to the outdoor joint, at low level, then indoor fibre through the wall, to the ONT.

And that's not -

a) I don't want a cable running down the wall.

b) I don't want the ONT where such a cable would enter the house.

My original system, had the phone line/master socket, and router in the loft.

My master socket is nowhere near where the copper dropwire enters the house.

I managed to persuade the installer, with my assistance, to bring the outdoor fibre all the way into the loft, the joint between outdoor fibre, plus ONT, and router, co-located in the loft.

When I do get around to getting FTTP, I'd want the cable to enter the loft. If that cannot simply be continued to where I would want the ONT (I suspect physical characteristics make that impractical), I'd happily pre-install a cable from the ONT position to where it could be joined to it.

Hopefully the external cable could be continued in the loft for a few metres at least, as I have a hipped roof, and working in the loft down in the corner of that is no fun at all. Or maybe it could be run along the top of the fascia outside where it would be hidden by the guttering, and enter the loft at an easier place.

 

[AndyPRK]

The installers are very accommodating it seams. They will put the ONT where you wish

The incoming cable is fibre, so no point trying to extend it with copper.

You can of course run a CAT cable between the ONT and your existing router position, which is what I have done (and one of the options in that link)

 

[morqthana]

The installers are very accommodating it seams. They will put the ONT where you wish

And will they run the cable down walls and under floors to the ONT?

The incoming cable is fibre, so no point trying to extend it with copper.

I wouldn't.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

a) I don't want a cable running down the wall.

Cables, pinned to the mortar joints, on our house, as in the original GPO install, come adrift, and end up flapping in the breeze. Long ago, I moved it straight into the loft, along with any other such drops.

When I do get around to getting FTTP, I'd want the cable to enter the loft. If that cannot simply be continued to where I would want the ONT (I suspect physical characteristics make that impractical), I'd happily pre-install a cable from the ONT position to where it could be joined to it.

Their rule is, they will not attempt to go into a loft. I made it clear, when I agreed to move from copper to fibre, it came in via the loft, or would forget the fibre deal. My loft is an unofficial conversion, boarded, plaster-boarded, carpeted, but accessed via a loft ladder, as a workroom. I put a draw-wire, from the eave, through to the carpeted area ready, and the guy could sit in comfort, on a carpeted floor, with a good light, to make his termination.

He arrived, said no can do, must be down the wall, I said sorry - no chance, come and look how easy it is to do what I want. He came, looked, rang his office, and got approval to do it my way. He taped his fibre onto my draw-wire, I pulled it through. He then happily terminated, plugged in his ONT, router, checked it, and left it working.

I then found the speed quite variable, reported it, and they agreed, so were out a second time. He had messed up the termination, so they redid that, since when it's been fine.

 

[AndyPRK]

Generally they like them on an external wall.
But if you lifted the floor boards they might, (if it were sensible). I guess the problem is if it fails in the future, and they would need to access it again.

 

[333rocky333]

That's OK.




And that's not -

a) I don't want a cable running down the wall.

 

[333rocky333]

When they done mine I drilled a hole under the soffit into the bedroom for them and housed it in a wall cabinet, next to it they put a smaller box, on that was a cat 5 output , i used that for my sky routrer and a phone output for a landline, i also needed a plug socket to power that boxes power supply..

I lost my home phone number when I moved home even though I stayed with sky.
So if that's an issue check prior.

Not sure they would do it in a loft, as the crimp tool and tester is quite a lump to carry up there, it' did not look easy terminating the box either, the fibre had several layers and they then wind over a meter of slack onto an internal spool, they said that's a requirement.
They gave me an offcut, it's a flat twin from the pole, and you can literally tie it in knots, with no damage , as it had I think at least 2 layers of Kevler , some other stuff between, then finally ridiculously. thin glass fibre.
They stripped it by hand then crimped a special end on, then tested it somehow with this boxed meter