Advice on proposed full fibre installation
Discussion
Hi all
I currently have virgin broadband and am planning to upgrade to Full Fibre with EE.
I had an engineer come out to install the new router and new fibre optic cable however he told me he was not able to install it where my current router is.
I've attached an image showing the current layout of my house, where the current router is situated, the proposed new location of the router and the telegraph pole where the feed needs to come from.
My only concern with the location that the engineer has proposed is whether the coverage would reach the opposite side of the house, whereas currently the router is in a central location. I also have a Eufy outdoor camera where the garage is, so if the wifi connection is weak that could be a problem.
So my question is... Should I challenge the proposed location from the engineer, is there definitely no way for them to get the router in my desired location? Or should I just let the engineer install the router where he's advised and hope for the best? Perhaps if coverage isn't great, invest in a mesh system or similar.
I currently have virgin broadband and am planning to upgrade to Full Fibre with EE.
I had an engineer come out to install the new router and new fibre optic cable however he told me he was not able to install it where my current router is.
I've attached an image showing the current layout of my house, where the current router is situated, the proposed new location of the router and the telegraph pole where the feed needs to come from.
My only concern with the location that the engineer has proposed is whether the coverage would reach the opposite side of the house, whereas currently the router is in a central location. I also have a Eufy outdoor camera where the garage is, so if the wifi connection is weak that could be a problem.
So my question is... Should I challenge the proposed location from the engineer, is there definitely no way for them to get the router in my desired location? Or should I just let the engineer install the router where he's advised and hope for the best? Perhaps if coverage isn't great, invest in a mesh system or similar.
We had full fibre installed recently which the engineer set up the main router in a different spot to the old router and an extender, after a couple of days it was apparent that we had a bit of a dead spot in our extension.
I hopped into live chat with EE and they simply asked how many additional extenders I wanted and they posted them out, all at no cost to me,
I hopped into live chat with EE and they simply asked how many additional extenders I wanted and they posted them out, all at no cost to me,
London1986 said:
So my question is... Should I challenge the proposed location from the engineer, is there definitely no way for them to get the router in my desired location? Or should I just let the engineer install the router where he's advised and hope for the best? Perhaps if coverage isn't great, invest in a mesh system or similar.
The BT engineers are usually quite good chaps. If you can put a draw line in so they can pull the fibre from the easiest access point (and ideally let them know if they call before the visit to make sure they have the right cable one the van) then they’ll probably do it for you. Mine is nowhere near where you’d expect it to be if they worked to rule. At another place we have the survey says install it overhead… it’s in an underground duct (that we laid) instead. It really didn’t seem to be any skin off their nose as long as they didn’t need to do any extra work.
skeeterm5 said:
We had full fibre installed recently which the engineer set up the main router in a different spot to the old router and an extender, after a couple of days it was apparent that we had a bit of a dead spot in our extension.
I hopped into live chat with EE and they simply asked how many additional extenders I wanted and they posted them out, all at no cost to me,
This is very helpful thank you, that fills me with confidence I hopped into live chat with EE and they simply asked how many additional extenders I wanted and they posted them out, all at no cost to me,
Question, as I'm thinking of swapping.
We have a mesh system already. Would it just be a case of plugging the existing TP-link base station into the EE router, just like we do with the Sky router. Or is it simpler case of binning existing stuff and accepting the other EE kit.
I think the base station is plugged into the router but we do have a switch for various devices, need to check, but generally hate delving into that rats nest of wires in the cable management (ironic laughter) system.
We have a mesh system already. Would it just be a case of plugging the existing TP-link base station into the EE router, just like we do with the Sky router. Or is it simpler case of binning existing stuff and accepting the other EE kit.
I think the base station is plugged into the router but we do have a switch for various devices, need to check, but generally hate delving into that rats nest of wires in the cable management (ironic laughter) system.
Make sure you establish that your tariff is one that includes boosters.
We were on a BT full fibre plan that guaranteed good wifi throughout, and with three boosters it gave us coverage throughout the house and garage. Last September I rang to change the plan for a couple of mobiles and the chap offered a “cheaper and faster” broadband plan when we had done the business with the mobiles. Without thinking or asking any questions, and as we had always been happy with BT / EE, I said yes. New router arrived, not compatible with the existing booster discs and wifi only accessible in about 20% of the house. I rang EE and was advised they would happily supply compatible boosters - at a cost something like £12 a month each as the plan we had been switched to did not have a coverage guarantee. Cue many phone calls and a written complaint that we had been mis-sold the plan as they were well aware of the necessity of boosters. Eventually EE sent out 3 boosters and credited the two year rental of them to my account so they were effectively free, but it’s left a sour taste and I’ll look to move away when the current contract expires.
We were on a BT full fibre plan that guaranteed good wifi throughout, and with three boosters it gave us coverage throughout the house and garage. Last September I rang to change the plan for a couple of mobiles and the chap offered a “cheaper and faster” broadband plan when we had done the business with the mobiles. Without thinking or asking any questions, and as we had always been happy with BT / EE, I said yes. New router arrived, not compatible with the existing booster discs and wifi only accessible in about 20% of the house. I rang EE and was advised they would happily supply compatible boosters - at a cost something like £12 a month each as the plan we had been switched to did not have a coverage guarantee. Cue many phone calls and a written complaint that we had been mis-sold the plan as they were well aware of the necessity of boosters. Eventually EE sent out 3 boosters and credited the two year rental of them to my account so they were effectively free, but it’s left a sour taste and I’ll look to move away when the current contract expires.
Your plan doesn't really help however the proposed location is the closest point of the house to the pole so it'd be doable to the property, down the wall to a joint box (CSP) then still out and run the (very short) internal cable from the new master socket (ONT) on an internal wall, to the CSP and job done. Minimal cabling, minimal time to complete.
However, to get the new fibre cable to the existing point... where can the overhead span be attached? Is the garage high enough? Can it go to the mid point then over a flat roof to the rear? Would it need 30m+ of black cable cleated round the external walls, up over doors etc? Have you got a crawl space (lit) that the cable could go under the house instead? Is there an option to go into and though the garage then out the back?
So getting from pole to your existing point could be a bit of a nightmare and the solutions may not sit well with you, ie drilling holes, cables spanning much further, visible cabling on the house etc etc. Every fibre install is subject to unique challenges but assume you had that discussion with the engineer and looked at the options?
Bear in mind, engineers have limitations imposed by their employer - not allowed in unfloored, unlit attics, can't drill out window frames or lift carpets, can't go under crawl spaces or attach cables to existing power etc. However whilst the engineer is there to install, it's your house do if you're able to help overcome any limiting factors, ie get up the attic, most engineers would be happy to work with you to get a suitable solution in place.
However, to get the new fibre cable to the existing point... where can the overhead span be attached? Is the garage high enough? Can it go to the mid point then over a flat roof to the rear? Would it need 30m+ of black cable cleated round the external walls, up over doors etc? Have you got a crawl space (lit) that the cable could go under the house instead? Is there an option to go into and though the garage then out the back?
So getting from pole to your existing point could be a bit of a nightmare and the solutions may not sit well with you, ie drilling holes, cables spanning much further, visible cabling on the house etc etc. Every fibre install is subject to unique challenges but assume you had that discussion with the engineer and looked at the options?
Bear in mind, engineers have limitations imposed by their employer - not allowed in unfloored, unlit attics, can't drill out window frames or lift carpets, can't go under crawl spaces or attach cables to existing power etc. However whilst the engineer is there to install, it's your house do if you're able to help overcome any limiting factors, ie get up the attic, most engineers would be happy to work with you to get a suitable solution in place.
The 'engineers' are going to take the easiest option for them, they are not interested in doing a decent job, they just want to be in and out asap. I've seen some dreadful installs locally to me, cables clipped across white walls, not straight, BT boxes slapped right in the middle of a wall, cable ties used then not cut off, piss poor.
Then they leave the old copper cabling in place, there are so many overhead cables in my street, it looks like the back streets of Bangkok. (without the fringe benefits)
Then they leave the old copper cabling in place, there are so many overhead cables in my street, it looks like the back streets of Bangkok. (without the fringe benefits)
Edited by megaphone on Monday 28th April 09:13
I ran an underground duct (supplied by OPENREACH) on my property and OPENREACH contractors joined it to the main Underground Duct and the fibre was laid to to the external box . Because my house has a raised floor , OPENREACH engineers gave a 30m fibre cable I ran from the external box to the ONT in my Comms Room (The Cistern Cupboard :
) .
The pole was then removed and all the overhead cabling .
) .The pole was then removed and all the overhead cabling
.Are you able to run a cable yourself from the area they propose putting it to somewhere more central or the other side of the house? If so you could have thier router at the proposed location, and put your own access point in on the end of an ethernet cable somewhere else. Depends how your house is constructed, but my wiring is all all in ducts so I used the old phone cables that I no longer need to pull ethernet through to a couple of different rooms and put wifi access points on the ends.
Do they string the cable across high or put it underground from the telegraph pole to the house? If the latter can you dig your own path to a better lcoation?
Do they string the cable across high or put it underground from the telegraph pole to the house? If the latter can you dig your own path to a better lcoation?
FiF said:
Question, as I'm thinking of swapping.
We have a mesh system already. Would it just be a case of plugging the existing TP-link base station into the EE router, just like we do with the Sky router. Or is it simpler case of binning existing stuff and accepting the other EE kit.
I think the base station is plugged into the router but we do have a switch for various devices, need to check, but generally hate delving into that rats nest of wires in the cable management (ironic laughter) system.
Assuming something like a Deco system, then yes, you can use them in access point mode, with one plugged in to the ISP provided router and others scattered round the house either talking back to the main unit via wifi, or if you're able to run a cable then you will get better speeds. Alternatively you can put the ISP provided router in to "passthrough" mode, where it only acts as a modem and your device can then be used as the router.We have a mesh system already. Would it just be a case of plugging the existing TP-link base station into the EE router, just like we do with the Sky router. Or is it simpler case of binning existing stuff and accepting the other EE kit.
I think the base station is plugged into the router but we do have a switch for various devices, need to check, but generally hate delving into that rats nest of wires in the cable management (ironic laughter) system.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 28th April 09:25
RizzoTheRat said:
Are you able to run a cable yourself from the area they propose putting it to somewhere more central or the other side of the house? If so you could have thier router at the proposed location, and put your own access point in on the end of an ethernet cable somewhere else. Depends how your house is constructed, but my wiring is all all in ducts so I used the old phone cables that I no longer need to pull ethernet through to a couple of different rooms and put wifi access points on the ends.
Thanks for confirming what I thought or more correctly hoped was the case, and it is indeed a Deco system in access point mode. Been going to sort this out for a long time now but so much has been going on at home that far more important things to look after and sort out.FiF said:
Question, as I'm thinking of swapping.
We have a mesh system already. Would it just be a case of plugging the existing TP-link base station into the EE router, just like we do with the Sky router. Or is it simpler case of binning existing stuff and accepting the other EE kit.
I think the base station is plugged into the router but we do have a switch for various devices, need to check, but generally hate delving into that rats nest of wires in the cable management (ironic laughter) system.
Assuming something like a Deco system, then yes, you can use them in access point mode, with one plugged in to the ISP provided router and others scattered round the house either talking back to the main unit via wifi, or if you're able to run a cable then you will get better speeds. Alternatively you can put the ISP provided router in to "passthrough" mode, where it only acts as a modem and your device can then be used as the router.We have a mesh system already. Would it just be a case of plugging the existing TP-link base station into the EE router, just like we do with the Sky router. Or is it simpler case of binning existing stuff and accepting the other EE kit.
I think the base station is plugged into the router but we do have a switch for various devices, need to check, but generally hate delving into that rats nest of wires in the cable management (ironic laughter) system.
Just starting to get my head straight and ticking off that job list to keep occupied.
FiF said:
Thanks for confirming what I thought or more correctly hoped was the case, and it is indeed a Deco system in access point mode. Been going to sort this out for a long time now but so much has been going on at home that far more important things to look after and sort out.
Just starting to get my head straight and ticking off that job list to keep occupied.
Unless you have good reason to, it would be better to use the Deco in router mode and remove the EE provided router from the equation, rather than doubling up and using the Deco is access point mode, or having two routers. All three options work, but the first one is likely to be best. Just starting to get my head straight and ticking off that job list to keep occupied.
LooneyTunes said:
The BT engineers are usually quite good chaps. If you can put a draw line in so they can pull the fibre from the easiest access point (and ideally let them know if they call before the visit to make sure they have the right cable one the van) then they’ll probably do it for you.
Mine is nowhere near where you’d expect it to be if they worked to rule. At another place we have the survey says install it overhead… it’s in an underground duct (that we laid) instead. It really didn’t seem to be any skin off their nose as long as they didn’t need to do any extra work.
I would echo this, our engineer 'Billy' seemed to have been to everyone in the village and was perfectly willing to put the router anywhere I wished for copious Tea. Ended up about as far away from the road as possible but great for coverage and ease of hiding.Mine is nowhere near where you’d expect it to be if they worked to rule. At another place we have the survey says install it overhead… it’s in an underground duct (that we laid) instead. It really didn’t seem to be any skin off their nose as long as they didn’t need to do any extra work.
I would just ask.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff