What’s this BT box mean?

[quinny100]

Blockbuster said:

colin79666 said:

You might be stuck with BT for a while. On new build estates there is often an exclusive deal for the ISP in return for putting in the infrastructure.

It's not that. The OP can go with any provider that sells Openreach FTTP. it's just there's not that many of them about at the moment. As well as BT, Sky sell it too and a handful of smaller ISPs who tend to charge a bit more.

Blockbuster is ostensibly correct.

Any talk of exclusivity or access cabinets being opened up is utter twaddle - not least because Openreach FTTP seldom uses cabinets, but primarily because Openreach is an open access provider who are obliged to provide regulated services to all providers at the same price.

Historically there has been a limited number of suppliers offering FTTP services which has perpetuated the myth that BT have a monopoly - it's merely that suppliers, particularly the larger players, have chosen not to offer a service because it's not commercially viable to do so when the customer base was so small. As that has expanded, more suppliers are offering it and prices have come down.

An Openreach 80/20 FTTP service is actually cheaper than an (up to) 80/20 FTTC service to the provider now.

BT's FTTP prices for new customers are fairly competitive now and BT's network is decent. If you take a Halo product the UK support is passible by consumer ISP standards. Sky are always worth a look - decent network, support is OK if you can get an escalation. If you want decent service have a look at Zen.

[Mr Whippy]

Well I rang BT, their existing customer offer was worse than a new one.

Plus 24 month contracts.

No quality advice on using my ASUS Zen router direct to the ONT, seemed to think I had to use their router and then couldn’t tell me about bridging.

Seemed to get a bit shirty when I said I’d try elsewhere... was a bit surprised given I’ve been with them 6 years straight with no fuss.



Then tried Zen. Much nicer person but seemingly rushed when I asked them to email the details.
They said I could use my own router/mesh but said their router was also very good.


Think I’m going with Zen 300mb for £49 on 18 months.


All of these providers need to realise people might have their own routers these days and don’t want to have to set everything up again on different routers etc.
Or at least have advisors who can let you know they can do a simple bridge onto your own network with their hardware.



Now I just need a Tesla powerwall and solar PV install

[Mr Whippy]

Oh Zen even have instructions for using ASUS WiFi kit.

https://support.zen.co.uk/kb/Knowledgebase/Fibre-B...

Nice to see they support it!

Just 10 days to enable it, sigh...

[surveyor]

Mr Whippy said:

Well I rang BT, their existing customer offer was worse than a new one.

Plus 24 month contracts.

No quality advice on using my ASUS Zen router direct to the ONT, seemed to think I had to use their router and then couldn’t tell me about bridging.

Seemed to get a bit shirty when I said I’d try elsewhere... was a bit surprised given I’ve been with them 6 years straight with no fuss.



Then tried Zen. Much nicer person but seemingly rushed when I asked them to email the details.
They said I could use my own router/mesh but said their router was also very good.


Think I’m going with Zen 300mb for £49 on 18 months.


All of these providers need to realise people might have their own routers these days and don’t want to have to set everything up again on different routers etc.
Or at least have advisors who can let you know they can do a simple bridge onto your own network with their hardware.



Now I just need a Tesla powerwall and solar PV install

I think your ambitious considering the average bt call handler is not a techie at heart.

[ooo000ooo]

surveyor said:

I think your ambitious considering the average bt call handler is not a techie at heart.

Nor do they want the headache of "I did what you said now my router is on fire and it's your fault"

[Mr Whippy]

Well exactly.

But they could say “yes it has a bridge mode, blah blah ass covering disclaimer“


Anyhow Zen seem to support it officially so they get the gig.

Also 6 month shorter contract so win there too (though their faster services are 24mo which makes no sense as it’s just same ‘turned up a bit’)

[quinny100]

BT's consumer routers don't support bridge mode.

Their business ones, which are actually the same hardware but different firmware do have an option to be put into bridge mode.

You're probably better with Zen in any case.

[Mr Whippy]

quinny100 said:

BT's consumer routers don't support bridge mode.

Their business ones, which are actually the same hardware but different firmware do have an option to be put into bridge mode.

You're probably better with Zen in any case.

Yes I have an old HH5, or something, and it’s on my 73meg connection, ‘bridged’ to my ZenWiFi via a normal LAN port and it seems to work ok, but I’ve read the support for bridging on the newer stuff in this way isn’t as clear cut.

I can see now that BT selling their whole home kits or whatever, for extra £££ a month, means they’re motivated to lock down their routers into their own ecosystem.


Yes agree, Zen are a bit more money but can answer straight questions with straight answers!

All good.

Just wish I could justify the 900meg package haha!