Any real gain to update to FTTP over a good FTTC service
Discussion
Currently (EE) have FTTC runs at about 70Mbps D/L (18 U/L), all reliable and appears quick.
WFH, other than that mostly online streaming, maybe 2 at once if that. No gaming.
For extra 80p (£32.50 instead of recently £31.70
), I can update to FTTP at 100Mbps D/L (30 U/L) BUT will lose phone (which we never use really, get the odd call in).
Is it a no brainer to update? (although I'll have to wire a ethernet cable from socket area to router (which is elsewhere in house) as that uses the normal tel cable. But that's not big issue though.
Current contract until Jan 2024 (I think) so can't switch providers anytime soon, so above is only option.
WFH, other than that mostly online streaming, maybe 2 at once if that. No gaming.
For extra 80p (£32.50 instead of recently £31.70
), I can update to FTTP at 100Mbps D/L (30 U/L) BUT will lose phone (which we never use really, get the odd call in).Is it a no brainer to update? (although I'll have to wire a ethernet cable from socket area to router (which is elsewhere in house) as that uses the normal tel cable. But that's not big issue though.
Current contract until Jan 2024 (I think) so can't switch providers anytime soon, so above is only option.
If you're getting those speeds already, it's reliable, and you don't require anything faster, then it's probably not worth the jump just yet.
I had a 20Mbps / 1Mbps FTTC service (long line) and was at times unreliable. Switched to FTTP recently (EE Fibre Max 100) and now get 106Mbps / 21Mbps with a ping of around 5ms. Connection has been solid since install at the beginning of March.
The amount I download per month hasn't really changed with the FTTP service, so apart from the reliability, faster downloads and uploads, and the ability to opt for a 900Mbps connection at the click of a button, I can't say it's had a huge impact on my life.
I had a 20Mbps / 1Mbps FTTC service (long line) and was at times unreliable. Switched to FTTP recently (EE Fibre Max 100) and now get 106Mbps / 21Mbps with a ping of around 5ms. Connection has been solid since install at the beginning of March.
The amount I download per month hasn't really changed with the FTTP service, so apart from the reliability, faster downloads and uploads, and the ability to opt for a 900Mbps connection at the click of a button, I can't say it's had a huge impact on my life.
My thought would be that if the current FTTC service is satisfactory, then why upset the solution. With FTTP there may be bulkier NTE equipment (not sure on domestic kit) and also you may be in the shorter term restricting yourself on choice of ISP's and services if things don't work out.
A near doubling of upload speed can be the bigger thing if you work from home - video calls, uploading files, online backups etc. Should also be more consistent and stable than all the techniques they use to get modern speeds over decades-old copper pairs.
You don't have to have the ONT (internal wall box where it goes from fibre to ethernet) where the existing master socket is, they can install anywhere within reason. That was a good enough reason to move for me, the old copper line came in through a door frame and terminated in the hallway, it was a great opportunity to tidy all that up.
You don't have to have the ONT (internal wall box where it goes from fibre to ethernet) where the existing master socket is, they can install anywhere within reason. That was a good enough reason to move for me, the old copper line came in through a door frame and terminated in the hallway, it was a great opportunity to tidy all that up.
Until last week I had FFTC at 70/20, with Zen, and it was very good.
But last week Openreach rocked up and installed FFTP (still with Zen) and now I get about 950/80. And now I need to wire ethernet to my PC as it's faster than my wifi, which, in my office, I can get about 400/60 (wifi-5).
You don't need to give up your land line if you don't want to either. You can go for Digital Voice and keep your existing number; you need a router that will accept a wired phone connection (DECT or wired handset), or some routers (like a Fritz!Box) are also a DECT basestation, so you can pair your DECT phone with it.
But last week Openreach rocked up and installed FFTP (still with Zen) and now I get about 950/80. And now I need to wire ethernet to my PC as it's faster than my wifi, which, in my office, I can get about 400/60 (wifi-5).
You don't need to give up your land line if you don't want to either. You can go for Digital Voice and keep your existing number; you need a router that will accept a wired phone connection (DECT or wired handset), or some routers (like a Fritz!Box) are also a DECT basestation, so you can pair your DECT phone with it.
drmotorsport said:
My thought would be that if the current FTTC service is satisfactory, then why upset the solution. With FTTP there may be bulkier NTE equipment (not sure on domestic kit) and also you may be in the shorter term restricting yourself on choice of ISP's and services if things don't work out.
The NTP that Openreach install is the same size as a BT Master Socket. It's way smaller than the old Openreach modems that were first installed a few years ago.I think you can get bigger ones if you want it to be battery backed.
sjg said:
A near doubling of upload speed can be the bigger thing if you work from home - video calls, uploading files, online backups etc. Should also be more consistent and stable than all the techniques they use to get modern speeds over decades-old copper pairs.
You don't have to have the ONT (internal wall box where it goes from fibre to ethernet) where the existing master socket is, they can install anywhere within reason. That was a good enough reason to move for me, the old copper line came in through a door frame and terminated in the hallway, it was a great opportunity to tidy all that up.
The reverse was true for me. Currently the line comes into the house and goes directly a mini Comms cupboard with router, switch, NAS etcYou don't have to have the ONT (internal wall box where it goes from fibre to ethernet) where the existing master socket is, they can install anywhere within reason. That was a good enough reason to move for me, the old copper line came in through a door frame and terminated in the hallway, it was a great opportunity to tidy all that up.
To switch to fibre would involve having the new termination equipment in the front room. Believe it needs power too, so extra messy.
Annoying as very occasionally (children at home streaming stuff, 2 adults working from home on video conferences all the time) we do fight for bandwidth.
Really not bothered about landline, I assume would have to pay extra for the digital voice one on same number?
If I only had a few months left on contract, I would wait and then haggle etc. however as about 20m to go, that could be 20m with a bit faster speeds etc. for “only” extra 71p a month….
Still procrastinating
Thanks for replies all…
If I only had a few months left on contract, I would wait and then haggle etc. however as about 20m to go, that could be 20m with a bit faster speeds etc. for “only” extra 71p a month….
Still procrastinating
Thanks for replies all…
Dracoro said:
Really not bothered about landline, I assume would have to pay extra for the digital voice one on same number?
If I only had a few months left on contract, I would wait and then haggle etc. however as about 20m to go, that could be 20m with a bit faster speeds etc. for “only” extra 71p a month….
Still procrastinating
Thanks for replies all…
Yes, a 1000 minutes is £7/month (with Zen and I think BT charge the same) for Digital Voice. We don't really need it either.If I only had a few months left on contract, I would wait and then haggle etc. however as about 20m to go, that could be 20m with a bit faster speeds etc. for “only” extra 71p a month….
Still procrastinating
Thanks for replies all…
survivalist said:
sjg said:
A near doubling of upload speed can be the bigger thing if you work from home - video calls, uploading files, online backups etc. Should also be more consistent and stable than all the techniques they use to get modern speeds over decades-old copper pairs.
You don't have to have the ONT (internal wall box where it goes from fibre to ethernet) where the existing master socket is, they can install anywhere within reason. That was a good enough reason to move for me, the old copper line came in through a door frame and terminated in the hallway, it was a great opportunity to tidy all that up.
You don't have to have the ONT (internal wall box where it goes from fibre to ethernet) where the existing master socket is, they can install anywhere within reason. That was a good enough reason to move for me, the old copper line came in through a door frame and terminated in the hallway, it was a great opportunity to tidy all that up.
The reverse was true for me. Currently the line comes into the house and goes directly a mini Comms cupboard with router, switch, NAS etc
To switch to fibre would involve having the new termination equipment in the front room. Believe it needs power too, so extra messy.
Annoying as very occasionally (children at home streaming stuff, 2 adults working from home on video conferences all the time) we do fight for bandwidth.
I currently have FTTC and despite almost being in sight of the exchange it tops out at 30mbps. This is usually fast enough, but it does have the occasional wobble. Next week I’m having FTTP installed at 65mbps for an extra 50p per month (£24.00 vs £23.50). I will lose my landline as part of this work, so the scammers will have to find someone else to call.
Openreach have started sending me handy “what to expect” videos and it appears the new box of tricks they install does need to be powered. Other than that there should be little change apart from it running at twice the speed I get now, with the option of really mad speeds if I fancy it in the future.
Openreach have started sending me handy “what to expect” videos and it appears the new box of tricks they install does need to be powered. Other than that there should be little change apart from it running at twice the speed I get now, with the option of really mad speeds if I fancy it in the future.
Freakuk said:
Do you currently have fibre laid to your property? If not then OpenReach will need to either dig up your drive/garden to get it to your property or run it overhead.
If you haven't, it's probably not worth the hassle.
If the fibre runs have been done in the area, it's usually a case of using the existing conduit to the property and a minor install on the insdie of the property.If you haven't, it's probably not worth the hassle.
Freakuk said:
Do you currently have fibre laid to your property? If not then OpenReach will need to either dig up your drive/garden to get it to your property or run it overhead.
If you haven't, it's probably not worth the hassle.
Nope, zero hassle.If you haven't, it's probably not worth the hassle.
Mine went in last week, no digging up of my garden or drive required since they poke the fibre down the same ducting as the copper phone lines goes up.
Of course, that may not be the same of everyone.
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