FTTC bobbins

Niall · Jan 09, 2013, 23:12:25

So, as I haven't had an email from support with any settings for FTTC and how to set it up, exactly what is done?

BT are due to visit tomorrow to activate my FTTC line and I'll be usiung my billion 7800n. I was assuming you connect from whatever gubbins BT install via ethernet and change the setting in the router to PPOE. Is that all you do?

Leaving it a bit late I know, but I've been working overtime tonight then cleaning everything so they don't think I'm a gippo

pctech · Jan 10, 2013, 00:07:21

Yes

Steve · Jan 10, 2013, 06:54:11

Change the main port to EWAN and use PPPOE. You probably will receive a phone call saying he'll be coming round in 30 mins at which point he'll disconnect the line. When he arrives he'll then ask for your BT hub, tea and a bacon buttie - just tell to get on with it. He'll probably install the BT vdsl faceplate sometimes they'll leave an existing adslnation faceplate filter, check the vdsl connection and plug in the OR modem.

andrue · Jan 10, 2013, 08:12:19

Quote from: Steve on Jan 10, 2013, 06:54:11
Change the main port to EWAN and use PPPOE. You probably will receive a phone call saying he'll be coming round in 30 mins at which point he'll disconnect the line. When he arrives he'll then ask for your BT hub, tea and a bacon buttie - just tell to get on with it. He'll probably install the BT vdsl faceplate sometimes they'll leave an existing adslnation faceplate filter, check the vdsl connection and plug in the OR modem.

Then he might discover that there's no sync and ask you if the ADSL faceplate he just removed was on a master socket (eh?). When you say 'yes' he'll then proceed outside, remove the cover over the cable and stare in a puzzled way at all the wires (*). Then he'll ask you why you don't have micro filters on your sockets (um, hello - ADSL faceplate?). Then he'll say that there's a problem with the wiring (um, hello - 12Mb/s sync with Be?). Then he'll unmake and make some connections (noooo! leave my wiring alone!) then he'll try his widget on the naked wires (oooh, er, missus!). Then he'll get in his van and drive off to the cabinet.

When he comes back he sheepishly grins that he forgot to enable the port. He'll go back to the new faceplate and behold it all works. What is it about 'engineers' then makes them think the customer is always ignorant and talking cr*p. Simon at IDNet does it

I do it as well

(*) I have three of the multi cores coming to my property which always stuns them for a minute or two. A previous occupant ran a taxi company from the house apparently.

Steve · Jan 10, 2013, 08:15:19

There's also another issue but we won't mention that especially since you've booked a day off.

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 08:15:55

If he asks for my BT hub he's in for a surprise. I have been given nothing at all. The only thing I've received was a helpful email from Miriam (I was beginning to think she'd left IDnet as I haven't seen her about in a while!) starting the process, then an email from Brian as I asked what my date was as they sent me one saying the 9th and another saying the 10th.

Other than this, I've had nothing at all.

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 08:21:15

Quote from: Steve on Jan 10, 2013, 08:15:19
There's also another issue but we won't mention that especially since you've booked a day off.

I'm assuming you mean them not turning up. If that happens I'll have to cancel the order as I've maxed my flexi leave by having today off and have no annual leave until the 18th of Feb.

Steve · Jan 10, 2013, 08:23:44

I don't think I got any more information either Niall, it all started to happen once I got a phone call from the engineer the morning the install was due. One hour later it was all done!.

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 08:37:24

It'll probably be straight forward. I've never had a problem upgrading each time, thankfully.

My concern is the comment about the hub. I've sent support an email querying where this hub comes from as I assumed the engineer brought it. It would have been nice to receive an email from support before all this explaining exactly what happens

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 08:40:20

Super fast reply from support. I was right, the engineer brings the hub.

Steve · Jan 10, 2013, 09:01:24

I think by hub they mean the OR modem. I think the engineers are so used to doing BT Infinity installs they expect you to have received the BT hub as well and depending on their ability can't fathom out how any other hub/router is going to work, obviously you've got the 7800N to plug into the OR modem - I swapped mine over to EWAN and PPPOE when the phone line was disconnected at the exchange in readiness.

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 10:00:32

Currently posting by 3G as the engineer just phoned and is currently breaking my line :p

Just switching settings on my router now to hopefully speed up the process when he gets here. He said on the phone he's on my street which is a dirty fib as the cabinet is half a mile away

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 10:48:52

34mb down and 8mb up. Hurrah!

I've also Karmaified Bills post in the FTTC set up as I couldn't find the ppoe setting I knew I needed to use as it is only available via the setup wizard, strangely. All is well and now things load lightning fast. In fact, it's so quick you can now actually see which sites take longest to respond

* Niall does a little dance

Slightly different than the confirmation tool I was looking at that the engineer used, but still, no more waiting 5 hours to upload photos! Also, flickr loads in seconds now. That's nice

Steve · Jan 10, 2013, 10:49:43

Looking good

andrue · Jan 10, 2013, 11:03:37

Quote from: Niall on Jan 10, 2013, 10:48:52

Slightly different than the confirmation tool I was looking at that the engineer used, but still, no more waiting 5 hours to upload photos! Also, flickr loads in seconds now. That's nice

It might improve over the next few days, I think mine did from what I remember. Anyway congratulations!

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 11:04:38

I queried why the cabinet we've had for 35 years was removed leaving me connected half a mile away to the cabinet they just installed. He said that basically the one at the top of the estate was probably knackered as it was so old and wouldn't support FTTC so the little thing they have there now (about 2ft tall & 6" wide) is essentially a cap with nothing in it, or at best holds phone connections for a handful of people.

Strange that support could not tell me this in the year of problems I've been having. Do BT not tell the ISPs that they've removed cabinets? Surely they would do as it will 100% have an affect on customers

Also, he was a nice fella. Apparently he was a tank mechanic in the army and is retraining with openreach. He was from Hereford but is placed here during training from what I gather. It's nice when you get a nice engineer that doesn't talk BS trying to blag you. This fella flat out said he didn't know or wasn't sure if he didn't know or wasn't sure

andrue · Jan 10, 2013, 13:17:01

Quote from: Niall on Jan 10, 2013, 11:04:38Also, he was a nice fella. Apparently he was a tank mechanic in the army and is retraining with openreach. He was from Hereford but is placed here during training from what I gather. It's nice when you get a nice engineer that doesn't talk BS trying to blag you.

The one who installed my Home Highway many years ago was nice. I asked him to move the master socket so it was nearer my computer. I was with him when he undid the screws for the cable cover. It immediately sprang away and a mare's nest of wires appeared. He sighed and said "I wish I hadn't done that. Now I remember this house from when there was a taxi company here".

Anyway he got a cup of tea and a choccy biccy for his trouble. The guy who installed my FTTC was polite enough but he didn't merit anything. Especially after he wasted quarter of an hour double checking my wiring.

Polchraine · Jan 10, 2013, 14:20:42

Quote from: Steve on Jan 10, 2013, 06:54:11
He'll probably install the BT vdsl faceplate sometimes they'll leave an existing adslnation faceplate filter,

A VDSL filter should be installed. ADSL faceplates will work but their performance at higher frequencies is outside specification and can resut is degradation of performace. They were just about OK when profile 8 was used but now with the higher frequencies of 17a they are essential.

pctech · Jan 10, 2013, 17:29:36

BT will not tell the ISPs anything it isn't required to by the regulatory framework, they are just a customer.

Openreach has been recruiting a lot of ex forces people to help with the FTTC/FTTP roll out and there's probably noone better to do it as if you can tackle warfare, complex engineering or logistical challenges while you have bullets whizzing past or mortars raining down then an FTTC install must be a piece of cake and I'm glad to see these good people's skills being put to good use.

Speeds look terrific too Niall.

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 17:59:34

Yeah I'm quite impressed. Even if it drops to the estimated 27mb it's the upload I desperately needed. I updated a game on steam today and it was done before it could calculate the d/l speed. That was nice

I'm making the most of my day off. I've been around Chester and am currently still here in a pub drinking ace beer brewed here. Cheap as chips (cheaper actually!) and delicious. I'm going to be so lethargic in work tomorrow

Niall · Jan 10, 2013, 18:21:12

Oo the sexy New Zealander barmaid just asked an old fella to poke her fire. I like this pub

Steve · Jan 10, 2013, 18:48:28

Calm down, hope you didn't object to being called an old fella.

pctech · Jan 10, 2013, 19:06:13

Niall · Jan 11, 2013, 14:14:28

Slight hiccup. I put the bed down last night (I had to stand it upright so the engineer could reach the socket). During the night I heard a bang and thought it was just the mattress. Turns out it was the beds base caught on the plug for the adapter that my router, PC, OR modem, monitor & tv are connected to.

It basically snapped off the bottom third of the socket and the plug fell out. I put it back together, put the plug in and there was a shower of sparks! I reassembled it again and it worked the second time.

I think I'll buy some new sockets and get my cousin that's an electrician to fit them

Steve · Jan 11, 2013, 14:41:17

The joys of good beer, a good pub, and an Antipedean barmaid. I think a broken socket you can live with.