topic Full fibre? in Broadband

Full fibre?

Norman18grp — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:24:45 GMT

I pay for full fibre.

Fibre was connected to the house then routed inside to a box then an ethernet cable to the existing max router.

If it's full fibre why the ethernet cable

And why not a dedicated fibre router?

Just a thought

Re: Full fibre?

Me134 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:38:44 GMT

@Norman18grp wrote:
I pay for full fibre.
Fibre was connected to the house then routed inside to a box then an ethernet cable to the existing max router.
If it's full fibre why the ethernet cable
And why not a dedicated fibre router?

Just a thought

Because full fibre utilises an optical signal to the property, the ONT box (optical network terminal) converts this optical signal to an electronic signal that your devices can recognise. Otherwise all of your devices would require line of sight to get an optical signal and then convert it themselves. The ONT can be considered a dedicated fibre router in itself.

Re: Full fibre?

TimmyBGood — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:40:59 GMT

@Me134 wrote:

The ONT can be considered a dedicated fibre router in itself.

Strictly speaking a fibre modem, because no network address translation is occurring there.

Re: Full fibre?

TimmyBGood — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:57:58 GMT

@Norman18grp wrote:

If it's full fibre why the ethernet cable

Because none of your client devices has an optical interface and conversion to electrical signalling has to take place somewhere.

@Norman18grp wrote:

And why not a dedicated fibre router?

I'm not aware of any ISP which has such a thing. The ONT also serves a useful purpose as the designated endpoint of the national network and the transition to the remit of the individual ISP to which that household is paying a subscription.

Re: Full fibre?

Me134 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:48:35 GMT

@TimmyBGood wrote:
@Me134 wrote:
The ONT can be considered a dedicated fibre router in itself.
Strictly speaking a fibre modem, because no network address translation is occurring there.

Yes, I always get modem/router/hub terms mixed up, and that's before you get into the finer details 😞