Installation of optical network terminal

[DTN75]

Hi

I am due to get ultrafast installed in my rented flat but am not permitted to drill into the walls due to having a damp proof membrane.  I am not entirely sure if I'll need to have an optical network terminal fitted, but if I do can it be attached to the skirting board? 

[TimmyBGood]

@DTN75 

Typically an ONT wouldn't fit that low (its connections are underneath) and new FTTP also requires drilling from outside to inside for arrival of the optical cable.

If it's in the UK, putting the address into the BT Wholesale Availability Checker should indicate which broadband provisioning type is applicable.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL/AddressHome 

It's the table and the two text lines below it which are most useful.

Remove any personal information (such as the address itself) if you post an image.

[TimmyBGood]

@DTN75 

 

[DTN75]

I have very deep skirting boards c.17cm. would that be big enough?

[TimmyBGood]

@DTN75 

I doubt an installer would be happy with that (it puts the inherently fragile optical fibre at considerable risk from vacuum cleaning, for example) but you might be able to convince them.

As I noted above, new FTTP usually requires drilling anyway just to get the cable in.

[TimmyBGood]

@DTN75 

Our ONT is around 30cm from top of the enclosure to bottom of the optical pigtail curve (which does have a minimum bend radius)

To be mounted low on a wall it would really have to be upside down, which is technically possible but aesthetically unappealing.

[DTN75]

Thanks for the reply. Looks like I'll just have to wait and see what the technician thinks. As far as it being aesthetically pleasing I couldn't give a monkeys as long as it works!

[TimmyBGood · Accepted solution]

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@DTN75 wrote:

As far as it being aesthetically pleasing I couldn't give a monkeys as long as it works!

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It would annoy me to have all the printing upside down ; )

It's perhaps worth noting that the ONT is the endpoint of the Openreach network, and so while installers try to be flexible on behalf of the householder they are somewhat limited by their own working practices.

[DTN75]

There is an existing hole halfway up the wall where a previous phone line has been installed, hopefully they can utilise that 🤞🏻