Suggestions for a secondary backup FTTP Provider?

[THX1138]

Since completely losing our Sky FTTP broadband and phone service for over 2 weeks now - due to some kind of outage in the area, I’m now thinking that we may need to invest in a secondary FTTP broadband service from another provider as a backup in the event that Sky service outages like we’re currently experiencing become more common.

Is anyone aware of a good, basic, cheap, no-frills FTTP broadband providers (sadly no more FTTC options available) that could fit the bill? Sadly GSM tethering is not an option due to our very poor 4G signal.

[StuXxxxx]

I would advise posting that question on the ISPReview website forum.  They tend to have those sort of discussions regular.

[Chrisee]

@THX1138 first thing to check is what other companies have run fibre to your road as it is pointless buying a second connection using the Openreach system Sky use as most faults are in the Openreach network not in Sky's backhaul network. If Virgin Media, City Fibre or any other altnet have run cables that could work. Alternatively mobile broadband is often an option.

[TimmyBGood]

@THX1138 

As @Chrisee indicates, any ISP also on the Openreach network can't really be considered a backup, although it would give some redundancy against Sky routing issues, and you'd have a second ONT. Physical bearer failure to the address (which is probably the most common issue) is going to affect such ISPs equally.

[Chrisee]

@TimmyBGood I thought Openreach just switched the ONT to one with multiple LAN  ports when people bought a second connection. The other issue is managing two networks unless you go to the trouble of getting a load balancing router. 

[THX1138]

@Chrisee  @TimmyBGood 

Good point regards Openreach and the shared infrastructure. We also have Swish Fibre available to our property, which I believe has its own infrastructure, independent from Openreach?

Speaking with the Sky Tech Team about our current outage, I really feel for them as they are kept just as much in the dark as myself as Openreach don’t give them any updates or estimated fix dates. Openreach really are a “law unto themselves” – arrogant bunch of b******s!

So, when our broadband will return is anyone’s guess – another week, month, year…, Who knows.

[TimmyBGood]

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@THX1138 wrote:

 Openreach really are a “law unto themselves” 

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Unfortunately having an effective national monopoly does tend mean that's literally true (although to be fair they are obliged by Ofcom to treat all their client ISPs equally badly)

Using Swish in addition to an Openreach ISP would provide a greater degree of redundancy, but if ordering it's important to emphasize that you're looking for an additional service at the address and not a 'switch'.

[GD1]

@THX1138  As mentioned in previous posts you'd need a dual wan router for both FTTP providers hub so to connect to.  As you'll no doubt hane 2 ISP hubs, you would also need to decide if you dispense with the ISP provided wifi signals in favour of one AP(Access Point)  connected to the dual wan router.

I have mine set up in the following way.

Draytek Multi Wan router, Draytek access point providing the wifi signal around the home.  I switch off the ISP hubs wifi.  

(There are cheaper dual wan routers and access points available)

You can if you wish replicate an existing wifi name on the 3rd party AP if it makes things easier for wifi connected devices.

This way if Wan 1 fails, Wan 2 kicks in, all devices connected to the access point won't realise the switch has taken place.

[Chrisee]

@THX1138 I would comment thst every network gets outages on occasions none are immune. Outages on Openreach full fibre are comparatively rare so you have been unlucky my own connection has been rock solid for 30 months but having said that it will no doubt fail this evening. .

.Having two independent connections is certainly sensible but you are likely to end up with two separate networks so devices on one wont talk to devices on the other. There are ways round that but load balancing routers are outside my experience.

From a quick check Swish look ok but like many of the smaller  altnet providers expect the ownership to change as some consolidation is almost certain as few are delivering sustainable returns for their investors. 

[GD1]

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@Chrisee wrote:

@THX1138 I would comment thst every network gets outages on occasions none are immune. Outages on Openreach full fibre are comparatively rare so you have been unlucky my own connection has been rock solid for 30 months but having said that it will no doubt fail this evening. .

.Having two independent connections is certainly sensible but you are likely to end up with two separate networks so devices on one wont talk to devices on the other.If the dual wan is set up all devices will be on the home network ip range, when setup correctly the devices would not be affected by one line dropping and another taking over if configured in the way I posted 🙂

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[THX1138]

@GD1 @Chrisee @TimmyBGood 

Thanks again everyone for your valuable comments, guidance and humorous comments - put a much-needed smile on my face.

I’ll give Swish Fibre a call next week to see if they can offer a real budget (broadband only, no phone) option as for the most part it will just sit idle and be ready as a backup system when needed. It could however, soon be used when our monitored alarm system has to be upgraded due to it now suffering obsolete components. It could provide a secondary path to the monitoring centre.

Luckily, I currently have a separate redundant BT copper line (that used to provide the path to the monitoring centre) which I have not yet asked BT to cancel. Could be a neat and tidy option to upgrade this BT line over to Swish Fibre, thus going nowhere near the current separate Sky FTTP line. At one time we had 4 separate BT lines coming into the house and now only have 2 + the Sky FTTP.

It would be hilarious to see which provider gets us back onto broadband first:

• A brand-new Swish Fibre install?
• The Openreach dysfunctional rabble trying to fix our Sky outage?

I know who I’d put my money on LOL!!

[JimM1]

@THX1138 You may wish to review the last posting statement about the good old copper line?

[THX1138]

@JimM1 

Sorry, can't find a 'last post' regards "good old copper line"?

If I was able to still get a copper line broadband service - FTTC, for a basic price, that would suffice as a secondary backup and save a lot of kerfuffle with bringing a secondary FTTP into the house.

GSM tethering is also completely unreliable as we live on the other side of a hill from where the GSM tower is – a directional arial mounted at the top of a nearby tall pine tree would be mad to install or maybe a Starlink system…

[GD1]

@THX1138  The issue here is if FTTP is being sold a via your exchange FTTC won't be, so the copper line in that respect is redundant.

[JimM1]

@THX1138 You Wrote

• Luckily, I currently have a separate redundant BT copper line (that used to provide the path to the monitoring centre) which I have not yet asked BT to cancel. Could be a neat and tidy option to upgrade this BT line over to Swish Fibre, thus going nowhere near the current separate Sky FTTP line. At one time we had 4 separate BT lines coming into the house and now only have 2 + the Sky FTTP.