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[burakkucat]

Those of you who use "Beatie" as your broadband service supplier, either BT Total Broadband or BT Infinity, will have been given one of the Home Hubs to use (as a modem/router for the former service or as a router for the latter).

Certain forum regulars will be aware that b*cat is interested in the various pieces of equipment and the technology that allows an end user to be able to access the Internet. I recently made an eBay purchase which consisted of two Huawei HG612 modems (the current official active CPE for VDSL2 connections in this country) and a BT Home Hub 3.0 - Type B. One of the Huawei modems will shortly be forwarded to a fellow researcher, whilst the other will be used by me.

As for the BT HH3, I thought I would have a look inside. So with care and precision, it was disembowelled. Hmm, nothing particularly outstanding to see . . .    Purely for your interest, I scanned both sides of the PCB and have attached the images to this post.

After scanning, it was reassembled and I can reassure those sensitive people that absolutely no equipment was harmed in the process! 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[bbnovice]

Hi:

So what were the conclusions of your "autopsy" of the HH?

I'm interested as I'm being drawn to BT Infnity but have not migrated due to concerns over several problems. One of those issues is the terrible reputation of the BT HH and /or the Huawei.


   

[burakkucat]

So what were the conclusions of your "autopsy" of the HH?

It's just an average bit of kit -- nothing particularly special about it, nothing to get really excited over. Let's say my opinion is neutral.

I'm interested as I'm being drawn to BT Infnity but have not migrated due to concerns over several problems.

I have a few of comments.

The first is that if you wish to have a FTTC service with a VDSL2 link from the DSLAM to your home, you can subscribe to a service from numerous retailers. BT Infinity is just the sevice from BT Retail.

My second comment is that if you only intend to connect one device / computer, you can directly connect it to the Huawei HG612. Your sole computer will need to be configured to establish a PPPoE connection, etc, but it can be done.

My third comment is that if you still intend to use the BT Infinity route, you do not have to use the HH3. You can substitute any "cable" router/switch in place of it. If I had access to a BT Infinity service to "play with", I would definitely try using a 2Wire 2701HGV-C in place of the HH3. The 2Wire 2701HGV-C can be purchased quite cheaply (and brand new) on eBay as a Version 3.0 of the BT Business Hub, Type 2. It is important not to purchase an original BT Business Hub, Type 1 (which is a re-badged 2Wire 1800HG) nor Versions 1.0 or 2.0 of the BT Business Hub, Type 2 (which are re-badged 2Wire 2700HGVs).

As for the Huawei HG612, which is installed by OpenReach as the active CPE for all FTTC installations, the latest version 3B with the SP10 firmware is adequate for the 12a VDSL2 profile upgrade that is currently being rolled out across the country. Of course, to be able to monitor the line statistics, one will need to install the unlocked SP10 firmware that Asbokid has made available to us all. 

[bbnovice]

[burakkucat]

Hi BB,

Yes, everything you've mentioned makes perfect sense. I will agree, on price alone "Beattie" will be an excellent choice. As you currently use "her" to provide your telephone service, then taking the Infinity broadband service is (almost) a "no brainer".

Consider my neighbour "Gordon". He professes to being a numpty where technology is concerned but bar a minor hiccup when the first attempt was made to install his Infinity broadband service, everything has subsequently been fault / issue free. He is, as a consequence, very happy with the service. It is from "Gordon"'s Infinity connection that I will occasionally quote details, for it is one of the best of which I am aware. (I guess it helps that the D-side copper pair is precisely 440 yards / 0.25 mile / 400 metres.)

Now consider Mr Eagle (a.k.a. Baldy_Bird or Bald_Eagle1). He has a third-party, PlusNet, involved in the supply of his telephony and FTTC broadband service. His tale of woe is now giving that slim volume (War And Peace) a good run for the Roubles.

As a new FTTC installation, you should be provided with a Huawei HG612, type 3B, as the active CPE by OR and BT Retail will send you a HH3, via the postal service. 

[waltergmw]

Hi BB,

I would just inject a word of caution with any BT broadband services. They are fine when they work but there are many stories of very significant difficulties if you have to engage with the BT fault reporting systems.

IF you are unlucky enough to get into that predicament then e.g. an expensive Zen solution becomes a much cheaper and far less stressful option.

Kind regards,
Walter

[Bald_Eagle1]

As for the Huawei HG612, which is installed by OpenReach as the active CPE for all FTTC installations, the latest version 3B with the SP10 firmware is adequate for the 12a VDSL2 profile upgrade that is currently being rolled out across the country. Of course, to be able to monitor the line statistics, one will need to install the unlocked SP10 firmware that Asbokid has made available to us all. 

Along with the current 17a profile upgrade, It is rumoured that BT are currently investigating / trialing the 30a profile to give up to 200Mb or 300Mb speeds, probably just for those who live very close to the street cabinet in which the DSLAM is located.

The Huawei HG612 modem does report 30a compatibility, but I believe there may be some doubt regarding its processing power for such high speeds/frequencies.


Paul.

[jeffbb]

Hi
quote probably just for those who live very close to the street cabinet in which the DSLAM is

located.

or better still in their back garden 

Regards Jeff

[Bald_Eagle1]

Hi
quote probably just for those who live very close to the street cabinet in which the DSLAM is

located.

or better still in their back garden 

Regards Jeff

Haha,

There's plenty of room in my back garden for a fibre cabinet.

I wouldn't even charge BT a peppercorn rent for siting one there.

I wouldn't turn down an offer of free FTTH broadband for life though

Paul.

[f2richard]

So, has anyone successfully used a BT Home Hub 3 to connect to a non-BT Infinity FTTC VDSL ISP?

We're very fortunate in that our village is being provided with FTTC broadband in a scheme sponsored by our local county council.  The wholesale ISP is Fluidata and I've selected IDNet as my supplier.

It would significantly lower the cost of entry for members of our community if we were able to purchase 2nd hand Home Hub 3's, of which there seems to be a plentiful supply!

Has anyone successfully done this? Have BT locked out the ability to change the login names for VDSL connection?

Look forward to your replies, and thanks.

[waltergmw]

Hi Richard,

I believe you are required to use the Openreach supplied VDSL modem if you want to discuss any problems as they are the only ones that are supported.

Most are the Huawei Echolife HG612 although I've seen one report from Cornwall of a ECI Telecom one  TYPE 1B.
B-FOCuS V-2FUb/I Rev.B

VERY Sadly if routing functions are required they are then provided by the home hub or other router, depending upon your service provider.
Yet more clutter and a thoroughly "un-green" power increase IMHO.

Kind regards,
Walter

[f2richard]

[burakkucat]

Specifically I would like to know if it is possible to change the PPoE username/password to be different from the BT pre-populated credentials and whether I would be able to switch off any other BT specific features.

Or perhaps I misunderstood your reply and what you are saying that the HH3 does not actually have a VDSL modem built in and the Infinity port is in fact a WAN port that supplies the PPoE session information?

Ah. now that you have clarified your initial question, I can easily answer that by saying that the HH3 does not have an integrated VDSL2 modem but it is, as you have suspected, that the WAN port passes the PPPoE credentials, via an external modem, to the FTTC DSLAM.

I have read rumours that the HH3 has been locked by Beattie to operate only on her broadband services, be they ADSL, ADSL2+ or VDSL2 in origin. I could make a note on my ever-lengthening ToDo List and check that for you but I suspect you will now be crossing the HH3 off your list.

A somewhat OT thought but as asbokid has made available unlocked firmware for the Huawei EchoLife HG612 (the OpenReach supplied modem) and they are now appearing quite regularly on eBay, you might like to consider their use . . . 

[waltergmw]

@ Richard & BKK,

I'm pleased that you two disgraceful night-owls have indeed discovered what I meant to say !

I am interested to know what effects the BT E side cabling has on a FTTC service so it would be helpful if you could publish your modem's statistics and whether you have an isolated D side line.
I.e. 1. Do you have a Full Metallic Path Facility as BT's glorious lexicographers describe it ?
2. Do you know what type of MSAN you are connected to ?

Kind regards,
Walter

[f2richard]