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[spudgun]

Good afternoon everyone,

There are the beginnings of signs that FTTP might be coming to my area, and whilst I recognise that this could be months (if not years) away from being available to order, I want to be prepared for when it does, so I would be grateful if some of the installation experts on here could take a look at this for me please and share their wisdom.

Background + logistics
I am currently on a FTTC product.
My property is served from an underground duct which has its nearest chamber 10 feet away from where the cable emerges at my property (see photo) and goes into the BT box mounted on an external wall.
From the BT box the cable runs underneath the door and turns 90 degrees to run alongside the outside of the property before entering in 7ft to go through the external wall and into the MK3 NTE5 which is located about 2 feet from where my home network starts (HG612, Asus Router and NAS).

Decisions I have already made
I am risk averse, frequently work from home and can't be without a connection so I don't want to cancel FTTC until FTTP is running.
I am hoping to be one of the first in the street to order so, linked to the above, I don't want the copper to be pulled as part of the FTTP install only to find out that there is an issue in the newly installed kit that needs fixing.
I have no intention of staying with my current FTTC provider (Zen) due to the potential for GEA issues, so there will be a short period where FTTC and FTTP are both active and I can live with the cost of that.

Questions
Will the new external FTTP box be able to go on the same wall as the existing external box? The wall is 15cm in width and according to this URL (https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist#accordion-b43490109a-item-1ee82f721d) that is also the width of the Openreach box
If it does go on this wall, would it be wiser to have it above or below the existing box?
If it can't/shouldn't go on the same wall, where would you recommend I ask for it to be installed? To the right of the front door with the cable emerging from the duct and turning 90 degrees to go under the front door (the line of the current cabling) and into the external box at that point?
Will the FTTP cable from the newly installed external box be flexible enough to turn 90 degrees around the corner of the house as the existing cable does?

Thank you for taking the time to consider this and please feel free to make any alternative suggestions for things that I could also do or other things that I need to take into account.

Spud

[j0hn]

Really it shouldn't go above or below the existing box but it should replace the existing box.
The CSP's are designed to replace the copper covers like in your image.

Openreach have mini CSP's now that are smaller than before. That would fit on your wall easy.

https://uk.prysmian.com/node/20546

[spudgun]

Thank you for getting back to me, but replacing the existing box isn't an option I'm afraid as the copper isn't redundant until the fibre is installed and confirmed as working.

I don't want to end up in a situation like this - https://forums.thinkbroadband.com/fibre/4757545-help-fttp-install-gone-wrong-no-internet.html#Post4757545
- where you end up with no service as I would be one of the first to try to connect to the new infrastructure as I would be monitoring availability.

So, the questions from the initial post still stand, but I'm guessing from your reply that the best way would be to have the cable emerge from the duct, turn 90 degrees to go under the door and have the junction box on the wall that is to the right of the door on the photo?

[Dave Jones]

What about a 4g/5g router as backup?  If you WFH that might be a good idea anyway, as even fibre has its bad days.

As far as the cable turning 90 degrees goes, you need to remember that fibre doesn’t cope with tight turns so 90 degrees in one go might be out.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Thank you for getting back to me, but replacing the existing box isn't an option I'm afraid as the copper isn't redundant until the fibre is installed and confirmed as working.

I think the idea of replacing the box is they could re-terminate the copper in there too with jelly crimps.

Although I'd kinda expect them to put a new box closer to where the cable is entering the property and leave that one alone.

[spudgun]

Thank you to everyone for the considered thoughts and opinions, I am most grateful to you for your time.

I had no idea that openreach had an external box that could terminate both the copper and fibre in the same housing, so that might be a possibility for the short term whilst there is some cross over.

The bend radius of the fibre emerging from the external box is something that has concerned me, but I surely can't be alone in this and has anyone else had an install where the fibre has been run around the corner of a building?

[g3uiss]

I’m sure Openreach or their installers will know how to deal with any run of fibre necessary.

[Alex Atkin UK]

I had no idea that openreach had an external box that could terminate both the copper and fibre in the same housing, so that might be a possibility for the short term whilst there is some cross over.

I'm not sure they would bother, but I see no reason why they can't.  After all, its just to coil any spare fibre and protect the fusion joint.  But the quickest solution is to ignore the copper entirely so what I would expect them to do.

[Dwight]

HI Spudgunn.
Actually had issues with my install, and the Engineer left the copper dangling to a box in the living room and an ONT on the wall waiting for it's fibre. But i would expect them to install and leave you with working fibre.
The out side box has a meter of fibre in it according to ORs own blur, this is if any fault testing is required. they can split, test and resplice with out any concerns.
Would also suggest some form of UPS if you truly need it on 24/7/365. As any power cut and you ore screwed. SIMs are also an option as mention above, a bit like EE's own unbreakable. So if you're in a good mobile area you could use a data only for the hand over  and then have it as a back up.
All the best for your install,
Regards.
Dwight